OVERSIZED first letter of first word...

[fornaven_efternaven]

Not sure what the proper terminology is for this.

In books, when the first letter is larger than the rest of the text and
stands 3 or 4 lines tall in alignment with the 3 or 4 lines of text next to
it.

Where the +'s represent the first letter("T") in the example below:

+++++ his is the first line of text, et cetera............
+ the continuation of the line of text above...
+ the continuation of the line of text above...
+ the continuation of the line of text above...

How is this effect best achieved? The only way I've found is with a single
letter in a text box but proper alignment is difficult with this method.

 

[Margaret Aldis]

It's called a drop cap and you can insert one using Format > Drop cap.
Actually it's just a letter in a frame, but at least Word works out the
alignment.

 

[fornaven_efternaven]

Margaret,

Thanks for both responses.