Load the typewriter ribbon. Most manual typewriters use a ribbon that comes on two round black spools. Some come with simple black ribbon or two-tone, usually red and black. Click the spools onto the round pegs in the brackets. Thread the ribbon itself through the clip near the cylinder that turns the paper. Wear gloves if you don't want ink on your hands.
Feed a piece of paper into the slot behind the cylinder. Lift the metal paper guard in front and turn the cylinder with the knob on either end. Once about one-fourth of the sheet of paper sticks up in front of you, fold down the paper guard.
Test the ribbon by typing a few sentences and replace the paper following step 2.
Set your margins by adjusting the slides along the cylinder. Sometimes they have measurement marks and other times you just need to eyeball it.
Type your first line. When you get to the end of the margins, a bell will ring. Press the metal slide lever and push the cylinder to the left to start your next line. If you want to cut a line short, do the same wherever you'd like.
Correct mistakes by sliding the cylinder back with the back button or with the slide lever and type X in red ink over any unwanted words. If you don't have a two-tone ribbon, use correcting fluid.