The Palmer Method of Business Writing · Lesson 118 · Part 14: Sentences and line-writing
113. Drill 141: a sentence with D
Goal: Your child writes the sentence "Do not fail to see and correct all errors." and fills a page with it evenly.
You'll need
- Wide-ruled lined paper (several sheets)
- A sharp pencil or a smooth gel pen
- The book open at today's page
What's in the book
Lesson 118 is drill 141, a line of writing to copy: "Do not fail to see and correct all errors." The lesson also reminds the pupil about position.
The lesson, step by step
Warm up
Two or three minutes of your usual movement drills: compact ovals, then a line each of small o, m and l.
Then a few lines of capital D, as the book asks.
Look at the model
Open the book page. Look at drill 141: "Do not fail to see and correct all errors."
What the book says
The book says to make a few lines of capital D before writing the line, and reminds:
Position refers to feet, body, arms, wrist, fingers, pen, head, and paper.
Check each of the eight from head to feet.
Word by word
Write each word of the sentence on its own two or three times, especially any word that has a hard letter.
A page of the sentence
Then fill a page (half a page for a young child) with the whole sentence, without resting between lines. Halfway down, check the position, the light grip and the wrist off the paper.
Gentle check
Look at the page as a whole: even height, even spacing, the same slant? Pick the best line and the weakest.
Finish
Write one more copy of the sentence, slowly and in your best hand, and date the page.