google document essay

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1.4 GETTING STARTED: Setting Up a Google Doc

Open a new, blank Google Doc. Tip: Sometimes it’s easiest to enter from your college Gmail account by clicking on the Google Apps icon (the nine little squares in a grid) and then Docs.
Give the document a name by clicking in the box in the upper-left hand corner. Tip: Be specific so that it is easy to find later (for example: Krause – Essay 01).

From the menu bar near the top, click Format > Line and Paragraph Spacing > Double to use double-spaced lines.

Level 8 Writing

January 13, 2022

On the next line, type the title of your essay. Use the Center Align button in the toolbar to place the text in the center of the page.
Press Enter and click the Left Align button to start the first paragraph at the left margin. Press the computer’s Tab key to indent the first line of the paragraph.

How-To Geek

The best fonts for google docs documents.

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Best fonts to use for google doc, what to look for when choosing a font, choose your favorite google font.

Google has a wide library of fonts that can turn your document into a pleasure to read and write. We've selected the best fonts to make your Google Doc documents look the best they can. We'll cover some classics as well as some underrated new fonts.

If you're a Google Docs user, you probably know that it employs the Arial typeface by default. However, there are also other alternatives offered by Google Fonts that provide similar professional flair and readability.

When it comes to documents, readability will always be a top priority, and Inter excels at this game. There are many types of writings that can be done with this typeface. The font was originally designed to work on the 11px font size specifically. It has a tall x-height that aids in the readability of mixed-case and lower-case texts.

The Inter UI font family has nine different weight styles available on Google Docs. It even has OpenType Features and glyphs if you are looking for more design options.

If you like texts that are carefully spaced out and friendly yet formal, then Inter is your best bet. It's such a popular pick that you may even want to use Inter as your default font on Google Docs .

Where you can best use Inter:

Blog or article writing
Personal documents

Clean, sophisticated, and modern---these words best describe this sans serif font. Because of how clear and balanced the typeface is, you will usually see this style being used on the web. In fact, the font is still very readable, even on small screens.

This typeface is considered a humanist sans serif. In simple terms, it means it's written like a human holding a pen with minimalist contrasting strokes. And because of this, humanist sans serif designs are usually used in education, finance, and the government sector.

Since Open Sans is highly legible, it's best to use this font for:

Academic requirements like reaction papers, research papers, or any kind of homework
Any type of data that you input in a spreadsheet
Formal letters

Google Docs only offers 30 fonts by default. To see Open Sans in the fonts list option, you'll need to add it to Google Docs .

Roboto is another sans serif font developed by Google, and it has six available weight styles on Google Docs. If we are going to compare it to the default Google Docs font, which is Arial, the former has a more condensed look.

Because of its condensed look, it is the perfect font to use when a lot of content is needed, but there is not a lot of space to work with. When you use Roboto, the typeface appears to be largely geometric since it belongs to the neo-grotesque family of sans serif typefaces. It also has open curves, which makes it a friendly and versatile font to use overall.

Roboto is part of the regular family, and you can also use this font together with the other family type, the Roboto Condensed, and Roboto Slab.

Now, where should you consider using this sans serif font?

Documents that will be opened using a phone or a small screen
Documents where you have to condense the content in one page

Bonus fact: Roboto is the system font of the Android operating system!

Merriweather

Another one of our top Google fonts is called Merriweather. It's a free, open-source serif typeface, and it has a full set of weights and styles available on Google Docs. It also has an interesting set of Glyphs.

Related: What's the Difference Between a Font, a Typeface, and a Font Family?

This font was designed by Sorkin Type, and its signature style balances aesthetics, expression, and utility. No wonder why Merriweather gives off a polished and elegant look, making your documents look more professional.

As for Merriweather's best feature, it's the ability to stand out due to its unique flair. However, it also blends in well when paired with other sans serif fonts such as Roboto, Montserrat, and Merriweather Sans.

Merriweather is best used for:

Paragraph headings
Professional letters and documents

Inconsolata

Coming from the monospace family, Inconsolata is designed for printed code listings and is favored by programmers. As we've mentioned, it is monospaced, meaning the letters occupy the same amount of width. This kind of typeface dates back to the typewriter days.

One drawback for monospaced fonts is that they may be a bit harder to read than the other types. But Inconsolata is one of the few monospaced fonts that does not compromise legibility. While each character has the same width, the spaces in between them are just right. It's not too condensed but also not too spaced out.

Consider using Inconsolata if you are doing these types of documents:

Code listings
Manuscripts
Screenplay or scriptwriting

Additionally, you can also try to use Inconsolata as paragraph headings and pair it with sans serif fonts.

We have another humanist sans-serif on the list, and it's PT Mono. This font is part of the Public Type family where they have sans and serif typefaces. But as its name suggests, this is a monospaced typeface. It's very similar to Inconsolata, except PT Mono is sharper on the edges, making it look more straightforward and more formal compared to the other font.

If you are a heavy user of spreadsheets, this font should be your go-to. Each character has the same amount of width, so it's easier to calculate the size of entry fields, cells, or tables. To activate PT Mono on your Google Docs, you have to go to the font options list and select "More fonts."

We recommend you use PT Mono on your next spreadsheet file so you can get a feel of this humanist monospaced font.

In addition to worksheets, this font can also be used for:

Making work tables
Creating work forms

Source Sans Pro

Source Sans Pro is Adobe's first Open Source typeface family, and it's best for user interfaces .

But what is an Open Source font? These are free fonts that are developed to be used for any purpose, including commercial work. Most designers use an Open Source font because the design is open for modification. The simplicity of Source Sans Pro makes it very pleasing to the eyes. It is sleek and slender, and the style is known for its minimalist approach.

Source Sans Pro makes a good paragraph heading too. The next time you create something on Google Docs, try pairing Source Sans Pro with Roboto or Open Sans for variation.

You can use Source Sans Pro when you are doing the following types of documents:

Article writing or blog writing
Note-taking

Nunito Sans

The last on the list is Nunito Sans. It has seven weight styles available on Google Docs. This font is a well-balanced sans serif typeface.

This font's design looks more rounded than the other sans serif fonts, which makes it more appealing. But it's not so round to the point that it makes the style look soft. If you look at it carefully, the uniformity of the strokes balances out the roundness of the design. Overall, it gives that professional yet friendly vibe.

Similar to Source Sans Pro, designers like to use Nunito Sans as well because it's simple yet formal enough. You can use this font to give more personality to your document while still keeping it formal.

Nunito Sans is best used for these kinds of documents:

Recommendation letters
Research papers

Selecting a font to use may look pretty simple, but there are actually many factors to think about. The most essential one to consider is whether the document you're working on is for print or web. Viewing from a screen and from paper are two completely different experiences, so formatting decisions like what font style to use for each should be distinct from each other.

With that, here are the considerations you should review when choosing a font:

Character Line Spacing

When characters are too close to each other, this can cause your content to look denser and messier. Choose a font with wider character spacing so they're easier to read regardless of how small the sizes can be.

Serif vs. Sans-Serif

Related: What Do "Serif" and "Sans Serif" Mean?

Serif fonts have decorative strokes on them that give your writing a more elegant look. However, choosing consistently readable serifs can be challenging. Sans-serif fonts tend to be cleaner, simpler, and easier to read. Choose according to the mood you're going for and, of course, the readability.

Degree of Legibility

The way you use typefaces matters. You have to think about the size, range of weights and ligatures, clarity of the characters, and height and contrast ratio standards. Choose was reads best to your target audience.

There are over a thousand accessible Google fonts to choose from. All of them are 100% safe to use and can easily be downloaded from their website. In addition, there are no licensing restrictions, as all the fonts listed in their directory are open source and free. You can use them on your Google documents, websites, commercial projects, and even on print.

So, take some time exploring these awesome font options and narrow down your choices until you come up with the ones that can best express your message.

Related: How to Find, Add, and Remove Fonts in Google Docs

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Streamline Your Grading Process with Google Docs’ Compare Documents Feature

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: January 31, 2024

Google Docs, a widely adopted tool in the realm of education and beyond, boasts a plethora of features designed to streamline the collaborative process of document creation and editing. Among these features, the ‘Compare Documents’ function stands out as a particularly innovative and practical tool, especially for educators and students alike.

As an educator with a passion for integrating technology into the classroom, I’ve found the ‘Compare Document’ feature to be a game-changer. It offers a straightforward way to juxtapose two documents with just a few clicks, allowing teachers to meticulously compare essays and track revisions.

This is not just a trivial feature—it represents a significant time-saver in the grading process. Imagine effortlessly pinpointing the changes made between drafts, facilitating a more comprehensive and nuanced feedback process. This tool doesn’t merely compare; it reveals the progression of a student’s thought and writing process, offering invaluable insights into their learning journey.

But the utility of this feature isn’t confined to the teacher’s desk. Students, too, can harness the power of ‘Compare Documents’ to monitor their own progress. It allows them to keep a meticulous record of the changes they’ve made to a document, essentially capturing the evolution of their writing style over time.

This can be particularly enlightening for students, helping them to visualize their growth and identify areas for improvement in real time. Moreover, when it comes to collaborative projects, this tool becomes an essential asset, enabling students to document new edits and seamlessly share feedback with their peers, fostering a collaborative and constructive learning environment.

Accessing this feature is a breeze. It’s built right into the Google Docs interface. To get started, simply open the Google document you wish to use as your ‘base document.’ Then, navigate to the top toolbar, click on ‘Tools,’ and select ‘Compare Documents’ from the dropdown menu.

From there, the process is intuitive: click on ‘My Drive’ to select the comparison document from your Google Drive. It’s worth noting that the person whose name you choose will be displayed as the author of the suggested edits in the ‘comparison output file.’ Once you’ve made your selections, click ‘compare,’ and watch as Google Docs efficiently generates a detailed comparison of the two documents.

Courtesy of Google

The Benefits of the ‘Compare Documents’ Feature

Here are some of the key advantages The ‘Compare Documents’ feature in Google Docs offers, especially in an academic setting:

Efficient Feedback and Grading : For educators, the ability to compare versions of a document streamlines the grading process. It enables quick identification of changes and additions, making it easier to provide targeted feedback. This not only saves precious time but also enhances the quality of feedback by focusing on specific revisions.
Tracking Student Progress : This feature offers a clear, visual representation of a student’s progress over time. Educators can compare early drafts with final submissions to gauge improvement, understand a student’s writing process, and identify areas where further support might be needed.
Enhancing Collaborative Work : In group projects, ‘Compare Documents’ proves invaluable. It allows team members to view individual contributions, ensuring transparency and accountability. This feature fosters a collaborative environment where feedback and constructive criticism can be shared efficiently.
Documenting Writing Evolution : For students, seeing how their work evolves from the first draft to the final submission is profoundly insightful. It encourages self-reflection and self-assessment, empowering students to take ownership of their learning process.
Facilitating Peer Review : The tool is perfect for peer review sessions. Students can compare their work with that of their peers, learn from each other’s strengths, identify common pitfalls, and collectively enhance their writing skills.
Minimizing Plagiarism : By comparing documents, teachers can effectively spot similarities with other texts, which can be a deterrent to plagiarism. It’s a way to uphold academic integrity while teaching students the value of original work and proper citation.
Ease of Access and Use : Being integrated into Google Docs, the feature is incredibly user-friendly and accessible. There’s no need for additional software or complicated processes, making it a seamless part of the digital classroom.
Time-stamped Revisions : This aspect of the feature helps in understanding the sequence of edits and contributions, which can be particularly useful in project management and meeting deadlines.
Building a Portfolio : Students can create a portfolio of their work, showcasing their improvement and the feedback received. This can be a valuable resource for one-on-one meetings or parent-teacher conferences.

Related: Here is How to Insert a Page Break in Google Docs

Concluding thoughts

For educators, ‘Compare Documents’ is akin to having an extra set of eyes, offering a detailed and nuanced view of each student’s writing journey. It’s a tool that respects the uniqueness of each learner’s path, providing tailored feedback that recognizes their individual growth and challenges. For students, it’s more than a writing aid; it’s a mirror reflecting their progress, encouraging self-reflection, and fostering a sense of achievement as they see their ideas and skills evolve.The ‘Compare Documents’ feature in Google Docs definitely stands out as a bridge connecting ideas, facilitating clearer understanding, and nurturing a culture of shared learning and collective growth.

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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Google Docs

Add citations and a bibliography

You can add citations and a bibliography to your Google Doc with these styles:

MLA (8th ed.)
APA (7th ed.)
Chicago Author-Date (17th ed.)

Important: The citations tool is available in all languages, but the elements the tool generates in your document only appear in English at this time. For example:

A book title you enter in the citations tool appears in the language you entered it.
The “Bibliography” heading, “edited by,” and other elements generated by the citations tool appear in English regardless of your language in Google Docs.

You can translate auto-generated elements to another language after you insert them in your document.

In the sidebar, select your formatting style from MLA , APA , or Chicago Author-Date .

Add a citation source and related details

In the Citations sidebar, under your selected style, click + Add citation source .
Select your source type.
You can use a URL to search for websites or online newspapers, or use an ISBN number to search for books.
Recommended fields include a blue asterisk.
To add multiple contributors, click + Contributor.
You can indicate if a contributor is an organization, such as a company.
Click Add citation source .

Learn more about how to add and edit sources .

Insert an in-text citation

In the Citations sidebar, hover over the source you want to cite.
A Cite button appears on the side of the citation source.
The source appears in your selected style within the text of your document.
If a “#” appears in the text of your document, delete it or replace it with the page number(s) for your citation.

Edit a citation source

At the bottom of the sidebar, click Save source .

Delete a citation source

Insert a bibliography.

In your document, place your cursor where you want the bibliography to appear.
In the Citations sidebar at the bottom, click Insert bibliography. A bibliography appears in your selected style.

Add and edit sources
See and use suggested content in a document
Correct your spelling & grammar in Google Docs
Count the words in a document
Search and use find and replace

Need more help?

Try these next steps:.

Using Google products, like Google Docs, at work or school? Try powerful tips, tutorials, and templates. Learn to work on Office files without installing Office, create dynamic project plans and team calendars, auto-organize your inbox, and more.

How to make Google Docs read your documents out loud to you, using a Google Chrome extension

You can make Google Docs read text to you out loud with the text-to-speech function.
You'll need to use the Google Chrome web browser, along with the ChromeVox extension, which will read the text of any webpage aloud to you.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

Sometimes a fresh perspective can make a world of difference. Hearing your written words spoken aloud, for example, can help you more easily find those spots that need refining or rephrasing.

But for those who don't want — or simply don't have the option — to let someone else read them their work, Google Chrome's accessibility features can provide a good digital replacement.

Here's how to set up the text-to-speech feature and have Google Docs read your text out loud:

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Lenovo ideapad 130 (from $299.99 at best buy), macbook pro (from $1,299.99 at best buy), how to make google docs read text aloud to you.

In order for this to work, be sure that you've added the ChromeVox extension to your Google Chrome web browser on a PC or Mac computer.

1. Open your Google Doc.

2. Click "Tools" in the top toolbar.

3. Select "Accessibility settings."

4. Tick the box next to "Turn on Screen Reader Support" and then click "OK." You should now see a new section appear in your top toolbar called "Accessibility."

5. Highlight the section of text you want read aloud.

6. Click "Accessibility" and then "Speak," followed by "Speak selection."

ChromeVox will read the selection aloud to you.

Note, however, that if you have more than one Google Doc page open, ChromeVox may try to read from a different document. You should try this with only one document open at a time.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech :

How to add a font to google docs in 2 different ways, how to run a spell check in google docs in 2 ways, to fix spelling and grammar errors, how to assign tasks in google docs in 2 different ways, how to change the language in google docs to translate a document or type in a different language, how to use grammarly on google docs with a google chrome extension to enhance your writing.

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Watch: I cut Google out of my life for 2 weeks, but the alternatives prove why Google is so much better

Main content

How to Make Google Docs Read to You: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Docs can read your documents out loud for you, making it easier to absorb information or multitask. You just need to use the built-in text-to-speech feature. Let’s get started!

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Make Google Docs Read to You

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to note that this feature can help with proofreading, learning a new language, or just for listening to your document as you rest your eyes.

Step 1: Open your Google Doc

Open the Google Docs document you want to be read to you.

Opening your document is the first step. Make sure you’re logged into your Google account and navigate to the Google Docs home page. From there, select the document you wish to have read aloud.

Step 2: Click on “Tools” in the menu bar

In the top menu of Google Docs, click on “Tools”.

The “Tools” menu is located between “Insert” and “Add-ons” on the top menu. This is where you’ll find the option to activate the text-to-speech feature.

Step 3: Select “Accessibility settings”

From the dropdown menu, choose “Accessibility settings”.

In the “Accessibility settings” menu, you’ll find options that make Google Docs more user-friendly for people with different abilities.

Step 4: Click on “Turn on Screen Reader Support”

You should tick the box next to “Turn on Screen Reader Support”.

By enabling this option, you’ll activate the Google Docs text-to-speech function. A message may pop up confirming that you’ve turned on screen reader support.

Step 5: Use the Speak command

Go back to the “Tools” menu, hover over “Accessibility” and then click on “Speak”.

After you’ve turned on screen reader support, the “Speak” option will be available under the “Accessibility” menu. This is the feature that will read your document out loud.

Step 6: Choose what you want to be read aloud

Select “Speak selection” to read the highlighted text or “Speak from the cursor location” to read from a specific point in the document.

Highlight the text you want to be read aloud and choose “Speak selection”, or place the cursor where you want the reading to begin and select “Speak from cursor location”.

After completing these steps, Google Docs will start reading your document out loud. You can pause or stop the reading at any time by going back to the “Tools” menu and clicking on “Accessibility” to find the pause or stop options.

Tips for Making Google Docs Read to You

Ensure that your device’s volume is turned up so you can hear the reading.
Use headphones for better sound quality and to avoid disturbing others.
Customize the voice and speed of reading in your device’s text-to-speech settings for a personalized experience.
Use the “Speak from the cursor location” option to start reading from a specific point in the document.
Remember to turn off Screen Reader Support when you’re done, especially if you share the computer with others who might not need this feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can google docs read to me in different languages.

Yes, Google Docs can read to you in different languages, but you need to configure your device’s text-to-speech settings to the desired language.

Is the text-to-speech feature available on mobile devices?

Yes, the text-to-speech feature is available on the Google Docs app for mobile devices.

Can I adjust the reading speed?

Yes, you can adjust the reading speed in your device’s text-to-speech settings.

Is this feature free to use?

Yes, Google Docs’ text-to-speech feature is completely free to use.

Can I use this feature offline?

No, you need an internet connection to use Google Docs’ text-to-speech feature because it relies on cloud-based processing.

Open your Google Docs document.
Click on “Tools” in the menu bar.
Select “Accessibility settings”.
Click on “Turn on Screen Reader Support”.
Use the Speak command from the “Tools” menu.
Choose “Speak selection” or “Speak from cursor location”.

In today’s fast-paced world, having tools that can help you multitask and improve efficiency is a game-changer. And when it comes to Google Docs, the ability to have your documents read to you is one of those game-changing features. Whether you’re proofreading, learning, or simply want to rest your eyes, the text-to-speech capability of Google Docs is there to make your life a bit easier. Remember, technology is meant to work for you, and with this feature, you’re able to harness the power of Google Docs to its fullest. So, why not give it a try and see how it can improve your workflow? After all, sometimes, it’s just nicer to listen.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.