¶ … Processor
There are both significant advantages and disadvantages in composing with a word processor. Advantages include great freedom in moving around chunks of text and spell and grammar checking features. One important disadvantage of word processors may be the tendency to neglect document structure and content due to the ease of writing and rewriting a document. In all, I feel that the advantages of word processors far outweigh the disadvantages, especially if documents are created with foresight and planning.
I feel that of the greatest advantages of using a word processor to compose is the freedom of moving and copying text that the technology allows. A word processor allows me to move text almost anywhere within a document with a few simple clicks of a mouse, thus allowing me to completely revise the order and meaning of a document, if required. The same technique done by hand or by typewriter would require considerably more time and effort.
Modern word processing software also offers the considerable advantage of grammar and spell checking features. These features enable me and other authors to turn out virtually flawlessly spelled documents that are grammatically correct. Wile spell and grammar checking features are not infallible, they are useful tools in creating good documents. In addition, modern software like Microsoft Word allows me to check for spelling variations in British, Canadian, Australian, or even American English, making it easy to convert documents for use in different countries.
In my opinion, of the greatest disadvantages of using a word processor may come from the speed and ease of use of the technology. In allowing me to type a document quickly, the word processor may discourage me from carefully considering document structure and meaning before beginning to compose. As such, the word processor may actually encourage me to compose documents that are more poorly organized and composed than those that are composed in a traditional format.
