How do you insert shapes to your open office writer document?

To insert shapes in OpenOffice Writer, go to the "Drawing" toolbar, which can be activated by selecting "View" from the top menu, then "Toolbars," and choosing "Drawing." Once the toolbar is visible, select the desired shape icon, such as a rectangle or circle, and then click and drag in your document to create the shape. You can customize the shape's properties by right-clicking on it and selecting options for fill, outline, and other formatting features.