ESL Podcast 308 – Formatting a Document

Franz: I’ve just switched over to this program and I can’t figure out how to format¹ my document. Can you help me?

Helen: I can try. Let’s take a look. What do you want to do?

Franz: I want to change the margins² so that I can fit more on a page. I don’t know how to change the default settings. I also want to put this section on a separate page.

Helen: Okay, you can adjust the margins by moving this up and down, or from side to side. If you want this section on a separate page, just add a page break.

Franz: Oh, I see. What if I want to add a header or a footer?

Helen: You go to this pull-down menu and select the header and footer option. Then, you can type in the text you want. If you want to add a page number, just insert one by selecting it from this menu.

Franz: That seems easy. What if I want to change the font?

Helen: You can change the font style or size by selecting the text and then making the change on the toolbar. See?

Franz: Yeah, that seems simple enough. I also want to change the orientation³ of the page. How do I do that?

Helen: Right now your document is portrait. To make it landscape, you just go to “Page Setup” and change it.

Franz: That all seems pretty easy. I think I’ve got it.

Helen: Good. Give it a try. If you get stuck, I can try to help.

Franz: Okay, great! Now, can you go over again how to change the margins, insert a page number, change the page orientation, and add a footer?


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 format   

n.设计，版式；[计算机]格式，DOS命令:格式化(磁盘)，用于空盘或使用过的磁盘建立新空盘来存储数据；v.使格式化，设计，安排

参考例句：

• Please format this floppy disc.请将这张软盘格式化。
• The format of the figure is very tasteful.该图表的格式很雅致。

2 margins   

边( margin的名词复数 )； 利润； 页边空白； 差数

参考例句：

• They have always had to make do with relatively small profit margins. 他们不得不经常设法应付较少的利润额。
• To create more space between the navigation items, add left and right margins to the links. 在每个项目间留更多的空隙，加左或者右的margins来定义链接。

3 orientation   

n.方向，目标；熟悉，适应，情况介绍

参考例句：

• Children need some orientation when they go to school.小孩子上学时需要适应。
• The traveller found his orientation with the aid of a good map.旅行者借助一幅好地图得知自己的方向。