Why Format?

  • Word processing software, such as Microsoft Office Word, is used to create, edit, and format documents.
  • Formatting organizes information to improve communication.

Look at the following examples. Describe the formatting techniques in example 2 that make it easier to read than example 1.

Example 1

Some Famous Scientists
Archimedes (about 287 B.C.-212 B.C.), Greek mathematician and inventor who discovered that heavy objects could be moved using pulleys and levers. He was one of the first to test his ideas with experiments. He also is said to have shouted “Eureka!” (“I have found it!”).
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806), a self-taught clockmaker and astronomer, who was the grandson of a slave. He is also known for his work as an architect and a designer of Washington, D.C.
Tim Berners-Lee (1955- ), a British computer whiz who radically changed the history of computing and communication when he invented the World Wide Web in 1989. Since then he has worked to make the web grow as a source of information about everything under the sun. He works at a laboratory in Massachusetts.

Example 2

Some Famous Scientists

  • Archimedes (about 287 B.C.-212 B.C.), Greek mathematician and inventor who discovered that heavy objects could be moved using pulleys and levers. He was one of the first to test his ideas with experiments. He also is said to have shouted “Eureka!” (“I have found it!”).
  • Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806), a self-taught clockmaker and astronomer, who was the grandson of a slave. He is also known for his work as an architect and a designer of Washington, D.C.
  • Tim Berners-Lee (1955- ), a British computer whiz who radically changed the history of computing and communication when he invented the World Wide Web in 1989. Since then he has worked to make the web grow as a source of information about everything under the sun. He works at a laboratory in Massachusetts.

(Text is from Famous Scientists – the World Almanac for Kids)

Formatting Guidelines

Remember the following Formatting Guidelines:

  1. Only use the Enter key at the end of a paragraph, not at the end of every line. Remember that dates and address lines in letters may be “1-line paragraphs”.
  2. Do not write in All Caps. It is more difficult to read and it is considered to be “shouting” in writing.
  3. Use no more than 2 fonts per document. Use a san serif font (font without feet such as Arial) for headlines and section titles. Use a serif font (font with feet such as Times New Roman) for the main text.
  4. Do not underline. Use Bold or italics to add contrast for headlines or section headings.
  5. Do not use a font size larger than size 14 for headlines and section headings. Do not use a font larger than size 12 for the main text.
  6. Place only 1 space after period, commas, question marks. Do not place a space before these punctuation marks.
  7. Place only 1 space between words.
  8. Indent paragraphs with the Tab key, not with the spacebar. or better, use the format paragraph menu to format all paragraphs correctly and consistently.
  9. Use the format font menu to adjust the text to 1.5 or double spacing, if necessary.
  10. Left align the text.
  11. The text should be black and do not highlight unless there is a specific reason to use color. (Color is more expensive to print than black ink.)
  12. Use number lists or bullet lists to organize lists of information.
  13. Use correctly formatted tables to organize rows and columns of information.

Formatting a Cover Letter and Resume Writing

Cover Letter Assignment

What is a cover letter? The cover letter is sent with the resume. You have written an application letter in your language arts class that will be your cover letter to send to high schools with your resume when you apply for high school.

  1. Go to Criterion Writing. Copy the letter that you have already written, then paste it into Word.
  2. Format the cover letter. Please view the sample cover letter template.
  3. Make note of the fonts and font size you use. You will use the same font and font size to format the resume that you will write. Go to Edit and “Select all”. Then use the Format Font Menu to set the font, size, and line spacing.
  4. Use the “Save As” function to save the document to “My Documents”. Name the document letter firstname lastname
  5. Ensure that all formatting is correct and consistent. Is the spacing consistent through the letter? Is spacing around punctuation correct?
  6. The cover letter should fit on a single page. Adjust paragraph spacing and line spacing if necessary to fit the letter on a single page.
  7. Spell check and and grammar check, then proofread carefully. Correct errors.
  8. Save the cover letter again. (Note: Use Save not Save As)
  9. Monday class, please submit the cover letter to http://drop.io/ICStech8_1
  10. Wednesday class, please submit the cover letter to http://drop.io/ICStech8_2

Resume Assignment

  1. Read the quote below from JobStar.
  2. Examine both the chronological and functional resumes on the JobStar site.
  3. Read your cover letter to get ideas for the resume.
  4. Begin to plan what you will say and how you will organize your resume. What type of resume seems to be the best for you, chronological, functional, or a combination? What categories will you use?
  5. Begin a draft resume, if you have time.
  6. Homework: Next week in class, you will write, format and submit your resume to the drop.io for the class. Between today and then, you will talk to your family and friends about your resume. What do they think you should include on it? What are your important characteristics, skills and accomplishments should be mentioned?
  7. You will use the Formatting Guidelines from this blog to format the resume.

What is a resume? (Quote from JobStar) In the following, when it says “employer”, think “high school admission officer”. When it says “workplace”, think “high school”.

The resume is a selling tool that outlines your skills and experiences so an employer can see, at a glance, how you can contribute to the employer’s workplace.

Your resume has to sell you in short order. While you may have all the requirements for a particular position, your resume is a failure if the employer does not instantly come to the conclusion that you “have what it takes.” The first hurdle your resume has to pass–whether it ends up in the “consider file” or the “reject file”–may take less than thirty seconds.

The most effective resumes are clearly focused on a specific job title and address the employer’s stated requirements for the position. The more you know about the duties and skills required for the job–and organize your resume around these points–the more effective the resume.

You will need information to write a good resume. Not just information about jobs you’ve held in the past but also information to select the most relevant accomplishments, skills and experience for THIS position. The more you know about the employer and the position, the more you can tailor your resume to fit the job.

Resume Samples for Students (Note: the resume must fit on a single page.)