Good writers read their own writing. After a sentence, check the shapes of your letters, not just the spelling (Writing Sentences in Cursive).
| Check | Letters | If not, it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Closed tops | a d g o | a → u, d → cl |
| Open loops | e l b h k f | e → i, l → a slant line |
| Round hills | n m | n → u, m → w |
| Right height | t l d | t → l, l → e |
| Even slant | every letter | a wobbly word |
Key idea
Check tops, loops, hills, heights and slant, one letter at a time.
Why it works
One badly shaped letter can change a word: clear can be read as dear if c and l run together into d.
Worked example: Spot the letter
In Ava’s word little, the first l is no taller than e. What could a reader see?
- A short l with a small loop looks like e.
- So little could read as eittle.
- Make the l reach the top line.
Answer: The l looks like e.
Common mistake
Checking spelling but not shapes. Read your word as if someone else wrote it: could any letter be read as another?
For the grown-up. Choose one thing to check per day (tops one day, loops the next). That is easier than looking for everything at once.