If you have always wanted to learn how to write attractively, or you just want to improve your handwriting, then you’ve come to the right place. We created this simple guide to help you learn how to use cursive writing to enhance the look of your handwriting.
At the end of this article; you will:
- Understand what cursive writing is.
- Know why learning cursive writing is essential.
- Learn how to write lowercase and uppercase alphabets in cursive.
- Learn how to connect letters in cursive.
- Learn how to write words in cursive.
- Receive easy tips on how you can master writing in cursive.
- Download free temple – calligraphy writing practice worksheet
To get started, you need to know what cursive writing is and why it is still relevant today.
Contents
What is Cursive Writing?
Cursive writing is a penmanship style in which the writer connects each letter in a word. It is sometimes called “script” or “longhand”. The word “cursive” originates from the Latin word “currere”, which means “run” or “flow”. Each letter in a word is connected with the next and looks as if they run into one another.
It is a type of handwriting taught in some schools to help students write quickly and in a more legible way because the student doesn’t have to lift his pen off his paper when writing.
People often confuse cursive with calligraphy, however, they are quite different. Calligraphy is a type of visual art that requires drawing letters in specific strokes, while cursive is a writing method that involves joining letters in a word together. People use calligraphy to create elegant artistic scripts for certificates, wedding invitation, religious art and many other things.
Now we know what cursive is, next we will explain why it is important.
Why You Should Learn to Write In Cursive
There is presently an ongoing debate whether writing in cursive is still relevant considering the advent of technology. Despite the arguments and counterarguments, one thing has been clear, and it is the established fact that writing in cursive improves brain development, especially as it relates to thinking, memory and language. These are extremely beneficial in helping students perform better at school. There are other benefits of writing in cursive; these are:
Improved writing speed
The connectivity of the letters in cursive writing makes it a faster method of handwriting when compared to the print method. This increased speed also helps students improve their attention span while writing.
Better ability to read cursive letters
Cursive writing is being used by many professionals today. Being able to write in cursive will help you comfortably read words that are written in cursive.
Proven help to people with learning disabilities
Cursive writing is proven to be helpful for people with dysgraphia, dyslexia and difficulties with attention.
How to Master Writing Cursive Script
As a beginner, to get started with writing cursive scripts, it’s advisable that you download and print out a writing practice sheet. These practice sheets will enable you to trace the stroke and loop of every letter. This worksheet will show how each letter looks in that font.
There are many worksheets with different writing styles available for download on the internet. Browse through the internet and choose one that is appropriate for you. You’ll definitely find it helpful.
Next, get into a comfortable sitting position with a chair and a table in front of you. You will need lined paper with a dotted line in the middle and a pen or sharpened pencil. You can get these from your neighborhood stationery store. The lined paper helps you write your letters in the same size and shape.
Next, tilt your paper at an angle. This will relax your hand while writing. It will also help you write your cursive alphabets in a slant style. Slant letters have a more appealing look and make mistakes less obvious.
Remember that each letter is joined together, therefore it’s better to learn how to write individual letters before learning how to connect them. In other to achieve this, you will learn how to practice writing the lowercase alphabets in cursive.
Practice Writing the Lowercase Alphabets in Cursive
Writing lowercase letters can be divided into 2 sections: curved stroke letters and upward stroke letters. We will begin with curved stroke letters because they have very similar patterns to their corresponding print writing patterns. Therefore, it is a great way for beginners to start their practice.
How You Can Write Curved Stroke Lowercase Letters in Cursive
The letters that begin with a curved stroke are; a, c, d, e, g, o, and q. You write them with an entrance stroke that starts at the bottom line and ends just below the dashed line. After the entrance stroke, you then curve the letter anti-clockwise and round. The next steps depend on the letter you are writing. Be sure to follow the arrows in the guide below.
You should practice writing each letter at a minimum of three times before moving to the next letter.
Next, you will practice the letters that start with an upward stroke.
How You Can Write Upward Stroke Lowercase Cursive Alphabets
The letters that begin with an upward stroke are; b, f, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and z. The upward stroke starts just below the bottom line and moves up to either the middle dashed line or the upper line, depending on the letter you are writing.
Use the worksheet to practice each letter and write them at least three times before you move to the next letter.
Now that you are comfortable with lowercase letters, it’s time to learn how to write uppercase letters.
How You Can Write Uppercase Cursive Alphabets
Writing uppercase cursive letters requires the use of lots of curves and slants, however, with constant practice, you will get the hang of it in no time!
As usual, follow the arrows in the guide and practice each letter at least three times.
Pay attention to how each letter starts and ends. Most letters start and end with a tail. The tail of a letter should align smoothly and connect evenly with the start of the next letter. More on connecting letters in the next section.
Connecting Letters in Cursive Writing
Now you know how to write each letter using the cursive style of writing, the next step is to connect each letter with the next successive letter.
- To achieve this, try practicing how to combine pairs of letters such as “is” “or”, “an”, “ted” and “ing”.
- Then, practice handwriting commonly used words like; “and”, “but”, “with” and “the”.
- Next, pay attention to connections that can be quite tough. Connections like “k” and “n” in “knee” or “o” and “v” in “over”.
- Practice writing capital letters with lowercase letters so that you can comfortably connect them.
- You should completely write a word before you dot your i’s and cross your t’s.
Key Tips to Help You Master Cursive Writing
You are now conversant with writing and connecting letters in cursive. That’s really great! They form the foundation of mastery in cursive writing.
Furthermore, pay particular attention to the following tips as they will be super beneficial to you.
- As you practice, try to write slowly to keep your work neat and legible.
- Pay attention to lowercase letters with tops that aren’t fully closed, people confuse such letters. For example; “a” can be mistaken for “u” if the top part of the letter “a” isn’t completely enclosed.
- Remember that the goal of writing is to make your work legible to your readers. This is especially useful when handwriting your school assessments. Therefore, avoid the use of excessive loops and tangles while writing.
- Ensure that the height and width of your letters are consistent. Your lined practice paper would help you achieve this.
- Finally, to effectively master cursive writing, you need to practice. Try to practice as much as you need. Take notes during lectures as much as you can and consider handwriting your assignments. These will help you master this skill.
What other ways do you intend to practice your cursive writing? I’d love to know them, please let me know in the comments.
Top 5 write-in cursive fonts
- Edwardian Script
- French Script
- English Script
- Copperplate
- Calligraphy
