ICT 0417 - Topic 14 Styles - Spacing

Objective

Be able to apply spacing including paragraph (before and after) and line spacing.

Paragraph Spacing

Paragraph spacing refers to the space between paragraphs of text. It helps to visually separate different ideas and improve readability.

There are two main types of paragraph spacing:

• Before paragraph: Space added before the first line of a paragraph.
• After paragraph: Space added after the last line of a paragraph.

You can usually adjust paragraph spacing using the formatting options in word processing software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Line Spacing

Line spacing refers to the vertical space between lines of text within a paragraph. It significantly impacts the readability of text.

Common line spacing options include:

• Single spacing: One line of space between each line of text.
• 1.5 spacing: One and a half lines of space between each line of text.
• Double spacing: Two lines of space between each line of text.

Line spacing is typically adjusted using the line spacing options in word processing software.

Applying Spacing in Word Processing Software

Most word processing programs provide a toolbar or menu options to control paragraph and line spacing. The specific location of these options may vary slightly between different software, but they are generally found under the "Paragraph" or "Format" menu.

Example (Conceptual - specific software UI will vary):

Option	Description
Paragraph Before	Allows you to specify the amount of space to add before the first line of a paragraph.
Paragraph After	Allows you to specify the amount of space to add after the last line of a paragraph.
Line Spacing	Allows you to select the desired line spacing (e.g., Single, 1.5, Double).

Importance of Spacing

Using appropriate spacing is crucial for creating clear, well-organized, and easy-to-read documents. It improves visual appeal and helps readers to focus on the content.