The Palmer Method of Business Writing · Lesson 21 · Part 5: First words, M and N
21. Drill 21: the first word with a capital
Goal: Your child writes the word "Annum" across the line, about fourteen words a minute, joining the capital to the small letters.
You'll need
- Wide-ruled lined paper (several sheets)
- A sharp pencil or a smooth gel pen
- The book open at today's page
- A watch, clock or phone timer that shows seconds (only for the optional speed check)
What's in the book
Lesson 21 is drill 21, the first word drill with a capital: "Annum" written along two lines. The book notes that A can join straight on to the small letters that follow.
The lesson, step by step
Warm up
Three to five minutes: compact ovals (drill 3), a line of small o (drill 11) and a line of small m (drill 14). This is the book's daily opening from now on.
Look at the model
Open the book page. Look at drill 21, the word "Annum" written along the line. In drill 6 the last stroke of A dropped below the line; in words, the A joins on to the next letter, as in the second line of the drill.
What the book says
Wrong practice will lead you in the wrong direction! The instructions tell you how to practice.
Write the word
Four lines of "Annum." Your child should not let the words take more room than the book's.
Optional speed target: fourteen or more words a minute.
Watch for
The motion continuing through the whole word, small letters all the same height, and the same slant as the A.
Gentle check
Lay the page beside the book. Is your child's word about the same length? If longer, the letters are too wide or too far apart.
Finish
Write a name beginning with A, such as "Anna" or "Amos."