This article will teach you how to create a newspaper using the built-in functions of Microsoft Word. Once you have an idea of what the newspaper will look like, you can create one in Word, either on a Windows computer or on a Mac.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Design the Newspaper
Step 1. Evaluate a few different newspapers
To understand how the basic elements of a newspaper are structured, pay attention to how the following elements are arranged:
- stories: is the core of the newspaper, where most of the text is found.
- Images- Photos and graphics are an essential part of newspaper design. They help break up large text farms and provide context for stories.
- Headers- The headline is the first thing the reader will see before deciding whether or not the story is worth reading.
Step 2. Consider the size of the printer
Unless you have access to an industrial printer, your document size should not be larger than 8.5 x 11 inches (21 x 28 cm), which is the standard size considered for most printers.
On most computers, this is the default page size for Microsoft Word
Step 3. Plan the layout before you start
This will help you get a basic idea of the newspaper layout before opening Word and organizing the layout. Use a few proof sheets and make a few different designs.
- Design different pages. The front page will look significantly different than the inner pages, while the various sections will have slightly different styles.
- Draw lines to see how the columns will affect the organization of the newspaper. Placing too many columns will make your text look too dense, while placing too few will make your articles look too blocky.
- Place blocks of text in different places on the test page. Wrap text around images, or place an image directly above or below the related article.
- Experiment with the placement of the header. Headlines should grab the reader's attention, but they can't be so long as to be distracting.
Part 2 of 2: Create the Newspaper
Step 1. Open Microsoft Word
Double-click on the Microsoft Word icon, which looks like a white "W" on a dark blue background.
Step 2. Click Blank Document
This is a white box located at the top left of the page. Clicking on it will open a new blank document.
If you are on a Mac, skip this step
Step 3. Give the newspaper a title
Write the newspaper title or headline that you want to use.
Step 4. Start a new line
Press ↵ Enter to move to the next line.
In this step, you will be able to add columns without the need to split the title
Step 5. Click Format
This tab is in the dark blue strip at the top of the Word window. Clicking on it will open the toolbar Format below the fringe.
Step 6. Click Columns
This button is on the left side of the toolbar Format. Clicking on it will bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 7. Click More Columns…
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu Columns. A window will appear with additional options.
Step 8. Select a column number
For example, click Two at the top of the window to divide the newspaper into two columns.
You can also change the number in the "Number of columns" box to select the number of columns you want
Step 9. Click on the “Apply” drop-down box
This is in the lower left part of the window.
Step 10. Click Hereafter
This option is in the drop-down menu. By clicking on it, you will apply the columns in the document except for the title.
Step 11. Click OK
This will divide the Word document into two or more columns (depending on the number of columns you choose).
Step 12. Write the content
Enter a title, then press ↵ Enter and start typing. When you're done writing, skip a few lines and start with another title and content.
As you type, the column on the left will fill first and then the columns on the right will fill in
Step 13. Insert photos
Click where you want to insert a photo, then on the tab Insert, Then in Images, select an image and finally click on the button Insert located in the lower right corner of the window.
- You can reduce or enlarge your photo by clicking and dragging one of the corners in or out.
- To wrap the text around the photo, click on the photo, then on the tab Format, later Adjust text, and finally in a text wrapping option.
Step 14. Center the newspaper title
Click on the tab Beginning, highlight the title and then click the "Center" icon, which looks like a stack of horizontal lines in the "Paragraph section of the toolbar."
Step 15. Format the newspaper
There are a myriad of things you could change in the newspaper before saving it, but there are a few specific things that you probably need to change:
- Font and text size- Highlight the text you want to change and then click the drop-down arrow next to the current font located in the "Font" section of the tab. Beginning. Select a new font and then a size from the drop-down number box next to the font box.
- Titles in bold- Highlight the title you want to change and then click the letter N located in the "Font" section to make the text bold. You can also click on the S or K to underline or italicize the text.
Step 16. Save the document
Press Ctrl + S (Windows) or Command + S (Mac) to save your document, select a save location, enter a title, and finally click Keep. Now you are done creating the newspaper!