How to Use a Typewriter: A Quick-Start Guide
Start by inserting a sheet under the roller from back to front. Slide the roller all the way over to the left to get ready to type. Firmly press your fingers down on the keys to type words. When you reach the end of a line, return the carriage to the left side. Use correction fluid to blot out any mistakes.
Operating a Typewriter
1 Insert the paper. The first thing you want to do with a typewriter is insert the paper. Take two 8x11 inch, standard size sheets, of white paper. Place one atop the other.
o Look at the top of your typewriter. There should be a long cylinder running across the typewriter. This is the roller also known as the "platen". Just behind the roller is a small, flat angled piece of machinery that tilts back slightly. This is the paper table. You want to place the top of your sheet of paper between the roller and paper table.
o There should be a small knob on the side of the roller. This is the roller knob. Turn this knob counterclockwise. This should feed the paper into to the roller. You should keep turning the knob until the top of the paper is just behind the keys.
2 Set the carriage. The carriage of a typewriter is a part of the typewriter that moves the roller across the page. Each time you hit a key, the carriage moves the roller slightly to the left. You want to start off with the carriage as far to the left as the typewriter will allow. Slide the roller over to the left. The carriage should stop the roller at the appropriate place to set the margins.
3 Type. Now you can begin typing. Typing on a typewriter is somewhat tricky. Each key causes a stamp to strike against the paper. You want to type hard enough to make the letters stamp on in a clear fashion. You should also type somewhat slowly if you've never used a typewriter before.
4 Return the carriage as you type. Eventually, you will hear the typewriter make a dinging noise. This means you have reached the end of the line you're currently writing on. You need to return the carriage to begin a new line.
o On one side of your typewriter, there will be a carriage return lever. This is a metallic lever. Carriage level either move downward or to the side. Press your carriage level in the correct direction for your typewriter. This should get the paper to transfer to the next line.
o From here, push the roller to the right until the carriage stops it. Then, resume typing.
5 Remove the paper. When you've finished a page, you can remove the paper. Turn the knob near the roller clockwise until the paper comes out of the typewriter.
Tips
Go slow. Correcting mistakes when using a typewriter can be a timely process, so type slowly to avoid typos and errors.
When hitting the keys use a staccato. Pretend like the keys are hot lava and you don’t want to touch them.
Get a black-coloured pencil or marker to fix all the mistakes that your typewriter has made.