Typewriting Practice and Formatting
Typewriting Practice and Formatting tests whether you can lay out official and business documents correctly: letters, envelopes, tables, manuscripts, notices, and carbon copies. Marks depend on margins, alignment, spacing, paragraphing, and consistency of style, not only on typing speed.
Standard formats
- Full block: every line begins at the left margin; paragraphs are separated by a blank line.
- Modified block: the date and the complimentary close/signature block begin at the horizontal centre; paragraphs may be flush left.
- Semi-block: paragraphs are indented, with the date and close usually centred.
- Envelope: recipient's name, designation, address, and PIN; sender's details go on the back flap or top left according to office style.
- Tables: use tab stops, not the space bar, and centre column headings over their columns.
- Manuscript: double spacing, wide margins, and page numbers.
Worked example
A letter is to be typed in full block. The date "15 March 2024" goes flush left, one blank line above the inside address. The salutation "Dear Sir/Madam," is followed by the body, with a blank line between paragraphs. "Yours faithfully," is flush left, followed by four clear lines for the signature, then the name and designation. Reasoning: full block requires every line at the left margin; centring the date would turn it into modified block and lose formatting marks.
Traps
Mixing full block and modified block in one letter; using spaces to align columns; forgetting the blank line before the complimentary close; and ignoring the instruction sheet's rule on spacing after a full stop.