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Using speech output to read highlighted text in an application

The Speak-It tool allows you to speak text by highlighting or clicking on words with the mouse. Any text that appears on the screen can be spoken, regardless of whether it is in the active program or not. The Speak-It tool can be used to speak a block of text or a single word. The Speak-It Tool is a white cursor arrow with three arcs to its right.

Speaking a block of text:

There are four steps to speak a block of text:

  1. Press ALT+SHIFT+I to select the Speak-It tool.
  2. Place the pointed end of the Speak-It tool Arrow at the top left side of the first word in the block of text that you want to have spoken.
  3. Click on the left mouse button and hold it down while you drag the highlight down and across all the words you want to have spoken.
  4. Release the mouse button; the highlighted words will be spoken.

Speaking a single word:

If you only wish to speak a single word, it need not be highlighted. There are four steps to hear a single word spoken:

  1. Press ALT+SHIFT+I to select the Speak-It tool. The Speak-It tool appears on the screen.
  2. Press ALT+SHIFT+I. The cursor changes to the Speak-It Tool.
  3. Press the up, down, left, or right arrows to position the Speak-It Tool at the beginning of the word to be read.
  4. Press ENTER to have the word spoken.

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