Before we write a single letter, we get ready. Good writing starts with how you sit.
- Sit tall, with your back against the chair.
- Put both feet flat on the floor.
- Rest both arms on the table: one to write, one to hold the paper.
Key idea
Sit tall, feet flat on the floor, both arms on the table.
Why it works
When you sit tall, your writing arm has room to move, and you can see the whole line you are writing. The other arm on the table keeps you steady.
Worked example: What would help?
Ben is writing a story with his face right down by the paper.
- His face is too close to the paper.
- He can sit up tall and move back a little in his chair.
- Now he can see the whole line.
Answer: Sit up tall and move back a little.
Common mistake
Kneeling on the chair, curling up sideways or leaning way over the paper. Check three things before you start: back, feet, arms.
For the grown-up. A chair and table at the right height help: feet should reach the floor (a sturdy box or a stack of books works as a footrest). A.N. Palmer’s 1915 course begins the same way; see the site’s Palmer Method guides.