Writing with Kurzweil

Writing with Kurzweil

The Kurzweil program has many excellent features to support writing. The supports are vital for students who have challenges with reading or written expression, but the features are very

useful for everyone!

See how one teacher implements Kurzweil with his whole class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3xq32m_FZM

The Writing Bar

Click on the blue brick on the left side of the tool bar for the Writing Tool Bar. Hide other tool bars by clicking on red, yellow and green bricks. All the Writing Bar buttons can also be accessed through the Write and Tools dropdown menus.

To view a video of the Writing Tool bar demonstrating each button and its features, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp4Y-h9r

The Writing Bar Buttons:

Start Writing

This gets you started with a New Brainstorm, Outline or Draft Blank or choose from one of two dozen Templates. You go back and forth between the features by clicking on the icons.

The program will read each word and/or the whole sentence as you type which is great support for struggling readers and writers and valuable feedback for all. To choose the options, go to Options in the Tools menu and select the General Tab and the section Speak As Typing,

Brainstorm

This graphic tool visually organizes your thoughts and expands on them which is especially helpful for those who have a hard time getting started.

Use Quick Takes in the Brainstorm Palette to create shapes in which to type and edit. To link ideas, click Link, select the main idea, then the sub-ideas. Click Arrange to organize ideas neatly.

Outline

With this button, you can organize your ideas from the Brainstorm organizer into a text-based hierarchical writing plan. The Outline Palette buttons allow you to add ideas, move topics around, add notes and begin your draft.

Split Screen

This is an excellent feature to keep you on track and enable you to access and use information gathered to write more detailed, higher level work. It lets you see the outline or notes in the left pane while you write your draft on the right.

Draft

This allows you to see only the draft you are working on and eliminate visual clutter, but you can access your outline, split screen or other features with just a click.

Review Writing

To guide the revising and editing task, this button shows you a list of review tasks that can be checked off as you revise your document, or you can create your own task list. The right click button has more editing features.

Spelling, Grammar and Word Choice Supports

Spell Check

Simply click this button to check for errors or use the Spelling Corrections List by clicking the Right Mouse button. All words can be read with a click. A dictionary is also available within the Spell check dialog.

Word Prediction

For those have trouble with spelling, grammar and even typing, this feature is invaluable It offers a floating list of word choices that can be read with a click. To create a topic dictionary, click Train and follow the prompts to import words from a text file.

Word Lists

This button enables you to see a list of words as you type which can enhance word choice and expand vocabulary and ideas used. There are a variety of lists to choose from such as the Dolch List or Strong verbs, which can be edited. A topic dictionary that has been created can be included..

For a video demonstration of the complete Writing Path, view the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLaqCz4FlYA

To see how to use Kurzweil Writing supports like Spell Check and Word Prediction, check out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZf4sbxQc9c&feature=related

To walk you through an assignment from reading to revisions using the features of the Kurzweil program, download http://www.setbc.org/download/archive/pdf04/supp_wrt.pdf

Of course, the Help menu is a great reference for information on the whole Writing Path.

You'll want everyone to have access to this amazing writing tool!