Q&A for How to Hold a Pen

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  • Question
    How do I improve my pen handwriting skills?
    Swetha Shenoy
    Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist
    Swetha Shenoy is a Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist based in New Jersey. She is the founder of The Paisley Corner, a creative hub that provides art workshops & team-building activities for individuals and corporate teams alike. Swetha created The Paisley Corner to spread the joy of creating through her art workshops. She teaches multiple lettering techniques, including hand lettering, brush lettering, and watercolor lettering. Since founding The Paisley Corner 5 years ago, she has taught 2500+ students (adults and kids) at over 200 workshops. Notable corporate clients include Adobe, Shapeways, Rituals, Confetti, MixLife & the New York tri-state area public libraries. Prior to her career as an artist and small business owner, Swetha worked as a Software Engineer at multiple companies. She received a BS in Computer Science from Visvesvaraya Technological University and a MS in Computer Science from University of Illinois, Chicago.
    Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist
    Expert Answer
    You can apply some principles of calligraphy to improve your handwriting style. Write slowly and focus on forming each letter carefully, treating it like an activity rather than a hurried task. If you see a handwriting style that you like, find worksheets and trace the letters repeatedly to build muscle memory. Remember to practice consistently, so dedicate about 10 minutes every day to practice your handwriting.
  • Question
    The chairs in my school are not very ergonomic. We have to bend a lot and my legs are too long and I've to fold em. What should I do? should I learn writing with 2 hands to minimise pain, is that okay?
    Community Answer
    Wiggle your fingers from time to time. Stretch your arms after writing for an hour. Stretch your legs when you can at school. During breaks, try walking a bit. At home, massage your legs and hands for good health. Use a pen with a rubber grip. Hold it gently and don't press a lot to avoid straining your arm.
  • Question
    Do left handers have slow handwriting?
    Community Answer
    Not necessarily. The left hand is their dominant hand, it doesn't mean they write any slower or faster than a right handed person; both possibilities exist for both hand dominance.
  • Question
    How can we learn to make sure our hand writing best in one day?
    Community Answer
    Your handwriting has to be legible, so use a good pen that doesn't leak ink. Use a proper grip based on what feels comfortable to you and allows you to hold the pen well enough to write every word steadily. Make sure there is some space between each word and punctuate properly, as needed. Either write in cursive or clear print, depending on what you have been taught, and write it slowly enough to make it neat. You should be able to read with ease what you write and so should someone else.
  • Question
    Doesn’t everyone know how to hold the pen?
    Community Answer
    No, not everyone is taught this basic skill, while others may have been holding a pen improperly without realising. Poor handling of a pen can impact hand health and handwriting negatively. Many people using a pen need assistance so they can write faster or better, such as by not holding the pen too too tightly or in the wrong position.
  • Question
    Why do my ring and pinky finger feel so uncomfortable when I am writing?
    Community Answer
    Usually, the first three fingers i.e., the thumb, index and middle finger are used to grip a pen. The ring and pinky finger rest under the writing utensil. If these two fingers feel uncomfortable, then maybe you are putting the weight of your wrist on them. The pressure while writing might be making you feel uncomfortable. Try to write by balancing your weight all over your body or leaning on your arm. Hold your back straight and keep your feet flat on the ground. Try not to bend or press on one side as you write. These changes should help.
  • Question
    Does holding a pen and writing have any connection with the mental state of a person?
    Community Answer
    Yes it does. Look for instance how students write in the last 5 minutes of an exam. You will see a marked difference between the first page and the last page in terms of handwriting. Their handwriting will look better at the beginning. When you are relaxed, your writing will be neater. When you are in a hurry or under pressure, you might write poorly. Your palm sweats under stress, so your grip shakes. Being calm helps best for writing neatly.
  • Question
    Is it a must to hold a pen in a particular way? Or is it fine to hold it the way I'm used to and can write faster with?
    Community Answer
    If it works for you the way you hold it, then stick with that. If your grip is not making you write slower and is not affecting you, there's no rule that says you have to go about changing it just to it is held in a certain way. Just continue as you are used to.
  • Question
    I was never taught how to hold a pen properly and when I write, my fingers cramp easily. However, none of the grips feel comfortable for me and I cannot write properly. What should I do to fix my grip?
    Community Answer
    Try to hold gently and use a pen with a rubber grip that will allow for pressing in and out. Don't press the lead to write darker. Use pens with darker ink instead. Write in copywriting books for practicing better handwriting if you need writing practice; this will allow you to adjust the grip in different ways to find the best one for you.
  • Question
    Why does anyone need to know this? It's so easy, yet they made it way too complicated.
    Community Answer
    It is very easy to look at some resources others need and you don't and wonder why its necessary. Those who need it know its benefits. Not everyone knows how to hold a pen correctly. Dysgraphia and many writing problems impact students worldwide. wikiHow tries to help those who are looking to better their situation with helpful guidance.
  • Question
    I have for the last three years been suffering from my pen's grip style. I try to practice but it does not help.
    Community Answer
    Try writing with a chalk on a board or a piece of wood. Try getting comfortable with writing slowly, by writing with something that is much thicker than a pen or pencil. Gradually, turn back to using a pen and press lightly. Avoid bending your posture. Sit in well lit rooms or next to a window. Grip lightly and try relaxing before before writing by breathing deeply. Work from the mind to your hands.
  • Question
    What if you have a corn?
    Community Answer
    You will have to wait till the corn is gone if it affects your pen grip. Wait until it has healed first, then return to writing with a pen. In the meantime, perhaps use a computer keyboard to type and print your writing.
  • Question
    How can I write faster in exams with good handwriting?
    Community Answer
    To write faster, use pens that have a smooth flow of ink that facilitates writing easily; gel pens are ideal. Leave a little space between each word. As you write, keep your head a bit higher and sit straight. Aim for speed rather than exact neatness but don't write messily or it won't be legible. Practice writing fast at home first.
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