The ability to write beautifully is considered a real art, for which a separate term was even created - “calligraphy”. But to achieve success in penmanship, it is not at all necessary to have special talents. All you have to do is be patient and learn a few simple penmanship lessons. In this article we will tell you how to learn to write beautifully and provide step-by-step instructions for improving your handwriting.
Reasons for ugly handwriting
Physiologists identify 4 factors that influence the formation of individual graphic technology:
- anatomical features - structure of the hand, mobility of the joints of the hand;
- visual functions – visual acuity, ability to focus, presence of aberrations;
- neuropsychological processes – development of memory and attention, perseverance;
- working conditions - methods of teaching writing, lighting level, ergonomics of the workplace.
There are also pathological causes of changes in handwriting associated with mental disorders, hearing, vision, and thinking disorders. But this is the responsibility of pathophysiologists - we will consider basic factors that can be easily corrected and help improve the writing style of an adult.
Important! It is not so much the musculoskeletal system that is responsible for the quality of handwriting, but the brain and the coordinated work of all departments responsible for graphic functions.
What is dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a written language disorder characterized by persistent and repeated errors. Dysgraphia is associated with underdevelopment of certain areas of the brain. Therefore, the child does not have the skills to analyze and synthesize speech.
According to 2021 data, about 37% of Russian schoolchildren suffer from dysgraphia.
What errors indicate dysgraphia:
- omissions of letters and whole syllables in words;
- adding extra letters to words;
- replacing letters with similar spellings;
- mirror image of letters;
- continuous spelling of words;
- incorrect word agreement;
- illegible handwriting.
The correction of this disorder is carried out by a speech therapist and a neurologist. In difficult cases, drug therapy is also used.
Is it difficult for an adult to change handwriting?
Children develop their writing style in elementary school, and by the 6th-7th grade it becomes automatic. However, studies have shown that even after adulthood, the style of writing is constantly changing, and handwriting is finally formed only by the age of 25-30. So if you are in this age group, you have a good chance of learning how to write accurately without putting in a lot of effort.
After 30 years, it is possible to change your handwriting, but it is more difficult.
It will be more difficult for people over 30 years old - at this age a person has already developed a stable manner of writing lines, pressing the pen, tilting letters, spacing between lines and words. Changing the shape and size of graphic elements and tilt features will not be easy, but with due persistence and motivation, a good result is guaranteed.
Start with a warm-up
No matter how you choose to write - cursive or block font, you will find it difficult to produce neat letters without warming up. Start with a couple of curls and after this warm-up, neat and confident letters will begin to emerge from under your hand. A field of spirals made from copybooks is perfect for this exercise.
Or you can just make a couple of curls “out of boredom” in something like this shape.
How long does it take to change your writing style?
The rate of change will depend on three factors:
- final goal;
- teaching methods;
- pure practice time.
If you are faced with the task of radically changing your writing style, do not expect quick results. It will take 2-3 months to get used to writing numbers and letters in a new way, forming the individual beauty of handwriting.
Daily exercise is important: even for 5 minutes, but every day.
If a small correction is required, the first successes can be noticed after 3-4 weeks, but only if the training method is chosen correctly. On average, teachers provide the following data: by studying for 8 hours daily, the first results can be seen within a month.
Arm training
It happens that all the recommendations are followed, but the hand, nevertheless, begins to get tired. Then it makes sense to think about her training. Additional equipment you will need is an expander. Ten minutes of daily practice will be enough. You can choose a model for both adults and children. By the way, children can buy special “chewing gum” that helps develop their hand.
You can try writing texts at speed. Then, in the allotted time, for example 10 minutes, try to write as much as possible. Today there are timers in both watches and mobile phones.
Preparatory steps
In an effort to acquire beautiful handwriting and learn how to write correctly with a pen, many immediately begin to practice. And they make a fatal mistake by skipping the preparatory stage, which helps to build motivation, evaluate the current features of writing, slowly organize a workplace and purchase high-quality office supplies.
Determining the Purpose of Handwriting Change
Find the reason why you want to adjust your writing style:
- creating attractive inscriptions on postcards, crafts and handmade products;
- giving the handwriting confidence and a touch of “authority”;
- the desire to write legibly so that the text is easier for others and oneself to recognize;
- desire for change for aesthetic reasons.
The era of computerization has weaned us from using writing instruments. Therefore, a person who can write beautifully by hand becomes a valuable specialist.
Assessing current handwriting
Take a notebook sheet and write a short text - it should take 2-3 paragraphs. Write at your usual speed and in a manner characteristic of yourself, do not write out every letter, otherwise an objective assessment will not work. At the end of the work, analyze all the shortcomings, highlighting specific points:
- style of letters - whether you write in printed or capital letters, or maybe use a mixed style;
- height of letters - ideally, they should all be the same height and not be out of order;
- the shape of the letters - angular, too round or elongated impair handwriting;
- tilt – a slight tilt to the right side is considered normal;
- pressure - the pen should glide easily over the paper, creating uniform pressure and without leaving dents on the sheet.
Evaluate the “hooks” that you use to write the letters “i”, “m”, “p”, “l”. They should not merge with each other, impairing the recognition of written words.
Finding a role model
You can look for inspiration on the Internet, in school notebooks, manuals on the basics of calligraphy, etc. Choose the example that you like best - it could be neat, even handwriting, like a schoolboy’s, or elaborate with spectacular curls. Or maybe you like the way celebrities write or want to become the owner of a unique handwriting that slants to the left?
A role model should inspire and motivate you to change.
You can print out the examples you like and put them on your desktop in front of your eyes. This way you can quickly fix a visual image in your memory and copy the details automatically.
Performing hand exercises
The basis of good handwriting is developed fine motor skills. Essentially, these are coordinated movements of the phalanges and joints, allowing you to control actions, confidently hold a pen and draw shaped elements on paper. If you see letters jumping around the line, or appear crooked or angular, try working on your motor skills.
The simplest training is “air” writing, which we were taught in elementary school. Holding the pen with your fingers, bend your elbow at an angle of 70-80° and begin writing out phrases. Carefully move the pen through the air, carefully working out each letter. Take 5 minutes for the exercise and perform it daily - morning, afternoon and evening.
Correct grip
The pen should be held with three fingers of the right hand. Place the accessory between your thumb and index finger, rest it on the left side of the middle finger - this is what the correct grip looks like. The upper part of the handle should rest on the hand at the base of the thumb, while moving away from the tip of the handle at a distance of ⅓ of the length.
When writing, your palm should rest with its edge just above the wrist. Rest your ring and little fingers on a piece of paper - try several positions to find the one that is most comfortable for you.
Important! Do not grip the pen too tightly or raise your wrist too high - this causes excessive tension in the hand and impairs your handwriting.
High-quality office
There are no strict requirements for stationery, but it is important that the pen is comfortable to hold in your hand. Use classic models - a very thick or very thin pen will not be able to write neat letters. The thickness of the rod should also be medium - with thick lines the letters will turn out awkward.
Working with the office should be fun.
But you should choose the paper carefully - office sheets with a smooth surface or school notebooks are best suited. Avoid glossy paper - the pen will glide too quickly on it, and you will not be able to clearly control the movements.
Correct seating at the table
The following rules will help you achieve the correct seating position at your workplace:
- Sit upright, leaning your torso close to the back of the chair.
- Do not lean on the tabletop - maintain distance between the table and your chest.
- Elbows should rest on the tabletop, with the elbow joint bent at an angle of 90°.
- Maintain a right angle between your body and your hips when planting your feet. In relation to the floor, the thighs should be horizontal and the shins vertical.
- Place your feet firmly on the floor - they should touch the entire surface of the floor.
- Adjust the height of the chair and table to suit your height. The seat should be strictly under the knees, and the tabletop should be at navel level.
Using a lined sheet
The lined sheet is a ready-made template that will be useful to anyone who wants to improve their handwriting at home. It will help control the height of letters and achieve even lines. Lined sheets are sold as school workbooks, but you can create your own template in Word and print it out.
Important! If, in addition to the height of the letters and the direction of the lines, you need to adjust the slant when writing, choose notebooks with an oblique line.
How to learn to write quickly: choosing a pen
You should not use a pencil, it will only delay the process. The speed with which a student takes notes on lectures largely depends on the pen in his hands at the time. How to learn to write quickly? Through trial and error, acquire the most convenient office supplies. First of all, the handle parameters such as thickness and shape play a role. It is also worth paying attention to the material; the product should not slip out or cause discomfort. The appearance of calluses and rapid fatigue of fingers are signals that the pen is no longer suitable.
Choosing the right pen is only half the battle; how the student holds it is also important. The product should be placed on the middle finger, the index and thumb are used to grip it. The remaining fingers are practically not involved in the process; they should remain in a static and relaxed state. How to learn to write quickly? A mistake is made by people who convulsively squeeze the handle.
Body exercise
As we mentioned above, physical fitness and the condition of the musculoskeletal system directly affect the characteristics of writing. Take time to exercise daily to improve fine motor skills and keep your muscles toned.
Development of fine motor skills of hands
Take advantage of 6 methods:
- Take up drawing or doodling - coloring patterns with colored pencils.
- Master the ten-finger typing method on a computer keyboard, or simply type more often using as many fingers as possible.
- Do finger exercises, working the small and large joints of the hand.
- Take up handicrafts, modeling, beading.
- Learn to write with your left hand (for right-handed people) or your right hand (for left-handed people).
- Master the use of objects with your non-dominant hand - hammering nails, sweeping the floor, holding cutlery, etc.
Training the muscles of the back and shoulder girdle
For training, simple exercises that can be performed at home are suitable. Well strengthens the muscles of the shoulder girdle and back:
- pull-ups on the horizontal bar;
- pushups;
- circular movements with outstretched arms;
- back extension on a gymnastic ball;
- lifting opposite arms and legs in a lying position;
- bending in a standing position with fingers touching the floor, etc.
Development of spatial perception
Such a favorite pastime as putting together puzzles helps to develop visual-motor integration. Choose more difficult tasks that you will have to work on for more than one day.
Putting together puzzles improves spatial perception.
Another interesting exercise is to virtually change an object. Imagine any physical object and try to mentally change its shape, size, color, combine it with other parts or add decor.
Ways to improve handwriting
We are done with preparation methods. Now let’s move on to specific techniques that will help you learn to write accurately in a notebook and on blank sheets of paper.
Using copybooks
Sometimes, in order to move on, it is necessary to return to the roots - we are talking about the copybooks by which each of us learned to write in elementary school. The copybooks contain reference examples of the style of each letter and number.
The recipes will be useful not only for kids, but also for adults.
By repeatedly copying details from a pattern, you will eventually break old habits of sloppy writing and be able to develop new skills. Work diligently, like an exemplary student, and you will not only be able to write beautifully, but also achieve calligraphic handwriting.
Advice! Use squared notebooks for training. Transfer the text to the sheet, trying to place each letter in a separate cell, without protruding beyond its boundaries.
Writing letters in the air
Return to the air letter training that we described just above. This is not only a great way to practice fine motor skills, but also an important part of acquiring beautiful handwriting.
Don’t rush to write entire words at once - write out the letter step by step, carefully drawing each element in the air. When the result seems satisfactory to you, put it on paper - write the studied letter with a pen and try to combine it with others into whole words.
Start with block letters
Another interesting way to write penmanship is to learn how to carefully print block letters on a sheet of paper in a square. A sample that will serve as a reference for you will come in handy here. Look for spectacular examples and try to repeat each letter in printable format.
Try writing the sentence “Have some more of these soft, fresh French rolls and then have some tea.” It contains the entire Russian alphabet, so after writing you can evaluate your handwriting and see your “weak” spots.
Using an ink pen
Fountain pens give new sensations when writing, allowing you to develop an individual style of calligraphy. Practice shows that when using an ink pen, we draw out each text element more diligently. The handwriting turns out clear, neat and even stylish - why not try it?
Write on lined paper or lined paper
Beautiful and even words are the shortest way to neat handwriting! When writing a letter, place a piece of paper from your notebook under the white sheet of paper. It will probably show through, and you can use the lines of the paper as guides so that all the lines of the letter are even. And if you don’t mind lined sheets, write directly on them.
In addition to this point, I will say: always use a backing. No matter which sheet you choose to write on, there should always be another one underneath it. For some reason, any pen begins to write better on the slightly softer surface of two sheets of paper.
Step-by-step instructions for adults
When the basic techniques for improving handwriting have been mastered, you can proceed to the main stage - it includes 4 important steps.
Choosing a role model
Yes, there are certain standards for writing letters. But this doesn't mean you can't add a personal touch to your new handwriting. When you learn to write all the letter elements correctly, create your own graphic technique. These can be interesting curls, playful ponytails, underlines, or a special configuration of letters.
When handwriting is brought to automaticity, even fancy letters will look organic, and the written text will be easy to read.
Daily spelling practice
To achieve an ideal result, you will have to allocate enough time to repeat the letters many times. Allocate a separate sheet for each element of the alphabet, and if this is not enough, do multiple approaches.
Write one letter dozens of times.
Changing handwriting is a slow process; the hand must get used to non-standard movements. The longer you practice, the better the new style will become embedded in your visual memory and subconscious.
Connecting letters into words
It is not enough to learn to diligently write individual letters - you need to be able to beautifully put them into words and sentences. Connecting lines should be smooth to blend seamlessly with adjacent symbols. This skill will also have to be trained by diligently creating notebooks of texts.
Italics is considered the standard for the correct combination of elements in words. Try copying text written in cursive font to understand the principles of creating connectives. The hand should be relaxed - do not forget to follow the slope of the line and close all the spaces between the letters.
Bringing it to automation
Achieving success in penmanship will not be possible without intensive training. This is the only way you can bring the acquired skill to automaticity and consolidate your new handwriting on a subconscious level. Set aside time every day to write down 2-3 pages of dictation, and if there is no one to dictate the text, copy the sentences from the sample. Try to gradually increase the speed of your work - and if even in intensive mode the text remains just as legible and neat, you can safely congratulate yourself on your victory.
You can learn to write beautifully at any age with the proper persistence and good motivation. Assess your handwriting weaknesses, find a role model, and buy comfortable writing utensils. Love the process of penmanship itself, be patient - and excellent results will not keep you waiting!
