How to Improve Handwriting - For Kids & Adults

Written By Antonia Cartwright

Although most of us type more than we write, handwriting still matters. Whether it’s for adults in the workplace, teens preparing for GCSE exams, or younger children learning letter shapes, neat and confident handwriting is an important skill with many benefits. 

As an English teacher, I’ve seen first-hand how improving handwriting can boost confidence, focus and memory, and even exam marks.

Print or Cursive — Which Is Better?

A common question is:

“Is it better to write in cursive or in print?”

The truth is, clarity matters more than style.

  • Print handwriting (also called “manuscript”) is neat, simple and easy to read.

  • Cursive writing can help with speed and flow once a student is confident.

  • Examiners care about legibility and consistency, not how fancy the writing looks. The best approach is whichever style allows a student to write neatly, quickly, and comfortably.

If you’d like to explore practice materials, the following resources are excellent:

Left-Handed Writers — You’re Not Alone

As a left-handed tutor, I know how frustrating handwriting can feel when worksheets, pen angles, and page layouts all seem designed for right-handers.

I’ve worked with many left-handed students who struggled with smudged ink, awkward hand positions, and slow writing speed — and I can show practical ways to fix these issues.
We look at:

  • how to angle the paper comfortably,

  • how to avoid “hooked” wrist positions, and

  • which pens make neat writing easier for left-handers.

Left-handed students often just need a few tailored adjustments to feel more confident and in control of their writing.

Handwriting as Art — and Expression

Handwriting is more than a technical skill — it’s a form of self-expression, just like art. Think of Banksy’s graffiti: powerful messages expressed through style, line and contrast. Writing is the same — the way you shape words can reflect your personality and purpose.

Encouraging children to see handwriting as creative and individual helps them take pride in their written work. That pride often translates into greater care and effort when writing essays or exam responses later on.

I actually practice handwriting in my own time. I am learning calligraphy and enjoy writing with fountain pens, and dip pens with ink. I am learning Modern and Brush Calligraphy and Copperplate. 

How to Write Neatly (and Quickly)

Here are some recommended techniques:

  • Use the right pen and grip. A smooth-flowing pen reduces tension and keeps writing fluid.

  • Sit comfortably. Feet flat on the floor, shoulders relaxed, paper slightly angled.

  • Slow down to speed up. Start slowly to form letters correctly — speed comes naturally with practice.

  • Keep letters consistent. Even spacing and equal height make writing easier to read.

  • Practice with purpose. Copy out sentences from books, poems or revision notes to build control and familiarity with exam topics.

    Why Writing by Hand Helps You Learn

    Typing is fast — but writing by hand is powerful for learning. Research shows it helps with:

    • Memory: Handwriting activates the brain’s language and motor centres.

    • Focus: It slows thinking just enough to process information more deeply.

    • Flexibility: You can sketch mind maps, doodle connections and annotate texts freely.

    That’s why I encourage my GCSE English students to hand-write their essay plans, annotations and practice answers before typing anything up. For younger learners, we can take our time to practice any tricky letters and letter combinations. It’s also fun to practice handwriting with creative writing skills. 

Handwriting for GCSE English Exams

When examiners read handwritten essays, they form instant impressions. Neat writing makes your ideas appear clearer, more structured and confident. Examiners also don’t have a lot of time and will appreciate neat handwriting.

 Here are a few exam-specific handwriting tips:

  • Legibility first: If the examiner can’t read it, they can’t award marks for it.

  • Speed with control: Practise timed writing sessions to find your natural rhythm.

  • Annotate by hand: When revising literature texts, hand-write your notes and highlight key quotations — it improves recall.

    How to Practise at Home

    For younger learners:

    • Use simple workbooks or printable sheets to build muscle memory.

    • Encourage short, regular practice — 10 minutes daily beats one long session.

    For teens and GCSE students:

    • Use NALA handwriting resources or free online worksheets to refine technique.

    • Copy your favourite literature quotes to combine language and writing practice.

    • Create handwritten flashcards and mind maps for revision.

      The Takeaway

      Handwriting isn’t an old-fashioned skill — it’s a vital part of clear thinking and confident communication. From neat words, sentences and paragraphs in primary school, to timed essays in secondary school, handwriting is a skill that offers a big return on investment.

      Please don’t think I’m devaluing typing; typing is an important skill too. I can type at a professional touch-typing speed. I believe that fast and accurate typing is another skill worth working on because it will save you time later on. But, most exams still depend on hand-written responses. 

      As a left-handed instructor, I specialise in helping students — left- and right-handed alike — develop handwriting that’s clear, comfortable, and exam-ready.

      If your child struggles with messy writing, slow writing speed, or lacks confidence with writing, my online English tutoring can help. We work on handwriting and/or typing, structure, grammar, and expression — all tailored to build grades and confidence.

      Interested in helping your child write more clearly and confidently?
      Contact me to arrange a free consultation; we can discuss personalised handwriting and my English tutoring support. 

Antonia Cartwright