How To Write Fast Without Hand Pain?

Handwriting for Healthy Hands Be aware of your posture and sitting position when you write. Your body position affects the way you use your arm and hand. Here are some hints to follow when writing:

Avoid leaning heavily on your forearm.Keep your elbow positioned in an open angle (90 degrees or more). Wrist and hand strain increases the more your elbow bends.Keep your fingers relaxed. Your knuckles should not be curled up or turn white when you write.Reduce finger motions. Use your wrist and forearm to move the pen or pencil rather than your fingers.Re-orient your writing paper or use an inclined surface to keep your wrist relaxed, especially for left-handed writing.If writing hurts your thumb, try holding the pen in the web space between your index and middle fingers.Handwrite rather than print. Large, cursive style writing causes less strain than printing small letters.Select large diameter pens and pencils or use rubber grips to reduce gripping force.Place Leaf-It-Finger dots or grips on fingers to increase friction. Tape or tubing can be applied to pens and pencils to increase surface friction.Replace standard ballpoint pens with easy flow ink fountain pens, roller balls, and gel ink pens.Write at a reasonable pace with frequent breaks.

: Handwriting for Healthy Hands

Why do my hands hurt when writing fast?

What is Writer’s Cramp? – Writer’s cramp, also known as focal hand dystonia (FHD), is a disorder that causes muscles to contract involuntarily. Writer’s cramp is caused when the brain sends incorrect signals to the muscles. It can affect the fingers, hands, and forearms.

How do you get rid of hand pain from writing?

– There’s no simple, one-size-fits-all approach to treating writer’s cramp. And there’s no cure. You may need to try a variety of therapies, and probably will have to combine a couple of them. A typical treatment plan may include:

Physical and occupational therapy. Learning how to hold your pen differently, using fatter pens or grips, using special-made splints, and changing your paper or arm position can all help writer’s cramp. Botulinum neurotoxin (Botox) injections. Botox injections into selected muscles can help ease writer’s cramp, especially when the wrist or fingers move into unusual postures. Oral medications. Anticholinergic drugs, such as trihexyphenidyl (Artane) and benztropine (Cogentin), help some people. Relaxation and distraction. Relieve stress-induced cramping through relaxation techniques like deep breathing and visualization, or through distractions like writing with both hands at the same time. Sensory re-education. This process of identifying textures and temperatures with your fingers helps retrain brain patterns that cause writer’s cramp. Sensory motor retuning. This rehabilitation therapy uses splints on your unaffected fingers to help retrain the affected fingers. Surgery. Both pallidotomy and pallidal deep-brain stimulation have been effectively used for generalized dystonia, but surgery isn’t usually necessary for task-specific dystonia like writer’s cramp.

Why do my hand hurt when I write?

8 tips on how to avoid hand pain during exams The idea of this article came to me two weeks ago, while having my first exam. I wrote a lot. At the end, my hand was hurting so much that I literally couldn’t write anymore. In fact, during the whole exam session, I suffered an omnipresent hand pain. I was therefore delighted to know holidays were coming, which meant I wouldn’t have to write anything (well, almost) for two weeks! At last my hand could get some rest.

I’m sure many students can relate to this situation, and some will probably experience it quite soon as the prebac is coming. Thus, in order to help you and reduce that scourge, let me give some useful tips! 1. Choose a good pen Obviously, the pen you’re writing with should be comfortable. That means the pen should write smoothly, without you having to press against the page.

It would be a good idea to buy a pen with a padded grip as well.2. Hold your pen loosely Stress causes you to hold your pen very tightly, which results in pain. Try to release your hand when you write.3. Do not write only with your fingers One of the causes of hand pain is that you’re writing only with your fingers.

Therefore your wrist is moving a lot, which causes it to hurt. Try to keep your wrist and hand still and write using your elbow and your shoulder. Your whole arm should be moving! You should also pay attention to your hand position: your wrist shouldn’t bend as you write.4. Train yourself at home If you’re not used to write a lot during two hours or more, it would be a good idea to write some essays at home a few days before the exam in order to get your hand used to writing.

However, don’t write too much otherwise you’ll get the opposite effect: your hand will hurt even before starting the exam period.5. Give your hand some rest and do hand exercises Of course do not do this during your exam, because you will lose time so I strongly recommend doing it on the evening before each exam.

Twist a pen between your fingers Make a fist: wrap your thumb across your fingers and hold for one minute; then release and spread your fingers wide. Repeat at least 3 times. Stretch your fingers: place your hand palm-down on a hard and flat surface, straight your fingers as flat as you can, (without forcing) hold up to one minute and release. Repeat at least 3 times. Gently turn your wrists and hear them crackling

6. Warm your hands up and massage them To relax your hands, soak them in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes and massage them. In case you’re wondering how to give yourself a hand massage, this is what you could do:

Loose your hands up and shake them out. Flex your hands as wide as you can (without forcing!) Bend your wrists with your hands pointing down and do the same with your hands pointing up. Pinch gently the tips of each finger. Move your thumb around the palm of your hand doing circular moves and applying a gentle pressure on it. Massage the area between your thumb and index finger by doing deep compressions. Then make circular moves in that space to reduce tension.

7. Become ambidextrous This is not a joke even if you may think so! Of course, it will be very difficult for someone who isn’t “naturally” ambidextrous to write as easily as with his dominant hand, but it is possible to achieve a fluent and beautiful handwriting.

If you want to become almost ambidextrous, you need to be patient because it needs daily practice for at least one month. To begin with your non-dominant hand training, start by drawing symmetrical objects with both hands at the same time. Then you should write several times the alphabet and write, write, write.

You should also strengthen your non-dominant hand by using it for tasks like brushing your teeth, holding things, cleaning, cooking, playing basketball 8. Break your arm and write on a computer Here’s an interesting idea! If you can’t write with your hand, you could be allowed to bring a computer and type your exam on it.

Of course you shouldn’ actually do that but on a serious note, isn’t it time to switch to typing-form exams on laptops? Aren’t handwritten tests a little bit outdated? Many universities including Edinburgh University and Cambridge University already offer to students the choice to take exams on computers.

– Elitsa Kamberska, S6FRB (EEB1) : 8 tips on how to avoid hand pain during exams

How do you hold a pen so it doesn’t hurt?

How important is economic pen holding? – Let’s start with sitting. You should be relaxed and upright in an adequate trunk posture when starting to write. Tight shoulders or excessive bending of the torso with the head on the table are unfavourable for a good and healthy posture.

The forearm and wrist are on the table. The non-writing hand is also on the table and can hold the notebook. The writing should not require too much force; if the child pushes firmly on the desk pad or holds the pen tightly, then the hand becomes tired quickly. Writing with the entire arm and keeping the wrist stiff will result in pain that spreads to the arm and shoulder-neck region.

In addition, writing speed and writing endurance are reduced, making the lines unclear and reducing the ability to read the handwriting. Here are some examples of difficult ways of holding a pen that will adversely affect the flow of writing and the speed.

Paw grip: The index finger covers the thumb instead of resting on the pen. Cramped grip: The pen lies on the fingers and is guided with the thumb. The thumb is on one side whilst the index and middle finger are on the other side. The thumb grips above the index finger. The index and middle finger grip above the thumb. The whole hand is arched like a fist around the pen. The thumb is usually on the opposite side and holding against it. Fist grip: Pen is held with the whole fist

Can hand pain be cured?

Most cases of hand and wrist pain will not be a sign of a serious or long-term problem and will settle in a few days or weeks with some simple self-care you can do at home.

How do I stop writing so hard?

When students press too hard during handwriting tasks, the hand can fatigue, paper can rip and legibility may decrease. Recently, a reader asked for tips and suggestions to help decrease pencil pressure for when students press too hard during handwriting tasks. Here are 10 suggestions to help children reduce pencil pressure when writing:

Write on carbon paper – the child has to write softly so the marks barely go through the paper. Color using shading to demonstrate that different shades require a different amount of pressure. Try this free Shade Wisely activity or Missing Monster freebie. Provide extra input to the hands before the students write. Warm up by squeezing a stress ball or upper extremity weight bearing activities such as wheelbarrow walking, Proprioceptive Poems, animal walks or wall push ups. Fine tune the fingers and grip with clothespin activities. Try the free Ninja Clothes Pin activity. Play some visual perceptual clothes pin games, Make clothes pin silly faces. Wrap clay around pencil – if student changes the shape of the clay the student is applying too much pressure. Use a mechanical pencil – if student applies too much pressure the tip will break off. Use a slant board – when the students wrist is positioned in extension it can improve pencil control. Place student’s paper on top of a flimsy book or Styrofoam – if student presses too hard the pencil will poke through paper. Provide sample of handwritten work with correct pencil pressure. Write one word too light, one word just right and one word too hard to represent the differences in pencil pressure. Explain to students exerting too much pressure when writing can fatigue the hand. Have students practice writing lightly, writing just right and pressing too hard. Can they feel the differences in their hand?

Click here to read 10 ideas to increase pencil pressure. Handwriting Stations: This digital download includes the materials to create a handwriting station on a tri-fold or in a folder. The station includes proper letter formation for capital and lower case letters, correct posture, pencil grip, warm up exercises, letter reversals tips and self check sheet.

What is the proper way to hold a pencil?

General guidelines for a good pencil grip, as shown in figure 2, include: ◗ the pencil is held in a stable position between the thumb, index and middle fingers ◗ the ring and little fingers are bent and rest comfortably on the table ◗ the index finger and thumb form an open space ◗ the wrist is bent back slightly, and

Which pen grip is best?

Download Article Download Article Holding your pen properly is essential for writing and drawing with ease. An important part of this is how you grip the pen, which can be done with 3 or 4 fingers. After you find a grip that feels natural to you, practice writing so that you maintain a comfortable hold while moving the pen efficiently.

1. 1 Pick up the pen with your thumb and index finger. The tripod grip uses 3 fingers. Your thumb and your index finger are used to hold the pen in place. Let the back end of the pen rest on the ridge of skin between these fingers.
   • Use your free hand as needed to position the pen in your writing hand. This can be helpful when you are first learning the grip.
   • The tripod grip is the ideal grip to learn, and it will allow you to easily use all sorts of pens.
2. 2 Grip the pen lightly about ⅓ of the way from the tip. No matter which hand you write with, squeeze the pen between your thumb and index finger. Keep your fingers level but on opposite sides of the pen. Hold the pen with a light but firm grip. If you squeeze too tightly, your fingers may tire out or ache after a while.
   • Adjust your grip on the pen as needed until you feel comfortable. You don’t have to place your fingers exactly ⅓ of the way along the pen’s length.

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3. 3 Rest your middle finger on the pen. Bring your middle finger down, underneath the pen. Your middle finger is the third finger to grip the pen, except only the upper half of the tip contacts the pen. Position your ring and pinky fingers underneath your middle finger, not touching the pen.
   • Your middle finger should grip the pen more lightly than your thumb and index finger. Use it to hold the pen still.
   • Make sure the back end of the pen rests against the top part of your hand. Hold the pen at an angle rather than vertically.
4. 4 Rest the heel of your hand on the page. Move your hand down like you’re going to start writing. Set the back edge, which is the part right above your wrist, on the paper. Let your ring and pinky fingers rest on the page as well. Adjust your hand until you feel comfortable enough to write.
   • The pen should be at an angle, enough so that you can press the tip to the page.
   • Your wrist may rise slightly to allow you to move the pen. Avoid lifting it too much, since that can end up causing cramps due to to tension.
   • If your hand comes up off the page, you may be gripping the pen too hard.

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1. 1 Position the pen between your thumb and index finger. The quadropod grip is very similar to the tripod grip. The pen will still rest against your hand, between your thumb and index finger. Start by using your 2 main fingers to hold onto the pen and control it.
   • The quadropod grip is less common than the tripod grip, but if it feels natural to you, you can continue using it.
2. 2 Grip the pen with your middle finger about ⅓ of the way from the tip. Squeeze the pen between your thumb and index finger close to the pen’s tip. Bring your middle finger down, planting it squarely on the pen. Like with your index finger and thumb, your middle finger is used to control the pen. Keep a firm, even grip with all 3 fingers.
   • You may need to adjust your grip a little. Move your fingers until you feel comfortable. Make sure all 3 of your fingers maintain a light but firm grip on the pen.
3. 3 Rest the pen on your ring finger. Slide your ring finger underneath the pen. Your ring finger should be right below your middle finger. Grip the pen with the top half of your fingertip. Hold the pen lightly with this finger.
   • Your hand may look slightly claw like in this position. Bend your fingers only slightly so you are able to maintain control of the pen.
   • If your fingers are bent uncomfortably, hold the pen closer to the tip.
4. 4 Rest the heel of your hand on the page. Tuck your pinky finger underneath your ring finger as you move your hand towards the page. Use the bottom edge of your hand and pinky finger to support your hand as you write. The pen should be at an angle with only the tip touching the page.
   • Loosen your grip if your hand comes up off the page.
   • Avoid holding the pen straight up in the air. Keep it at a gentle angle to avoid wearing out your fingers.

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1. 1 Sit up straight with your feet on the floor. Having good posture is important for both improving your posture and avoiding injuries. Sit in a chair with a firm back rather than a cushy recliner. Plant your feet firmly on the floor. Sit up so you can peer over the paper, but don’t hunch over it.
   • Feeling comfortable while writing is the most important part. You should also feel like your arms have a free range of movement.
   • If you maintain bad posture, you may begin to notice stiffness in your back. Your arms may also tire out quickly as you write.
2. 2 Loosen your grip to avoid finger pain. You may be tempted to curl your fingers over the pen, pressing so tightly that your fingers begin cramping. You do not have to press so hard that your knuckles turn white and your pen rips the paper. Position your fingers close to the pen’s tip, holding on firmly but gently.
   • If your hand looks like a claw or a fist, you are likely holding the pen too tightly. Straighten your fingers, letting the pen rest on your hand.
   • To practice your grip, place a small object, such as a tissue, rubber ball, or coin, in your hand. Holding an object in your writing hand ensures your hand stays more open, keeping your grip loose.
3. 3 Use your arm and shoulders to move the pen. Most people write with their fingers. They hold their arms completely stiff and use their fingers to control the pen. Instead of doing this, try keeping your fingers still and moving your arms and shoulders. You may find that your grip on the pen relaxes as you practice.
   • Writing this way engages muscles in your forearm, which are larger and less prone to tiring out than your fingers.
   • Using your arms and shoulders can feel awkward at first, especially if you are used to writing with your fingers.
4. 4 Practice writing in the air to increase your mobility. No paper needs to be wasted to write invisible words in the air. Hold the pen with your desired grip, then raise your arm straight up in the air. Move your arm like you are writing out sentences. Since you aren’t confined to a desk and paper, you likely will feel free to relax your grip and move about more.
   • This is the perfect way to practice utilizing your arms and shoulders, but it is also helpful for developing your grip.
5. 5 Practice writing sentences on paper. Set a piece of paper on a flat surface, such as your desk. Hold the pen in a way that feels comfortable to you, then start writing. You can write out any words that come to mind. Try to write full paragraphs, working from 1 side of the page to the other.
   • Start out writing slowly. Once you feel comfortable holding and moving your pen, you can begin writing more quickly.
   • Practicing can also help you refine your writing so it is neater. Practice makes perfect!

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Add New Question

• 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? 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? 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? 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.

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• Ballpoint pens are more difficult to use than fountain pens. You often need to hold a ballpoint pen more tightly and vertically while pressing down harder on the page. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• You may find a different way to hold the pen. As long as your grip style feels comfortable to you, using it is fine. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Keep a balanced grip on the pen. If you feel tension in your fingers, something is wrong. Adjust your grip to avoid pain. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!

Show More Tips Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement Article Summary X To hold a pen, position your fingers close to the pen’s tip and maintain a loose grip, which will help prevent finger pain. Also, as you’re writing with the pen, try to use your arm and shoulders to move it across the page instead of your fingers, which will keep your fingers from tiring out.

What causes poor pencil grip?

There are two types of poor pencil grip:

1. where the web space is closed, restricting the movement of the fingers and wrist, which makes handwriting hard work, and
2. where the hand is above the writing line; such as found with a hooked pencil grip.

Closed web space Hooked pencil An open web allows the fingers to move freely, so that a fluid handwriting style can be achieved, which is why the Tripod Grip is considered the most appropriate for handwriting. Open web Children find a range of imaginative ways to hold a pencil if they are not supported and trained in developing a tripod pencil grip. Poor pencil grips can develop for several reasons:

• some children do not have the muscle strength and finger dexterity required to hold a pencil correctly;
• others may have been forced to use an inappropriate grip for the stage in their development (which research highlights as causing a poor grip style later on);
• for a few it may be because they have been influenced and copied a peer or elders poor pencil grip.

How do you relax a pen grip?

Relax your grip. Here are two ways: – CONVENTIONAL HOLD Hold your pen, pencil or edged pen with your thumb and index finger, resting it on your middle finger. Rest the shaft of the writing instrument near the large knuckle. Try tapping your index finger on your pencil every few minutes to keep your hand loose. ALTERNATIVE HOLD Alternatively, place your writing tool between the index finger and the middle finger, resting it by the large knuckles. Hold in the standard way at the tips of the fingers. If you want to relieve pressure caused by tightly gripping your pen, try this alternative hold to instantly relax your hand.

What is the fastest handwriting speed?

Handwriting – For an adult population (age range 18–60) the average speed of copying is 40 letters per minute (approximately 13 wpm), with the range from a minimum of 26 to a maximum of 113 letters per minute (approximately 5 to 20 wpm). A study of police interview records showed that the highest speed fell in the range 120–155 characters per minute, the highest possible limit being 190 characters per minute.

Why do I write so slowly?

Set reasonable expectations – If you’re not writing quickly, your expectations could be too high. You could be setting your expectations too high if you are:

Trying to make your writing perfect the first time.Trying to come up with an original thought for every piece of writing.

If you feel this is the case — you need to silence your inner critic. The writing process can become extremely tedious when you place high expectations on it. You can reset your expectations by changing your perspective on your writing. For instance, would you rather:

Have a complete first rough draft, orHave written little because you spent so much time trying to be perfect.

I believe a complete first draft wins any day of the week. When you set reasonable expectations, your writing process will become much more efficient. You can still have standards, but be realistic about what you can do in a given timeframe.

Is it better to write slow or fast?

Taking your time has its benefits – Photo by Sophia Müller on Unsplash “Comparison is the thief of joy.” — Teddy Roosevelt One of the easiest ways to bum yourself out is to compare your output to another writer. It can feel like everyone is writing more than us. Especially on a platform like Medium, where you’re encouraged by those in the know to write, write, write! To be sure: this is great advice.

• Writers improve by writing.
• Still, some of us are, how should I say not fast? Slow to quite slow? Sloths in a world of jaguars? Which is totally fine, by the way.
• Sloths may be slow but they still have claws (see above).
• And learning to slow down a bit is something that writers of all speeds can benefit from.

Writing is an endurance sport. You train for it consistently, increasing your stamina bit by bit until you reach your goal. Anyone who has run a marathon will tell you that they prepared for it by running at a slow but steady pace. Beth Skwarecki writes about this: The easy runs are building up your fitness.

They don’t have to be hard to do their job, Slow runs are easy to do and easy for your body to recover from. You shouldn’t max out your deadlift every time you hit the weight room, and you shouldn’t run a race every time you lace up your shoes. The same goes for writing: jumping into long hours without conditioning or trying to squeeze out longer works in a short amount leads to frustration.

For creatives, pacing ourselves can be difficult. When we get ahold of an idea, we want to sink our teeth in and not let go. But working like that day in and day out is exhausting. If you’re new to a writing habit, I recommend sessions of no more than thirty minutes.

When I began writing professionally, I started with huge chunks of time, with the expectation that I would/should/could write the entire time. I never did. I felt defeated and dreaded my next workday. To condition my writing muscles, I used the Pomodoro technique to work up to longer hours. Over a period of weeks, I slowly added half-hour sessions, until I scaled up to my four-hour writing workday.

Writing slow prepares you for the physical amount of time it takes to complete longer works like novels and screenplays. Can you write a book in a week? Sure. Should you? I mean. Working “slow” doesn’t mean that it will take forever to finish. Writer C.

1. Robert Cargill breaks it down like this : There are 252 working days in 2020.
2. If you wrote just 1 page a day — that’s about 250–300 words — you could write 2 scripts or 1 novel in 2020.2 pages a day is 5 scripts or 2 novels (or one quite long one.) 3 pages? 7 scripts or 3 novels.
3. That’s how attainable this is.

Breaking things down like this is a technique anyone can use for a large project. But I also like to think in terms like these any time I get overwhelmed or down on myself for “taking a long time.” The reality is the work demands a long time. Writing slow gives you room to breathe and think about your story.

It gives you time to not write, which is often when our best ideas come to us. Writer and director Taika Waititi pushes this idea of marination to the extreme. After writing a screenplay, he puts it away for a year or more without looking at it. Then he reads it. But instead of working off that draft for the rewrite, he writes a new draft solely from memory.

This way he ends up with a tighter story and only the parts that were most impactful or memorable. Time is so often your friend, especially when you are starting out. Giving give your work some time to settle mellows out those bits in your first draft that made you cringe when you were writing them.

• Of course, sometimes there are those nuggets of gold you were so proud you wrote that after some time away don’t shimmer as bright.
• That’s the benefit of slowing down: you gain perspective.
• Every writer has their process.
• Some were born to write like the wind, churning out pages like a sausage-making sausage person.

Their work and credits pile up at their feet and it is indeed impressive. But if you’re not like that, don’t get down. Writing slow or taking your time doesn’t make you a worse writer. It’s who you are. Even the fastest writers could benefit from taking a beat now and then.

How do you write fast in one minute?

Download Article Download Article If you want to improve your writing speed, there are several steps that you can take to improve your efficiency and get assignments done faster. First, you’ll want to do all of your research and organize your thoughts in an outline form.

1. 1 Use a pen or pencil that doesn’t require you to press down hard. If you have to press down hard as you write, your hand will get fatigued faster. Find a pen that isn’t so thin that it’s hard to grip, but that isn’t so thick that writing is uncomfortable.
   • A mechanical pencil requires less force to write with than a traditional pencil.
   • You can purchase a pencil or pen grip to make your writing tool thicker.

   Tip: A gel pen may be easier to write with than a ballpoint pen.

2. 2 Hold the pen or pencil in a way that’s comfortable for you. The way that you grip your pencil doesn’t have as much of an impact on your writing speed as your comfort does. When writing, make sure that your hand is in a comfortable position and doesn’t cramp or get fatigued as you write. If it does, consider switching the way that you’re holding the pencil or pen to improve your writing speed.
   • The traditional way to hold a pen or pencil is to support the pen in between your index finger and thumb while the pen rests on your middle finger.
   • Angling the paper in a different way may also feel more comfortable for you.

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3. 3 Maintain good posture. Straighten your back and make sure that your feet are resting flat on the floor. Your lower back and hips should be fully supported by the chair that you’re sitting in. Both your knees and your elbows should be bent and you should feel comfortable while you sit. Maintain this posture to reduce fatigue and improve stamina as you write.
   • Whenever you feel yourself slouching, adjust your posture so you’re sitting correctly.
   • If your chair is too low or your desk is too high, you may need to purchase new furniture.

   Note: Maintaining good posture is also beneficial for your back and hips.

4. 4 Use shorthand if you aren’t writing for an assignment. Methods like Pitman Shorthand and Gregg Shorthand use symbols to represent words, letters, and punctuation. Most of these symbols are quicker and easier to write than letters and words in English and could vastly improve your writing speed. Research and learn how to use either of these shorthand methods online or at a library.
   • Keep in mind that these shorthand methods aren’t known by everyone and can’t be used for assignments or on tests.
   • It may take several weeks or even months to master these shorthand methods.
5. 5 Keep practicing. Practice every day to improve the speed and the appearance of your handwriting. The more that you do it, the quicker and neater your handwriting will become. You can try writing at home, or transcribing notes quickly in the middle of class. Use the things that work and avoid things that slow you down.
   • If you still aren’t improving after trying everything, just talk to a teacher and see if they have any techniques that may help you.

   Note: If your hand cramps up or you feel fatigued, take a break and come back to writing later.

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1. 1 Determine the time of day that you’re most productive. Some people write faster and more efficiently in the morning, while others excel at night. Try writing in both settings and determine which time feels best for you. Then, try to get as much writing done as you can during the times of day when you’re most productive.
   • Even if you’re a night owl, you may still be more productive in the morning. Write during different parts of the day to see what works best for you.

   Tip: You can write during your productive times and go back and edit your work during your less productive times.

2. 2 Write an outline for your assignment. Read the prompt or assignment so you know what you have to write. Perform research and plot out the main points in your essay, paper, or story in an outline form. Determine what you want to include in your writing, and then write 2-3 sentences, or subpoints, within those main points.
   • For example, the main points of your article could be something like, “Describing circuits” and “Powering Electronics.” “Describing circuits” could include points like “Explaining a simple circuit” and “Completing a circuit.”
   • Researching things in the middle of writing wastes valuable time.
   • Include your sources in your outline to save time, especially if you have to make citations later. If you’re using electronic sources, bookmark them on your computer. Include notes in your outline about how you’re going to use your sources and what information you hope to take from them.

   EXPERT TIP Bryce Warwick is currently the President of Warwick Strategies, an organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area offering premium, personalized private tutoring for the GMAT, LSAT and GRE. Bryce has a JD from the George Washington University Law School. Our Expert Agrees: You will write faster and easier when you know what to put down before you get started instead of making it up as you go along. If you have 30 minutes to write an essay, try giving yourself seven to eight minutes of planning time.

3. 3 Write your first draft quickly and revisit it for edits. If the words are too complex, jot down an approximation of what you think you’re hearing and do your research afterwards.”Write your first draft and then come back and edit and review the writing later.
   • Wasting time on smaller details can drain time and make the entire writing process much longer.
   • If you find yourself stuck in a section, move past it and revisit it later with a fresh mind.
4. 4 Minimize the distractions around you. Distractions like surfing the web, TV, or open chat programs can hinder your efficiency and slow down your writing speed. Find a solitary space where you can write and won’t be distracted by the things going on around you.
   • Clearing the clutter off your writing desk may also minimize distractions and improve your efficiency.
   • If you can, put away your phone, tablet, or other devices you might be tempted to use to check social media or browse the web. You can also use productivity apps or extensions (like StayFocused) that temporarily cut off your access to time-wasting websites.
5. 5 Set realistic goals and deadlines for yourself. If you are newer at writing or aren’t used to writing on a deadline, there’s a good possibility you’ll be slower at writing than someone with more experience. Set goals that make sense for you and are within your ability. If you set a goal and you are stressed or feel like meeting the goal is impossible, set lighter goals for yourself.
   • Set incrementally higher goals for yourself rather than taking on too much too fast.
   • If you haven’t written a lot in the past, you won’t be able to write quickly without practice. However, once you practice writing a lot, you will be able to write at a quicker pace.
   • For instance, you can set a goal that you’ll have a certain number of pages or words completed within a day. If you’re still working on building speed, daily goals can feel more manageable than more short-term ones (such as hourly goals).
6. 6 Use a timer to help meet your goals. In order to improve your writing speed, you’ll need a way to measure if you’re improving. Set a timer to the goal that you set for yourself earlier and try to meet your goal within the allotted time. If you don’t have a stopwatch or timer, there are apps that were created specifically for that purpose.
   • Don’t let the timer stress you out. It’s merely there to remind you of how much time you’re spending on an assignment.

   Tip: Take 3-5 minute breaks every 30 minutes to an hour so that you don’t burn yourself out.

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• Question How can I make my handwriting neat and clean when writing fast? Make sure that you are using the right pen or pencil, and try not to hold it too tightly. Also, keep practicing. With enough practice, you will be able to write faster while keeping your handwriting neat and clean.
• Question I want to write faster and in good handwriting in exams. How can I do this? Practice as much as you can. While writing the paper, keep in touch with the time, and if possible allocate more time for writing. It is important to have a clear idea about what you have to write, this will help you save time and write comfortably. Use a pen that flows smoothly. But most importantly, practice frequently to build your hand strength and speed.
• Question What do I do if my hand hurts when I write too fast? Take a minute to stretch your hand, then resume. Hand muscles take time to develop, and the more you practice, the stronger they’ll become.

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement Article Summary X To write faster by hand, use keywords instead of writing things word for word and use symbols like the plus sign, “@” symbol, and ampersand.

• Try learning a shorthand system and practice the techniques that work for you as much as possible.
• To write articles or essays more quickly, get all your research done first and create a rough outline.
• Focus on writing your ideas clearly and don’t worry about making it sound perfect.
• Work somewhere you can concentrate and turn your phone off to minimize distractions.

For tips on staying on track and more shorthand techniques, read on! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 945,641 times.

Why do my hands struggle writing?

If you’re having trouble signing on the dotted line, or you’ve noticed a change in your handwriting, it may signal more than just sloppy writing. It could indicate a neurological or muscular problem. “When someone’s handwriting changes and becomes messy, sloppy, illegible or shaky, that might be a sign of an essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, writer’s cramp or ataxia,” says neurologist Camilla Kilbane, MD,

“Along with physical issues, loss of legible handwriting in seniors makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks like writing checks, making shopping lists, filling out forms and sending notes,” she says. The two most common reasons for a change in handwriting are essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease, she says.

An essential tremor is a neurological condition that causes a rhythmic, involuntary, trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or body. An essential tremor is eight times more common than Parkinson’s disease and affects an estimated 10 million Americans.

Make a deliberate effort to form each letter. This can be hard to do at first, but is very effective in improving size and legibility of handwriting. Use a pen grip (round or triangular-shaped rubber or foam cylinders available at stationery stores or where writing materials are found) or a larger-sized pen to keep your hand more relaxed. Try printing rather than writing in a cursive style. Printing causes you to pause briefly between each letter, keeping writing more legible. Using lined paper may provide a “visual target” to keep all letters big when writing. A ballpoint pen typically works better than felt tip or “rolling writer” styles. Rest your hand if it begins to feel “tight.” Pause briefly when you see your handwriting becoming smaller. Avoid hurrying or trying to write long passages if you’re feeling stressed. Practice helps. Remind yourself to slow down, aim big and pause often.

According to Dr. Kilbane, writer’s cramp, a type of focal dystonia, is another reason a person’s handwriting can deteriorate. Hand dystonia causes excessive muscle contractions in the hand and arm, which affects writing. It’s usually observed in people who perform tasks repeatedly.

This often affects musicians and people who frequently write longhand. “In hand dystonia, involuntary muscle contractions make it hard to write legibly,” Dr. Kilbane says, “The recommended treatment is occupational therapy, Botox injections and a special ‘Y’-shaped, rubber-coated ergonomic designed pen to make writing easier and more fluid.” Ataxia, which is a group of disorders that affects coordination, speech and balance, can also affect the fine motor skills needed for handwriting.

“Ataxia is caused by damage to the part of the brain controlling muscle coordination, called the cerebellum,” she says. “Since writing is a fine-motor skill, when a person has ataxia, their handwriting may suffer.” Dr. Kilbane advises whenever you notice a change in your handwriting and are uncertain of the cause, it’s wise to see a medical professional to determine the reason for this change, so that you can develop a method to deal with it.

• We work to improve the symptoms involving handwriting issues as we treat the underlying diagnosis,” she says.
• Camilla Kilbane, MD is a neurologist and directs the fellowship program in movement disorders in the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center,

You can request an appointment with Dr. Kilbane or any other doctor online.