Mastering Verbal Communication –

Introduction:
Good verbal communication helps us express our thoughts clearly and build strong
relationships. Verbal communication means speaking clearly and effectively. It helps us share
ideas, express feelings, and understand others. Verbal communication is a key life skill. By
thinking before we speak, being clear and confident, listening actively, and considering others’
views, we can become effective communicators. "Good communication is not just speaking
well. It’s being heard, understood, and respected."
Strong verbal communication skills help:
• Build self-confidence

• Improve understanding with others

• Make a positive impression in social and academic settings
• Avoid confusion and misunderstandings
• Think Before We Speak
o Organize your thoughts before talking.
o Helps to avoid saying something wrong or unclear.
o Shows that you are thoughtful and respectful.
• Be Clear and Concise
o Use simple and direct language.
o Avoid using too many words or going off-topic.
o Clear speech makes it easier for others to understand your message.
• Speak with Confidence
o Use a calm and steady voice.
o Make eye contact when speaking to someone.
o Confidence makes your message more convincing.
• Be an Active Listener
o Listen carefully when others speak.
o Don’t interrupt—wait for your turn.
o Show interest by responding.
o Good communication is a two-way process.
• Think About the Perspective of Our Audience
o Speak according to the listener’s age, knowledge, and background.
o Use words and examples they can relate to.
o Be polite, respectful, and understanding.
Verbal Communication Categories:

1. Oral Communication
Oral communication is the exchange of information through spoken words. It can happen face-to-face
or over electronic devices (like phone calls, video calls, etc.). Oral communication is influenced by the
pitch, volume, speed and clarity of Speaking.
Examples:
• Face-to-face conversation
• Telephone calls / Video call
• Radio / Television / Voice over internet
• Meetings
• Speeches
Advantages:
• Quick and direct
• Immediate feedback
• Helps build personal connections
Disadvantages:
• No permanent record
• Misunderstandings can happen if not clear
• Affected by tone, pitch, and body language

2. Written Communication
Written communication involves conveying messages through written words (letters, emails, reports,
written signs, etc.). Here the message is influenced buy vocabulary, grammar, writing style, clarity of
language and arrangements of words.
Examples:
• Letters / Emails / Text messages
• Memos
• Notices
• Reports
Advantages:
• Permanent record
• Can be reviewed anytime
• More organized and detailed
Disadvantages:
• Slower than oral communication
• No immediate feedback
• Tone and emotion are harder to convey

3. Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication is a form of communication between two or more people. This
communication takes place in between people who have some knowledge of each other. It can be both
oral and written.
Examples:
• Talking with friends / family members
• Discussion with a teacher
• Texting or emailing someone
4. Intrapersonal Communication
Intrapersonal communication is communication with oneself. It involves thinking, analysing, and self-
reflection.
Examples:
• Self-talk
• Reflecting on your thoughts
• Planning in your mind
Importance:
• Helps in decision-making
• Builds self-awareness
• Improves mental clarity and focus

5. Small Group Communication

This is communication that takes place within a small group of people (usually 3–10 people) working
towards a common goal.
Examples:
• Team meetings
• Group discussions in class
• Family discussions
• Group projects
Characteristics:
• Everyone can participate
• Requires cooperation and collaboration
• Decisions are made together

6. Public Communication
Public communication is when one person speaks to a large audience. It is usually formal and
structured. It is also defined as planned communication to convey ideas, programs, thoughts,
presentations, etc. to the public, students or audiences.
Examples:
• Giving a speech
• Delivering a presentation
• Addressing a crowd
Key Skills Required:
• Confidence
• Clear speech
• Ability to engage listeners
• Proper body language

Summary Table:
Type of Communication Main Mode Audience Example
Oral Communication Spoken One-on-one or group Phone call, meeting
Written Communication Written words Individual or many Email, report
Interpersonal Communication Spoken/Written Between people Chatting with a friend
Intrapersonal Communication Thinking/Writing Self Reflecting, journaling
Small Group Communication Mixed Small group Group project meeting
Public Communication Spoken Large audience Speech in assembly
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION –
Non-verbal communication is the process of conveying messages without using spoken or written
words. It includes body movements, gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and physical
appearance to express thoughts and emotions. It plays a vital role in supporting, complementing, or
even replacing verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is a powerful tool that
complements verbal messages. Understanding and using it effectively can improve interactions,
build trust, and help express emotions clearly.

Elements of Non-Verbal Communication

1. Appearance
• What it is: Clothing, grooming, hairstyle, colour choices, and overall look.
• Why it matters:
o First impressions are formed based on appearance.
o Reflects a person’s professionalism, confidence, or mood.
• Example: Wearing a clean school uniform shows discipline.

2. Tone of Voice
• What it is: How we say things — pitch, speed, volume, pauses.
• Why it matters:
o Adds emotional meaning to words.
o Helps listeners understand / attention the speaker’s mood.
• Example: Saying "I’m fine" in a low, sad tone suggests otherwise.

3. Eye Contact
• What it is: Looking into someone’s eyes while communicating.
• Why it matters:
o Builds trust and connection.
o Shows confidence and honesty.
• Example: Maintaining eye contact during an interview.

4. Facial Expressions
• What it is: Movements of facial muscles to show emotions.
• Why it matters:
o The most universal form of non-verbal communication.
o Shows feelings like happiness, anger, sadness, or surprise.
• Example: Smiling shows friendliness and positivity.
5. Gestures
• What it is: Movements of hands, arms, or fingers to express meaning.
• Why it matters:
o Helps highlight what we’re saying.
o Can be expressive even without speaking.
• Example: Waving hand to say "hello" or "goodbye".

6. Posture
• What it is: The way we sit or stand.
• Why it matters:
o Shows attitude, confidence, and energy.
o Reflects interest or disinterest.
• Example: Sitting upright during a lecture shows attentiveness.

7. Body Language
• What it is: Overall body movements and gestures.
• Why it matters:
o Complements (balances) verbal messages.
o Often reveals true feelings.
• Example: Crossed arms may show defensiveness or disagreement.

8. Haptics (Touch)
• What it is: Communicating through touch.
• Why it matters:
o Can express care, support, or authority.
o Touch has different meanings in different cultures.
• Example: A firm handshake shows confidence.

9. Proxemics (Use of Space)

• What it is: Use of personal space in communication.
• Why it matters:
o Shows comfort, respect, or closeness (intimacy).
o Invading (Occupying) space can make someone uncomfortable.
• Example: Standing close to a close friend, keeping distance from a stranger.
10. Paralinguistics
• What it is: Paralinguistics refers to how something is said, not the actual words. It includes the tone
of voice, pitch, volume, speed, and pauses used when speaking.

• Why it matters:
o It helps listeners understand if a person is angry, happy, nervous, or sarcastic.
o It adds emotion and feeling to speech, making communication more effective and
expressive.
• Example: Saying “I’m fine” in a happy tone shows you’re really fine.

Advantages of Non-Verbal Communication

Advantage Explanation

Adds Value to Verbal Enhances and clarifies spoken words using expressions and
Communication gestures.

Helps Overcome Cultural Barriers Uses universal signs to reduce language misunderstandings.

Helps Non-literates or Hearing Allows communication through signs and visuals without
Impaired relying on words.

Increases Workplace Efficiency Saves time and improves coordination using non-verbal cues.

Reinforces Trust and Credibility Builds trust by matching body language with spoken words.

Visual Communication –
What is Visual Communication?
Visual communication is the use of images, symbols, graphs, charts, videos, and diagrams to
convey a message or information. It is a non-verbal form of communication that helps people
understand concepts more easily by seeing them.

Advantages of Visual Communication

1. Emphasizes Oral Communication
• Visuals like charts or product demos make spoken communication more powerful and clear.
• Example: During a business presentation, showing a graph can help explain growth trends
better.

2. Effective When Combined with Audio

• Audio-visual communication (videos, presentations with narration) is more engaging.
• Some facts or data are hard to express using only words, so diagrams or pictures help explain
them better.
3. Helpful for Non-readers
• People who cannot read but can see and understand images can still receive the message.
• For example, road signs use pictures to guide people.

4. Quick Understanding and Faster Decisions

• Visuals are processed by the brain faster than text, saving time.
• Helps people make quick and accurate decisions in workplaces, classrooms, or emergency
situations.

Disadvantages of Visual Communication

1. Expensive to Create
• Making high-quality visuals like videos, charts, or animations can cost a lot.
• It may also need special tools or a team of skilled people.

2. Incomplete Without Oral Explanation

• A single visual cannot always explain everything clearly.
• Visual communication is often not enough on its own; it works best when combined with
spoken words.

3. Time-Consuming to Prepare
• Creating good visual aids requires a lot of planning, effort, and time.
• This can slow down communication, especially in urgent situations.

Summary Table

Advantages

1. Enhances Oral
Visuals support and clarify spoken messages.
Communication

2. Effective with Audio Some facts are best delivered using both sound and visuals (e.g., video).

3. Good for Non-readers Helps communicate with people who can't read but understand visuals.

4. Saves Time Faster understanding leads to quicker decisions.

Disadvantages

Creating visuals like videos and charts can be expensive and resource-
1. Costly to Produce
heavy.

Alone, visuals may not explain the full message; often need to be paired
2. May Be Incomplete
with oral communication.

3. Time-Consuming Making visual aids takes more time than simply speaking or writing.
Digital Documentation (Advanced) – LibreOffice Writer
1. Definition and Introduction – Styles
What is a Style?
A Style in a word document is a set of predefined formatting instructions that can be applied to text,
paragraphs, pages, frames, or lists.
Examples of formatting include:

• Font type and size

• Bold/Italic/Underline
• Line spacing
• Alignment
• Indents and spacing

Why use Styles?

• Saves time by applying the same formatting to multiple parts of the document.
• Ensures consistency in the look of the document.
• Easier to modify formatting for large documents.

2. Difference Between Styles and Templates

Feature Styles Templates

Predefined formatting for document

Definition Pre-designed documents with content and styles
elements

Used to create new documents with predefined

Use Used to format text, paragraphs, etc.
content and styles

Scope Applies to parts of the document Applies to the whole document

Example Heading 1, Text Body, List styles Resume template, Report template

Editable? Can be modified and updated Can be created, edited, and reused

3. Types of Styles in LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice supports Six main types of styles:
1. Paragraph Styles
Apply formatting to an entire paragraph.
Includes alignment, indentation, spacing, etc.
Example: Heading 1, Text Body.
2. Character Styles
Apply formatting to selected text within a paragraph.
Includes font type, size, bold, italic, color.
Example: Emphasis, Strong Emphasis.
3. Frame Styles
Used to format frames (used for text boxes, images, etc.).
Includes borders, background color, size.
4. Page Styles
Apply to entire pages.
Controls margins, headers/footers, orientation.
Example: First Page, Default Page Style.
5. List Styles
Used to format bullet or numbered lists.
Includes bullet style, indentation, numbering.
6. Table Styles
Apply formatting to tables.
Control borders, cell padding, background color, and more.
Available in LibreOffice Writer and Calc.
Examples: Default, Academic, Elegant.
7. Graphics Styles
Apply formatting to images, drawings, and shapes.
Control border, transparency, shadow, positioning.
Examples: Graphics, Object, Frame.
8. Cell Styles
Used in LibreOffice Calc (Spreadsheet).
Format individual cells or ranges (not typically used in Writer).
Control font, number format, borders, background.
Examples: Default, Accent, Result.
9. Presentation Styles
Used in LibreOffice Impress (Presentation).
Define text formatting for slides (title, content, background).
Examples: Title, Subtitle, Outline 1, Background objects.
10. Numbering Styles
Used for numbered or bulleted lists.
Control bullet types, number formats, indentation levels.
Examples: Numbering 1, Bullet 1.

4. How to Access Styles in LibreOffice Writer

There are several methods to access and apply styles in LibreOffice Writer:
Method 1: Using the Styles Menu
Steps:

• Select the text/paragraph.

• Go to the menu Styles.
• Choose the style category (e.g., Paragraph Style).
• The Styles menu does not have styles for frames, pages.
• Click on the desired style name.

Method 2: Applying Styles from Toolbar (Drop Down List Box)

Steps:

• Select the paragraph or text.

• In the formatting toolbar near the left-hand end of the formatting toolbar, click the Style
dropdown. (If the toolbar is not visible then, click on View > Toolbars > Formatting and Formatting
(Styles)).
• Select a style like Heading 1, Text Body, etc.
• Select More Styles…. At the bottom of the Apply Style list to open the styles window.

Method 3: Using Styles Sidebar Menu

Steps:

• Open LibreOffice Writer.

• Press F11 or go to View > Styles. OR
• Click on Styles option from Sidebar Settings in Sidebar.
• The Styles Sidebar opens on the right.
• Choose the style type (Paragraph, Character, Page, etc.).
• Click the desired style to apply it to selected text.

To remove manual formatting select the text, right-click, and choose Clear Formatting from the context
menu, or select the text and press Ctrl +M.
Show Previews option displays its style along with the name in the list from the Styles Sidebar.
5. Applying Styles in LibreOffice Writer
Method 1: Using the Styles Window
Steps:
1. Open LibreOffice Writer.
2. Open the Styles Window:
o Press F11 on the keyboard
OR
o Go to the Sidebar > Click on the Styles icon.
3. Choose the Style category. (e.g. Paragraph, Page, List)
4. Select the Text or Object in your document that you want to apply the style to.
5. Double-Click on the Style name from the Styles window.

6. The selected content will be formatted with the chosen style instantly. OR
7. Position the insertion point in the paragraph, frame, page, or word and then double click the name
of the style in one of these lists. To apply a character style to more than one word, select the
characters first.

Method 2: Using Fill Format Mode

The Fill Format Mode is a tool that lets you apply a style to multiple parts of the document quickly, like a
paintbrush.
Steps:
1. Open the Styles Window (sidebar):
o Press F11
OR
o Use the Styles button in the sidebar.
2. Choose the Style Category (e.g., Paragraph Styles).
3. Click Once on the Style Name you want to use.
4. Click the Fill Format Mode button (paint bucket icon) at the top of the Styles window.
5. The mouse cursor will change into a paint bucket icon.
6. Click on each paragraph or text you want to apply the style to.
o Each time you click, the style is applied.
7. When you're done, turn off Fill Format Mode by:
o Pressing Esc key
OR
o Clicking the Fill Format Mode button again.
 6. Creating New Custom Style
Method 1: Creating a New Style from a Selection
This method allows you to create a style based on text formatting you have already applied.
Steps:
1. Open LibreOffice Writer.
2. Type and format a piece of text the way you want.
o Example: Change font size, color, bold, alignment, etc.
3. Select the formatted text.
4. Go to the Styles Sidebar.
o Press F11 or click the Styles on the right side.
5. Click on New Style from Selection from Styles Actions Button.
6. A dialog box will appear asking for the style name.
7. Type a suitable name (e.g., My style).
8. Click OK.
Your new style is now saved and listed in the Styles Sidebar (F11) under the appropriate category
(e.g., Paragraph Style).

Method 2: Dragging and Dropping to Create a Style

This is a quick way to create a style using a drag-and-drop from formatted text.
Steps:
1. Type and format the text in your document.
2. Open the Styles Sidebar:
o Press F11 or click the Styles on the right side.
3. Select the formatted text in the document.
4. In the Styles Sidebar, go to the correct style category (e.g., Paragraph Styles).
5. Click and hold the selected text with left mouse button and drag it into the Styles list.
6. A dialog box appears asking for a Style Name.
7. Enter a name (e.g., My Style).
8. Click OK.
The new style is created based on the formatting of the selected text and appears in the Styles list.
 7. Modifying Custom or Predefined Styles
Modifying a style means changing its formatting options such as font, size, color, spacing,
alignment, etc. Once a style is modified, all the content using that style in the document gets
updated automatically.
Method 1: Updating a Style from a Selection
This method lets you change a style by first formatting a portion of text the way you want, then
updating the style based on that formatting.
Steps:
1. Open LibreOffice Writer.
2. Type or find text that already uses the style you want to change (e.g., Heading 1).
3. Select the text and apply the new formatting you want (change font, size, color, alignment, etc.).
4. Keep the formatted text selected.
5. Go to the Styles Sidebar:
a. Press F11 or click the Styles on the right.
6. Click on Style Action button > Update Selected Style.
7. The style is updated, and all text using that style in the document now has the new formatting.

Method 2: Loading Styles from a Template or Document

This method lets you import styles from another document or template into your current
document. It is useful when you want to reuse predefined styles from a previous project or official
template.
Steps to Load Styles:
1. Open your current document.
2. Open the Styles Sidebar (F11).
3. Click on the Styles Actions button.
4. Select Load Styles from Template...
5. In the dialog box:

o Choose the type of styles you want to load (Paragraph, Character, Page, etc.). OR

o Click From File... if importing from a document.

6. Select the document or template file.
7. Click Open.
8. The styles from that file are now available in your current document’s Styles list.
8. Inserting and Using Images
Using images and graphics helps to:
• Make content more attractive and understandable
• Highlight key points
• Add visual representation to support text
• Create professional-looking documents
TWO Basic Types of Graphics that can be used to enhance our LibreOffice Writer documents:
1. Drawing Objects
• Created using drawing tools (shapes, lines, arrows, etc.).
• The Drawing toolbar is used to change and enhance these objects with colours, patterns, borders
and other effects.
• Useful for diagrams, flowcharts, and annotations.
2. Pictures (Images)
• Imported from files or gallery (e.g., JPEG, PNG, BMP).
• We can change and enhance pictures by using the options on the picture toolbar and a limited
number of options on the Drawing toolbar. Convert a picture to a drawing object before we can use
Drawing toolbar options.
• Used for photos, screenshots, illustrations.

1. Inserting Autoshapes

1. Go to Insert > Shape from the menu bar. OR View > Toolbars > Drawing from Drawing Toolbar.

2. Choose a category (e.g., Basic Shapes, Symbol Shapes, etc.).

3. Select the shape you want (e.g., rectangle, circle).
4. Click and drag on the document to draw the shape.
5. You can resize or rotate the shape using handles.

2. Inserting a Drawing Object: Lines and Arrows

Add a Line:
1. Go to Insert > Shape > Line.
2. Click and drag in the document to draw a line.
OR
Take desired shape from Drawing Toolbar. Drag the shape to the required size. To maintain the
shape’s width to height, hold down SHIFT key while we drag the shape.
 Add an Arrow:
1. On the Drawing toolbar, Click line tool. Drag a line in the document.
2. Select line shape by clicking on it.
3. Click on Format > Textbox and Shape > Line OR
Right click the selected object and select Line
4. Line Dialog box will open up. From Line tab choose arrow style end of the line from Arrow styles
section.
Change Line Style or Line Colour:
1. Select the line or arrow.
2. Right-click on it. Choose Line from the menu. OR Format > Text Box and Shape > Line
3. In the Line dialog:
o Change Line Style (solid, dotted, dashed).
o Change Line Color.
4. Click OK to apply.

3. Insert a Text Box

Text boxes allow you to place text anywhere in the document.
1. Go to Insert > Text Box OR Click on Drawing Toolbar > Text Box
2. Click and drag on the page to create the box.
3. Type your text inside the box.
4. Format the text box using the properties toolbar (border, background, text alignment).

4. Insert Graphic Text Art (Fontwork)

Fontwork is used to create decorative text effects. We can create Shadowed, skewed, rotated and
stretched text. Fontwork can be resized, moved, and formatted just like an image.
1. Go to the Insert menu OR Click on Drawing Toolbar > Fontwork.
2. Click on Fontwork.
3. A Fontwork Gallery window appears.
4. Choose a style and click OK.
5. Double-click on the sample text to edit it.
6. Type your desired text and press Enter.
7. Use the Fontwork toolbar to change shape, alignment, character spacing, etc.
5. Inserting Image using Insert Image Option
1. Open your document in LibreOffice Writer.
2. Place the cursor where you want to insert the image.
3. Click On Insert > Image from menu.
4. An Insert Image dialog box will open which will allow to choose the picture file to be inserted.
5. Browse and select the image file from your computer.
6. Click Open – the image will appear in the document.

6. Inserting Image using Drag and Drop Option

1. Open File Explorer Windows (Win + E).

2. Locate the image you want to insert.

3. Click and hold the image file.

4. Drag it into the document.

5. Drop it where you want it to appear in the document.
Use the anchors and handles to adjust the position and size.

7. Inserting Image Using Copy and Paste Method

This is another method to insert an image in the document. In this method instead of dragging the
image, the image is copied and then pasted into desired location of the document.
1. Open the location where the image is stored (e.g., in File Explorer, browser, or another document).
2. Right-click the image and select Copy.
3. Go to your LibreOffice Writer document.
4. Right-click at the desired location and choose Paste
OR Press Ctrl + V.

8. Inserting Image by Linking

Linking an image keeps the file size smaller by not embedding the image into the document, it
contains only a reference to the linked file, not the file itself.
1. In LibreOffice Writer, go to Insert > Image it will open insert image dialog box.
2. Browse and select the image.
3. In the Insert Image dialog, check the box for Link (at the bottom). Then Click Open.
4. The Confirm Linked Graphic dialog box appears. Select Embed Graphic option to insert the desired
image in the document.

*Caution: Do not move or delete the original image file. If the image is moved, the link will break,
and the image won't display.
9. Inserting Image Using the Gallery
LibreOffice has a built-in Gallery with ready-to-use images.
1. Click on Gallery on the right side of the Sidebar, OR use the keyboard shortcut Alt +3.
2. The Gallery panel appears.
3. Browse through categories like Arrows, Bullets, Computers, etc.
4. Drag and drop any image into your document OR right click on the image and select Insert option in
the context menu.

9. Modifying An Image
1. Using the Image Toolbar
The Image Toolbar contains tools to format and modify images directly within the document.
Steps:
• Insert an image → Click on it → Image Toolbar appears.
• If not visible: Go to View → Toolbars → Image.
Key options on Image Toolbar:
Tool Function
Crop Trims edges of the image
Flip Horizontally Flips the image left-to-right (mirror image).
Flip Vertically Flips the image upside down.
Rotate Rotates the image by a selected angle (via Position and Size dialog).
Transparency Makes the image partially see-through.
Using Drop Down list, red, blue or green colour can be modified or
Colour
adjustment for brightness, contrast and gamma can be made.
Two other toolbars also become available when an image is selected:
1. Image Filter Toolbar – Which can be used as a floating toolbar. It opens up a window with 11
filters.
2. Colour Mode – Which opens as a separate floating toolbar. Clicking on the colour button will
display the colour drop down list.
1. Image Mode
Image mode determines how the colors in an image are displayed. It is useful when you want to
change the appearance of an image to suit the document's layout or theme.
Types of Images Modes in LibreOffice Writer:
Mode Description
Color Displays the image in its original, full-color format (default mode).
Grayscale Converts the image into various shades of gray (like a black-and-white photo).
Black & White Converts the image into only two colors – black and white, no shades in between.
Watermark Lightens the image and makes it semi-transparent, useful for background images.
2. Flip Vertically or Horizontally
Flipping changes the direction or orientation of an image. It mirrors the image either vertically (up-
down) or horizontally (left-right).
Flip Type Effect
Flip Horizontally Reverses the image from left to right (like viewing it in a mirror).
 Flip Type Effect
Flip Vertically Turns the image upside down (top becomes bottom and vice versa).

3. Filters
Filters are special effects that can be applied to an image to give it a new appearance or stylized
look. These are part of Graphic Filters in LibreOffice Writer.
Filter Name Effect Description
Invert Reverses all colours in the image, creating a negative effect.
Smooth Softens edges and blurs image slightly to reduce sharpness.
Increases contrast at edges to make the image appear clearer and
Sharpen
crisper.
Remove Noise Eliminates grainy or speckled appearance from an image.
Solarization Simulates partial photo exposure – creates artistic dark/light contrast.
Aging Makes the image look older with a brownish tone (sepia effect).
Posterize Reduces the number of colors – gives a comic or paint-like effect.
Pop Art Adds strong colors and effects for a modern, comic-style appearance.
Relief Gives a 3D effect, making image elements appear raised or embossed.
Mosaic Breaks the image into square blocks, like tiles or pixels.
Converts the image into a black-and-white sketch resembling a
Charcoal Sketch
charcoal drawing.

4. Colour (Brightness, Contrast, and Mode)

Colour settings allow you to adjust the brightness, contrast, and color mode of the image. These
changes affect how light or dark the image appears and how vivid the colors are.
Setting Description
Brightness Increases or decreases the lightness of the image. Higher values make it lighter.
Increases the difference between light and dark parts. Higher contrast makes
Contrast
details clearer.
Allows switching between Color, Grayscale, Black & White, and Watermark
Color Mode
modes.

5. Transparency
Transparency determines how much of the image is visible. It makes the image partly see-through,
allowing text or background to be visible behind it.
Transparency Level Effect
0% (Default) Image is fully visible (opaque).
50% Image is semi-transparent (partially see-through).
100% Image is fully transparent (invisible).

2. Rotating Images
Rotation changes the direction of an image for better alignment or visual effect.
Steps:
1. Select the image.
2. To rotate the image, do one of the following
1. Open Image Dialog Box by double clicking on image ➔ in the Rotation tab set the rotation
angle and click on OK.
2. Go to Format > Rotate or Flip on the Menu Bar. Select Rotate Option.
3. In the Image toolbar, select Rotate.
4. Select the Rotation option in the Position and Size panel on the Properties deck of the
Sidebar.
3. Set angle (e.g., 90°, 180°, 270°), or use rotation handle (for 2nd and 3rd method).
4. To quickly flip an image or graphic, use one of the following methods:
i) Flip > Flip Vertically or Flip Horizontally from the context menu.
ii) Click on Flip Vertically or Flip Horizontally on the Image Toolbar.
iii) Go to Format > Rotate or Flip > Flip Vertically or Flip Horizontally on the menu bar.
iv) Click on Flip Vertically or Flip Horizontally in the Position and Size panel on the Properties deck
on the Sidebar.

3. Cropping Images
Cropping removes unwanted outer parts of an image. When we are only interested in a section of
the image for the purpose of our document, we may crop parts of it. LibreOffice provides two ways
to crop and image or graphic.
Steps:
1. Crop Tool -
1. Click on the image → Click the Crop icon on the toolbar OR Right click on image or graphic in a
context menu > click on Crop.
2. Drag blue cropping handles inward.
3. Press Enter or click outside to apply.
2. Image Dialog Box > Crop –
1. Double Click on Image or Graphic to open Image Dialog Box.
2. The Crop page provides more control when cropping.

The following parameters can be controlled in the Crop page:

1. Keep Scale / Keep Image Size
Keep Scale
• This option maintains the scale (proportions) of the image after cropping.
• The visible area is reduced, but the size of the image frame remains the same, which may zoom in
on the cropped part.
• Useful when you want the image to stay the same size visually on the page, even after cropping.
Example: If you crop the left and right 20%, the image "zooms in" to fill the same space.
Keep Image Size
• This option maintains the original image content size, and cropping will reduce the frame size
(visible part).
• The overall image becomes smaller on the page.
• Useful when you want to reduce space used by the image.
Key Difference:
Option Keeps frame size? Image appears?
Keep Scale Yes Same size, zoomed-in
Keep Image Size No Smaller after crop
2. Left, Right, Top, and Bottom
• These options define how much of the image is cropped from each side.
• You can enter exact values (in cm or inches) to crop precisely.
• Positive values remove parts of the image from that side.
• Negative values (rarely used) can extend the canvas beyond the image.

Side Effect
Left Crops the image starting from the left edge
Right Crops from the right side
Top Crops from the top of the image
Bottom Crops from the bottom edge

3. Width and Height

• These fields show the dimensions of the visible (cropped) part of the image.
• As you crop the image, the Width and Height values will automatically adjust.
How They Work:
• Width: Final width of the cropped image on the page.
• Height: Final height of the cropped image on the page.
• Can be manually adjusted after cropping to resize the image further.
Example:
• Original image: 10 cm x 8 cm
• Crop 2 cm from the left and right → New width = 6 cm
• Crop 1 cm from top and bottom → New height = 6 cm

Summary Table
Term Meaning
Keep Scale Keeps image size same after crop (zoom effect)
Keep Image Size Crops visible part and reduces image frame size
Left/Right/Top/Bottom Amount of crop from each direction (in cm/inches)
Width/Height Size of visible (cropped) image shown on the page

4. Resizing Image
o Resizing means changing the dimensions (width and height) of an image.
o It can make the image larger or smaller.
o Resizing helps in adjusting the image to fit the layout of the document or make it visually
balanced.
Method 1: Using Mouse (Drag Handles)
1. Click on the image to select it.
2. Small squares (handles) will appear around the edges.
3. Drag a corner handle to resize the image proportionally. Hold Shift to maintain aspect ratio.
4. Drag side handles (top/bottom or left/right) to resize in one direction only.
* Tip - Dragging without holding Shift may distort the image (stretch or squash it).
Method 2: Using Format Menu
1. Right-click on the image and choose Properties or use the menu: Format > Image > Properties
2. Go to the Position and Size tab.
3. Enter the Width and Height values manually. Click OK to apply.
 5. Deleting Image
Deleting an image means removing it from your document.
• The image is not needed.
• You want to replace it with another image.
• You inserted it by mistake.
Steps:
Method 1: Using the Keyboard
1. Click on the image to select it. (It will show selection handles around it.)
2. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.

6. Creating Drawing Objects

Drawing objects are shapes, lines, text boxes, and other graphic elements that you can insert into a
document. They help to visually enhance your document. Used for illustrations, diagrams, charts, or to
highlight important information. e.g.
1. Line - A straight line to connect or separate content.
2. Arrow - A line with an arrowhead used to point or indicate.
3. Rectangle - A box shape often used for layout or emphasis.
4. Ellipse/Circle - Round or oval shapes for diagrams or highlighting.
5. Text Box - Box that contains text, movable and resizable.
6. Basic Shapes - Stars, hearts, callouts, flowchart symbols, etc.
Steps:
1. Go to View > Toolbars > Drawing to display the drawing toolbar at the bottom.
2. Click on the object you want to draw (e.g., Rectangle, Line, Ellipse, etc.).
3. Move your cursor to the document. Click and drag to draw the object. Release the mouse when
done.
4. To cancel the selected drawing function, press the Esc key or click the select icon (the arrow) on
the Drawing Toolbar.
5. For formatting (fill colour, line type and weight) of an object use Drawing Object Properties
toolbar OR right click on object and select the desired choice.

7. Resizing Objects
Resizing means changing the width and/or height of an object. Resizing is useful when you need to:
o Adjust the layout of the page.
o Emphasize or reduce the size of visual elements.
o Fit objects neatly with the text.
Method 1: Using Mouse
1. Click on the object to select it.
2. You will see resizing handles (small squares) around the object.
3. Move your mouse pointer over a corner or side handle.
4. Click and drag the handle to resize:
o Corner handles resize proportionally (both width and height).
o Side handles resize in one direction only (either width or height).
5. Release the mouse button to set the new size.
* Tip: Hold the Shift key while dragging a corner to maintain the original aspect ratio (proportional
resizing).
Method 2: Using Format Settings
1. Right-click on the object and select Position and Size. OR Format > Text Box and Shapes > Position
and Size. OR Position and Size section in the Properties deck on the Sidebar.
2. In the dialog box:
o Set the Width and Height manually (in cm/inches).
o If the Keep Ratio option is selected, then the width and height change so that the
proportion is maintained, allowing for a scaled resizing.
3. Click OK to apply changes.

8. Grouping Drawing Objects

Grouping is the process of combining two or more drawing objects so they behave like a single
object. It makes it easier to move, resize, rotate, or format multiple objects at once. Grouped
objects maintain their individual properties, but can be managed together.
Steps:
1. Insert or draw two or more shapes or objects (e.g., rectangles, arrows, text boxes).
2. Select the objects:
(1) Hold down the Shift key and click each object.
(2) OR, drag the mouse to draw a selection box around all objects.
3. Group the objects:
(1) Go to menu: Format > Group Shapes > Group
(2) OR right-click on any selected object and choose Group from the context menu.

9. Positioning Image / Graphics within the Text

Positioning an image means deciding where the image will appear in relation to the surrounding
text in a document. LibreOffice Writer provides several options to align, wrap, and anchor images
and arrange graphics for better document layout. It controls how the image moves, aligns, and
interacts with other content in the document.
1. Arrangement
Sometimes, multiple objects (shapes, images, text boxes) may overlap. LibreOffice allows you to
control their stacking order using Arrange options. The Drawing Object Properties toolbar consists
of the arrangement tools and these are the six tools in the order of appearance given as below:
1. Bring to Front - Moves the object above all other objects.
2. Forward One- Moves object one step forward in stacking order.
3. Send to Back - Moves the object behind all others.
4. Backward One - Moves object one step back in stacking order.
5. To Foreground - Brings selected object in front of text. It is only available for drawing objects.
6. To Background - Sends selected object behind the text. It is only available for drawing Objects.
2. Anchoring
Anchoring means attaching an image or object to a specific part of the text in the document. I t
controls how the image or object moves when you add or delete text. Without anchoring, objects
might shift unpredictably as you edit the document.
1. Click on Format menu > Anchor and choose appropriate option
2. Right click on object or image > Anchor and choose appropriate option.
 1. To Page - Anchors the object to a fixed position on a specific page. The object does not
move, even if you add or delete text elsewhere. Useful for fixed layouts like certificates,
posters, or title pages.
2. To Paragraph - Anchors the object to a specific paragraph. When the paragraph moves
(up/down), the object moves with it. Best for placing images near related text.
3. To Character - Anchors the object to a specific character in the paragraph. The object moves
exactly with that character. Offers fine control, especially useful when formatting detailed
layouts.
4. As Character - Treats the object like a text character. The image is placed in line with the
text. Text flows before and after, just like with words or letters. Useful for inserting small
icons or inline graphics.
3. Alignment
It allows the vertical or horizontal placement of the image with respect to its anchor.
Alignment tools are located under Drawing Properties Toolbar > Position and Size OR Right
click on image or object and choose Align option. An image can be aligned in six different
styles –
o Horizontal Alignment – Left, Centered, Right
o Vertical Alignment – Top, Center, Bottom.
4. Text Wrapping
It allows the placement of image in relation to text. Text Wrapping tools are available under
Drawing Object Properties Toolbar. LibreOffice Writer offers six main text wrapping styles
that allow you to position images alongside or within paragraphs in various ways. They
namely None, Parallel, Optimal, Before, After and Through in the order of their appearance
from left to right.