Business Reports with ClarisWorks

Computers in Communication
Boston University College of Communication
Professor Jim Lengel

1. Sketch out your ideas.
Who is your audience? What are the ideas you want to get across to them? What elements do you need in your report to communicate those ideas? Answer these questions, then list the elements of your report: text, titles, photographs, tables, graphs, and so forth. Next, sketch out the placement of these elements. Consider the principles of balance and contrast as you do this.

2. Set up your page.
Create a new a ClarisWorks word processing document. Use the Columns item of the Format menu to create columns if you need them. Many business reports use two columns of unequal width.

4. Place your graphic elements.
Put your titles, pictures, and diagrams onto the report. If your picture is in the Scrapbook, go there and copy it, then paste it into ClarisWorks as a graphic element.
If your picture is a file on the disk, use the Insert command under the File menu to bring it into ClarisWorks as a graphic element. Once you have imported the graphics, move them around the screen to the place you want.

5. Make your titles.
Titles should be graphic elements, not part of the text. Use the Note Pad to enter and copy the text of your title. Paste it into ClarisWorks as a graphic element. Use the text tool to select the text of your title, then adjust the font and size as necessary. Move and stretch your title to its desired location.

6. Enter your text.
You can type your text right into the columns, or you can paste it from the Scrapbook, or insert it from a file. Your text may appear underneath or over some of your graphic elements. Don't worry. We'll fix that next.

7. Make the text wrap around the graphics.
Select the graphic element, then use Text Wrap under the Options menu. Do the same for the title and the other graphics.

8. Adjust the text to fit.
Select the text. Adjust font, size, line spacing, and style so that it is attractive, readable, and fits into the space you have. Edit the content if necessary to make it fit. Check the spelling.

9. Review your work.
Hide the page guides for a moment. Zoom out and look at your report from a distance. How's the balance? The contrast? Adjust these as necessary, then print a copy. Look at it one more time for balance, contrast, and readability. Go back and adjust as necessary.