How to Write

This section will focus on performing various tasks related to the writing process video (4 min 31). The most common writing support in Kurzweil is the Writing Path where ideas are generated through the use of the brainstorming tool which forms an outline which is then used to create a more detailed piece of writing. The final process is to review the writing using an established checklist.

1) Set up

Prior to starting the writing process, it is important to first identify and set certain parameters that can contribute to a better experience. These factors include:

i. Reading preferences – the writing process will most likely require listening to what was written to identify errors. Review the settings described in the reading section.

ii. Auditory feedback video (38 sec) – Kurzweil can read back words as they are typed, allowing the writer the opportunity to detect spelling or grammatical errors. In the options window, under the General tab, check the type of feedback required in the “Speak as Typing” section. Feedback can be per word (typically for visually impaired users), per whole word, or per sentence (as determined by the use of punctuation).

2) Starting a new document

There are three writing strategies in Kurzweil: a draft document (a blank page with little structure or guidance), a brainstorm, or an outline. Each of these writing approaches can be started as a blank draft or there are templates created for various writing purposes. Each of these strategies can be opened in three ways:

i. From the Kurzweil 3000 home screen – click the corresponding icon in the Write area. The placement of an arrow in the bottom right hand corner of the icon indicates that this icon will trigger additional options that appear when clicked. Options include as a blank document or using a template.

3) Managing views

While it is possible to start writing in Kurzweil using any of the approaches (draft, brainstorm, or outline), most writers will adhere to the steps in the Writing Path in which case, each step is part of the same document and not separate files. Using the Document View icons found in the Ribbon Menu, it is easy to switch from the brainstorm view to an outline, to a draft document or to split the screen between the outline and the draft document. The view that is shown will be the one in colour.

4) The Writing Path

The Writing Path follows a logical step-by-step approach to writing and can be applied for many types of writing. Kurzweil has created templates to support students for a variety of writing purposes. Although it is possible to start at any step, the Writing Path is meant to be followed linearly in the following order:

i) Brainstorming video (58 sec) – this process allows writers to record their ideas linking concepts, arguments, and supporting evidence in a graphical organizer and can be started as a blank or using a template.

a. Creating a blank brainstorm – a blank brainstorm has no pre-established structure and allows the writer to simply record their thoughts and to link those thoughts together.

● The brainstorming canvas comprises of the following elements:

● A variety of shapes (oval, rectangle, rounded rectangle or oval) that may represent a topic, a main idea or a supporting detail.

● Shape properties that such as fill colour, size or font colour that may denote importance, type of information, level of idea

● Arrows that establish links between shapes and denotes a hierarchical relationship.

● The brainstorm process makes use of the brainstorm palette, a collection of tools, to add different elements to the brainstorm canvas. These tools include:

● Adding rectangle, oval, rounded rectangle, and diamond shapes

● A linking tool that connects one shape to another

● A quick takes tool that allows for rapid generation of sub ideas

● An auto arrange tool that cleans up the layout while preserving relationships

● Fill colour, background colour and text colour tools

b. Using a brainstorm template video (40 sec) – multiple templates exist for different writing purposes ranging from book reports to academic essays. The use of a template saves time in terms of not having to create the structure. The writer simply has to substitute the elements with information specific to their writing.

ii) Creating an outline – once a graphical organizer has been created, Kurzweil will convert the ideas in the brainstorm into a hierarchical outline. Click the Outline icon in the Document View section of the Ribbon bar menu to transform the brainstorm into an outline. Alternatively, some users may elect to skip the brainstorm view and start their writing by creating an outline directly. As with the other steps in the Writing Path, this can be done in two ways:

a. Creating a blank outline – the user will create their own hierarchical structure of their writing using the Outline Palette which comprises of tools to:

● add topics or subtopics

● promote or demote an item

● move items up or down

● change the numbering prefix of the levels in the outline

Levels in the outline can be minimized or expanded using the ‘-‘ or ‘+’ symbols.

b. Generate an outline using a template - multiple templates exist for different writing purposes ranging from book reports to academic essays. The use of a template saves time in terms of not having to create the structure. The writer simply has to substitute the elements with information specific to their writing.

iii) Writing a draft video (39 sec) – a draft document is the simplest form of writing and has the basic elements of any word processor. Options for changing the appearance of the writing are found in the Ribbon toolbar and include font, font size, justification, bold, italics and underline. A more productive way of writing a draft incorporates the outline that was created earlier in the Writing Path. Using the Split Screen icon in the Document View of the Ribbon menu bar, the user can easily follow their outline while writing so that a logical writing order is maintained and that no details are left out.

iv) Reviewing the document – this is the last step of the Writing Path and is used to check the documents for errors. The user is prompted to use the review checklist to identify common areas where errors are made. The checklist can be personalized through the Options menu in the “Review items tab”.

5) Writing Tools

i) A number of tools are available in the left pre-set toolbar area which can be customized for the specific tasks. For example, toolbars exist for “Document Preparation”, “Writing Path”, or “Test Taking” among many others. The standard toolbar set for Writing is called “Default”. To load different toolbars, right click on the left toolbar area and click “Load a Toolbar Set” from the menu. Choose from one of the many options in the drop down menu and click “OK”. A warning will pop up asking to confirm whether you would like to navigate away from the current toolbar set and replace it with the selected toolbar.

Alternatively, individual tools can be added to an existing toolbar set to create a customized toolbar. Position the cursor where the tool is to be added and right click the mouse button. Select either “Insert before” or “Insert after” and find the desired tool to be inserted. Tools are organized in menus by function. Tools that already exist in the toolbar are shown in light grey whereas tools not yet added are in a darker grey. Delete tool icons that are no longer required by right clicking on the icon and selecting delete. Save customized toolbars by right clicking in the left toolbar area and selecting “Save a toolbar set” and giving it a unique name.

ii) Writing tools – in addition to the tools previously referenced in the Reading section, the following additional tools may be useful during the writing process: