First, open Word by clicking on the icon and choose blank document.
Next, you'll wanna go to the menu item File. Click there and you'll get a screen that looks like this:
No, I'm not gonna show you my file list. *grin* You'll know what I've been up to soon enough. Let's move on! Please click on Options down at the bottom left (see arrow).
You'll get a screen like this:
Now, we want to click on Proofing (see arrow).
And we get this:
Under the heading When Correcting Spelling and Grammar in Word, there's a Settings... box to the right of Writing Style. Be sure Grammar and Style are selected from the drop down there, then move to the box. Click it (see arrow)!
Here's where the magic happens! Look at all the nifty check boxes! If you missed changing the drop down in the step before this one, you may do that now. You won't see all these boxes in one view; you'll have to scroll. I'm showing you here so you may have a nice overview. *grin* Are you all in grammar geek Heaven like I am?
Make your selections and click OK.
Now, open your manuscript and review everything Word magically underlines for you. Booyah!
Please keep in mind that Word doesn't "read" your manuscript. There are still stylistic choices you'll have to make, but most have an option to keep the program from pointing those out.
THIS DOES NOT NEGATE THE NEED FOR AN EDITOR. Yes, you can get a cleaner manuscript this way. No, it won't catch all your errors. Yes, it will create new errors if you blindly accept all suggestions. It's a program, not a human.
I hope this little tutorial helps you all in some way.
Did you know these options existed? Did you check it out? What did you find! Share with us!
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
