Write Right—or Left

Abstract

Although legible and rapid handwriting is a necessary skill for success in school and adult life, recent research in this area is meager. This paper proposes a simplified handwriting method for children who have difficulty in learning conventional cursive writing patterns. Designed to meet learning disabled children s needs for task analysis, overlearning, monitoring, and verbal cues, this method is based on the vertical downstroke, rather than the diagonal slant necessary to most cursive writing. Building on the motor patterns of manuscript letters usually taught in the early years, this method adds connecting strokes that permit faster writing than is possible with the separated letters of print. By emphasizing the vertical downstroke and the natural connections between manuscript letters, this writing method combines the simplicity of manuscript with the speed of cursive writing.