In a world of keyboards and touchscreens, handwriting seems to have become a distant memory. And yet crafting thoughts with pen and paper can be a soothing endeavor. Handwriting also enhances concentration and eye-hand coordination as well as sparking creativity. And in an exam like IELTS, good handwriting can make all the difference in the world.
Were you once fond of writing school assignments and heartfelt letters by hand, but now fear your handwriting looks like a doctor’s prescription or like it’s stuck in a rebellious teenage phase?
Know that you’re not alone.
Many adults think it’s too late to change their handwriting (a limiting belief if there ever was one), but with the right approach, it’s fully achievable. Hence this post’s how to improve handwriting as an adult guide.
So grab your pen and prepare to turn your handwriting into a personal masterpiece that reflects the very character of your soul.
What Is Good Handwriting?
Though a bit subjective, good handwriting is usually associated with:
- legibility (others can read it easily)
- consistency (in letter size and shape)
- spacing (letters that are not too close together or too far apart)
- flow (smooth and continuous writing)
- attention to detail (dotting “i”s and crossing “t”s; avoiding smudges or ink blots).
How to Improve Handwriting as an Adult
Here are the key takeaways of the process that I recommend as a teacher who’s worked with a wide range of students (and believe me, they all needed good handwriting):
- Understanding your unique handwriting style is the first step to improvement.
- Consistency and legibility should be prioritized over perfection.
- Selecting the right writing tools and mastering a proper grip and posture are crucial elements for enhancing the quality of your handwriting.
- Regular handwriting practice, coupled with exercises like cursive writing or calligraphy, helps build muscle memory and leads to more elegant script.
Now let’s take the stages of this process one by one.
11-Step Guide to Improving Handwriting
1. Understand Your Handwriting Style.
Take a moment to analyze your writing. Grab a piece of paper, write a few sentences, then take a good look at it.
What do you see? Are your letters consistent? Is your writing legible?
Now, don’t get me wrong. The aim isn’t to pursue perfect penmanship, but to develop a consistent, easy-to-read handwriting style.
2. Find the Right Environment.
Handwriting expresses personal style. Write in an environment which helps you relax and focus so that your unique style can shine through.
This doesn’t have to be a boring desk in a boring office. You can be:
- a coffee shop scribbler, armed with a latte and determination
- a park poet, who believes that nature provides the perfect backdrop for handwritten notes
- working in the kitchen and turning recipe cards into a canvas while the pasta boils.
Whatever works, right?
Yes, grip and posture are important, as you’re about to read, but the right environment leads to a more calming and smooth practice. Your handwriting will look more natural as a result.
3. Choose the Right Writing Tools.
Different pens and pencils offer different levels of control, line thickness, and pressure. All of these influence how your handwriting turns out.
Say you’re using a ballpoint pen, known for its fast-drying ink. It’s great for handwriting practice!
On the other hand, a #2 pencil can help you slow down and have better control of your writing.
When selecting writing tools, by all means, take comfort into account. Pick a pen or pencil that feels comfortable to hold – there’s so much choice out there!
But, as cute as they might be, don’t go for outlandish writing instruments that wouldn’t be fit for purpose.
Tip for the left-handed: Steer clear of broad-nibbed fountain pens to avoid smudging, as they can release a lot of ink with each stroke.
4. Practice Proper Grip.
A comfortable grip is key to avoiding pain, cramping, and injury. The way you hold your pen can play a significant role in how consistently and neatly you write. You shouldn’t feel tense or have white fingernails from gripping the pen too hard. If you do, it’s a sign you need to adjust your grip.
A pen or pencil grip (a little rubber tube that you put on them) can improve your control over the pen, making your handwriting more pleasing at the same time.
5. Use Correct Posture.
What’s posture got to do with handwriting?
A lot.
Good posture is not just about esthetics, as pointed out in the movie “I, Robot”.
Maintaining a proper posture while writing is essential for efficiency and preventing physical strain.
Try the following tips:
Tip 1: Sit comfortably.
- Choose a chair that supports your lower back.
- Sit with your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest if needed.
- Keep your knees at a right angle.
Tip 2: Position the paper correctly.
Place the paper slightly to the left (if you’re right-handed) or to the right (if you’re left-handed) for a clear view of what you’re writing without straining your wrist.
Tip 3: Maintain a neutral wrist position.
- Keep your wrist in a relaxed position.
- Avoid too much bending or twisting of the wrist.
Tip 4: Relax your shoulders.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid hunching over the writing surface.
- Choose a writing surface that allows your forearm to be parallel to the ground.
Tip 5: Position your elbow.
- Keep your elbow close to your body.
- Avoid extending your arm too far or keeping it too close to your body.
Tip 6: Ensure eye level reading.
- The writing surface should be at comfortable eye level to avoid tilting your head too far up or down.
Also remember stretching to maintain long-term good posture!
6. Incorporate Daily Practice Routines.
It takes regular practice to develop muscle memory that enhances your handwriting skills.
How can you incorporate daily practice routines into your schedule?
- Rewrite sentences from your favorite books by hand.
- For a more modern approach, journal on an iPad Pro.
- If you want a structured learning experience, go for Udemy handwriting courses and practice what you learn often.
If you fill up an A5 page every day, you should see an improvement in 2 weeks.
7. Explore Cursive Writing Techniques.
What is cursive writing?
It’s a penmanship style in which the letters in a word are connected, creating a flowing and continuous script.
Unlike print handwriting, where each letter is typically separate, cursive writing involves a smoother and more interconnected stroke.
This style is characterized by a combination of loops, curls, and slanted letterforms.
Like so:
Cursive writing is one of the best ways to make your penmanship better.
What can help you practice it?
Traditional calligraphy. This way you will understand letter consistency and anatomy, which are essential for achieving better handwriting.
You can also try air writing (writing letters and words in the air).
8. Experiment with Lettering Styles.
Beyond beautifying your handwriting, lettering can also enhance your handwriting skills.
This involves drawing letters with revisions and modifications, as you can see above.
9. Utilize Lined Paper and Templates.
For beginners, lined paper and templates can be incredibly helpful tools. They provide a guideline to follow, helping to keep your writing neat and structured.
There are many types of lined paper available. Choose the right one according to your needs.
Also, using a padding piece of paper under your writing page can create a smoother surface for your pen, making writing more comfortable and improving your handwriting quality.
10. Focus on Consistency and Legibility.
To achieve beautiful handwriting, pay attention to elements such as:
- spacing
- slant
- height
- form.
By practicing the same letter repeatedly, especially with lowercase letters, you’ll get comfortable with it, which ultimately leads to a more consistent handwriting style. Not only that, but everyone will understand it!
11. Have fun.
My last but not least piece of advice has to do with enjoyment. Whenever you do something gladly, not just because you have to, the results are better. Sometimes they come faster too.
So try to enjoy the handwriting practice. Don’t resent doing it. Play your favorite music while writing away and don’t worry about small setbacks. They’re natural.
Just. Have. Fun.
My Personal Experience
As a language trainer for adults that I’ve taught English and exam preparation to, I have often seen a lack of practice and rush getting in the way of good penmanship.
The suggestions above, however, have made a world of difference to my adult students’ handwriting. I personally witnessed tech-savvy business professionals and busy parents put pen to paper in a much more legible way after slowing down, paying attention to letter shapes and sizes, joining letters up, and even going for calligraphy (granted, when writing me an end-of-course farewell card).
So it IS possible for your handwriting to have better quality as an adult. Try your very best and you’re bound to improve.
Summary
Improving your penmanship as an adult requires patience, practice, and persistence. Hopefully, my guide will help.
Remember, the goal is not perfection, but LEGIBLE handwriting and consistency.
Embrace your unique style, choose the right tools that suit your comfort, experiment with different writing techniques, and most importantly, keep practicing.
With time and effort, you will master the art of elegant script.
PS. You might also want to read my posts on adult learning styles, best English grammar books and ways to choose the right English classes for adults.
This is the video version of the post:
FAQs
1. Is it possible to improve handwriting as an adult?
Yes, it’s possible to improve your handwriting as an adult with practice and repetition.
You’ll gradually change your style (especially if you used to write in a hurry) and reach a point where your letters flow naturally and beautifully.
2. Why is my handwriting so bad as an adult?
Your handwriting may be bad as an adult because the hand muscles required for writing have gone unused, leading to poor muscle memory.
Regular practice, such as taking 10-15 minutes each day to write neatly and slowly, can greatly improve your penmanship.
3. What are some types of handwriting?
There are 3 major types of penmanship commonly taught and used:
- cursive (discussed above)
- pre-cursive (each letter is formed with an exit stroke)
- print (letters are disconnected).
4. What is the importance of having good handwriting?
Having good handwriting is important because it:
- will be understood by others (legibility)
- enhances concentration
- helps with eye-hand coordination
- sparks creativity
- is calming
- can make a great deal of difference in paper-based exams like IELTS, where you lose marks for illegible answers
- represents a way of expressing yourself.
5. How can cursive writing help in enhancing handwriting style?
Joining up letters, as part of practicing cursive writing, is one of the best ways to improve the clarity of your handwriting. Details in the post.
6. Is it too late to improve handwriting as an adult?
You CAN improve your handwriting provided you know what you’re doing. I guarantee that following professional advice, such as the guide in this post, will help no matter your age.
Thinking that it’s too late to learn something is a learning limiting belief (a thought or an assumption that hinders your ability to learn effectively). This is a form of self-sabotage which you need to fight by reframing negative thinking. Read all about it in my “How to Overcome Learning Limiting Beliefs” post.
About Rebeca Duriga
Well-versed teacher, passionate writer with Googleable work, Udemy instructor, and someone who can’t resist a good story. I’m here to infuse joy into your learning journey, be it improving English, tackling IELTS, overcoming limiting beliefs, or conquering uni assignments with a sprinkle of AI support. Need motivation and inspiration as a student, adult learner, wordsmith in the making? Look no further.
