Computers and Writing

Most student writers nowadays use computers to compose their essays and assignments. With ease, a written work can be formatted, edited, and manipulated on a word processor. But along with the many obvious assets of word processors, there are also certain liabilities associated with this technology. The computer is still no replacement for human effort.

The increasing reliance on word processors, with tools such as copy and paste, makes it difficult for many to compose their thoughts effectively on paper. It is important to maintain these skills, since most tests, exams, and day-to-day writing tasks such as note-taking are still done with pen and paper. "The word processor," remarks writing guru William Zinsser, "is the writer's dishwasher." When a dishwasher is not available, you need to be ready and able to wash the dishes by hand.

When using a word processor, you cannot rely on spell/grammar check to accurately detect errors in your work. A computer can only recognize misspelled words, not typos that appear as other words. As far as the computer is concerned, the following sentence is correct: "You can nut relay on spell/GRAMMER cheque too accurately defect error in you word." A computer will also overlook most mixed constructions, misplaced modifiers, and some sentence fragments. And if that is not enough, the computer will sometimes flag items that are not, in fact, wrong.

Further, AutoCorrect and AutoFormat features such as spell and grammar check are often not in step with popular conventions. As fast as technology changes, it does not always pace itself with changes in editorial standards. Moreover, AutoFormat will automatically make certain alterations to your text that are no longer in popular practice. For example, most word processors will not allow you to write ordinal numbers according to the current practice (for example, 2nd), but will automatically superscript the nd (2^nd). The easiest way to correct this is to type "2^nd" and hit Control/Z (edit/undo). Some word processors will also convert the three spaced periods of an ellipsis ( . . . ) to a set symbol (...) that can be ambiguous in print. Another difficulty posed by the AutoFormat feature is indenting the second line in a bibliographic entry. Often the computer will not allow you to hit Tab without moving the whole entry. The way around this is to hit Enter first, then Tab.

Clark, A. C. The Extraordinary Adventures of William Hobsbaum. Oxford: Basil <Enter> <Tab>     Blackwell, 1908.

Moreover, because the computer can enable students to format their work in ways previously reserved for professional printers, many succumb to the temptation to include unnecessary images (on the title page especially), use unusual fonts, or manipulate font and margin sizes to create the illusion of the desired length. Such alterations seldom achieve the desired effect. Always format your work according to the specifications provided by your instructor or employer. Most academic essays should be printed in Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced with one-inch (1'') margins. Most other fonts (with the exception of Ariel and Courier New) are considered too elaborate or novel for academic readership.

Another drawback for those who conduct research online is the danger of inadvertent plagiarism, due to excessive copying and pasting of online materials. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many websites cannot be considered credible sources of information. The computer is a fine guide, but make sure that your conscience and good judgement go along with you when you research a topic on the Internet.

Work saved on a computer is not permanent, but, as anyone who has ever lost hours of work will know, is subject to corruption and sometimes inexplicable vaporization. Thus, it is not only important to save frequently in a variety of formats and locations (hard drive, floppy, CD, USB Flash Drive), but also to print your work often. Hard copies are less likely to become corrupted or inadvertently deleted!