The Importance of Correct Paper Slant

Handwriting is of interest to me and my work, and I recently hosted a webinar with Bev Wolf on the topic. As part of this conversation, I wanted to provide a brief read with some tips about the “paper slant.”  It is something that I intentionally teach and support my students to use, and I feel it that makes a difference in accuracy, forms, and writing endurance.

Why is paper slant important for writing?

When a student’s paper is in the correct paper slant position it allows them to keep their writing hand below the writing line. This position allows them to see what they have written and prepare to write, and space the next word or letter appropriately.

This position also frees the nonwriting hand to move the paper up and down the surface, enabling the writing hand to stay in the correct position.  This lessens the chance that the writing hand will become stressed or fatigued. Remember that writing is not solely a task of the wrist.  It requires proprioception, core body strength, and muscles in the fingers, hand, wrist, and shoulder.  

What is the correct paper slant?

Although some experts differ slightly in their opinions, I have my students slant their paper around 45 degrees for cursive and between 15-35 degrees for print.  You can be flexible and adjust to where the writer is comfortable.  The left-handed writer will tilt their paper to the right and the right-handed writer will tilt their paper to the left. Paper slant can impact the slant of the letters.  It is common for right-handed writers to tilt their letters slightly forward and left-handed writers to tilt their letters slightly backward. You will also want to make sure that the bottom corner, whether tilted to the left or to the right, is close but does not cross the midline of the body. 

How can I support my student in keeping a correct paper slant?

When my students are first beginning to practice correct paper positions, I use two “tricks.” 

Trick 1:  A Paper Parking Space

I use Washi tape or painter's tape to create a right angle in the correct position for the student to “park their paper.”

Trick 2:  Fold the Corner

You can also have the student fold the bottom corner of the paper so that it is parallel to the edge of the surface. 

I hope you found these tips useful. Handwriting is an involved skill, so we want to set our students up in the best conditions possible!

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