Styles in Micorsoft Word
Microsoft Word offers a number of editing styles for the text in your document. To access style features select Font under the Format menu. The Font window will open offering a number of interesting options. Times New Roman in size 10 is usually the default. The biggest mistake you can make is to stick to this option. There are a great many more fonts, most of which are pleasing to the eye. This is not to say that Times New Roman isn't, but quite frankly it's got no panache. So how do you choose a font with more zip? The best thing to do is tailor your font to the information you are presenting in your document and the audience who will be receiving it. Opt for clean, crisp fonts in a size that makes reading a breeze instead of a strain. If your text is in a PowerPoint document you can use some of the fonts with more ornate features like Forte or Bodoni with one caveat, don't over do it. If your font will appear on name tags or posters select fonts that are large, bold and interesting to view. You will notice that when you select a font you will have to adjust the font size accordingly. Times New Roman is a fairly small compact font. Century Gothic takes up a lot more character space. When you use big fonts keep the font size small so they don't overpower your message.
Once you have decided on the font style and size, you may want to experiment with other options. For example the style menu will allow the text to appear in italic and bold forms as well as underlined. While these options are listed specifically as Style features there a number of additional options that you may want to consider. These options are listed under Effects.
The Effects menu offers a number of useful features. Two of the most common for text documents is the Subscript and Superscript options. Superscript can be used for denoting ordinal placement like first, second third and so forth. This is handy when recording dated information and it can also be used for exponents or footnotes. Many of the other features like Shadow and Emboss are wonderful for headlines, titles and posters. One of the best things about applying styles in Microsoft documents is that you can combine a number of features to create a lasting impression. Again, remember not to overdo it. Less is usually more.
Other Effects like Strike through and Double Strike through often come in handy when you are editing a document. By using these features you can cross out a word or sentence and then show a different alternate choice. Another way to bring attention to a word, phrase or sentence is to highlight the item then select Borders and Shading under the Format menu. Add a border or colored shading to the word. If you want to get really fancy there are a number of humorous and engaging effects that can be added to the word, phrase or sentence. Highlight the word you want to target. Then select Font from the Format menu. Under Font, select Text Effects. The styles listed include Las Vegas Lights, Marching Ants and Blinking Lights. Text Effects offers a fun way to highlight an important message in your text. For example you might want to use the Las Vegas lights to surround important directions like Sign Here on a prenuptial contract or the Blinking Lights for a payment due date. Whatever Text Effect you select remember that they infuse an air of fun and frivolity into the document so be cognizant of your audience. Character Spacing under the Font menu offers another way of adjusting your text to make an impression.
By experimenting with theses styles you will be able to create a number of interesting looks and thereby present you document with both impact and style.