Cursive Writing Slant

A unique feature of cursive writing is the slant of letters. Typically cursive writing slant towards the right. 

This cursive handwriting post is part of our 31 day series on cursive handwriting

Use these tricks to help address cursive letter slant when teaching kids to write in cursive.

While slant of cursive writing may not be a huge deal when it comes to overall legibility, the biggest area to address and correct is consistent slant direction. 

If all of the letters are leaning in one direction, it helps with the overall legibility of the written piece. If there is a variety of pencil stroke directions or inconsistent pencil stroke slants then legibility is affected.


Cursive writing slant


First, it’s important to note that cursive handwriting traditionally does have a slanted position. The tilted angle of the paper enables slanted letters. However, slanted writing is not a MUST for cursive. 

The Handwriting Without Tears program teaches and promotes an upright position of letters on the page. Another cursive handwriting program that does not promote a slanted font includes the Spalding font.

As explained in our left-handed cursive post, students who write with their left hand will struggle to write with a slanted cursive style and will naturally write with a more upright formation of letters. 


How to Teach Cursive Slant

There is some evidence (although from an old source) indicating a progression of slanted printed work to cursive slant as helpful in the progression toward slanted cursive writing. 

However, additional changes in font of printed work may be difficult for the child with visual perceptual or visual motor skills. 

The article mentioned above indicates that the progression of from printed work to cursive is made easier with a slanted print step.


Inconsistent cursive letter slant in handwriting

If letters are leaning in all directions legibility is affected. There may be several reasons for these this to occur.


Pencil control is one issue that interferes with cursive slant. Letter formation inconsistencies mixing styles of writing a letter formation can affect slant as well.


Fluidity and tension in holding the pencil can result in slanted letters and consistencies.


Connectors between letters can affect slant. This happens when one letter is not connected correctly to the next or inefficiently connect to the next.

Tips related to cursive writing and slant of letters:

  • Slanted handwriting font is not necessary. 

  • Focus first on letter formation, then fluency including rhythm and speed of handwriting. 


Use these tricks to help address cursive letter slant when teaching kids to write in cursive.

Enstrom, E. (1966). In Second Grade Handwriting: The Acceptance of Slant Print. Elementary English, 43(4), 409-412. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41387583

Quotes About Goals

As therapists, we focus a lot on goals. We write goals that are measurable, meaningful, and obtainable. They are short-term and they have quantifiable. Goals need to be finite and clear and assessable by measurable data. Therapists deal with and monitor goals every day! 
Related to the topic of goals is this breaking down goals activity that helps children achieve a growth mindset when it comes to goal setting.

 
Therapists can sometimes need to remind clients about the need for meaningful goals that guide intervention. They may need reminders that the data-driven goals are what steer treatment toward function, independence, and progress. 
 
The quotes below are related to goals. They may be words to inspire others or to promote the profession. Share these images on social media (link back here, please) and allow the goals that we write to be more than just words. They are an articulation of betterment. They are a guide and an outline for what matters for our clients.
 

Quotes About Goals

Focus on your goals, not your fear. Focus like a laser beam on your goals. -Roy T. Bennett Quote about goals, perfect for the occupational therapist who writes and monitors goals every day!
Focus on your goals, not your fear. Focus like a laser beam on your goals. -Roy T. Bennett
Reach high, for the stars are hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. -Rabindranath Tagore quote
Reach high, for the stars are hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. -Rabindranath Tagore
Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal. -E. Joseph Cossman quote about goals for occupational therapists
Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal. -E. Joseph Cossman
Know what you want, work to get it, then value it once you have it. - Nora Roberts quote about goals for occupational therapists
Know what you want, work to get it, then value it once you have it. – Nora Roberts
Goals are the road maps that guide you to your destination. Cultivate the habit of setting clearly-defined goals; they are the road maps that guide you to your destination. -Roy T. Bennett
Goals are the road maps that guide you to your destination. Cultivate the habit of setting clearly-defined goals; they are the road maps that guide you to your destination. -Roy T. Bennett
Life always begins with one step outside your comfort zone. -Shannon L. Alder quote about goals for occupational therapists
Life always begins with one step outside your comfort zone. -Shannon L. Alder