Most cursive letters end on the baseline. Four end up high, at the middle line: b, o, v and w. The next letter joins them with a little bridge along the top.
Key idea
After b, o, v and w, the join stays up at the middle line, then the next letter begins.
Why it works
If the join drops to the baseline after o, the next letter starts with an extra swing, and on can look like an. Staying high keeps each word looking like itself.
Worked example: Write on
How does o join to n?
- Make o: around, close at the top.
- Go out along the middle line with a little bridge.
- From the bridge, go straight into n’s hills.
Answer: A bridge at the middle line, then n.
Common mistake
Dropping down to the baseline after o or w, so on looks like an and we looks like ue. Check: after b, o, v and w, does your pencil stay up?
For the grown-up. These bridges are among the hardest joins in cursive. Short words such as on, we, be, ox, bow and wow make good practice.