The present invention provides a method and system for tapping to create document structure, such as writing. A tapping gesture received from the user is interpreted by a writing application to indicate that the user is about to write in a certain location on the page. While in pen mode, the user taps the pen, the gesture recognizer tells the writing application that a “tap” has occurred, and the writing application creates a new paragraph with an active writing guide attached to it at that location. A tap below text creates a new paragraph. The new paragraph may be located at any available indent level depending on the location of the tap. The tapping gesture may also be used for clearing or moving selections.