New
New
Year 3

Editing text

I can change the font of text to make it suitable for its use in desktop publishing.

New
New
Year 3

Editing text

I can change the font of text to make it suitable for its use in desktop publishing.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Desktop publishing (DTP) software helps you make documents such as cards, posters or certificates.
  2. Font is the style in which text is presented.
  3. Font style, size and colour can be changed so information is easy to read and the important messages are communicated.

Keywords

  • Desktop publishing - software that helps you make documents such as cards, posters or certificates

  • Font - the style in which text is presented

Common misconception

The appearance of text should be made as exciting as possible so that people want to read it.

Overly decorative text can be distracting and might put people off reading it. Clear, well-structured formatting makes text easier to read and more effective at communicating a message.


To help you plan your year 3 computing lesson on: Editing text, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

File needed for this lesson

  • Desktop publishing editing text task 1.03 MB (PPTX)

Download this file to use in the lesson.

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Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils will need access to a device with software that allows editing and formatting text. Examples in this lesson use Google Slides https://oak.link/google-slides and Canva https://oak.link/canva

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What do we call written words used to pass on a message?

Correct Answer: text

Q2.
What is one way a message can be communicated?

Correct answer: by using text
by hiding it
by ignoring it
by deleting it

Q3.
Why might using only text make a message harder to understand quickly?

it is always colourful
it is silent
Correct answer: it provides too much detail
it is too short

Q4.
Match the keyword to its description:

Correct Answer:message,communication provided to someone

communication provided to someone

Correct Answer:text,written words used to pass on a message

written words used to pass on a message

Correct Answer:images,pictures that pass on a message

pictures that pass on a message

Q5.
What can images sometimes lack compared to text?

Correct answer: detail
colour
sound
shape

Q6.
What is an example of an image that is used to communicate?

a phone call
a song
Correct answer: a road sign
a handshake

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which term describes the style and appearance of letters in a document?

Correct Answer: font

Q2.
Match the keyword to its description:

Correct Answer:desktop publishing,software for making documents like posters

software for making documents like posters

Correct Answer:font,the style in which text is presented

the style in which text is presented

Correct Answer:font property,features like size, colour, or style of text

features like size, colour, or style of text

Q3.
What is a good reason to change the colour of text?

Correct answer: to draw attention to important points
to make the document noisy
to use more colours
to make text invisible

Q4.
Put these steps in the correct order for changing the appearance of text in a desktop publishing document:

1 - select the text you want to change
2 - open the font or formatting menu
3 - choose your desired font style, size, or colour
4 - apply the changes to the text

Q5.
Why is it important to use suitable fonts in desktop publishing?

to use more ink
Correct answer: to communicate the message clearly
to make the document longer
to use every colour

Q6.
Match the method to its main effect:

Correct Answer:using a clear font,makes the message easy to read

makes the message easy to read

Correct Answer:using lots of decorative fonts,can distract the reader

can distract the reader

Correct Answer:changing font colour for headings,draws attention to important parts

draws attention to important parts

Correct Answer:making all text the same size,may make headings less noticeable

may make headings less noticeable