TIPS TO NEAT AND LEGIBLE HANDWRITING.

What is Handwriting?

What comes to your mind when you heard the word handwriting…

According to Wikipedia, handwriting is the writing done with a writing instrument, such as pen or pencil, in the hand. Handwriting includes both printing and cursive style and is different from formal calligraphy or typeface. Because each handwriting is unique and different from one another, it can be used to verify a document’s writer.

Scholars View on Handwriting

Handwriting is both nature and nurture. Scholar agreed that handwriting is not inherited. It is learned, (copied from someone directly consciously or unconsciously).

According to Richard Fraser, a handwriting analysis expert and forensic handwriting examiner in Westwood, Mass. “If a person experiences a traumatic event, their handwriting may change,” Fraser said. “Handwriting reflects a person’s personality and state of mind; an organized person will most likely take care to make sure that every letters is neatly written.”

Take the below Task before we discuss the Tips to Neat and Legible Handwriting:

• Take a look at your handwriting.
• Identify your imperfections.
• Decide the reason for wanting to improve. (The willingness to improve is in you).
• Get the right materials, because the types of pen or pencil used to write can determine the result of your handwriting.
• Get inspired by handwriting that impress you, (remember scholar agreed that handwriting is learned by copying from your preferred.
• Stretch your hands and wrists, hold your pen at the writing tip.
• Purchase a handwriting course book (2D Exercise Book among others)
• Try to write alphabet letters properly.
• Refrain from applying excessive pressure to your writing.
• Set aside some time for constant practice.
• Make handwriting a daily part of your life.
• Copy the handwriting you admire.
• Perform a handwriting self audit.

Tips to Neat and Legible Handwriting

A neat and legible handwriting is easy to read and it shows consistency /cognizance of some tips.

The following are major tips to neat and legible handwriting:

• Form          
• Spacing               
• Size            
• Slanting               
• Alignment

1.       Form:

Stick to one form of letter throughout the entire composition.

If you are writing in cursive, don’t exaggerate the loops.

The main body of the letters (a, b, d, g, o, p and q), should be closed.

If it’s not completely closed, it can be mistaken as a different letter and might confuse the reader.

2.       Spacing: (Letter Spacing),

Keep the letters close to each other, but make sure their parts don’t touch.

The distance between words should be as wide as lowercase letter “n”.

If you have troubles estimating and maintaining uniform spaces between the words, try to use physical spacers such as stick or a pen.

3.       Size                                 

Uppercase Letters: this should be taller than lowercase letters.

The size of all uppercase letters should be consistent.

Lowercase Letters: These are divided into 3 groups as follows (Tall, Short and Hanging).

Tall: (b, d, f, h, k, l, t).

• Tall letters have ascenders
• Ascenders should be clear
• The size of all ascenders should be consistent

Short:         (a, e, i, o, u, c, m, n, r, s, v, w, x, z).

Hanging:    (g, j, p, q, y).

• Hanging letters have descenders.
• Descenders should be clear.
• The size of all descenders should be consistent.

Tangled letters: to avoid having tangled letters, make your ascenders and descenders not too long.

4.       Slanting: stick to one type of letter slant. 

If your letters are tilted to the left or to the right, make sure you don’t overdo the slanting as it will be difficult to read.

5.       Alignment: the placement of letters should be parallel with the horizontal line.

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS:

• For a smoother writing surface, place a pad of paper underneath the sheet that you will be writing.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• You must understand that different situations require different levels of speed and neatness. For instance, a quick grocery list be written faster (and less neatly) than filling out a passport application form.
• Your class note often needs to be written quickly. It’s completely acceptable if they are not neat as long as you can still read them.
• If you are writing for an examination , homework, project, and other piece of work that are intended for others to be read and evaluated, then that’s the time that you have to make sure that your handwriting is completely legible (and perhaps, neat).

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