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How to Write in Cursive

Last Updated: May 20, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was reviewed by Tami Claytor . Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,051,751 times.

Writing in cursive is a good skill to have if you’d like to handwrite a letter, a journal entry, or an invitation. Start by improving your writing skill by making adjustments. You can then practice lowercase and uppercase letters in cursive, working your way through the alphabet. Make sure you also perfect your technique by practicing once a day and challenging yourself to write long sentences or paragraphs in cursive.

Starting Off

• You should not write at a desk that is too low or too high for you. Make sure you do not have to crouch or strain yourself to sit comfortably at the desk.

• You can also use pencil to write in cursive, especially if you want the option of erasing your letters and starting again. Get a B pencil with a triangular barrel, as it will be softer on the paper and easier to write with.

• If you’d prefer plain paper so you have more room to try the flowing, loose movements of cursive, you can use it. However, it may be more difficult for you to make your letters uniform without lines on the paper.

• Angling the paper will make it easier for you to slant your letters as you write. In cursive, your letters should slant up and to the right by 35 degrees.

Creating Lowercase Cursive Letters

• Once you master "a" and "c," try doing letters that follow similar strokes like “d,” “q,” and “g.”

• You can also try other letters that follow similar strokes, such as “w” and “t.”

• You can try other letters that follow similar strokes, such as “h,” “k,” “b,” “f,” and “j.”

• Once you master these letters, try letters that follow similar strokes like “v” and “x.”

Doing Uppercase Cursive Letters

• An uppercase "A" in cursive is similar to a lowercase "a" in cursive. It should touch the top and bottom lines.

• The letters “O,” “M,” and “N” in uppercase follow the same strokes as lowercase. The only difference is that the uppercase letters cover more space on the line.

• An uppercase “B” is written very differently in cursive than a lowercase “b.” You may need to practice it a few times to get it right.

• An “E” in cursive looks a lot like a backwards “3.”

Perfecting Your Technique

• Look for letter guides online. You can also ask your instructors or teachers for letter guides.

• You can also try doing a pattern of a different letter on each line of the page.
• If you find certain letters difficult, challenge yourself to do a pattern of the letter.

• You can also try writing your name in cursive, especially if it is short.

• As a fun challenge, you can try writing out sentences or phrases that you like from books, songs, or movies in cursive as part of your practice.

Community Q&A

• Brush pens are often used for cursive lettering to achieve swooping, calligraphy-style lettering. However, you should stick to normal pens when starting out so you don't over-complicate things. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you're really struggling with a certain letter, adapt it slightly to work for you. If you're stuck on a lowercase "b," for example, alter the form slightly to look more like a printed "b." Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• Practice with phrases that use nearly every letter of the alphabet, like "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog," "The five boxing wizards jump quickly," or "Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow."
• Try using cursive instead of print in your everyday life. For example, take notes in cursive during class or write your grocery list in cursive.

Things You’ll Need

• An ink pen or a pencil
• Lined or plain paper

Sample Alphabets and Practice Page

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.readingrockets.org/article/importance-teaching-handwriting
• ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/may/11/how-improve-your-handwriting
• ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-handwriting/
• ↑ http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/
• ↑ http://www.handwritingforkids.com/handwrite/cursive/animation/uppercase.htm
• ↑ https://libraryguides.centennialcollege.ca/c.php?g=712179&p=5076896

About This Article

To get started writing cursive, it helps to have the right materials. Use a pen with ink that flows smoothly, such as a felt-tip pen or a gel pen. You can also write cursive with a pencil, which will make it easier to fix mistakes as you learn. Choose writing paper with lines to help make sure that your writing comes out straight and the sizes and shapes of your letters stay consistent. If possible, get three-lined paper that has a dotted line in the middle of each set of solid lines. As you write, keep the paper tilted at a 35° angle, which will help give the letters the correct amount of slant. Keep a relaxed grip on the pen or pencil and hold it at a 45° angle relative to the paper. Practice writing the lower-case letters first, since these are the ones you’ll use the most often. You might find it helpful to use a cursive letter chart that shows the steps to write each letter. For example, when you’re writing a lower-case a on 3-lined paper, begin with an upward stroke that starts at the solid bottom line and curves up until it meets the dotted line in the middle, then goes back down slightly. Then, trace the line backwards, but this time swoop back up and around to meet the end of the first stroke. Swoop back down to make a curving “tail” that ends just before it meets the dotted line. After you’ve mastered the lower-case letters, get to know the upper-case ones. While some of them, like A, are basically bigger versions of the lower-case letters, others look completely different. For example, you’ll need to use a totally different technique to make an upper-case F from the method you use to write the lower-case version. Once you’re used to writing all the letters, it’s time to put them together. Part of what makes cursive different from print is that the letters connect, which helps the script flow smoothly while you’re writing. Practice writing connected rows of letters, then move on to writing out words and sentences in cursive. It may feel awkward at first, but with about 20 minutes of practice a day, you’ll soon be writing beautiful, flowing cursive. If you want to learn how to improve your penmanship while writing cursive, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write in Cursive (Ultimate Guide + Video)

As someone who had the challenge of learning cursive early (and then again) later in life, I know the hurdles firsthand.

But through practice and patience, I’ve grown to love its flow and artistry. Let’s demystify cursive writing together so you can write confidently and effortlessly.

Summary of Writing in Cursive

Writing in cursive is about connecting letters smoothly to form words with a single, flowing motion. Unlike print writing, cursive eliminates the need to lift the pen after each letter. It requires learning distinct letter forms and practicing consistency and rhythm.

Table of Contents

This guide covers everything, from beginner steps to advanced techniques, so you can master cursive writing and make it an enjoyable practice.

How to Start Writing in Cursive

To start writing in cursive, you’ll need the right style, tools, basic strokes, and letter forms.

Choose a Style and Tools

To begin, pick a cursive style that’s simple and easy to read.

I recommend learning D’Nealian or Zaner-Bloser, which are two popular styles in North America. Grab a pen that feels comfortable, preferably with quick-drying ink to avoid smudging. Have lined paper handy to help with uniform letter height and alignment.

For some of my favorite pens for writers, check out the links at the end of this article.

Practice Basic Strokes

Start by practicing basic strokes – loops, upstrokes, and downstrokes.

These are the building blocks of cursive. Focus on getting smooth, even strokes and maintaining a consistent rhythm. Slow down if necessary; aim for neatness, not speed.

Practice Exercise

Before diving into cursive letters, it’s essential to get comfortable with foundational strokes.

This exercise will help you build confidence with the pen and prepare you for writing the alphabet:

• Vertical Lines – Draw parallel lines from top to bottom, making sure each line is straight and evenly spaced.
• Curved Lines – Draw lines that curve smoothly up and down, resembling waves. Keep the curves consistent in size.
• Loops – Practice loops by starting with a small upward stroke, then looping down and around in a clockwise direction.
• Ovals – Draw consistent ovals, maintaining uniform width and height. Keep a steady rhythm to achieve smooth curves.
• Connecting Strokes – Practice connecting horizontal lines from one loop or oval to the next, as these transitions are critical when writing words.

Repeat these strokes daily to develop a steady hand and smooth pen movement.

Learn Letter Forms

Work on individual letters after you’ve mastered the strokes.

Start with lowercase letters because they’re easier to connect. Make sure each letter begins and ends at the right spot to ease the transition to the next.

Once comfortable, practice uppercase letters, then try forming words by connecting letters.

How to Write Each Letter of the Alphabet in Cursive

Here’s a simple table chart describing how to write each letter in cursive:

What Is the Easiest Cursive to Learn?

The easiest cursive to learn is based on simplicity. Two great options include Zaner-Bloser and italic handwriting.

Here is my opinions based on my own experience.

Focus on Simplicity

D’Nealian is often the easiest style to learn because it resembles print writing but with added slant and loops. It’s less ornate and more intuitive for beginners. The slant angle helps transition to cursive while retaining clarity.

Zaner-Bloser: Structured and Clean

Zaner-Bloser is another excellent choice. It emphasizes straight lines, loops, and simplicity.

The structure and clean lines make it ideal for students and anyone new to cursive writing.

Italic Handwriting

Italic handwriting strikes a balance between print and cursive.

It’s recognized for slanted letters and fewer connections between them. This style is easier for those used to writing in print while maintaining the flow characteristic of cursive.

Here is a good video about how to write in cursive:

How to Write Cursive on a Keyboard

If you want to learn how to write cursive on a keyboard, you’ll likely want to use cursive fonts, keyboard shortcuts, and personalization.

Use Cursive Fonts

If typing is your preference, select a cursive font on your word processor.

Examples include Brush Script, Pacifico, and Great Vibes. Using these fonts allows you to simulate cursive writing digitally.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Software

Keyboard shortcuts and handwriting software streamline cursive typing.

Some applications recognize cursive input through a digital stylus or touchscreen, converting it into a font.

Others convert standard keyboard typing into cursive fonts.

Personalization

Personalize your cursive fonts by adjusting the slant or spacing.

Experiment with different font styles to match your intended aesthetic. Just ensure the text remains legible and clear.

How to Get Used to Writing in Cursive

With time, consistency, practice, and self-assessment, you’ll get used to writing in cursive.

It may take longer for some and shorter for others, but you’ll get there!

Consistent Practice

Practice daily by writing common words, sentences, or phrases in cursive.

Repetition builds muscle memory, making writing feel more natural over time. Set small daily goals to improve letter shapes, spacing, and flow.

Write in Real-World Situations

Incorporate cursive writing into daily tasks – journaling, writing notes, or addressing letters.

Writing in practical scenarios helps you adapt to writing cursive fluidly without overthinking it.

Evaluate and Improve

Periodically compare your current writing to earlier samples.

Assess where improvements can be made and refine individual letters or connections. Watching videos of skilled cursive writers or following writing guides can also inspire improvement.

Is Cursive Writing Faster?

Yes, cursive writing can be faster than printing.

The connected strokes in cursive mean that the pen remains on the paper, reducing the time it takes to lift the pen and start the next letter.

This seamless motion allows for quicker writing speeds once a person becomes familiar with the flow of cursive letters.

However, speed ultimately depends on the individual’s practice and comfort with the style.

Is Cursive Better for the Brain?

Research suggests that cursive writing has cognitive benefits.

It engages multiple regions of the brain involved in thinking, memory, and motor skills. Learning cursive can improve fine motor coordination, visual recognition, and reading comprehension.

Additionally, studies show that writing by hand stimulates the brain differently than typing and helps reinforce information retention.

What Is the Best Age to Learn Cursive Writing?

The ideal age to start learning cursive writing is around 7-8 years old.

At this age, children typically have developed fine motor skills needed to control the writing instrument.

They are also more likely to have already learned the basics of print writing, making the transition to cursive smoother.

However, it’s never too late to learn cursive—adults can also develop proficiency with patience and consistent practice.

Is Cursive Still Taught in Schools?

The teaching of cursive writing varies widely.

Some schools include it as a core skill in their curriculum, while others have phased it out in favor of keyboarding or print writing.

Its declining presence in many educational systems often results from the emphasis on digital literacy. However, some regions and private institutions recognize its value and continue to offer cursive instruction in early education.

Final Thoughts: How to Write in Cursive

The most important thing to remember is to give yourself time and grace to scale up your cursive skills.

Unless you are a penmanship prodigy, you won’t learn perfect cursive overnight.

Read This Next:

• 8 Best Mechanical Pencils for Writing [Expert Guide]
• How to Write an Address (21+ Examples)
• 11 Best Pens for Writing [Ultimate Guide for Writers]
• 100 Best A Words for Kids (+ How to Use Them)

Cursive Letters

Learning all of the letters of the alphabet in cursive

Lowercase Letters

Capital letters.

As a former elementary school teacher for many years, I mastered and taught the standard “D’Nealian” style of cursive to my students. D’Nealian is the most commonly taught cursive writing style in the US, to those who are first learning.

I created this website with the express purpose of helping students, teachers, homeschoolers, and anyone else who has an interest in learning how to write cursive.

I try to make it easy to understand how to write the cursive alphabet through worksheets and how-to videos. We hope you find the cursive letter worksheets and videos informative and helpful so that you can master the art of cursive writing in no time.

Try our online cursive tool

Write in your own text here…, here is your text in a fun way that you can copy and paste to social media or to a friend…, cursive lowercase letters.

For anyone who wants to learn cursive letters, the first place to start is with cursive lowercase letters. While some of the cursive letters are similar to their lowercase printed letters, there are also quite a few that are quite different. While they may look difficult to master at first glance, they can be mastered pretty quickly with a little bit of effort and practice. Even if you've never written cursive letters before, going through the pages on this website will give you all the information and practice you need to quickly master all of the lowercase cursive letters.

Cursive Capital Letters

Much like their lowercase counterparts, many cursive capital letters resemble printed capital letters. If you've already mastered the lowercase cursive letters, you'll also find that some cursive capital letters resemble their lowercase counterparts. Then there are a number of capital cursive letters that look strange and difficult, but again, with a bit of cursive writing practice, they can be mastered quite quickly. What you'll likely find is that as you begin to learn how to write capital cursive letters, they're a lot more fun and interesting to write than your usual printed letters.

Cursive Alphabet

Once you have mastered both lowercase and capital cursive letters, you'll know the cursive alphabet. This, however, isn't the end of your learning. Once you know all of the cursive letters, you'll still need to spend some time learning how to connect them all. One of the great advantages of cursive writing and letters is that they connect to one another to make writing quicker and more efficient, but you'll need to practice how different cursive letters are connected to one another. Again, this appears at first to be much more difficult than it is in reality, and once you spend some time practicing, you'll soon be writing cursive words and cursive sentences without a second thought.

Cursive Letter Videos

For those just beginning to learn how to write cursive letters, one of the best ways to learn is to watch how-to videos on how to write each letter in cursive. We have created a video to show you how to write every letter of the cursive alphabet including lowercase and capital cursive letters. Once you have watched the video a time or two, you should have a pretty good idea of what you need to do to write that particular cursive letter. You can use your finger to copy the motions you see in the video or take out a pen and follow along with the video as all the cursive letters are written. Doing this with each new letter you learn will give you a feel of how cursive writing is written and help you when you begin to practice on worksheets.

Cursive Letter Worksheets

In addition to watching videos showing how to write cursive letters, you'll also want to practice your writing, using our cursive writing worksheets. You can use these worksheets while following along with the videos or you can do them on your own in your free time to practice. These cursive letter worksheets will help you to learn the stroke work of each of the letters and help you quickly master them. We've created a specific worksheet for each lowercase and capital cursive letter, and we also have an option where you can create your own cursive worksheets so you can practice any cursive letters that may be giving you a bit more trouble than the others.

We appreciate that you found your way to our little corner of the Internet and we hope you've found the information on how to learn cursive writing helpful. We want to make Cursive Letters the best resource for those who want to learn to write in cursive so we'd appreciate hearing from you with any ideas or suggestions you have that we can implement to make your cursive learning experience easier. Please feel free to contact us and let us know.

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How to write in cursive

Step into the realm of timeless elegance with cursive writing. Our comprehensive how to write in cursive alphabet guide helps you unlock the elegance and finesse hidden within each stroke of your pen. Beyond mere pen strokes, cursive writing embodies a fusion of artistry and communication.

Our custom writing service believes this art weaves timeless appeal, with each curve and loop breathing life into your words. So, let’s explore the rhythmic dance of ink on paper, from foundational strokes to elaborate flourishes. Whether you're starting from scratch or aiming to polish your existing handwriting, our journey promises to elevate your script with flair.

Cursive writing - what is it? 

Cursive writing is a unique form of handwriting. It’s characterized by flowing, connected letters, which is the polar opposite of script. This continuous, elegant script dates back centuries and has evolved through various cultural and historical influences. When you write in cursive, it offers distinct advantages, such as: 

• Better writing speed 
• Improved fine motor skills
• Provides a form of self-expression 
• Enhanced memory

Why is mastery of cursive important

Cursive writing holds a profound significance beyond its aesthetic allure. Writing in cursive is an expression of identity. As Dr. Rosemary Sassoon, a handwriting expert, pointed out, “Handwriting is the imprint of self on a page.” Indeed, it's worthwhile to endeavor to refine our cursive penmanship for an added touch of elegance. She echoes what Euclid, an ancient Greek mathematician, said, “Handwriting is a spiritual design, even though it appears by means of a material instrument.” 

Fosters Cognitive Development

Learning how to write in cursive fosters cognitive development. It enhances brain connectivity and fine motor skills by:

• Encourages the brain to foster hand-eye coordination
• Stimulating brain neural pathways associated with language and spatial awareness
• Foster holistic cognitive growth with simple strokes
• Nurtures a stronger sense of patience and better focus

The fluidity of writing in script also encourages seamless thought expression, promoting faster and more efficient writing. Besides, cursive holds historical and cultural value, preserving a tradition of elegant communication that’s been around since time immemorial. 

Cultivates timeless art

In today's digital age, maintaining proficiency in cursive is still very much relevant. Knowing how to write cursive letters apart from print ensures access to handwritten documents and signatures.

Being skilled in elegant cursive writing is critical in various professional and personal contexts. By mastering cursive, you not only cultivate a timeless art but also equip yourself with a versatile tool for effective communication and self-expression.

Cursive writing overview

Before we begin with practical handwriting tips for the cursive alphabet, it’s important to understand what cursive writing is all about. Cursive, a captivating writing style, connects letters with elegant loops.

The primary goal is to make your handwriting flow without lifting the pen. This helps improve writing speed while ensuring the outcome looks beautiful. There are three main types of cursive writing, so let’s take a look at them below: 

The ligature type 

This is one of the simpler forms of how to write in cursive. It’s a cursive type that emphasizes continuous writing without lifting the pen. Its main feature is the distinctive connected lines between letters. Because of its continuous flow without pen elevation, ligature offers a straightforward introduction to cursive writing, making it accessible for beginners aiming to enhance their handwriting fluency and elegance.

The looped type 

This cursive variant lives up to its name because the letters intertwine with loops, seamlessly joining together. Loops define its unique style, making it beautiful and attractive. An essay writing service suggests submitting handwritten exams and papers in this format because it looks elegant and impressive. 

The cursive italic type

Wondering how to write cursive that looks eye-catching? The fancy cursive italic type is the answer. This script was born in the 15th-century Italian Renaissance. This period was characterized by a flourishing of art, culture, and intellectual pursuits.

Hence we can say that era set the stage for the emergence of cursive italic as a hallmark of refined communication and aesthetic sophistication. That’s why it’s no wonder that this cursive style features right-slanting looped and non-looped letters, embodying timeless elegance.

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Writing in cursive first step

Begin your journey into cursive writing by mastering basic strokes. These foundational elements guide the flow and structure of each letter. Start with upward lines, foundational for letters such as "l," "b," and "h."

Progress to learning upward lines for letters like "p," "g," and "j." Practice concave and convex curves, which are essential for letters like "a," "c," and "e." Finally, embrace loops, adding character to letters like "b," "d," and "f." Mastery of these fundamental strokes lays the groundwork for fluent cursive penmanship.

Practice letters and their connections

Mastering cursive writing involves individual letters – learning both upper and lowercase forms with finesse is crucial. You must learn the intricacies of each character, from elegant capitals to minuscules.

It's the only way to seamlessly connect each letter to create an elegant script. This section focuses on mastery of each letter and honing your skills in linking them. We want to help ensure you learn a graceful transition from one letter to the next. Let’s dive right in to elevate your script and ensure it exudes charm. 

Start with lowercase

Begin learning how to write in cursive by practicing lowercase letters. These lowercase ones make up most words and are essential to learn first. Start with simpler ones like "a," "c," "e," and "l." Practice forming each letter correctly and repeatedly to build muscle memory. Keep letter size and proportions consistent. Once comfortable, start combining letters to form simple words, gradually building confidence and fluency in cursive writing.

Learn uppercase

Next, expand your expertise by mastering uppercase cursive letters, adding depth to your cursive skills. These letters often boast unique forms, like loops, curls, or tails. Practice each uppercase letter individually, starting with those resembling their printed counterparts, like "C," "O," "V," and "W," for familiarity.

Familiarize yourself with ligatures such as "th," "ch," and "sh" to enhance your cursive fluency. Gradually, you'll refine your ability to craft uppercase cursive letters with confidence and style. With this skill, you won’t hesitate and ask someone else to write my essay for me when your teacher asks for a handwritten assignment. 

Practice connecting letters

The art of learning how to write cursive letters lies not just in the individual strokes of each character. It’s also important to master their seamless connection. Connecting letters lends cursive writing its signature allure and flowy nature.

Concentrate on crafting smooth transitions between each letter. The key tip is to avoid any disjointedness that disrupts the flow because it’ll make your script look sloppy. Begin by carefully observing and perfecting each transition, starting with common pairs like "o" to "u," "r" to "e," and "a" to "n." Should you require further guidance, feel free to reach out to us for assistance.

Master writing basic words

Forming basic words in cursive writing is a pivotal stage in mastering this skill set. This process combines individual letters and their connections to forge coherent compositions that look elegant. You begin with simple words like “cat,” “dog,” “love”, etc. It would help to utilize a balanced mix of lowercase and uppercase cursive letters. Each of your letters should seamlessly transition into the next, ensuring a harmonious flow. Aim for consistency in the following: 

• Letter size
• Slant of letters
• Character spacing

Paying attention to these details is imperative for uniformity. Prior to penning a word, it would help if you visualize its composition first. This would facilitate smoother execution. Aim to maintain a continuous rhythm by avoiding abrupt directional shifts between letters.

Move on to make longer sentences

When you’ve mastered how to write in cursive for basic words, you can feel confident to progress to longer sentences. Transitioning to this phase in cursive needs a strong foundation. And you’ve got that down pat since you can connect letters to form basic words!

Elevate your skills now by crafting sentences with clear messages, paying attention to letter size, slant, and spacing between words. For better clarity, incorporate punctuation marks like:

• Exclamation points
• Question marks 
• Semi-colons

Ensure a seamless and natural flow throughout your sentences. As you progress, explore different styles by experimenting with letter slants, sizes, and connections, allowing your cursive script to evolve into a personalized expression of your unique style.

Practice your unique cursive style

Once you feel confident in cursive writing, delve into the world of ligatures. These are the graceful connections between specific letter pairs that infuse cursive writing with artistry and charm. Embrace ligatures like "th," "ch," "sh," and "fi," adding sophistication to your script while maintaining proportion and fluidity. 

Then, hone your cursive prowess by mastering a consistent slant. The slang of your penmanship holds power because they provide visual appeal and exude professionalism. You may also experiment with flourishes, transforming ordinary words into elegant works of art with strokes and loops. 

Remember to strike a balance between embellishment and readability. This helps you craft a signature flourish that elevates your cursive writing and gives it its unique stamp that’s just simply “you!” When you feel confident, you can sign your name with ease or learn how to write an essay by hand, which you can feel proud to submit to your professor. 

Now that you’ve become more confident, honing your skills is the next priority. As you continue on this journey, there are some handy tips to help you polish your skills even more.

These tips aren't just about making your handwriting look better—they also make it easier to read and more pro-looking. Try adding them to your practice routine, and you'll see your cursive game step up a notch. Let's dive into these tips together and discover the secrets of how to write cursive letters.

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How to write cursive letters with consistent practice

Mastering how to write cursive letters requires dedication. It’s complex, after all, as each stroke seamlessly connects to create an elegant dance of curves and loops. Daily practice, even for just 10-15 minutes, is key. Customize your schedule to suit your needs, ensuring steady progress toward transforming ordinary words into graceful expressions.

Focus on the basics

Elevate your cursive practice by revisiting foundational strokes. Mastering how to write in cursive includes proficiency in both lowercase and uppercase letters, as well as crafting basic words. 

Position your paper and slant it appropriately, catering to your dominant hand. This personalized approach ensures each practice session maximizes your progress, bringing you closer to mastering the art of having captivating cursive penmanship.

Writing in cursive alphabet, especially with lowercase cursive letters, must be a consistent practice. When you practice writing, practice both lowercase letters as well as uppercase letters until you reach your unique cursive writing style.

Make use of guided worksheets

Enhance your cursive skills with guided worksheets, perfect for beginners or those seeking refinement. Writing in cursive doesn’t have to be daunting with the right tools. Take advantage of them, especially online printable sheets.

These resources provide clear, step-by-step instructions for letter formation, connections, and overall script aesthetics, ensuring a structured approach to mastering the art of elegant handwriting. Make a conscious effort to use worksheets, and you’ll be amazed at your beautiful penmanship.

Cursive writing worksheets can help you master cursive writing by guiding you through basic cursive letterforms for both uppercase and lowercase letters. When you practice writing this way, you'll master consistent letter size, joint writing style and lowercase cursive letters in no time.

Make sure you pay attention to spacing

Mind your spacing! When it comes to cursive writing, proper spacing is crucial for readability and visual appeal. Ample space between words aids clarity. With enough space, you give your readers a chance to decipher your message. They’ll also appreciate the aesthetic flow of your writing with spaces. 

Consistent spacing also lends professionalism to your script, ensuring a polished and refined appearance. Remember to maintain balance in spacing, avoiding overcrowding or excessive gaps between words.

Lowercase letters in the cursive alphabet, like any cursive letter for that matter, require learning cursive writing with apt spacing. Cursive words and cursive sentences have to maintain consistent letter size, and appropriate spacing adds meaning to what you write. Remember to practice regularly!

Always ask for other’s feedback

Do you truly wish to enhance your cursive writing prowess? Then seek feedback! It's very important to seek constructive criticism if you wish to improve. Think: close friends, family, teachers, and mentors. Choose those who genuinely care about you to critique your writing. You can count on trustworthy individuals to provide invaluable insights into your progress. 

Additionally, engaging in self-assessment offers an objective evaluation of your skills. In cursive writing practice, embracing feedback is a catalyst for improvement. Keeping an open mind fosters growth and refinement in your cursive handwriting journey. Make it a point to seek feedback in your practice routine, using it as a roadmap to guide your journey toward mastering the art of cursive writing.

Resist the urge to compare your penmanship with others

Resist the temptation to compare your penmanship with others. Remember that each person's handwriting is unique. Penmanship reflects our individual style and journey. Focus instead on your progress and personal growth when you’re in the process of learning how to write cursive. Don't be discouraged your writing doesn't look like cursive font immediately!

Embrace your own distinct handwriting as a reflection of your personality and creativity. Celebrate your achievements and improvements, recognizing that comparison only hinders your confidence and enjoyment in the art of cursive writing. Always keep in mind that the beauty of cursive lies not in its uniformity but in the diversity of styles and expressions it brings to life.

All cursive letters you write bring you closer to developing your own cursive script with a personal style for capital letters, curved stroke, individual words, upward stroke and other letters in the cursive letters family. Make sure you have a relaxed grip, proper posture, plain paper or lined paper, and a positive attitude!

Learn to Write Cursive

Everything you need to know about cursive in a free online course..

If you can write, you can take this course.

It doesn’t matter if you have terrible handwriting or never learned cursive in school, you can learn to write cursive. Consistent Cursive uses a systematic approach to teaching cursive so that you start with the most basic concepts and forms before tackling more complex ones.

Get Started Now!

Download the course worksheets and start by watching the first video of the course.

Improve Your Handwriting Like These Students

44 videos and over 5.5 hours of course content for FREE!

Course Intro – Welcome Course Intro – Download the Worksheets Course Intro – Supplies Course Intro – Create a Before Sample Lesson 1 – Body Position Lesson 2 – Pen Grip Lesson 3 – Paper Position Lesson 4 – The Cursive Grid Lesson 5 – What is Consistency? Lesson 6 – What does it mean to learn cursive? Lesson 7 – Letterforms: Intro Lesson 8 – Letterforms: i, u, w Note – How to Practice Common Problems – The Connective Slant Lesson 9 – Letterforms: e Lesson 10 – Letterforms: O, A, C Lesson 11 – Letterforms: o, a, c Lesson 12 – Letterforms: E, D Lesson 13 – Letterforms: m, n, x, v Lesson 14 – Letterforms: r, s Lesson 15 – Letterforms: P, B, R

Lesson 16 – Letterforms: t, d, p Lesson 17 – Letterforms: J, I Lesson 18 – Letterforms: l, b, h, k Lesson 19 – Letterforms: H, K Lesson 20 – Letterforms: q, f Lesson 21 – Letterforms: N, M Lesson 22 – Letterforms: W, X Lesson 23 – Letterforms: j, g, y, z Lesson 24 – Letterforms: T, F, S Lesson 25 – Letterforms: L, G Lesson 26 – Letterforms: V, U, Y Lesson 27 – Letterforms: Q, Z Lesson 28 – Letterforms: Figures Bonus – Lowercase Variations Bonus – Capital Variations Project – Create with Cursive Wrap-Up – Create an After Sample Wrap-Up – What’s Next? Note – Contact Me Bonus – Spacing between letters & words Bonus – Writing across the page Bonus – Developing individual style Bonus – How to write faster

Or start by downloading the worksheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is 100% free. If you’d like, you can show support by paying what you like when you download the worksheets .

The ability to write by hand is the only prerequisite. Young children will probably need the help of an adult to make it through the course.

The course could be completed in a week or months, depending on your skill level and commitment. Feel free to go at your own pace.

The course teaches a standard American cursive script, rooted in the tradition of American penmanship. The forms are similar to “Business Penmanship” or “Palmer Method”. The arm-writing approach of Palmer Method is not covered in this course, however, this course is a great start if you want to learn Palmer Method. You can learn more about The Palmer Method at ThePalmerMethod.com .

Everything about writing cursive is the same for left-handers as it is for right-handers, except for how you position your hand and body relative to the writing. In the lesson on paper position, I speak directly to the left-handers and provide a method for writing that will allow you to execute the cursive forms without smudging your writing.

Cursive is a very practical style of writing that holds significance in American culture. Cursive handwriting is seen as more mature, professional, and beautiful than print or manuscript writing. Technically, cursive is a flowing script that many find conducive to taking notes or getting thoughts down on the page.

Consistent Cursive is a free and comprehensive course for learning cursive. It uses a systematic approach that anyone can follow to learn cursive. Start learning cursive right now by watching the first video .

Your Instructor

Consistent Cursive was created by David DiGiovanni, aka Perfect Biscuits on YouTube. David has spent countless hours studying American penmanship since 2016, focusing on practical scripts like cursive. He has posted over 100 videos on YouTube teaching cursive.

David also studies and teaches the traditional method of writing called, “muscular movement” (aka Palmer Method), where the arm is used to write cursive script. Consistent Cursive does not teach muscular movement, but is a great first step towards learning it. You can learn more about muscular movement at ThePalmerMethod.com .

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How to Write in Cursive + a Free Exemplar

Lindsey Bugbee

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If you don’t know how to write in cursive, take heart: it’s not difficult to learn! In this blog post, you’ll find a free printable exemplar that will teach you letterforms, connections, and a few simple cursive rules.

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In the US, teaching cursive to students is a hot topic. Do we dedicate our tax dollars to teaching an arguably impractical skill, or do we honor tradition and keep cursive writing alive? The different sides taken in this debate are starting to show in my inbox as teenage calligraphy learners — who were never taught how to write in cursive — ask whether not knowing cursive will affect their ability to learn dip pen calligraphy.

The answer? Well, it probably does affect your learning ability, yes. It’s certainly helpful to know how letters connect to each other in regular cursive before you decide to tackle dip pen calligraphy styles. If you don’t know how to write in cursive, though, that news shouldn’t make you give up your goals! Instead, try learning cursive first.

What Is Cursive?

When we refer to “cursive writing”, we mean writing that features letters that are connected together. Many of those letters are recognizable to those who can read print. Some letters — like the uppercase “Q” and lowercase “b” — look completely different than print, but once you see the letter once, you’ll remember what it looks like next time!

Cursive was originally developed as a way to write more quickly and efficiently. You hardly lift your pen from the paper while writing cursive, which makes for faster work! That used to be important because before the age of pens, people used to write with quills. Quills are delicate and temperamental, so the more time they could spend in constant contact with the paper, the better!

Is Cursive Still Relevant?

The relevancy of cursive is a debate that no one can quite agree on. For example, E! Online published an article claiming that cursive is a “big old waste of time”. Time disagrees, touting the benefits of cursive as a way to teach children to think of words as wholes instead of parts (because the letters are linked). The Time article also posits that people with dyslexia tend to benefit from reading and writing cursive.

I have no compelling arguments for learning cursive. Do I think it should be taught in schools? Yes. But, still: I can’t claim that a person cannot function in the “real world” without learning it. The majority of our communication is conducted through printed letters like the ones you’re reading at this very moment, after all. And yet … for me, personally, knowing how to write in cursive has led to rewarding experiences. When I was little, people often complimented my handwriting (and I have to admit that I admired it, too). In my early 20’s, my cursive knowledge helped me to learn dip pen calligraphy without feeling intimidated by letterforms or connections between letters. And, of course, as someone who can write cursive, I can also read it, which has come in handy on numerous occasions.

Teach Yourself How to Write in Cursive

Several schools in the US incorporate cursive into their third grade curriculum, which is when I learned. And if a third grader can do it … you’ve got this! Remember that cursive is nothing more than connected letters. Most of the letters just look like fancier versions of their print counterparts! Sure, there are a few letters that don’t, but you can memorize those.

If you want to teach yourself cursive, I made a cursive exemplar that should really help. You can download that exemplar by clicking here . The first page of the exemplar shows what simple cursive letters look like. I know that sometimes it’s difficult to look at a letter and just know how to write it, so the second part of the first page uses letters and dots to show how to form each letter.

The second page of the exemplar goes over some very simple rules. All lowercase letters can connect to the letters before or after them, and the exemplar will show you those connections. Uppercase letters are a toss-up: some of them you can connect, while others should stand alone. You’ll find examples of those letters as well.

If you want to learn cursive, the best thing to do is jump in and write it! Keep the exemplar handy as you write out grocery or to-do lists, short notes, or addresses on envelopes. At first, the going will be slow as you try to adjust to connecting your letters and learning some new letterforms. After just a bit, though, you’ll be writing like a pro!

Additional Resources

For those who need intensive practice, you can find several helpful printables on the K5 Learning website. If you already know how to write in cursive and simply want to improve your handwriting, you’ll enjoy the 8 Tips to Improve Your Handwriting blog post.

As you venture to shake up your everyday writing, remember that you can customize your letters to reflect your personal style! The letters on today’s calligraphy exemplar are very generic, and great for learning, but you should feel free to modify them after you commit them to memory. Take a look at handwriting inspiration examples , experiment with different letterforms (perhaps a mix of print and cursive), and don’t get discouraged if your writing looks better some days than it does on other days! That’s just life, and that beautiful inconsistency is why we choose to handwrite things rather than type them out sometimes.

I hope that the cursive exemplar from today’s post helps you to learn how to write in cursive — or helps you to teach a loved one to write in cursive. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! Otherwise, I’m curious to hear your stance on whether cursive is relevant or not anymore. According to my mother, for example, it should be taught, but only as an elective art course. What do you think?

Thanks very much for reading TPK, and have a great weekend!

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Cursive Alphabet (and free worksheets)

Tutorials and worksheets for all cursive letters of the alphabet.

Below you’ll find videos and links to writing all uppercase and lowercase letters of the cursive alphabet . Each letter has a free worksheet, or you can download al them all in our free workbook.

Author: Connie

Published: 

December 22, 2022

Last Updated: 

June 5, 2024

All Cursive Letters in the Alphabet!

When we search for things like “cursive letters” or “alphabet in cursive” you really don’t know what you’re going to get. Below you’ll see our library of all the letters (uppercase and lowercase), in cursive handwriting. You now have links to tutorials (both written and video) to either learn yourself, teach your children, or even an entire classroom of students! 

Simply use the Table of contents bar, or scroll down for the entire hub of letters!

Learn to Write in Cursive with our Cursive Alphabet Worksheets and Tutorials

Each of the tutorials includes a free downloadable worksheet for that particular letter. Those worksheets include both uppercase and lowercase versions of the letter. So please, use this list of cursive alphabet tutorials to learn or teach cursive! And if you would, please share it with friends and teachers who may get some use out of it, too!

Note: You can also find  more cursive worksheets here .

Cursive Text Generator

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How to Write Alphabets in Cursive: Step-by-Step Guide for kids

1. Familiarize Yourself with Basic Strokes

2. start with lowercase letters, 3. learn uppercase letters, 4. practice letter connections, 5. form basic words, 6. advance to longer sentences, 7. explore ligatures, 8. develop a consistent slant, 9. experiment with flourishes, 10. practice regularly.

When learning how to write in cursive, some things are worth thinking about. Cursive writing offers many advantages that extend to the mental development and intellectual growth of children. It is not only about crafting beautiful letters or elegant aesthetics but also enhances cognitive function and academic performance .

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Starting from the position of each letter to the shape of every letter, all possible detail is vital. This form of writing , of course, is a joint writing style. It was commonly used for most of human history until this modern computer age. Not only can learning how to write letters in cursive benefit your child by improving writing skills , but it is also an impressive skill to master!

“Handwriting is the imprint of self on a page.” — Dr. Rosemary Sassoon

Cursive Writing: What is it?

Writing in cursive isn’t just about forming letters; it’s a cognitive workout routine. The letters in cursive script uplift students to create a seamless flow of words in a cohesive and organized written communication form. 

When young minds trace the curves and loops of cursive letters, they forge stronger connections within the brain, enhance memory recall and cognitive agility, and stimulate neural pathways in children’s minds.

“Handwriting is a spiritual design, even though it appears by means of a material instrument.” – Euclid

Why Does Cursive Writing Hold a Timeless Significance?

Today, even though digital communication and keyboard typing have taken over the world, the art of cursive writing stands as a timeless testament to the beauty, grace, and elegance of the written word. 

It is also a beneficial therapy for individuals with dyslexia because its continuous personal flow of letters reduces the visual and cognitive breaks and creates a comfortable experience for those navigating the written word that can challenge dyslexic readers.

Following are a few benefits why kids should learn how to write in cursive :

“Handwriting is rooted in the spirit, even though it appears by means of bodily senses.”― Al-Nazzam

• Enhanced Cognitive Development
• Elevated Handwriting Skills
• Heightened Reading Comprehension
• Nurturing Patience and Focus 
• Distinctive Personal Expression 

How to Write A-Z in Cursive in 8 Easy Steps

Learning how to write in cursive is a journey that leads to mastery. It is a skill that holds immense value to date – a series of carefully orchestrated steps, each building upon the previous one to build a foundation of excellent penmanship.

These steps are more than mechanical motions. Let’s find out some steps of learning how to write in cursive handwriting .

To learn how to spell in cursive , the first step is to learn basic strokes. It helps to write the flow and form of each character.

• Start practicing upward lines. These lines are the backbone of many lowercase letters . For example, “l,” “b,” and “h.”
• Learn upward lines for letters like – “p,” “g,” and “j.”
• Practice concave and convex curves for letters like – “a,” “c,” and “e.”
• Learn loops. These are used in letters like – “b,” “d,” and “f” to add character.

After learning the strokes, focus on lowercase letters. It forms the majority of written words, making them automatically a crucial starting point.

• Start by practicing simpler lowercase cursive letters, as it requires minimal strokes and transitions. For example, “a,” “c,” “e,” and “l.” 
• Focus on the correct formation of each letter.
• Practice forming each letter repeatedly. It helps develop muscle memory.
• Maintain consistent letter size along with proportions.
• Start forming simple words.

Then comes broadening your skills by learning uppercase cursive letters. It brings a unique dimension to cursive writing. Uppercase cursive letters often have distinct forms. For example, some letters might have loops, curls, or tails, giving them a distinctive cursive appearance.

• Practice individual uppercase cursive letters. 
• Start with letters that look like their printed forms, such as “C,” “O,” “V,” and “W,” for a sense of familiarity.
• Get habituated to ligatures such as “th,” “ch,” and “sh.”

Art is not only in its strokes or letters but also in how well it is connected with one another.

Connecting the letters gives cursive writing its iconic flow and charm. 

• Focus on creating smooth transitions between letters.
• Avoid disjointedness – the unintended gaps between letters that disrupt the flow.
• Start slowly by paying attention to each transition.
• As these pairs are frequently used, start with connecting “o” to “u,” “r,” to “e,” and “a” to “n,”. 

The next step is to bring individual letters and letter connections together. It helps to create meaningful, and coherent compositions for forming basic words in a better way.

• Start with easy words. 
• Use a mix of lowercase and uppercase cursive letters.
• Each letter should naturally flow into the next. 
• Use consistent letter size, slant, and spacing.
• For a smoother execution, before writing a word, think about how you will compose it. 
• Avoid abrupt changes in direction between letters to maintain an uninterrupted rhythm.

To write longer sentences, start by connecting the letters and creating basic words. Enhance your cursive writing skills by writing multiple words into coherent and expressive sentences.

• Write sentences with a clear message.
• Focus on letter size, slant, and spacing across words.
• Use punctuation marks like commas , periods, and question marks.
• Maintain a smooth and natural flow.
• Gradually find your cursive writing style. Try variations. Use letter slants, size, and connections to personalize your cursive script.

Ligatures are basically the connections between specific letter pairs seamlessly connecting each other. Some common ligatures include “th,” “ch,” “sh,” and “fi.” It adds a touch of artistry and sophistication to the cursive writing style by enhancing the aesthetic appeal.

• Pay attention to proportions while forming ligatures.
• The transition needs to be smooth and graceful.
• Choose words that naturally include the ligatures.

Consistent slant is the soul of cursive writing. It refers to the balanced angle at which letters lean onto each other. A uniform slant throughout your writing makes sure of its visual appeal and professionalism.

• Even if no one-size-fits-all is a core rule, most cursive scripts have a slight slant ranging from 45 to 60 degrees.
• Draw slant lines on a sheet of paper and use them as guides. Using it can be a valuable tool in maintaining a consistent slant.
• Be consistent. Pay attention and maintain a uniform slant across all letters.

Flourishes add flair and personality with strokes and loops that can turn ordinary words into works of art. It is a unique form of self-expression that helps infuse cursive writing with a touch of elegance and individuality.

• Start by practicing simple flourishes with small loops or curls.
• Strive for a balanced composition by avoiding overwhelming your writing with excessive or overly ornate decorations.
• Use it thoughtfully and purposefully to maintain readability and visual appeal.
• Develop a signature flourish that sets your cursive writing apart.

Like every other skill, consistent practice reinforces muscle memory and helps to master it. When you practice daily, you’ll witness the evolution of your penmanship and build a style that you can proudly call your own.

• Set aside dedicated time each day, even as little as 10-15 minutes each day, to practice.
• Develop a schedule that works for you.
• Start each practice session by revisiting the foundational strokes, lowercase and uppercase letters , and basic words.
• Practice extra to address any challenges.

Now that we have discussed steps for how to write in cursive handwriting , let’s understand a few tips to help you understand cursive writing better.

3 Cursive Writing Tips

As children embark on the enchanting journey of cursive writing, it is essential to equip them with the techniques that will nurture their penmanship prowess. Discover below a treasury of invaluable tips that will empower young learners to learn how to write in cursive gracefully.

“Handwriting is the shackle of the mind.”― Plato

1. Use Guided Worksheets

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your existing skills, guided worksheets offer step-by-step guidelines for learning letter formation , connections, and overall script aesthetics. 

2. Pay Attention to Spacing

Spacing is a critical aspect of cursive writing. It impacts the readability and overall visual appeal of your writing. Adequate spacing between words makes it easier for readers to separate individual words and easily understand your message by making your writing look aesthetic.

3. Seek Feedback

Striving for feedback is a great habit that directly impacts in improving your cursive writing skills. Constructive criticism from people you trust, for example, your friends, family, teachers, mentors, or even self- assessment , gives an objective overview of your writing. 

3 Benefits of Learning Cursive Writing

The art of cursive writing is a specialized skill that may make writing appear elegant and lead to a more thorough understanding of history. Even though we frequently type on computers and mobile devices, learning to write in cursive has some distinctive and worthwhile benefits, particularly for young people. Let’s understand why it’s so beneficial for children to learn.

1. Writing Faster and Better

After kids have learned the principles of print handwriting, learning cursive allows them to express themselves more quickly on paper. They can concentrate on creating cohesive, readable compositions because of this efficiency, freeing up their cognitive resources. 

2. Getting More Creative

Use of cursive writing is beneficial to our brains since it engages both sides of our brains – logical and creative. It improves our memory and linguistic skills, as well as helps in the generation of fresh ideas. 

3. Memory Retention

Remembering things is important, and guess what? When we write in cursive, the letters flow together in a unique way, which may help us remember things better. Knowing how to write in cursive may make it easier for kids to recall what they learn.

3 Tools Required for the Perfect Penmanship

Learning cursive writing requires only a few simple tools to get started, but the benefits extend far beyond the basics. Let’s look at the fundamental tools that will help you on your cursive writing journey.

• Paper 
• Pencil or Pen  
• Cursive Guides 

The more you delve into the depths of cursive writing, you will uncover the crucial steps and values that guide young learners to refined penmanship. When you start your journey that transcends mere penmanship – each stroke, curve, and connection forms a tapestry of expression, cognitive growth, and artistic identity.

Through this comprehensive guide, you will learn the art of cursive writing, which is woven together with the threads of history, culture, and personal style. Starting from basic strokes to experimenting with intricate flourishes, each stage teaches how to write cursive letters and helps the master cursive writing with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the reasons for children to learn cursive writing.

Learning how to write in cursive holds significant benefits. It helps in building cognitive skills and directly impacts reading comprehension. It engages their brain in intricate hand movements and neural connections that contribute to improved brain development and intellectual growth.

When is the appropriate age for children to begin learning cursive writing?

According to experts, the age of 7 or 8 is often a suitable time for kids to start learning cursive writing because children typically get the fine motor skills that are needed to control a pen or pencil with more precision.

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How to Write in Cursive: Basic Guidelines With Examples

• Icon Calendar 16 May 2024
• Icon Page 2180 words
• Icon Clock 13 min read

Handwriting is a vital feature in learning, as it determines the quality of texts that students produce. Basically, cursive writing is one form of handwriting that is not so common in learning environments. Unlike standard writing, cursive writing requires particular skill sets. In this case, the defining feature of cursive writing is continuous texts characterized by looped and connected alphabets. When learning how to write in cursive, it is crucial that learners begin with lowercase alphabets and then move on to uppercase alphabets. In turn, some of the techniques involved include learning the correct body posture, learning the proper way to move hands, and practicing movement exercises.

General Guidelines on Cursive Writing

Handwriting is an essential exercise that determines one’s quality of writing. Like other life qualities, handwriting should be taught to children in their early years of education. The importance of this skill is that it enhances learning and communication through the literacy curriculum. Cursive writing is one of the most notable handwriting forms, which entails writing continuous strokes to form words. In other words, writing in the cursive format loops and connects the alphabets to form words. There are different styles of cursive handwriting, all of which exhibit a flowing style. One of the reasons for writing in this format is to increase the speed of writing a text.

Important for Development

Like all other academic exercises, cursive writing has benefits for students and professionals. For example, the outstanding characteristic of cursive writing is that every alphabet has an approach stroke and a carry-on stroke. As such, students can join alphabets as soon as they learn about the letter usage. Basically, this aspect of joining alphabets helps students to master the art of quick and efficient writing. Then, another benefit of cursive writing is that it enables learners to produce neat and legible texts. Also, this skill is enhanced by the feature of cursive alphabets and words, where every letter and word has the same starting point – the “anchoring point.”  As a result, this feature enables authors who tend to float off over the page when writing texts.

Cursive Writing Techniques

Some characteristics of cursive writing mentioned in the preceding section give the impression that students must learn how to construct cursive letters and words. Basically, there are several techniques that tutors can use to instruct learners on how to write cursive letters, words, and sentences. Moreover, these techniques include good posturing and the use of hands. In turn, posture is all about how students sit when writing, and the use of hands is about the movement of wrists and shoulders.

Good Posturing

Instructors should teach children how to sit upright at a desk. Basically, proper posture involves sitting at elbow height with their feet flat on the floor. In particular, this posture affects the learner’s shoulders and wrists, both of which are vital in developing smooth handwriting. Also, once students master this posturing, instructors should proceed to teach them cursive writing, while its order is critical. Then, tutors should start teaching young learners alphabets that descend below lines on the page. In turn, examples of these are j,y, and g. Moreover, once learners understand how to write these letters, tutors should make them write each letter over and over until they develop a flow.

The Use of Hands

Regarding the use of hands, instructors need to teach learners how to move their whole hand and wrist when writing in the uppercase and how to move their fingers when writing in the lowercase. Naturally, most individuals use their fingers when writing, an aspect that constrains one’s hand and handwriting. Therefore, to avoid this aspect, instructors must teach learners how to move the whole hand and fingers. When writing in the uppercase, instructors should teach learners to focus on using their entire hand to write cursive alphabets, but only their fingers for lowercase alphabets. Hence, mastering this practice will enable them to write longer without tiring and produce more graceful handwriting.

Cursive Uppercase and Lowercase Letter Worksheet

Cursive Writing

A worksheet above indicates an example of cursive alphabets in both the uppercase and lowercase. When writing these alphabets, the most critical skill that learners must master is to grasp each letter’s position. As indicated in the worksheet, every cursive alphabet has its own line upon which they are constructed. Here, students must also master the shape of each alphabet. Also, cursive letters are unique and exemplify a sloping feature. Ideally, writing some letters requires a learner to begin at the base of the body line or include loops, which can appear at the top or bottom of the alphabet. Hence, students must understand how each alphabet from A to Z appears in the cursive format they have chosen to use.

Writing Cursive Letters: Step One

The standard practice in cursive writing is first to master how to construct alphabets. Basically, the age of computer usage has replaced this essential practice in many learning institutions. In this case, the best and quick approach to learning cursive writing is to start with lowercase alphabets. Here, mastering how to write b, f, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and z is critical as they all start with the upward stroke. While some have strokes that fill up the line’s entire height, others have strokes that only reach the dashed line. In turn, some letters, like ‘f,’ go beneath the bottom line. Hence, students need to start with the letter “u,” as it is the easiest to learn in this writing style.

Mastering Lowercase Cursive Alphabets

After mastering “u,” learners should proceed to “o” then “b,” “f,” “k,” and then the rest. Basically, the secret is to start with simple alphabets that have only one stroke, then proceed to complex ones, still with one stroke. Moreover, the complexity is in the shape of the latter and not the number of strokes. When learning complex alphabets, a student should start with “h,” whose stroke reaches the top line. Then, a learner arcs to the left to make a downward stroke to the bottom line. Hence, individuals have to cross over the last line right near the bottom and arc up to the dashed line to make a downward stroke back down to the bottom line, curling up at the end.

Writing Cursive Letters: Step Two

After mastering cursive writing in the lowercase, students should proceed to master writing in the uppercase. Basically, learners should begin with letters C, E, G, L, and O. Also, they should start with L and then proceed to the others in the group. In turn, these letters represent simple uppercase alphabets. After mastering this group, learners should move to try complex ones, beginning with R and then proceeding to B, D, F, I, J, P, and T.

Writing Cursive Letters: Choosing a Cursive Font

About fonts, students are free to choose any when writing in cursive. Ideally, writers select a font that they intend to use for the rest of their lives. However, a student can master cursive writing in different fonts, many of which are on popular word processors, such as MS Word and Google Documents. In turn, the best way to choose a font is to study each carefully and determine which impresses or seems easy to write. Hence, below is a list of popular fonts:

• Aquafina Script Pro
• Columbine Light
• Kuenstler Script
• Fancier Script
• Lavender Script
• Shelley Script
• Citadel Script
• Buffet Script
• Hummingbird
• Creamy Script
• Ragazza Script

Writing Cursive Letters: Regular Exercise

The best approach to mastering cursive writing is for learners to practice regularly. Basically, it involves committing some time and dedication to write letters and construct words and sentences. In this case, students should prioritize this habit, starting with lowercase and then moving on to uppercase cursive alphabets. Then, perfecting this skill means a learner will have a much easier time writing texts, such as essays, in cursive. For example, students can develop the habit of writing the first draft of their articles in cursive and later typing it onto a word document. As a result, doing so would make it easier to generate ideas and, in the process, gain more experience writing cursive letters, words, and sentences, as indicated below:

When and How to Practice Cursive Writing

The best time for learners to practice cursive writing is when they join grade three. Basically, this practice should continue in grade four, and, by the time children are in grades five and six, they should write cursive letters with little difficulty. As discussed in the previous section, instructors should teach learners starting with lowercase alphabets and then uppercase alphabets. However, for quick perfection, students should practice regularly, both in the school environment and at home or in other social settings. In essence, proper practice is a secret to the quick mastering of the art.

1. Holding a Pen Correctly

Regarding how to practice cursive writing, learning the proper body posture and the right way to use the hand is an essential skill, as indicated earlier in a paper. Here, instructors should teach young learners how to hold a pen or pencil correctly. In essence, a learner’s penmanship can never blossom if students do not master the art of holding the pen in the right way. Moreover, the secret is to grip the pen or pencil so that it rests on the middle finger, holding it in place between the thumb and index finger. Then, students should loosen their grip on the pen or pencil as they write. In turn, a sign that learners have a tight grip on the pen or pencil is the whitening of fingernails. Also, such a grip makes the hand tired and makes the handwriting appear stiff and stilted.

2. Positioning a Paper Correctly

Properly placing a paper enhances effective cursive handwriting. Basically, if a learner is right-handed, a paper should appear in such a way that its top right and bottom left corners line up in a straight line with the learner’s nose. Meanwhile, their left arm should be holding the paper still. For a left-handed learner, instructors should, simply, flip these instructions.

3. Movement Exercises

Since cursive writing involves writing continuous strokes, learners should practice movement exercises frequently. Basically, doing so would train their hand muscles to support the wrist and shoulders, as students engage in the actual writing of cursive words and sentences. While practicing movement exercises, learners should maintain a comfortable, light touch and avoid being tense. Hence, some of the exercises that learners can follow include: 

Connecting ovals starting from the top, as below:

Connecting ovals starting from the bottom, as below:

Connecting curves, as below:

How to Become a Professional Cursive Writer

Like any art, cursive writing can be perfected. Basically, the only secret for students is to develop and observe specific habits. For example, one of these habits is practicing how to create a linked pattern that exhibits continuous writing as below:

When practicing, learners should pick an easy alphabet, such as “c” or “u,” and try writing one line using the same alphabet. In this case, students would link letters together to form a fluid pattern. Also, they should repeat the exercise by using different alphabets, moving from simple to complex ones.

Chinese and Japanese Calligraphy

One approach that students can use to master cursive writing is calligraphy, a traditional Chinese and Japanese writing style. Here, writers use various brush movements and compositions of dots and strokes to construct letters, words, and sentences. In these traditions, children learn that calligraphy and beautiful handwriting reflect their character and personality. When students use calligraphy to learn cursive writing, they, basically, learn how to write in fluid quickly. Here, flow is more important than precision. Like Chinese and Japanese martial arts, the skill should come from the heart and not the head, thus exemplifying the essence of qi’s supernatural force.

Summing Up on How to Write in Cursive Correctly

Cursive writing is a unique style of writing alphabets, words, and sentences. Unlike the standard writing style, this form of writing involves the use of continuous strokes. In turn, writers loop and connect alphabets to form words. Hence, some tips for effective cursive writing include:

• Start mastering lowercase cursive alphabets and then uppercase.
• Observe neatness when looping and connecting the alphabets.
• Maintain correct body posture.
• Learn the correct use of hands, including wrists and shoulders.
• Select a font early on. For new learners, the font should not be complicated to use.
• Start perfecting easy letters, such as “o” and “u,” that consist of only one stroke of a pen before proceeding to more complex letters, like “h.”
• Avoid being tense or writing too fast.
• Avoid gripping a pen too tightly or losing hands when writing cursive texts.
•  Practice movement exercises regularly.
• Consider using a lined paper because it is far better for any writing style, especially cursive.

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Do you wish to learn how to write in cursive but are confused about where to start? Look no further because we have got you covered. In this article, we will discuss all the tips and tricks related to cursive writing.  Read along as you are just a few steps away from learning how to write cursive.

Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, handwriting was a status symbol. People received penmanship training to preserve their elite status and Master Penmen were hired to copy official documents.

However, as time went by, the importance of penmanship continued to deteriorate. The emergence of solid metal Remington typewriters in the 1950’s and 60’s followed by the invention of bulky computers and laptops in the late 1980s changed the course of history.

Nowadays, every man on the planet is dependent on laptops and mobile phones for writing. It seems as if the art of penmanship is dying. However, some believe that penmanship is too important of a skill to die.

Efforts are being made by many to keep this art alive and these efforts, as of yet, have not gone in vain. People around the world are once again gravitating towards writing by hand. And among the many different writing styles, the timeless cursive writing has once again captivated the attention of writers worldwide.

This beautiful and elegant writing does indeed never go out of style. For this reason, we have devised a list of some of the most famous tips and techniques to help you learn how to write cursive in no time.

This easy to follow guide will help you master the skill by the time you’re done reading. So read along to become a skilled cursive writer.

Table of Contents

What is cursive writing?

Cursive writing is a type of handwriting in which the letters are joined together in a continuous flow. In the past, it used to be a standard practice and was mandatory in schools. However, as time went by, the practice seems to have fallen out and is no longer compulsory in schools.

The cursive writing style is an alternative to block-letters in which the pen is supposed to lift between every letter. Sometimes it is also known as joined-up handwriting or script handwriting.

Cursive writing is a faster form of writing since you need to lift up your pen way less in comparison to other writing styles.

The word cursive comes from the past participle of a Latin word “currere” which means to run. In cursive writing, all the letters run into one another and the hand runs across the page. Every time a document asks for your signature, you are meant to use the flowing cursive style.

In this writing style, the shape of each letter is of vital importance and all the cursive letters have their own line upon which they are written. This has been by far the most commonly used writing style until the modern computer age.

The origins of cursive handwriting

Cursive handwriting, also sometimes known as script writing was first developed in the 17th century. This form of writing was considered to be the most appropriate for important documents and letters.

The origins of cursive writing are closely linked to the quill. Back when pens and pencils did not exist, quill was the most commonly used tool to write. Quills are fragile and very easily broken hence, the cursive writing was created to overcome the limitations of this writing tool.

Cursive writing allowed people to write for a sustained period of time without having to lift the quill from the page. This meant there was a much lesser chance of the quill breaking or spurting out ink.

Is cursive writing important?

There are many benefits of learning cursive writing. Previously, primary schools around the world made it necessary for students to perfect the art of cursive writing. This is because forming letters with the hand by using a pen or pencil is cognitively more effective when learning how to correctly form letters and words.

Learning to form letters by hand creates a connection between your motor and sensory nerves which is an essential part of all forms of learning. Here is a list of a few reasons why cursive writing is important especially for children:

Pros of cursive writing

Helps with letter mix-ups.

For students who are in the first stage of learning letter formation, a few words such as p,q,b and d can be hard to understand. Usually these students end up writing these letters upside down or backwards. In short, it can be a little tricky for them to understand how to write them and takes quite a bit of time before they are able to write them correctly.

By encouraging students to join their letters, these mistakes can be reduced. Especially in the case of dyslexic students who are more prone to making these errors.

Increased concentration

As this form of writing encourages a continuous writing flow, it helps increase concentration. Students are fixated on connecting letters properly,hence their attention is less likely to be diverted. In addition, reducing the amount of times they lift their pen from the page allows them to write more fluidly and helps them to express their ideas continuously.

Faster writing

One of the many reasons why one should learn cursive writing is because it is a much faster style of writing in comparison to others. This is why cursive writing was the prefered form of writing in the past.

It helps students get ready for their exams in the future. It teaches them how to write fast in order to complete the assigned task within the given time limit. Hence, it is an important form of writing.

Even for professionals, it is recommended that they learn this style of writing to get on with their documents faster.

It is a skill

All in all, cursive writing is a skill that will always benefit you in one way or the other. It gives the person an artistic touch and increases their creativity. Nowadays, this form of writing is being used by artists worldwide. It is used to make posters or write personal letters. In short, it embellishes every piece of paper.

Cons of cursive writing

Can be distracting.

One of the biggest arguments against cursive writing is that it diverts the attention of students from other important school subjects and activities. Many parents believe that it is an extra unnecessary burden on their children which can be avoided. There’s also a speculation that affects the grades of core subjects like math and science

Too time-consuming

This skill is without a doubt  time-consuming as it requires constant practice in the early stages of learning. In case, you do not practice, you can forget all the strokes in the blink of an eye and all that time spent can go into waste. Some believe it is not worth the time and effort you have to put into perfecting it.

Deteriorating value

The value of good penmanship is not even half of what it used to be. In times gone by, learning good penmanship was a vital part of children’s education. It would’ve been deemed unacceptable to have poor or ‘messy’ handwriting. However, nowadays, although it is still important for children’s handwriting to be legible, there is no longer great importance placed on how attractive it is.

How to write cursive

The cursive writing style may seem technical and tricky however, that is far from the truth. What the cursive style of writing demands the most is practice. Practice does indeed make you perfect and there is no better way to master this skill.

This part of the article will guide you on how to write in cursive using a few easy to follow tips and techniques.

What you will need:

Pencil sharpener

Practice sheet

Once you have gathered all the above mentioned materials, it is time to start practicing your strokes.

Warm up with basic strokes

Before we dive into cursive writing, lets first do a few warm up strokes

Start with printing out four to five practice sheets on blank A4 paper.

Now start by practicing the basic entrance and exit stroke for the first two lines just to warm up. The cursive script is about joint letters. Hence, to ensure easy connection between words, all lowercase letters have entrance and exit strokes.

Next, you should practice the upward stroke for the first two lines to warm up. This stroke may seem a bit new to you but with a good amount of practice, you shall be able to perfect it. You have to start just above the bottom line. Then you shoot your stroke up to the top line.

The fourth step is to practice the basic curve stroke for one or two lines. You may be required to curl up a bit more than before. Start a little under the dashed line, go up and around anticlockwise toward the bottom line and curve up, leaving a little gap.

Here are a few rules of cursive writing that you need to follow at all times:

• All the similar letters must be of the same height
• All small letters should start at the top
• Good handwriting in cursive style is identified from the patterns of parallel and oval lines
• Capital letters usually shouldn’t be any higher than the rest
• All down strokes of the letters should be parallel

How to write an upward stroke in lowercase alphabet

Now let’s take a look at the lowercase cursive script. It is almost identical to the cursive you learned in elementary school. Thus, it should not be too hard for you to follow.

We shall start by learning some cursive calligraphy letters. The letters f, b, j, u, l ,k ,n ,m ,p ,s ,r, u, v, w, x, y, and z all start with upward strokes. Some of these letters have strokes that fill up the entire height of the line. On the other hand, a few of these only reach the dashed line. Letters like f even reach below the bottom line of the page.

When you move towards practicing letters yourself, you need to sketch them out using your pencil first. Then you can easily follow the pencil lines you have made with your pen. This is especially helpful when learning the letter “k” in cursive.

The letter “u” is the easiest to start with. Start with placing your pen tip on the bottom line. From there, make an upward stroke to the dashed line. Then make a downward stroke that dips to the bottom line and swing back up again. Next, make another downward stroke and end just below the dashed line on the paper. And there you go, you have successfully written the letter u in cursive, that wasn’t too hard right?

Repeat the process of writing a letter “u” a few times so that you have a good grasp of it, this will help you in writing a few other letters as well. Many letters such as i, j, m, n, r, v, w and y are pretty similar to the letter “u ”. Once you have a good grip on the letter u, it should be easier to write the other letters in cursive.

Now let’s try writing a letter that is a bit harder such as the letter “h”. You have to start with the same process as the letter u but its stroke reaches all the way up to the top line. Then you have to arc to the left and make a downward stroke to the bottom line. You’ll cross over your previous line right near the bottom. Now arc up to the dashed line and make a downward stroke back down to the bottom line, curling up and ending just below the dashed line.

Repeat the process of writing the letter “h” a few times. It may take you some time before you are able to write the word correctly and without any help but you should get there. Many other alphabets such as b, f, k, and l are written in the same way.

Slowly make your way through the rest of the curved stroke lowercase letters, using the guide of the strokes as a reference.

How to write the curved stroke lowercase letters

We shall start by practicing some more lowercase cursive script alphabets. Note that the letters a, c, d, e, g, o and q all begin with an entrance stroke. This stroke starts at the bottom line and ends just below the dashed line. Once you have completed the entrance stroke, we then curve the stroke anticlockwise and then round.

You can always sketch out the letters using your pencil first until you properly learned how to make each stroke. Simply follow these lines with your pen. This way you will learn much faster and there will be lesser chances of making mistakes.

Let’s start with the letter “o” as it is the easiest. Start by placing your pen just above the bottom line. Arc up just below the dashed line and then curve round and anticlockwise to close the gap just below the dashed line. Next, come down slightly and flickout the ending on the dashed line. It is much easier than it sounds and can be learned within a matter of minutes.

The key here is to keep on practicing. Without sufficient practice, you are likely to forget the strokes and we do not want that. Practice each letter from time to time so that you can eventually move towards connecting two or more letters to form a word.

Repeat the process of making the letter “o” multiple times before you move on to other words. Once you have perfected this, it is much easier to see how the other downward curve letters are made.

Now let’s move towards a much harder letter: g. You need to start by making the same strokes you made for the letter o; however, instead of creating a circular shape, you need to go straight up and close the gap. Then you need to make a downward stroke and go past the bottom line. Next, curl to the left and make a diagonal upward stroke that continues up and ends just below the dashed line. The upward stroke should intersect the downward stroke of the letter g right at the bottom line.

Repeat the process of writing the letter “g” a few times. Then slowly move  through the rest of the curved stroke lowercase letters, using the guide of the strokes as a reference.

How to write the cursive script uppercase alphabet

The uppercase cursive writing style requires you to follow different rules and is usually a bit more elaborate. In this case, the curved strokes are relatively bigger and the upward strokes have more slants and curls in them. Other than that, the uppercase letters are just as simple to write as lowercase letters. As always, what you need is lots of practice.

It is suggested that you start with the easiest letter and then move towards the harder ones. So let’s start with the letter “L”.  Place the tip of your pen just below the top line. The arc goes down just above the dashed line and around in an anticlockwise motion and comes up to the top line.

Next, arc over to the left and make a downward stroke to the bottom line. Your line should now be slanting towards the right.Once you reach the bottom line, you have to curl up and around. Lastly, sweep your line out to the right to make a nice gentle curve. Remember it’s all about the curls and slants. The bigger, the better.

Repeat the process of writing the letter “L” a few times until you perfect it. Don’t shy away from making big curls and sweeping lines, this shall help your writing stand out. Once you know how to write the letter “L” it will be much easier to write a few other uppercase letters such as E, C, G, O AND Q. The more you practice the better.

Let’s move toward a harder letter such as “R”. Keep the tip of your pen on the top line. From there make a downward stroke to the bottom nicely while arching slightly towards the left and end with a fancy curl. Next, lift your pen and place it on the dashed line. You are supposed to make a curved stroke upwards and make a clockwise motion towards the top line.

Now curve down to the dashed line again and go up and over ever so slightly until you end up creating a loop. Make another curved stroke out to the right and down to the bottom line and again make a fancy curl. This may seem tricky at first, but should be easy once you get a hang of it.

Repeat the process of making the letter “R” a few times till you do it right. Don’t rush the process, start by making slow strokes and then you can later make faster strokes. Writing the letter “R” is pretty similar to letters such as B, D, F, I, J, P,  and T. So start by perfecting the letter R.

In a similar way, practice writing uppercase letters in the cursive style of writing. This may take some time but you shall get the hang of it. Trace the letters, this is the best way to learn and is much faster.

Cursive writing is a good skill and in many ways a form of art. Hence, if you have enough time to spare, definity give it a go. It may take some time to perfect all letters but you’ll be pleased once you have a good hang of it.

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Learn How to Write in Cursive – Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

Are you into the graceful curves & loops of cursive writing and want to learn the art? If so, you’re in the right spot. Since we are about to reveal some secrets behind the art and take you through every curve to turn your handwriting into a masterpiece. Doesn’t matter if you are a student dying to impress your teacher or someone wanting to step up his writing game, this step-by-step tutorial on how to write in cursive is tailored to help you ace the skill and level up with writers working with a professional paper writing services provider. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Table of Contents

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write in Cursive 

Discover the classic beauty of cursive with our step-by-step guide that’ll help you go from novice to pro in no time! So, let’s begin with the first step.

Step 1: Understanding the Basics of How to Write Cursive

The pivotal step of learning cursive writing is to get a good understanding of its basics. Here are the basics:

Cursive Letterforms and Strokes

When it comes to writing in cursive, each letter has its own unique shape and flow. It’s important to learn these letterforms so you can write in a legible and consistent way. For instance, the lowercase “a” has a looped, curving line that blends into the next letter, whereas the uppercase “A” has a distinctive curving stroke that carries into the rest of the word.

It’s important to get to know the different types of strokes used to make each letter when you’re trying to learn cursive writing. These strokes can include upwards strokes, downwards strokes, loops and connections. Once you get acquainted with these strokes, you can start to create gorgeous cursive letters.

Cursive Letter Slant and Spacing (How to Draw in Cursive)

It’s important to pay attention to not only the letters, but also the slant and spacing. Basically, you want to make sure the letters are leaning at an appropriate angle to give your handwriting a nice, consistent look.

Typically, cursive writing has a slant to the right that gives it a forward-leaning look. Not only does this make it look good, but it also makes it easy to connect letters. You’ve got to practice and pay attention to the angle of your pen and the position of your hand to get the slant just right.

Importance of Proper Spacing

Unlike printed letters that are usually evenly spaced, cursive letters take different spacing to make the connecting lines work. Keeping your spacing consistent makes it easier to read the words and sentences you write.For example, in the word “hello” written in cursive, the spacing between the letters should be balanced, allowing for smooth connections while still maintaining clarity. Proper spacing also helps in distinguishing between individual letters, preventing them from merging into one another.

Step 2: Mastering Lowercase Letters

By breaking it down into smaller parts, you’ll get a better understanding of how to write the letters correctly, including the right order of the strokes.

Let’s use the letter “a” as an example. To make a lowercase cursive “a,” start by making a slight curve going up from the start point on the line. Then, form a loop by curving the line down and back up, making it nice and even. Lastly, bring the line down and curve it slightly to the right to connect it to the next letter.

How to Write Cursive Letters Neat with Consistent Strokes?

When it comes to writing in cursive, keeping consistent is super important. We’ve put together a bunch of practice activities to help you out with lowercase letters. These exercises will help train your muscles and hone your motor skills so you can write each letter in a smooth and accurate way.

Do Letter Tracing

A good way to practice is to do letter tracing. Print out or draw some worksheets that have the lowercase cursive letters with dashed lines. You can trace the lines to get used to the proper shape, order of the strokes, and how the letters are connected. Do this multiple times until you don’t have to trace the lines anymore and you can write the letters on your own.

If you want to practice writing consistently, try repeating the same lowercase letters a few times. Keep an eye on the height, slant and space between the letters, and try setting a goal of how many times you repeat each letter or time yourself to get faster while still keeping your writing legible. Don’t use cursive while writing your research paper or assignments until you master this skill or a wrong presentation may make it difficult to read.

Free Form Writing Exercises

If you want to really get the hang of lowercase letters, try doing some free-form writing exercises. Pick out some words or phrases and practice writing them in cursive, paying attention to how the letters connect and keeping your writing smooth. This should help you get more comfortable with writing lowercase letters in words.

Step 3: Advancing to Uppercase Letters

Now that you’ve got the hang of lowercase letters, let’s move on to writing uppercase letters in cursive. Uppercase letters have their own unique style and need particular techniques to create their shape and movement.

Let’s take the letter “A” as an example. To write the uppercase cursive “A,” begin with a slightly curved stroke upward from the starting point on the baseline. Then, create a larger, rounded curve downward and back up, forming the top portion of the letter. From the top curve, create a smaller, downward curve that extends to the baseline and gently curves back up to create the bottom portion of the letter. Finally, continue the stroke upward and curve it slightly to the right to connect to the next letter.

The instructions for each uppercase letter should help you get the strokes, curves and connections right when you’re writing in cursive. Make sure you look out for all the small stuff like the size, angle and joins to make sure your uppercase cursive looks neat and the same.

Step 4: Connecting Letters and Creating Flow

Joining letters in cursive is super important, because it makes your handwriting look neat and easy to read. Let’s have a look at different ways to link letters together.

Lead-in Stroke

A common way to join letters is with a “lead-in” stroke. It’s like a bridge connecting the letters together and making sure the writing looks even. For example, when connecting a lowercase “o” to the next letter, use a short, upward stroke from the bottom of the letter. This helps the pen move into the next character more easily and makes the connection look clean.

Overlap Method

You could try the ‘overlap’ method, where the letters kind of go one on top of the other and it looks really cool. Take the lowercase ‘e’ for instance – the tail can dip below the line a bit and flow into the next letter, giving it a seamless effect.

Some letters have strokes that link up to the next letter seamlessly, while others need you to take the pen off and start again. Knowing the differences between the letters and practicing how to join them together will make your handwriting look more cohesive and easier to read.

Exercises for building smooth transitions and word cohesion:

To make your cursive flow better, it’s important to do specific exercises that help you work on connecting letters and having a smoother writing style. Doing these exercises can help you create a more cohesive writing style.

Try out the word chaining exercise to improve your cursive writing! Start with easy words like “cat,” “bat,” and “mat,” and gradually challenge yourself with more complex ones. This exercise will help make your cursive writing smoother and more connected.

Pick a phrase or sentence and write it over and over without taking your pen off the paper. Aim to keep the same slant, spacing, and loops each time. This can help you get a feel for the rhythm and flow of cursive writing.

Step 5: Developing Personal Style

Exploring different cursive styles and variations.

Have a go at playing around with different cursive styles to find your own unique handwriting style. It can be anything from fancy and proper to chill and informal. Find the one that speaks to you the most and keep going from there!

A popular cursive style is Spencerian script , which has pretty, graceful letters. It looks quite formal and traditional. Another cool style to try is Palmer Method, which is very legible and makes writing cursive fast and easy. The letter connections are nice and smooth, and the slant is always the same.

Analyzing different styles might give your ideas for your own writing, and you can take elements that you like and make them part of your own cursive style.

Step 6: Practice Regularly

Consistency is key to mastering any skill, including cursive writing. This step focuses on different strategies to help you establish a regular practice routine. Here you go:

Set a practice schedule 

Dedicate specific time slots in your daily or weekly schedule for cursive practice. Consistency is better than just practicing now and then, so make sure you do it regularly. It could be 15 minutes every day or an hour twice a week. Establishing a routine will ensure that you make progress over time.

Warm-up Exercises

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of cursive writing, do some warm-up exercises to get your hand and mind ready. These could be something simple like repeating strokes or letters, or just writing whatever comes to mind. It’s a great way to get your hand muscles going and make sure your handwriting looks neat. Plus, it’s a good way to ease into focused practice.

Focus on Specific Areas of Improvement

Figure out which parts of your handwriting could use some work, like how the letters look the same, the distance between them, or how you join certain letters. Then spend some time focusing on those areas with drills and stuff that help with your specific issues. If you make small steps, you’ll be able to improve.

As you get better and better at the basics, up the ante and make your practice exercises harder. Start off with just writing basic letters, then move on to making longer words, sentences, and maybe even whole paragraphs. Pushing yourself to do a bit more every day will help you build on your progress and reach new heights.

Recommended Practice Resources and Tools

There are several resources and tools available to support your cursive writing practice and facilitate improvement. Here are some recommendations:

Cursive Practice Worksheets 

Printable cursive practice worksheets are readily available online. These worksheets provide guided practice for individual letters, words, and sentences, offering a structured approach to mastering cursive writing.

Cursive Handwriting Books 

If you’re looking to improve your handwriting, investing in a good cursive handwriting book is a great idea. Look for books with clear instructions, examples, and plenty of space for practicing. Some of the best books out there are “The Art of Cursive Penmanship” by Michael R. Sull and “Cursive Handwriting Workbook for Teens” by Julie Harper.

Online Tutorials and Video Lessons

You can find plenty of free tutorials and lessons online and on video-sharing websites to help you brush up on your cursive writing. These resources provide clear instructions, illustrations, and activities so you can practice and get better. My cursive home, consistent cursive, and Envato Tuts+ are a few good options to consider.

Cursive Handwriting Apps

If you’re looking to practice your cursive writing on the go, check out some of the apps designed specifically for that purpose. They’ll usually give you customizable exercises, give you feedback on how accurate your strokes are, and let you track your progress. Some of the more popular ones are “iTrace,” “Cursive Writing Wizard,” and “Letter School Cursive Writing.”

Pen and Paper

Don’t underestimate the power of good old-fashioned pen and paper! Try out different writing tools like fountain pens or fine-tipped gel pens, and choose paper that’s especially good for cursive writing. Find the ones that feel right to you and make writing even more enjoyable. Digital stuff can be great, but there’s no beating the classic way!

Learning cursive is a journey that takes work, patience, and some creativity. Pretty sure if you follow this step-by-step guide and spend some time practicing, you can unlock the beauty of it. Cursive is a great way to show somebody you care, make your work look professional, or just have fun with it. It can really make your written words stand out and leave an impression on those who appreciate the skill. If you have a question or two regarding how to write in cursive or need help with completing your assignment, order now so our experts can help you out.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a cursive s: 3 calligraphy tips.

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In this article, we’ll show you how to write an uppercase cursive s and lowercase s in cursive. We’ll even get a little inventive and show you how to write a fancy s!

What Does a Cursive S Look Like?

If you want to learn cursive, it’s a good idea to study exactly what cursive letters look like. Cursive s looks much like its print counterpart in some ways, and very different in others.

A capital s in cursive looks quite a bit like the print s; even if you don’t know cursive, you can probably recognize the letter. One of the biggest differences is that tell-tale hook off to the left, which is used to connect the capital s to the next letter in a word.

The lowercase cursive s is less recognizable if you’re not familiar with cursive. It almost looks like a little sail, with a line extending up and to the right to connect to the next letter. Because cursive is meant to be written faster than print, understanding how the letters connect can help you be a faster writer!

How to Make an Uppercase S In Cursive

Uppercase cursive s is a little easier to parse, so let’s start by learning how to write one.

Use lined paper. This will help you keep the shape of your s intact, even when it gets loopy.

Start with your pencil on the bottom of a pair of lines.

Draw a diagonal , somewhat curved line reaching toward the top of the pair of lines.

Draw a little loop that will take your pen direction back toward the bottom of the page.

Cross back over the first line while drawing a soft little semi-circle—here you can see the shape of a print s.

Continue past where you’d normally stop if you were drawing a print s, crossing over your diagonal line. 

Draw a little hook off to the right, which you’ll use to connect the s to the next letter.

How to Make a Lowercase S in Cursive

Now let’s try a lowercase s. Though it looks a lot like a little sail, you want to learn to draw it in the correct order so that you can keep your speed up.

Draw a little ski-jump shape that goes up halfway between your two lines.

Draw half of a teardrop shape going back down to the bottom line, connecting it to your ski-jump going up.

Without picking up your pen, draw a line extending to the side to connect to the next letter.

Cursive S Variations

One of the fun things about cursive is adding a little personal flair. Cursive can be quite beautiful on its own, and adding a little hint of calligraphy can take it to the next level. Take a look at some of these calligraphy-inspired cursive s variations!

3 Key Tips for Making a Fancy S in Cursive

Still struggling to write a great capital s in cursive or lowercase s in cursive? These tips will help you master this letter!

Don’t Pick Up Your Pen

Cursive is meant to be written quickly and in a more streamlined fashion than print, so don’t pick up your pen from the paper as you’re writing. Though some letters may require you to pick up your pen to dot or cross them, that’s not true of s, so keep that pen on the paper!

Remember That Cursive Is Connected

Cursive letters are almost always connected together to make writing quicker. Both lowercase and capital s in cursive have lines connected them to the next letter. Don’t forget those lines, or your s won’t look quite right.

Make Letters Your Own

Though it might seem like cursive has to be very accurate to be legible, you actually have some leeway to make your s your own. If you prefer your lowercase s to look more like a print s, that’s okay! Or maybe you like a little embellishment to make the capital cursive s look even fancier. It’s up to you— as long as the basic form is there, people will be able to read your writing.

What’s Next?

Want to learn more about all the letters of the alphabet? Check out these alphabet games !

If writing is your thing, maybe you'd like to make it your career. These creative writing programs are some of the best!

There's more than one way to write an s— and there's more than one way to write, too! Check out this list of types of writing styles to give you all the info on different ways to write effectively.

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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