The

CD Masters

Handwriting
File
With Entry Strokes
A flexible and comprehensive resource to help with
the improvement of handwriting. Choose your
handwriting style and size from the choice provided.

Written and published by KBER

Kath Balcombe (Educational Resources)









 
  


 

 



 
 


  

!





 
 

Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank all those colleagues, pupils, and friends who have helped in the
evolution of this book.

Kath Balcombe was born in Blackburn in 1958. She attended Derby Lonsdale College and qualified as
a teacher with BEd (Hons) in 1982. She gained her C.F.P.S. (Specific Learning Difficulties) in 1993,
and is an experienced teacher of pupils with dyslexia.


 

Kath Balcombe 1998-2002

All rights reserved. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade
use, be lent, hired, or copied in any way, for resale, or otherwise circulated, without the
express permission of the author. All pages in this book may be photocopied for educational
purposes only within the purchasing school or other establishment where the pupils are taught.

Also available by the same author:

A Reference for Spelling (Photocopy Masters) Tutor's version - Colour-coded phonic

reference.

A Personal Spelling Sampler (Photocopy Masters) Pupil's version - Colour-coded

phonic reference.

Make Spellings Stick ( Photocopy Masters ) using the Look - Learn - Say - Cover -
Write - Check - Method.

Handwriting for Windows (3.5" Diskette for PC - Windows '95) font and special utility
for converting any text to simulated handwriting with correct joins with choice of style,
size and colour.

The Handwriting Alphabet File (Photocopy Masters) Choose from 44 different lower
case letter forms and 26 upper case letters to suit your style. One letter per A4 sheet.
Arrows showing how to form the letters. A4 durable card. Either with or without entry
strokes.

Small Handwriting Alphabet cards. Arrows showing how to form the letters. Durable
card. Either with or without entry strokes. Choose from 44 different lower case letter
forms and 26 upper case letters to suit your style.

 (Kath Balcombe , Educational Resources)

10, Collingwood Drive
Bowbrook,
Shrewsbury.
SY3 5HP

Tel: 01743 356764 Fax: 01743 340062 [email protected] www.kber.co.uk

 Contents
1. Information about Handwriting
Introduction and Questionnaire.................................................................................................................... (i) - (ii)
Suggestions for handwriting technique - posture and paper position .................................................... (iii)
Pen hold and pen angle ........................................................................................................................................ (iv)
The letter forest ......................................................................................................................................................... (v)
One oclock letters and the different letter joins ............................................................................................ (vi)
The alphabet - lower case ................................................................................................................................... (vii)
The alphabet - upper case ................................................................................................................................. (viii)
Analyse your handwriting - strengths and weaknesses .............................................................................. (ix)
Handwriting Practice
2. Individual letters and letter strings and words
Large letters........................................................................................................................................................... 1
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) ........................................................................................................................... 2
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) .......................................................................................................................... 3
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) .......................................................................................................................... 4
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) ......................................................................................................................... 5
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) ......................................................................................................................... 6
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) ......................................................................................................................... 7
Letter formation - N shapes (
and  ) ........................................................................................................... 8
Letter formation - N shapes (  ) ........................................................................................................................ 9
Letter formation - N shapes ( ) ........................................................................................................................ 10
Letter formation - N shapes (  ) ....................................................................................................................... 11
Letter formation - N shapes (  ) ...................................................................................................................... 12
Letter formation - L shapes (  and  ) ........................................................................................................... 13
Letter formation - L shapes (  ) .......................................................................................................................... 14
Letter formation - L shapes (  ).......................................................................................................................... 15
Letter formation - L shapes (  ) .......................................................................................................................... 16
Letter formation - L shapes (  ) ........................................................................................................................ 17
Letter formation - L shapes (  and  ) ............................................................................................................ 18
Letter formation - L shapes (  and  ) ......................................................................................................... 19
Letter formation - L shapes (  ) ......................................................................................................................... 20
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (  ) ......................................................................................................... 21
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (
 and  and  ) ................................................................................. 22
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (  ) .......................................................................................................... 23
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (  and ) .............................................................................................. 24
Letter formation - Left-over shapes ( ! )............................................................................................................ 25
Letter formation - Left-over shapes ( " and # ) ............................................................................................. 26
Letter formation - Left-over shapes ( $ and % ) .............................................................................................. 27
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (
& and ' ) .............................................................................................. 28
Medium letters ................................................................................................................................................... 29
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) ......................................................................................................................... 30
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) ........................................................................................................................ 31
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) ........................................................................................................................ 32
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) ............................................................ ..33
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) ............................................................. ..34
Letter formation - C shapes (
 ) .............................................................................35
Letter formation - N shapes (
and  ) .......................................................................................................... 36
Letter formation - N shapes (  ) ........................................................................................................................ 37
Letter formation - N shapes ( ) ....................................................................................................................... 38
Letter formation - N shapes (  ) ....................................................................................................................... 39
Letter formation - N shapes (  ).......................................................................................................................40
1Letter formation - L shapes (  and  ) ......................................................................................................... 41
4
Letter formation - L shapes (  ) ......................................................................................................................... 42
Letter formation - L shapes (  ) .......................................................................................................................... 43
Letter formation - L shapes (  ) ......................................................................................................................... 44
Letter formation - L shapes (  ) ........................................................................................................................45
Letter formation - L shapes (  and  ) ......................................................................................................... 46
Letter formation - L shapes (  and
 ) ....................................................................................................... 47
Letter formation - L shapes (  ) ........................................................................................................................ 48
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (  ).......................................................................................................... 49
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (
 and  and  ) .................................................................................... 50
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (  ) ......................................................................................................... 51
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (  and ) ............................................................................................ 52
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (
 ) ............................................................................................................ 53
Letter formation - Left-over shapes ( " and # ) ............................................................................................ 54
Letter formation - Left-over shapes ( $ and % ) .............................................................................................. 55
Letter formation - Left-over shapes (
& and ' )............................................................................................... 56
Further Practice - different letter combinations .........................................................57
Medium Letters
Further practice 1 - Predominantly C shapes ( two sheets ) ...................................................................... 58
Further practice 2 - Predominantly N shapes ( four sheets ) .................................................................... 59
Further practice 3 - Predominantly L shapes ( two sheets ) ....................................................................... 60
Further practice 4 - Predominantly Left-over shapes ( three sheets ) ..................................................... 61
3. Working with longer texts
The story of 'The Tortoise and the Hare' from Aesops Fables ................................................................ 62
Trace and copy practice ( Large script / shaded lines ) - From The Tortoise and the Hare .......... 63
Trace and copy practice ( Large script / large ordinary lines ) From The Tortoise and the Hare 64
Trace and copy practice ( Medium script / shaded lines ) - From The Tortoise and the Hare ...... 65
Trace and copy practice ( Medium script / ordinary lines ) - From The Tortoise and the Hare ..... 66
Trace and copy practice ( Small script / shaded lines ) - From The Tortoise and the Hare ........... 67
Trace and copy practice ( Small script / ordinary lines ) - From The Tortoise and the Hare ......... 68
4. Timed practice
Timed practice ( Large shaded lines ) ............................................................................................................... 69
Timed practice ( Large ordinary lines ) ............................................................................................................... 70
Timed practice ( Medium shaded lines )............................................................................................................ 71
Timed practice ( Medium/Small lines ) ............................................................................................................... 72
Timed practice ( Small shaded lines ) ............................................................................................................... 73
5. Spare handwriting sheets
Large shaded lines
Medium shaded lines
Small shaded lines
Large ruled lines
Medium ruled lines
Information
about
Handwriting
 The Handwriting File
Introduction
This book is designed to help you improve the style, legibility and fluency of handwriting.
It is assumed that students have already grasped sufficient pen control to be able to produce the basic
letter patterns.

The first section provides information about handwriting.

The second section gives the opportunity to practise.

The book includes suggestions on:

a) - correct sitting position
- paper position
- pen hold for both left and right-handers
b) - construction of individual letters in both lower and upper case
- how to join letters together within words
c) - how to increase the amount written in a legible and painless way within a continuous period of time
d) - how handwriting can be analysed by looking at:
i) the height, size, shape and slant of letters
ii) the spacing between both individual letters and separate words.

Before students begin make sure they have:

- a suitable pencil (HB or B), a sharpener and a rubber
- a pen with a nib or tip that suits them
- good quality tracing paper
- a variety of texts that they want to copy
- photocopied practice sheets to add to their files
- It would also be useful to have a copy of Handwriting for Windows (3.5 diskette for PC Windows 95
+) written by John Balcombe. This software enables students to choose their own texts and convert it
into the handwriting style of their choice.

The Handwriting File is different to most other handwriting books.

It can be individually tailored to suit the handwriting style you require by choosing the appropriate pages
from the file. You have the option of choosing letters which either all start on the line or at the top of
each letter, depending on which version you have chosen. Below are the letter form options.

A( ) * + , - . / 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ? @
A B      C D E  F    G      H
  ! I J #       % $ K  ' L &M

   

  E 
      
N

 ! " #       % $  & '

Students can practise and improve their handwriting as many times as they like because all the sheets
are photocopiable

The special grey shaded guidelines on the handwriting paper helps students gauge the height of
individual letters in a unique way. The lines are presented in three sizes.

Before they start make sure that students understand the information in Section One. They should try
to work when they are fresh and relaxed. Restrict them to short concentrated sessions of between 10
and 30 minutes. Build up improvement gradually with regular practice. The file is not meant to be
worked through page by page in order, nor is the whole of each page meant to be completed in one go.
Complete a little at a time and come back to it another day. As a general rule try to make each
experience as multi-sensory and cumulative as possible. Repetition and over-learning are useful
teaching strategies to observe.

i
 A Questionnaire
Name ........................................................................ Date ...............................................
Before you start, answer the following questions:

Yes No Fair
Do I like my own handwriting?

How easily can I read my own handwriting?

Can other people read my handwriting with ease?

Do other people my age seem to write faster and more neatly than me?

Does it take a lot of effort for me to produce quick, fluent and legible text?

Do I alter the neatness of my handwriting to suit the task?

How long is it before my arm or hand begins to ache after writing continuously?

Is my sitting position correct?

Do I hold my pen correctly?

Do I position my paper correctly?

Do I think it is necessary to try to change and improve my handwriting?

Do not be down-hearted if you have discovered from these answers that your handwriting
needs improving. People are not asking you to produce beautiful handwriting at all times. Not
many people can do this! What you need to strive for is writing which is produced without too
much worry from you, and which stays legible right to the end of a piece of work so that it can
easily be read by others.

ii
 Suggestions for handwriting technique
1. Posture and paper position

The way you sit at your desk is very important. You should try to relax and get rid of as much

Do not use your non-writing hand to support your head or lay it across the desk above your paper.
tension as possible. Shake your hand before you start and take in some long slow deep breaths.

Make sure that the desk is the correct height for you and that the surface is clean, smooth and

Both feet should be on the floor and you should be able to rest your forearms on the desk without
uncluttered.

Try to copy the writer in these photographs.

raising your shoulders.

Photograph 1
i) The writer is sitting up with his back almost straight and both his feet are flat on the floor.
ii) Both his forearms are supported on the desk; one hand is controlling the pen and the other is
preventing the paper from moving about.

Photograph 1
Good posture for writing

Photograph 2
i) The writer is right-handed. The paper is positioned slightly to the right of the mid line of the his body
and is tilted down to the left.
ii) The paper is not too near his body and he should move it away from him as he writes further down
the page.

Photograph 2
Writing with the right-hand

iii
Photograph 3
The writer is left-handed. It is difficult for him to see what he is writing, so the paper should be
positioned quite a way over to the left of the mid line of the body and should be tilted down to the
right. The paper is not too near his body and he should move it away from him as he writes further
down the page.
The left-hander should sit at a desk where the left hand is free of obstruction.
It is better for one left-hander to sit next to another.
Some tips to help you to see your writing:

Avoid using a hook grip where your left arm is bent round so that your hand is above the writing

Try sitting a little higher than usual to enable you to see over the top of your hand.
and your pen is sloping away from you.

Try holding your pen slightly further away from the nib.

Try raising your work higher and tilting it towards you.

Photograph 3
Writing with the left-hand

2. Holding the pen

Experiment with different types of pen to find out which suits you the best. Hold the pen with a relaxed
hand and fingers and make sure you have enough light. Good habits should be practised from the start
as undesirable ones are very difficult to correct later.
Look at the drawing below and try to copy the writers pen grip and pen angle.

The most preferred grip is the tripod grip.

Control the fine movements of the pen with your fingers and not your
Fig (i) The correct grip
and pen angle

Hold the pen between the flat of the thumb and inside of the middle
whole arm.

finger, with the soft pad at the tip of the index finger lightly pressing

down on the pen between them.

The ring and little finger should be layered round underneath.
Roll your hand over slightly so that the side of your hand rests on the
paper and moves along as you write. Be careful not to roll your hand

too far over to the right or the left.
Your fingers should be about 2-3 cm away from the pens nib.

Tips:

If the angle of your pen is nearly vertical, it is too high.

Do not have your thumb too far across the front of the pen.

Do not over-bend the first joint of the index finger either over or under.

Do not have the pen angle too low - let it rest opposite the knuckle of your index finger.

Do not put both your index finger and you middle finger on top of the pen.

iv
 The Letter Forest
When thinking about the size of your letters, you could use the analogy of a forest to
encourage you to think about the following:

- keep your half-way letters within the shaded area i.e. the trees
- make your tall letters rise above the shaded area i.e. above the tree canopy into the sky
- make your letters with tails fall below the shaded area i.e. underneath the ground.

Refer to the diagrams below to produce letters of appropriate size and proportion.

Sky Tall letters

Forest Half-way letters
Underground Tail letters

Tall Letters

[b ]d [h [l [t [k

Half-way letters

]a ]c [i [m [n ]o
[r [u [v [w [x [z

Tail Letters

] [j ]q [ [p

v
 One o'clock letters
Over to
1 o'clock
Start here
if the letter is
at the beginning
Swing 12 of a word
1
back
Up and
over

Join here
from if the
previous letter
has a diagonal join.

Different types of join

Horizontal join to a tall letter ]l
Horizontal join to a half-way letter ]c
Diagonal join to a tall letter ]a[l
Diagonal join to a half-way letter ]a]c
vi
 The Alphabet
Here are examples of how to form lower case letters in cursive style. The grey lines show the path the pen should take. A cross
indicates where a letter should start. A dotted line indicates an abrupt change in direction.

]a [b [ [ ]c ]d [<

vii
2.
2.

] [h 1. [i 1. [ [ 1. [k [l [m [n
2.

] [ [p ]q [r 1. [t [u
2. 2.

[v [ [w [ 1. [ 1. [x [ [z ]
 The Alphabet
The diagrams below show how the upper case or capital letters are formed. The grey lines show the path of the pen. A cross indicates
where each stroke of the pen should start. The separate strokes are numbered and should be completed in the correct order.

2. 2.
1. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2.
1.
2. 2. 1. 3.
2.
3. 3.
3.
4.
A B C D E F G H I

viii
1. 2. 1. 2. 1. 2. 1. 2.
2. 1. 1.
2.
1.

2.
3.
J K L M N O P Q R
2. 1. 2. 2.
1.
1.

S T U V W X Y Z
 Analyse your handwriting to find your own
strengths and weaknesses
1. Use the analogy of the letter forest to get the size of individual letters correct.
Do
I [a[n[t [t] [i[m[p[o [m[ [h]a[n]d[wri[t[i[n]

Don't

2. Make sure that your letters all slant in the same way. Extend a line through your letters.
Do
I [a[n[t [t] [i[m[p[o [m[ [h]a[n]d[wri[t[i[n]

Don't

3. Make sure that the spaces between your letters and words are appropriate and consistent.
Do
I [a[n[t [t] [i[m[p[o [m[ [h]a[n]d[wri[t[i[n]

Don't

4. Make sure that all your letters are resting on the line. Shade in the areas where they dont.
Do
I [a[n[t [t] [i[m[p[o [m[ [h]a[n]d[wri[t[i[n]

Don't

ix
Individual
Letters, Letter
Strings and
Words
Large
Letters

1
 Letter Formation

C Shapes

Make each 'clockwise' stroke go up and When joining from another letter, say, as you

]c
over to 1 o'clock in a wide rounded way write, "Join up over to one o'clock - swing
like this. The letter 'c' is a 'half-way' letter back and round - join up over to one
with a diagonal join to the next letter o'clock - swing back and round - join ....."..
from the bottom upwards. Imagine you
are on a swing pushing your legs up in
the air to get higher. If the 'c shape' is
at the beginning of a word, start at 1

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

]c ]c ]c

]c]c ]c]c ]c]c

]c ]c ]c

]c]c ]c]c ]c]c

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]c]a ]c]a
]c] ]c]
]c]d ]c]d
]c]a[l ]c]a[l
]c]a]c[h ]c]a]c[h
]c]c]on ]c]c]on
2
 Letter Formation

C Shapes

The letter 'a' is a halfway letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say as

you write, " Swing up over to
one - circle back round and up
and down ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

]a Date: ....................................

]a ]a ]a

]a]a ]a]a ]a]a

]a ]a ]a

]a]a ]a]a ]a]a

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]a]c ]a]c
]a]d ]a]d
]c]a]d ]c]a]d
]d]a]d ]d]a]d
[l]a]d[e [l]a]d[e
]c]a[n]a[l ]c]a[n]a[l
3
 Letter Formation

C Shapes

]
The letter 'g' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Swing up and over to
one - circle back round, and up
right down and loop......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

Now try these letter pairs and words:

] ]
]a ]a
]a] ]a]
]d] ]d]
]d ]d
]a]e ]a]e
4
 Letter Formation

C Shapes
The letter 'd' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

]d
Start at the cross and say as you
write, "Swing up and over to
one - circle back round, right up
and down and join......"

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

]d ]d ]d

]d]d ]d]d ]d]d

]d ]d ]d

]d]d ]d]d ]d]d

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]d] ]d]
]d]a ]d]a
]a]d]d ]a]d]d
]d[i]d ]d[i]d
]d]d[e ]d]d[e
[p]a]d]d[e [p]a]d]d[e
5
 Letter Formation

C Shapes
The letter 'o' is a half way letter with either a horizontal,,diagonal upwards or downwards join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you write,

"Swing up and over to one - circle
right round, and join across......"

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

] Date: ....................................

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[t] [t]
]a ]a
]c]l ]c]l
[m]on [m]on
]d]oe]d ]d]oe]d
[ou[n]d [ou[n]d
6
 Letter Formation

C Shapes

The letter 'q' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the tail upwards (almost always a 'u').

Start at the cross and say

or sing,"Swing up and
over to one - circle right
round, right down join
up..."
]q
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

]q ]q ]q

]q ]q ]q

]q ]q ]q

]q ]q ]q

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]u ]u
]u]a ]u]a
]u]a]d ]u]a]d
]u[i[e ]u[i[e
]u]e ]u]e
]u]a[e[r ]u]a[e[r
7
 Letter Formation

n shapes
Make each 'bridge' stroke go over in a wide rounded way like this:

Start at the cross and say, "Sweep

up, straight down, back up, right
round, back under join up......".
[p
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[p [p [p

[p[p [p[p [p[p

[p [p [p

[p[p [p[p [p[p

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[p]a [p]a
[p[i[p [p[i[p
[e[t [e[t
[p]on]d [p]on]d
[p]a[i]d [p]a[i]d
[e[p[e[r [e[p[e[r
8
 Letter Formation

n shapes
The letter 'p' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say,"Sweep

up, straight down, back up, bridge
over join up......".
[
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[[ [[ [[

[ [ [

[[ [[ [[

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[]a []a
[[i[ [[i[
[e[t [e[t
[]on]d []on]d
[]a[i]d []a[i]d
[e[[e[r [e[[e[r
8
 Letter Formation

n shapes
Make each 'bridge' stroke go over in a wide rounded way like this:

[b
Start at the cross and say as you
write , "Sweep right up, straight
down, half back, circle round and
back - join up......" .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[b [b [b

[b[b [b[b [b[b

[b [b [b

[b[b [b[b [b[b

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[b]a [b]a
[e [e
[b]b [b]b
[b]t [b]t
[b]om[b [b]om[b
[ru[b[e[r [ru[b[e[r
9
 Letter Formation

n shapes
Make each 'bridge' stroke go over in a wide rounded way like this.

The letter 'n' is a half-way letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

[n
Start at the cross and say as you
write , "Sweep up, straight down,
back up, bridge over - join up......" .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[n [n [n

[n[n [n[n [n[n

[n [n [n

[n[n [n[n [n[n

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[n] [n]
]a[n ]a[n
[n[u[n [n[u[n
[n]oe [n]oe
[n[i[n[t[h [n[i[n[t[h
[ru[n[e[r [ru[n[e[r
10
 Letter Formation

n shapes
The letter 'h' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

[h
Start at the cross and say as you
write , "Sweep right up, straight
down, half back up, bridge over - join
up......" .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[h [h [h

[h[h [h[h [h[h

[h [h [h

[h[h [h[h [h[h

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[h] [h]
]a[h ]a[h
[h]t [h]t
[h]a[m [h]a[m
[h[u[t]c[h [h[u[t]c[h
[t[h]a[t]c[h [t[h]a[t]c[h
11
 Letter Formation

n shapes
The letter 'm' is a half-way letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say, "Sweep up,

straight down, bridge over and over -
join up ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[m Date: ....................................

[m [m [m

[m[m [m[m [m[m

[m [m [m

[m[m [m[m [m[m

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[m] [m]
]a[m ]a[m
[m]a[n [m]a[n
[h]a[rm [h]a[rm
[m[u[rm[u[r [m[u[rm[u[r
[h]a[m[e[r [h]a[m[e[r
12
 Letter Formation

L Shapes
This letter 'b' is a tall letter with a either a horizontal or a upwards or downwards diagonal join to the
next letter from half way across depending on the following letter.

[
Start at the cross and say as you
write, "Sweep right up, straight back
down, curl under right round and join
(either straight across or up) ....

Make sure that you do go right round

to '11 o'clock' on this letter .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[a [a
[ [
[ [
[t [t
[om[ [om[
[ru[[r [ru[[r
13
 Letter Formation

L Shapes
This letter 'b' is a tall letter with a either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter
from half way across depending on the following letter. It is called an 'open' b.

[
Start at the cross and sayas you
write, "Sweep right up, straight back
down,curl under and up, and join
(either straight across or up ...)

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[a [a
[ [
[ [
[t [t
[om[ [om[
[ru[[r [ru[[r
13
 Letter Formation

L shapes
Imagine you are a conductor directing an orchestra with a baton. Make sure that when you are joining to another 'l'
shape, you come down the same line that you went up when you reach the top of the joining stroke.
The letter 'l' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards

[l
Start at the cross and say,
"Sweep right up, straight
back down, join up ....."

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[l [l [l

[l[l [l[l [l[l

[l [l [l

[l[l [l[l [l[l

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[l] [l]
]a[l ]a[l
[l]t [l]t
[t]a[l[l [t]a[l[l
[l[i[e [l[i[e
[t[i[l[e[r [t[i[l[e[r
14
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'i' is a half way letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say, "Sweep

half way up, straight back down,
join up ......". Dot your 'i' when you
have finished the word.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

1. [i Date: ....................................

[i [i [i

[i[i [i[i [i[i

[i [i [i

[i[i [i[i [i[i

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[i[t [i[t
[l[i [l[i
[h[i[t [h[i[t
[i[e[m [i[e[m
[l[i[m[i[t [l[i[m[i[t
[i]d[i]t[i]c [i]d[i]t[i]c
15
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 't' is a tall letter (but not quite as tall as an 'l'), with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom
upwards. Make sure that when you are joining to another 'l' shape, you come down the same line that you went
up when you reach the top of the joining stroke.

[t
Start at the cross and say, "
Sweep right up, straight back
down - join up ......". 2.
Make sure you cross your 't'
when you have finished the 1.
whole word.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[t [t [t

[t[t [t[t [t[t

[t [t [t

[t[t [t[t [t[t

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[t] [t]
]a[t ]a[t
[h[i[t [h[i[t
[e[n[t [e[n[t
[t[i[t[e [t[i[t[e
[m]a[t[e[r [m]a[t[e[r
16
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'u' is a small letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say, "Sweep

up, straight down, under and up,
back down - join up ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[u Date: ....................................

[u [u [u

[u[u [u[u [u[u

[u [u [u

[u[u [u[u [u[u

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[m[u [m[u
[u[n [u[n
[n[u[t [n[u[t
[h[u[n[t [h[u[n[t
[t[u[n[i]c [t[u[n[i]c
[u[n[t[i[l [u[n[t[i[l
17
 Letter Formation

L shapes

The letter 'v' is a half way letter with either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, slant down,
slant up - join across......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[v Date: ....................................

[v [v [v

[vv [vv [vv

[v [v [v

[vv [vv [vv

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]ov ]ov
[[t [[t
]d[i[ ]d[i[
[n]o[l [n]o[l
[[m]o [[m]o
18
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'v' is a half way letter with either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, straight down,
round under and up - join
across......".
[
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]o ]o
[[t [[t
]d[i[ ]d[i[
[n]o[l [n]o[l
[[m]o [[m]o
18
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'w' is a half way letter with either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you write,

"Sweep up, slant down, slant up and
down and up and join across ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[w Date: ....................................

[w [w [w

[ww [ww [ww

[w [w [w

[ww [ww [ww

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]ow ]ow
[[t [[t
[l [l
[l]o[r [l]o[r
[wi[l[l]ow [wi[l[l]ow
19
 Letter Formation

L shapes Start at the cross and say as you write,

"Sweep up, slant down, slant up and
down and up and join across ......".

The letter 'w' is a half way letter with either either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, straight down
and under and up and down and
under and join across ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[ Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]o ]o
[[t [[t
[l [l
[l]o[r [l]o[r
[i[l[l]o [i[l[l]o
19
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'y' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards. Make sure

[
that when you are joining to another 'l' shape, you come down the same line that you went up when
you reach the top of the joining stroke.

Start at the cross and say as

you write, "Sweep up, straight
down and under and up, right
down, loop round join up.......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]a[ ]a[
[ [
[b]o [b]o
[o [o
[e]a[l[ [e]a[l[
[e[on]d [e[on]d
20
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'e' is a 'half way' letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards..

Start at the cross and say

as you write, "Sweep
diagonally up, over down
and round, join up ...." .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

e e e

e e e

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[n [n
[e [e
[e [e
[e[t [e[t
] e]d]a[r ] e]d]a[r
[e]a[e[r [e]a[e[r
21
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

This letter 'f' is both a tall and tail letter with a join to the next letter from the loop across.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep diagonally right up,
hook over, trace back down, loop
round the back, join up ...." .
[<
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

< < <

>< >< ><

< < <

>< >< ><

Now try these letter pairs and words:

@a @a
< <
@a[i[r @a[i[r
e]a[< e]a[<
>i[>t[h >i[>t[h
>l[u[>> >l[u[>>
22
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

This letter 'f' is both a tall and tail letter with a join to the next letter from the loop across.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep diagonally right up,
over right down round the back,
loop round, join up ...." .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

Now try these letter pairs and words:

a a
] ]
a[i[r a[i[r
]e]a ]e]a
it[h it[h
l[u l[u
22
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'f' is both a tall and tail letter with a horizontal join to the next letter from the middle across.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep diagonally right up,
over right down, round the front,
loop round, join up ...." .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

Now try these letter pairs and words:

a a
] ]
a[i[r a[i[r
]e]a ]e]a
it[h it[h
l[u l[u
22
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'j' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards. Dot the 'j'

[
after you have finished the word.
2.

Start at the cross and say,

"Sweep up, straight down,
loop round - join up....." as
you write. 1.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]a[ ]a[
[t [t
[e[r [e[r
]a[a[r ]a[a[r
[e[t[e]d [e[t[e]d
23
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'k' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

[
Start at the cross and say as you
write, "Sweep right up, straight
down, half back loop over and
round, slant down - join up.....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[[ [[ [[

[ [ [

[[ [[ [[

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[] []
]a[ ]a[
[[i[t [[i[t
[t]a[l[ [t]a[l[
[m]a[e [m]a[e
[t[ri]c[e]d [t[ri]c[e]d
24
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'k' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

[k
Start at the cross and say
as you write, "Sweep right 2.
up, straight down, half back
slant up, slant back and
down - join up.....".
1.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[k [k [k

[k[k [k[k [k[k

[k [k [k

[k[k [k[k [k[k

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[k] [k]
]a[k ]a[k
[k[i[t [k[i[t
[t]a[l[k [t]a[l[k
[m]a[e [m]a[e
[t[ri]c[e]d [t[ri]c[e]d
24
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'r' is a 'half way' letter with a horizontal join to the next letter across the top.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, straight down,
straight back up, and over and off (or
join) ....". An 'r' looks clearer when it is
not joined to some other letters.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[r Date: ....................................

[r [r [r

[rr [rr [rr

[r [r [r

[rr [rr [rr

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]or ]or
]a[ ]a[
[a[ [a[
[[t[]a[t [[t[]a[t
[e[rre[r [e[rre[r
25
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 's' is a 'half way' letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.
However, like the 'r' it is sometimes better left unjoined.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up over to 'one'
(o'clock),snake back bulge over,,
trace back and off or join up.....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

Date: ....................................

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]a ]a
] ]
[i[t [i[t
[h[i [h[i
[t[ [t[
[m]ae [m]ae
26
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 's' is a 'half way' letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say

as you write, "Sweep up,
slightly back, bulge over
and round, trace back join
up.....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

Date: ....................................

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]a ]a
] ]
[i[t [i[t
[h[i [h[i
[t[ [t[
[m]ae [m]ae
26
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'x' is a 'half way' letter which is difficult to join to the next letter unless you do a mathematical x. It is
like two 'c's back to back. If you do a crossed 'x' then you take your pen off the paper twice. If you wanted to
end up so that it is easier to join this 'x' you could start at '2', slant down and off, then sweep up from '1', slant

[
down and join. Do bear in mind that the 'x' is an uncommon letter compared to most.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, slant down, off, 2.
slant back off.....".

1.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]o ]o
[[i [[i
[m[i[ [m[i[
[[i[t [[i[t
[t]o[i]c [t]o[i]c
[]c[i[e]d []c[i[e]d
27
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'x' is a 'half way' letter which is difficult to join to the next letter unless you do a mathematical x. It is
like two 'c's back to back.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, back half round
- off - back half round join up .....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

1. [x 2.

Date: ....................................

[x [x [x

[x [x [x

[x [x [x

[x [x [x

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]ox ]ox
[x[i [x[i
[m[i* [m[i*
*[i[t *[i[t
[t]ox[i]c [t]ox[i]c
*]c[i[e]d *]c[i[e]d
27
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

This letter 'z' is a tail letter with a diagonal join from the bottom of the loop upwards to the next letter.

Start at the cross and

say, " Sweep up over
round - half over again,
loop round and make the
join"

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]} ]}
]~e ]~e
]} ]}
]~e[ ]~e[
]|i[n]c ]|i[n]c
]d]a]|e ]d]a]|e
28
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'z' is a half-way letter which is a zigzag shape.

[z
Start at the cross and say
as you write, "Sweep up
straight across, slant down,
straight back, join up.....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[z [z [z

[z[z [z[z [z[z

[z [z [z

[z[z [z[z [z[z

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[z] z]
]a[z ]a[z
[z] [z]
[z[ [z[
[z[i[n]c [z[i[n]c
]d]a[z[z[e ]d]a[z[z[e
28
Medium
Letters

29
 Letter Formation

C Shapes

Make each 'clockwise' stroke go up and When joining from another letter, say, as you

]c
over to 1 o'clock in a wide rounded way write, "Join up over to one o'clock - swing
like this. The letter 'c' is a 'half-way' letter back and round - join up over to one
with a diagonal join to the next letter o'clock - swing back and round - join ....."..
from the bottom upwards. Imagine you
are on a swing pushing your legs up in
the air to get higher. If the 'c shape' is
at the beginning of a word, start at 1

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

]c ]c ]c

]c]c ]c]c ]c]c

]c ]c ]c

]c]c ]c]c ]c]c

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]c]a ]c]a
]c] ]c]
]c]d ]c]d
]c]a[l ]c]a[l
]c]a]c[h ]c]a]c[h
]c]c]on ]c]c]on

30
 Letter Formation

C Shapes

The letter 'a' is a halfway letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say as

you write, " Swing up over to
one - circle back round and up
and down ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

]a Date: ....................................

]a ]a ]a

]a]a ]a]a ]a]a

]a ]a ]a

]a]a ]a]a ]a]a

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]a]c ]a]c
]a]d ]a]d
]c]a]d ]c]a]d
]d]a]d ]d]a]d
[l]a]d[e [l]a]d[e
]c]a[n]a[l ]c]a[n]a[l

31
 Letter Formation

C Shapes

]
The letter 'g' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Swing up and over to
one - circle back round, and up
right down and loop......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

Now try these letter pairs and words:

] ]
]a ]a
]a] ]a]
]d] ]d]
]d ]d
]a]e ]a]e

32
 Letter Formation

C Shapes
The letter 'd' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

]d
Start at the cross and say as you
write, "Swing up and over to
one - circle back round, right up
and down and join......"

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

]d ]d ]d

]d]d ]d]d ]d]d

]d ]d ]d

]d]d ]d]d ]d]d

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]d] ]d]
]d]a ]d]a
]a]d]d ]a]d]d
]d[i]d ]d[i]d
]d]d[e ]d]d[e
[p]a]d]d[e [p]a]d]d[e

33
 Letter Formation

C Shapes
The letter 'o' is a half way letter with either a horizontal,,diagonal upwards or downwards join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you write,

"Swing up and over to one - circle
right round, and join across......"

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

] Date: ....................................

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[t] [t]
]a ]a
]c]l ]c]l
[m]on [m]on
]d]oe]d ]d]oe]d
[ou[n]d [ou[n]d

34
 Letter Formation

C Shapes

The letter 'q' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the tail upwards (almost always a 'u').

Start at the cross and say

or sing,"Swing up and
over to one - circle right
round, right down join
up..."
]q
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

]q ]q ]q

]q ]q ]q

]q ]q ]q

]q ]q ]q

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]u ]u
]u]a ]u]a
]u]a]d ]u]a]d
]u[i[e ]u[i[e
]u]e ]u]e
]u]a[e[r ]u]a[e[r

35
 Letter Formation

n shapes
Make each 'bridge' stroke go over in a wide rounded way like this:

Start at the cross and say, "Sweep

up, straight down, back up, right
round, back under join up......".
[p
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[p [p [p

[p[p [p[p [p[p

[p [p [p

[p[p [p[p [p[p

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[p]a [p]a
[p[i[p [p[i[p
[e[t [e[t
[p]on]d [p]on]d
[p]a[i]d [p]a[i]d
[e[p[e[r [e[p[e[r

36
 Letter Formation

n shapes
The letter 'p' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say,"Sweep

up, straight down, back up, bridge
over join up......".
[
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[[ [[ [[

[ [ [

[[ [[ [[

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[]a []a
[[i[ [[i[
[e[t [e[t
[]on]d []on]d
[]a[i]d []a[i]d
[e[[e[r [e[[e[r

36
 Letter Formation

n shapes
Make each 'bridge' stroke go over in a wide rounded way like this:

[b
Start at the cross and say as you
write , "Sweep right up, straight
down, half back, circle round and
back - join up......" .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[b [b [b

[b[b [b[b [b[b

[b [b [b

[b[b [b[b [b[b

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[b]a [b]a
[e [e
[b]b [b]b
[b]t [b]t
[b]om[b [b]om[b
[ru[b[e[r [ru[b[e[r

37
 Letter Formation

n shapes
Make each 'bridge' stroke go over in a wide rounded way like this.

The letter 'n' is a half-way letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

[n
Start at the cross and say as you
write , "Sweep up, straight down,
back up, bridge over - join up......" .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[n [n [n

[n[n [n[n [n[n

[n [n [n

[n[n [n[n [n[n

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[n] [n]
]a[n ]a[n
[n[u[n [n[u[n
[n]oe [n]oe
[n[i[n[t[h [n[i[n[t[h
[ru[n[e[r [ru[n[e[r

38
 Letter Formation

n shapes
The letter 'h' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

[h
Start at the cross and say as you
write , "Sweep right up, straight
down, half back up, bridge over - join
up......" .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[h [h [h

[h[h [h[h [h[h

[h [h [h

[h[h [h[h [h[h

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[h] [h]
]a[h ]a[h
[h]t [h]t
[h]a[m [h]a[m
[h[u[t]c[h [h[u[t]c[h
[t[h]a[t]c[h [t[h]a[t]c[h

39
 Letter Formation

n shapes
The letter 'm' is a half-way letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say, "Sweep up,

straight down, bridge over and over -
join up ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[m Date: ....................................

[m [m [m

[m[m [m[m [m[m

[m [m [m

[m[m [m[m [m[m

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[m] [m]
]a[m ]a[m
[m]a[n [m]a[n
[h]a[rm [h]a[rm
[m[u[rm[u[r [m[u[rm[u[r
[h]a[m[e[r [h]a[m[e[r

40
 Letter Formation

L Shapes
This letter 'b' is a tall letter with a either a horizontal or a upwards or downwards diagonal join to the
next letter from half way across depending on the following letter.

[
Start at the cross and say as you
write, "Sweep right up, straight back
down, curl under right round and join
(either straight across or up) ....

Make sure that you do go right round

to '11 o'clock' on this letter .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[a [a
[ [
[ [
[t [t
[om[ [om[
[ru[[r [ru[[r

41
 Letter Formation

L Shapes
This letter 'b' is a tall letter with a either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter
from half way across depending on the following letter. It is called an 'open' b.

[
Start at the cross and sayas you
write, "Sweep right up, straight back
down,curl under and up, and join
(either straight across or up ...)

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[a [a
[ [
[ [
[t [t
[om[ [om[
[ru[[r [ru[[r

41
 Letter Formation

L shapes
Imagine you are a conductor directing an orchestra with a baton. Make sure that when you are joining to another 'l'
shape, you come down the same line that you went up when you reach the top of the joining stroke.
The letter 'l' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards

[l
Start at the cross and say,
"Sweep right up, straight
back down, join up ....."

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[l [l [l

[l[l [l[l [l[l

[l [l [l

[l[l [l[l [l[l

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[l] [l]
]a[l ]a[l
[l]t [l]t
[t]a[l[l [t]a[l[l
[l[i[e [l[i[e
[t[i[l[e[r [t[i[l[e[r

42
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'i' is a half way letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say, "Sweep

half way up, straight back down,
join up ......". Dot your 'i' when you
have finished the word.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

1. [i Date: ....................................

[i [i [i

[i[i [i[i [i[i

[i [i [i

[i[i [i[i [i[i

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[i[t [i[t
[l[i [l[i
[h[i[t [h[i[t
[i[e[m [i[e[m
[l[i[m[i[t [l[i[m[i[t
[i]d[i]t[i]c [i]d[i]t[i]c

43
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 't' is a tall letter (but not quite as tall as an 'l'), with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom
upwards. Make sure that when you are joining to another 'l' shape, you come down the same line that you went
up when you reach the top of the joining stroke.

[t
Start at the cross and say, "
Sweep right up, straight back
down - join up ......". 2.
Make sure you cross your 't'
when you have finished the 1.
whole word.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[t [t [t

[t[t [t[t [t[t

[t [t [t

[t[t [t[t [t[t

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[t] [t]
]a[t ]a[t
[h[i[t [h[i[t
[e[n[t [e[n[t
[t[i[t[e [t[i[t[e
[m]a[t[e[r [m]a[t[e[r

44
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'u' is a small letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say, "Sweep

up, straight down, under and up,
back down - join up ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[u Date: ....................................

[u [u [u

[u[u [u[u [u[u

[u [u [u

[u[u [u[u [u[u

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[m[u [m[u
[u[n [u[n
[n[u[t [n[u[t
[h[u[n[t [h[u[n[t
[t[u[n[i]c [t[u[n[i]c
[u[n[t[i[l [u[n[t[i[l

45
 Letter Formation

L shapes

The letter 'v' is a half way letter with either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, slant down,
slant up - join across......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[v Date: ....................................

[v [v [v

[vv [vv [vv

[v [v [v

[vv [vv [vv

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]ov ]ov
[[t [[t
]d[i[ ]d[i[
[n]o[l [n]o[l
[[m]o [[m]o

46
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'v' is a half way letter with either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, straight down,
round under and up - join
across......".
[
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]o ]o
[[t [[t
]d[i[ ]d[i[
[n]o[l [n]o[l
[[m]o [[m]o

46
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'w' is a half way letter with either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you write,

"Sweep up, slant down, slant up and
down and up and join across ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[w Date: ....................................

[w [w [w

[ww [ww [ww

[w [w [w

[ww [ww [ww

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]ow ]ow
[[t [[t
[l [l
[l]o[r [l]o[r
[wi[l[l]ow [wi[l[l]ow

47
 Letter Formation

L shapes

The letter 'w' is a half way letter with either either a horizontal or upwards or downwards diagonal join to the next letter.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, straight down
and under and up and down and
under and join across ......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[ Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]o ]o
[[t [[t
[l [l
[l]o[r [l]o[r
[i[l[l]o [i[l[l]o

47
 Letter Formation

L shapes
The letter 'y' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards. Make sure

[
that when you are joining to another 'l' shape, you come down the same line that you went up when
you reach the top of the joining stroke.

Start at the cross and say as

you write, "Sweep up, straight
down and under and up, right
down, loop round join up.......".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]a[ ]a[
[ [
[b]o [b]o
[o [o
[e]a[l[ [e]a[l[
[e[on]d [e[on]d

48
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'e' is a 'half way' letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards..

Start at the cross and say

as you write, "Sweep
diagonally up, over down
and round, join up ...." .

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[n [n
[e [e
[e [e
[e[t [e[t
] e]d]a[r ] e]d]a[r
[e]a[e[r [e]a[e[r

49
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

This letter 'f' is both a tall and tail letter with a join to the next letter from the loop across.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep diagonally right up,
hook over, trace back down, loop
round the back, join up ...." .
[<
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

< < <

>< >< ><

< < <

>< >< ><

Now try these letter pairs and words:

@a @a
< <
@a[i[r @a[i[r
e]a[< e]a[<
>i[>t[h >i[>t[h
>l[u[>> >l[u[>>

50
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

This letter 'f' is both a tall and tail letter with a join to the next letter from the loop across.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep diagonally right up,
over right down round the back,
loop round, join up ...." .
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

Now try these letter pairs and words:

a a
] ]
a[i[r a[i[r
]]a ]]a
it[h it[h
l[u l[u

50
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'f' is both a tall and tail letter with a horizontal join to the next letter from the middle across.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep diagonally right up,
over right down, round the front,
loop round, join up ...." .
Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

Now try these letter pairs and words:

a a
] ]
a[i[r a[i[r
]]a ]]a
it[h it[h
l[u l[u

50
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

[
The letter 'j' is a tail letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards. Dot the 'j'
after you have finished the word.
2.

Start at the cross and say,

"Sweep up, straight down,
loop round - join up....." as 1.
you write.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]a[ ]a[
[t [t
[[r [[r
]a[a[r ]a[a[r
[[t[]d [[t[]d

51
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'k' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

[
Start at the cross and say as you
write, "Sweep right up, straight
down, half back loop over and
round, slant down - join up.....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[[ [[ [[

[ [ [

[[ [[ [[

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[] []
]a[ ]a[
[[i[t [[i[t
[t]a[l[ [t]a[l[
[m]a[ [m]a[
[t[ri]c[]d [t[ri]c[]d

52
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'k' is a tall letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

[k
Start at the cross and say
as you write, "Sweep right 2.
up, straight down, half back
slant up, slant back and
down - join up.....".
1.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[k [k [k

[k[k [k[k [k[k

[k [k [k

[k[k [k[k [k[k

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[k] [k]
]a[k ]a[k
[k[i[t [k[i[t
[t]a[l[k [t]a[l[k
[m]a[ [m]a[
[t[ri]c[]d [t[ri]c[]d

52
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'r' is a 'half way' letter with a horizontal join to the next letter across the top.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, straight down,
straight back up, and over and off (or
join) ....". An 'r' looks clearer when it is
not joined to some other letters.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

[r Date: ....................................

[r [r [r

[rr [rr [rr

[r [r [r

[rr [rr [rr

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[ [
]or ]or
]a[ ]a[
[a[ [a[
[[t[]a[t [[t[]a[t
[[rr[r [[rr[r

53
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 's' is a 'half way' letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.
However, like the 'r' it is sometimes better left unjoined.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up over to 'one'
(o'clock),snake back bulge over,,
trace back and off or join up.....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

Date: ....................................

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]a ]a
] ]
[i[t [i[t
[h[i [h[i
[t[ [t[
[m]a [m]a

54
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 's' is a 'half way' letter with a diagonal join to the next letter from the bottom upwards.

Start at the cross and say

as you write, "Sweep up,
slightly back, bulge over
and round, trace back join
up.....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

Date: ....................................

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]a ]a
] ]
[i[t [i[t
[h[i [h[i
[t[ [t[
[m]a [m]a

54
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'x' is a 'half way' letter which is difficult to join to the next letter unless you do a mathematical x. It is
like two 'c's back to back.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, back half round
- off - back half round join up .....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can:

1. [x 2.

Date: ....................................

[x [x [x

[x [x [x

[x [x [x

[x [x [x

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]ox ]ox
[x[i [x[i
[m[i* [m[i*
*[i[t *[i[t
[t]ox[i]c [t]ox[i]c
*]c[i[]d *]c[i[]d

55
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'x' is a 'half way' letter which is difficult to join to the next letter unless you do a mathematical x. It is
like two 'c's back to back. If you do a crossed 'x' then you take your pen off the paper twice. If you wanted to
end up so that it is easier to join this 'x' you could start at '2', slant down and off, then sweep up from '1', slant

[
down and join. Do bear in mind that the 'x' is an uncommon letter compared to most.

Start at the cross and say as you

write, "Sweep up, slant down, off, 2.
slant back off.....".

1.

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

[ [ [

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]o ]o
[[i [[i
[m[i[ [m[i[
[[i[t [[i[t
[t]o[i]c [t]o[i]c
[]c[i[]d []c[i[]d

55
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

This letter 'z' is a tail letter with a diagonal join from the bottom of the loop upwards to the next letter.

Start at the cross and

say, " Sweep up over
round - half over again,
loop round and make the
join"

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

] ] ]

Now try these letter pairs and words:

]} ]}
]~ ]~e
]} ]}
]~[ ]~e[
]|i[n]c ]|i[n]c
]d]a]| ]d]a]|e

56
 Letter Formation

The left-over shapes - e, f, j, k, r, s, x and z.

The letter 'z' is a half-way letter which is a zigzag shape.

[z
Start at the cross and say
as you write, "Sweep up
straight across, slant down,
straight back, join up.....".

Copy these letters as accurately as you can: Date: ....................................

[z [z [z

[z[z[ [z[z[ [z[z[

[z [z [z

[zz [z[z[ [z[z[

Now try these letter pairs and words:

[z] [z]
]a[z ]a[z
[z] [z]
[z[ [z[
[z[i[n]c [z[i[n]c
]d]a[z[z[ ]d]a[z[z[

56
Further
Practice

57
 Further Practice 1 - Predominantly C Shapes
Name ................................................................................................. Date ........................................

]d[u]

]d]d

]c]

]d]a]e

]d

]u]t]a

]a[u]e

]c]a]d]d[

]c]a]e]d

]a[e[n

]d]d]e]d

]c]e]d

]a]e]d

[u]d]e]d

]d]a]e[r

58
 Further Practice 2 - Predominantly n Shapes
Name ................................................................................................. Date ........................................

[h]a[m

[m]op

[e[n

[m]a[i[n

[p]a[t[h

[p[l]a[n

[b[l]a[e

[t[e[

[t[e[e

[n]a[e]d

[h[u[m]a[n

[h[u[rre]d

[m]a[rre]d

[p[h]a[n[t]om

[e[rm]a[e[n[t

59
 Further Practice 2 - Predominantly n Shapes
Name ................................................................................................. Date ........................................

[h]a[m

[m]op

[e[n

[m]a[i[n

[p]a[t[h

[p[l]a[n

[l]a[e

[t[e[

[t[e[e

[n]a[e]d

[h[u[m]a[n

[h[u[rre]d

[m]a[rre]d

[p[h]a[n[t]om

[e[rm]a[e[n[t

59
 Further Practice 2 - Predominantly n Shapes
Name ................................................................................................. Date ........................................

[h]a[m

[m]o

[e[n

[m]a[i[n

[]a[t[h

[[l]a[n

[l]a[e

[t[e[

[t[e[e

[n]a[e]d

[h[u[m]a[n

[h[u[rre]d

[m]a[rre]d

[[h]a[n[t]om

[e[rm]a[e[n[t

59
 Further Practice 3 - Predominantly L Shapes
Name ................................................................................................. Date ........................................

[l[i[t

[[t

[t]o

[t[i[l[t

[[l[l

[t[]a[t

[l]o[r

[l[i[t[t[e

[e[t]a[l

[o[n

[l[i[t[e[r

[t]a[l[l]o

[a[i[e[r

[orre[r

[l[[ri[e

60
 Further Practice 3 - Predominantly L Shapes
Name ................................................................................................. Date ........................................

[l[i[t

[[t

[t]ow

[t[i[l[t

[[l[l

[t[]a[t

[l]o[r

[l[i[t[t[e

[e[t]a[l

[o[n

[l[i[t[e[r

[t]a[l[l]ow

[a[i[e[r

[orre[r

[l[[ri[e

60
 Further Practice 4 - Predominantly Left-over Shapes
Name ................................................................................................. Date ........................................

u[n

l[i[t

i[n]d

orm

]e[r

l[i[n]

i[l[t[h[

i[l[e[t

re[n]d

[m[ue]d

u[n[n[e[r

[ore]d

]e[n]e]d

61
 Further Practice 4 - Predominantly Left-over Shapes
Name ................................................................................................. Date ........................................

u[n

l[i[t

i[n]d

orm

]e[r

l[i[n]

i[l[t[h[

i[l[e[t

re[n]d

[m[ue]d

u[n[n[e[r

[ore]d

]e[n]e]d

61
 Further Practice 4 - Predominantly Left-over Shapes
Name ................................................................................................. Date ........................................

]><

[@

[>u[n

[>l[i[t

[>i[n]d

[@orm

]>e[r

[>l[i[n]

[>i[l[t[h[

[>i[l[e[t

[>re[n]d

[m[u[>>e]d

[>u[n[n[e[r

[[@ore]d

]>e[n]e]d

61
Working with
longer texts
 THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
from Aesop's Fables

Once upon a time there was a hare who, boasting how he could run
faster than anyone else, was forever teasing tortoise for its slowness. Then
one day, the irate tortoise answered back: Who do you think you are?
There's no denying you're swift, but even you can be beaten!" The hare
squealed with laughter. Beaten in a race? By whom? Not you, surely! I bet
there's nobody in the world that can win against me, I'm so speedy. Now,
why don't you try?"
Annoyed by such bragging, the tortoise accepted the challenge. A course
was planned, and next day at dawn they stood at the starting line. The
hare yawned sleepily as the meek tortoise trudged slowly off. When the
hare saw how painfully slow his rival was, he decided, half asleep on his
feet, to have a quick nap. Take your time!" he said. I'll have forty winks
and catch up with you in a minute."
The hare woke with a start from a fitful sleep and gazed round, looking
for the tortoise. But the creature was only a short distance away, having
barely covered a third of the course. Breathing a sigh of relief, the hare
decided he might as well have breakfast too, and off he went to munch
some cabbages he had noticed in a nearby field. But the heavy meal and
the hot sun made his eyelids droop. With a careless glance at the tortoise,
now halfway along the course, he decided to have another snooze before
flashing past the winning post. And smiling at the thought of the look on the
tortoise's face when it saw the hare speed by, he fell fast asleep and was
soon snoring happily. The sun started to sink, below the horizon, and the
tortoise, who had been plodding towards the winning post since morning,
was scarcely a yard from the finish. At that very point, the hare woke with
a jolt. He could see the tortoise a speck in the distance and away he
dashed. He leapt and bounded at a great rate, his tongue lolling, and
gasping for breath. Just a little more and he'd be first at the finish. But the
hare's last leap was just too late, for the tortoise had beaten him to the
winning post. Poor hare! Tired and in disgrace, he slumped down beside the
tortoise who was silently smiling at him.
Slowly does it every time!" he said.

Use this passage to copy from if you wish and remember you are like
the tortoise, with determination and hard work you will get there in the
end!
62
 Trace and Copy Practice Large

Name ....................................................... Date ..........................................

Trace the following text first and then copy it again underneath.

THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE

On]e u[p]on a t[i[e t[e[ a a h]a[

h], b]a[t[i[n] h]o e c]ou[l]d ru[n
a[e[r t[h]a[n a[n[oe [le, a o[[r
e]a[i[n] t]ot]oie or i[t [l]oe.
Te[n oe d]a[, t[e i[a[e t]ot]oie
a[n[[]d b]a]c[: Wh] d] ou t[h[i[n[
ou a[? Te[' n] e[n[i[n] ou'
[it, b[u[t [[n ou c]a[n e e]a[e[n!

63
 Trace and Copy Practice Large

Name ....................................................... Date ..........................................

Trace the following text first and then copy it again underneath.

THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE

On]e u[p]on a t[i[e t[e[ a a h]a[

h], b]a[t[i[n] h]o e c]ou[l]d ru[n
a[e[r t[h]a[n a[n[oe [le, a o[[r
e]a[i[n] t]ot]oie or i[t [l]oe.
Te[n oe d]a[, t[e i[a[e t]ot]oie
a[n[[]d b]a]c[: Wh] d] ou t[h[i[n[
ou a[? Te[' n] e[n[i[n] ou'
[it, b[u[t [[n ou c]a[n e e]a[e[n!

64
 Trace and Copy Practice Medium

Name ....................................................... Date ..........................................

Trace the following text first and then copy it again underneath.
Copy onto ordinary lines when you feel ready.

THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE

On]e u[p]on a t[i[e t[e[ a a h]a[ h], b]a[t[i[n]

h]o e c]ou[l]d ru[n a[e[r t[h]a[n a[n[oe [le, a
o[[r e]a[i[n] t]ot]oie or i[t [l]oe. Te[n oe
d]a[, t[e i[a[e t]ot]oie a[n[[]d b]a]c[: Wh] d] ou
t[h[i[n[ ou a[? Te[' n] e[n[i[n] ou' [it, b[u[t
[[n ou c]a[n e e]a[e[n! Te h]a[ ]e]a[e]d i[t[h
l]a[u]h[e[r. B]a[e[n i[n a a] e? B h]om? Nt ou,
[u[[l[! I e[t t[e[' n]b]d[ i[n t[e ol]d t[h]a[t c]a[n
i[n a]a[i[n[t e, Im ] [e]d[. No, h[ d]on't
ou t[ry?

Fom A]op' Fa[b[e

65
 Trace and Copy Practice Medium

Name ....................................................... Date ..........................................

Trace the following text first and then copy it again underneath.

THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE

On]e u[p]on a t[i[e t[e[ a a h]a[ h], b]a[t[i[n]

h]o e c]ou[l]d ru[n a[e[r t[h]a[n a[n[oe [le, a
o[[r e]a[i[n] t]ot]oie or i[t [l]oe. Te[n oe
d]a[, t[e i[a[e t]ot]oie a[n[[]d b]a]c[: Wh] d] ou
t[h[i[n[ ou a[? Te[' n] e[n[i[n] ou' [it, b[u[t
[[n ou c]a[n e e]a[e[n! Te h]a[ ]e]a[e]d i[t[h
l]a[u]h[e[r. B]a[e[n i[n a a] e? B h]om? Nt ou,
[u[[l[! I e[t t[e[' n]b]d[ i[n t[e ol]d t[h]a[t c]a[n
i[n a]a[i[n[t e, Im ] [e]d[. No, h[ d]on't
ou t[ry?

Fom A]op' Fa[b[e

66
 Trace and Copy Practice Small

Name ....................................................... Date ..........................................

Trace the following text first and then copy it again underneath.

THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE

On]e u[p]on a t[i[e t[e[ a a h]a[ h], b]a[t[i[n] h]o

e c]ou[l]d ru[n a[e[r t[h]a[n a[n[oe [le, a o[[r e]a[i[n]
t]ot]oie or i[t [l]oe. Te[n oe d]a[, t[e i[a[e t]ot]oie
a[n[[]d b]a]c[: Wh] d] ou t[h[i[n[ ou a[? Te[' n]
e[n[i[n] ou' [it, b[u[t [[n ou c]a[n e e]a[e[n! Te
h]a[ ]e]a[e]d i[t[h l]a[u]h[e[r. B]a[e[n i[n a a] e? B h]om?
Nt ou, [u[[l[! I e[t t[e[' n]b]d[ i[n t[e ol]d t[h]a[t c]a[n
i[n a]a[i[n[t e, I'm ] [e]d[. No, h[ d]on't ou t[ry?

Fom A]op' Fa[b[e

67
 Trace and Copy Practice Small

Name ....................................................... Date ..........................................

Trace the following text first and then copy it again underneath.

THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE

On]e u[p]on a t[i[e t[e[ a a h]a[ h], b]a[t[i[n] h]o

e c]ou[l]d ru[n a[e[r t[h]a[n a[n[oe [le, a o[[r e]a[i[n]
t]ot]oie or i[t [l]oe. Te[n oe d]a[, t[e i[a[e t]ot]oie
a[n[[]d b]a]c[: Wh] d] ou t[h[i[n[ ou a[? Te[' n]
e[n[i[n] ou' [it, b[u[t [[n ou c]a[n e e]a[e[n! Te
h]a[ ]e]a[e]d i[t[h l]a[u]h[e[r. B]a[e[n i[n a a] e? B h]om?
Nt ou, [u[[l[! I e[t t[e[' n]b]d[ i[n t[e ol]d t[h]a[t c]a[n
i[n a]a[i[n[t e, I'm ] [e]d[. No, h[ d]on't ou t[ry?

Fom A]op' Fa[b[e

68
Timed
Practice
 Timed Writing Large
Name .......................................................... Date ........................................

1. Choose a piece of text that you would like to copy.

2. Set a timer for five minutes and copy the text onto the paper with shaded guides of your choice.
Write as clearly as you can without rushing. Aim for quality and not quantity.
3. Repeat this exercise until you can write more words as clearly each time.
4. Transfer to ordinary paper without shaded guides and repeat the exercise.
5. Build up to ten or fifteen minutes. You may like to change the text.
6. Aim to write up to thirty minutes maintaining clear writing and achieving as many words as you
can. Continue on spare paper if you need to.
Source of text copied ................................................................. Page no. ..........

Time set .......................

69
 Timed Writing Large
Name .......................................................... Date ........................................

1. Choose a piece of text that you would like to copy.

2. Set a timer for five minutes and copy the text onto the paper with shaded guides of your choice.
Write as clearly as you can without rushing. Aim for quality and not quantity.
3. Repeat this exercise until you can write more words as clearly each time.
4. Transfer to ordinary paper without shaded guides and repeat the exercise.
5. Build up to ten or fifteen minutes. You may like to change the text.
6. Aim to write up to thirty minutes maintaining clear writing and achieving as many words as you
can. Continue on spare paper if you need to.
Source of text copied ................................................................. Page no. ..........

Time set .......................

70
 Timed Writing Medium
Name .......................................................... Date ........................................

1. Choose a piece of text that you would like to copy.

2. Set a timer for five minutes and copy the text onto the paper with shaded guides of your choice.
Write as clearly as you can without rushing. Aim for quality and not quantity.
3. Repeat this exercise until you can write more words as clearly each time.
4. Transfer to ordinary paper without shaded guides and repeat the exercise.
5. Build up to ten or fifteen minutes. You may like to change the text.
6. Aim to write up to thirty minutes maintaining clear writing and achieving as many words as you
can. Continue on spare paper if you need to.
Source of text copied ................................................................. Page no. ..........

Time set .......................

71
 Timed Writing Medium/Small
Name .......................................................... Date ........................................

1. Choose a piece of text that you would like to copy.

2. Set a timer for five minutes and copy the text onto the paper with shaded guides of your choice.
Write as clearly as you can without rushing. Aim for quality and not quantity.
3. Repeat this exercise until you can write more words as clearly each time.
4. Transfer to ordinary paper without shaded guides and repeat the exercise.
5. Build up to ten or fifteen minutes. You may like to change the text.
6. Aim to write up to thirty minutes maintaining clear writing and achieving as many words as you
can. Continue on spare paper if you need to.
Source of text copied ................................................................. Page no. ..........

Time set .......................

72
 Timed Writing Small
Name .......................................................... Date ........................................

1. Choose a piece of text that you would like to copy.

2. Set a timer for five minutes and copy the text onto the paper with shaded guides of your choice.
Write as clearly as you can without rushing. Aim for quality and not quantity.
3. Repeat this exercise until you can write more words as clearly each time.
4. Transfer to ordinary paper without shaded guides and repeat the exercise.
5. Build up to ten or fifteen minutes. You may like to change the text.
6. Aim to write up to thirty minutes maintaining clear writing and achieving as many words as you
can. Continue on spare paper if you need to.
Source of text copied ................................................................. Page no. ..........

Time set .......................

73
Spare
Handwriting
Paper
Large
Large
Medium
Medium/Small
Small