boilerplate

Text that is used over and over with very little or no change. For example, boilerplate is essential in the legal profession as pre-written paragraphs are often combined to create agreements. It is also essential for canned responses in tech support and is a feature of many email programs. Also called "stationery" and "templates," email boilerplate enables a message with the same subject and body text to reply to different recipients. Unfortunately, the boilerplate feature is not always available, especially in Web-based email, requiring several extra steps to accomplish the task. See boilerplate code and email signature.

AUTO-TYPIST (1940s to 1970s)

Like a player piano, it read canned text as hole patterns on pre-punched rolls. As the roll unwound, the holes directed negative pressure through hoses connected to a tiny bellows on each key, snapping it down. (Image courtesy of TMC/Compco, Inc.)

Create the Boilerplate

Typing on this AUTO-TYPIST perforator recorded the text by punching holes in the rolls. (Image courtesy of TMC/Compco, Inc.)

"The Ultimate in Automatic Typing"

From the 1940s up until the mid-1970s, AUTO-TYPIST machines from the American Automatic Typewriter Company provided reliable document processing. (Image courtesy of TMC/Compco, Inc.)

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References in periodicals archive

Use templates for canned responses. In Yahoo Mail, find "templates.'' In Gmail, use "Canned Responses.'' (Bob's favorite is the canned response of the late Ohio Senator Metzenbaum to constituents sending him angry rants or crackpot ideas.

Getty Images provides all the photos you need

Some of the software's features include customizable auto-responders, canned response templates and an 800+ term “textspeak” translator for text messaging acronyms.

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I have done the usual writing to my senators and congressman and always get the canned response. I think we need a nationwide petition, like what happened with bioidentical hormones.

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Those showing interest are given a canned response, "Do you have 30-45 minutes, $3, and a desire to make wine?" The reaction and reply is usually one of surprise and affirmative.

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467) by asking questions, being personable, sincerely encouraging, and avoiding the "canned response." Canned responses fail to reach beyond "good" and "thank you for submitting." [Why are we thanking students for doing their job?] Rather, we must offer a more sincere and appreciative approach.

Establishing a relationship between virtual instructor and student in the online classroom

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