Slant needs no special study, but will take care of itself if the
instructions have been studied and heeded. Especially is this true in
relation to the position at the desk, the position of the paper and arms
on the desk, the relation of each to the other, and the changing of the
paper with the left hand, to keep it in the right position in regard to
the desk, body, and arms. See diagrams—page eighteen.
If the position is correct, and if all downward strokes are made toward
the center of the body, each pupil will develop uniform slant, though
different pupils may develop individual slants. Following the same
rules, and practicing at the same time under similar conditions,
different slants result, because of the variations in length of arms,
and other physical conditions. The degree of slant is not a matter of
grave importance so long as each writer develops uniform slant in his
own writing.
In drill two, see how many compact ovals you can make with one dip of
ink, and try to develop a motion so light and elastic that you will soon
be able to make from five hundred to a thousand, and one thousand or
more on a line eight inches long.
Many young pupils have developed such control of muscular movement that
they have made more than two thousand ovals with one dip of ink, in a
space not more than eight inches long. Indeed, one boy of twelve made
three thousand within the limits of a page eight inches across,
maintaining a uniform speed of two hundred to a minute. The pen used was
of the ordinary large, business variety.
Skill in oval making should be developed gradually from day to day, as
two or three minutes at the beginning of each practice period are
devoted to ovals. Never make ovals on the “back slant.” Avoid this by
pulling the strokes toward the center of the body.