12 Rules for Good Cursive Handwriting


Many people do not know that 'Cursive' just means 'Joined-up'. It is not the name of any particular style.

by Christopher Jarman M Ed, Dip Ed, Cert Ed.


"These rules apply to all Western handwriting regardless of the so-called copybook style."


1. Good writing is based on a
pattern of ovals and parallel lines. oioioi

2. All small letters start at the top. abmcs

3. All the downstrokes are parallel. mhnadft

4. All similar letters are the same height. ronceulhbkd

5. All downstrokes are equidistant. minimum

6. The space between words
is the width of the small letter o. willoyouobeomine

7. Ascenders and descenders are no more
than twice the height of small letters, preferably less. hglpd

8. Capital letters are no higher
than the ascenders, preferably less. Ch Br DlPh

9. Lines of writing are far enough apart
for ascenders and descenders not to touch. you go joy

10. Letters which finish at the top join horizontally. orvwtf

11. Letters which finish at the bottom join diagonally. acdehl

12. Letters which finish on
a stroke moving left, are best left unjoined. bgjpsy


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