The process of learning a good style of muscular movement writing may be
made easy or difficult, short or long, possible or impossible, according
to the mental attitudes of teacher and pupil, and the exactness with
which directions in this Manual are followed.
Pupils who constantly practice the movement drills in poor positions
with incorrect movement never even get started, and pupils who practice
from fifteen to thirty minutes a day in good positions with correct
movement, but who fall back into the old bad cramped positions and
finger movement habits in all other writing, do not get beyond the
beginning stages, no matter how many years they may practice.
The pupil who becomes the absolute master of a finished style of
muscular movement writing within the limits of six months or one school
year is he who gives the closest attention to every detail relating to
the beginning steps, who follows the printed instructions closely, who
sits in correct position at all times, and uses muscular movement
throughout the writing lessons, and in all his written work within a
month from the time he begins to study the Palmer Method.
Without conflicting with other subjects it is possible to lay the
foundation for an excellent handwriting in one school year, with but
fifteen to thirty minutes daily study and practice, and the employment
of muscular movement in all written work just as soon as possible. As
progress is made in the grades the use of muscular movement can be
permanently established.
The boy becomes an expert ball-player by playing ball. At first he is
awkward and uncertain, but, as he studies the methods of those who have
become experts, and continues to practice, he takes on self-confidence,
and finally develops into an expert, even though he could not hit a
single ball during his first few games. Boys and girls who learn to
skate with almost consummate grace must pass through the awkward stages,
when they sit down instead of standing up as they had planned, and when
their feet take possession and run away with them. In instrumental music
of any kind one does not become an expert without first learning how to
practice and then practicing in exactly the right way according to
methods prescribed by master teachers. It is the same in penmanship:
first, learn how to practice and then practice faithfully. Acquire
elasticity, lightness, and freedom, and do not mind if the pen runs away
at first and makes some awkward letters. This is to be expected. But
stick to the right plan, and gradually you will gain control of the
writing muscles of the arm, and with close attention to general form,
size, slant, spacing, and correct movement application, you will become
a splendid muscular movement penman in a few short months.