How to write a cursive v

Forming the cursive v

v's identity rests on two things at once, a sharp point on the baseline and a flat exit at the midline, and losing either one turns it into u. Practise it inside joined pairs such as va, ve, vi and vo rather than in isolation, because the letter only fails at the join. Lead-in is an overcurve (see caveats for the alternative).

Start: On the baseline, at the left

1. Overcurve lead-in: rise from the baseline and arch over at the midline
2. Come down on a straight slant to a sharp point on the baseline
3. Rise on a straight slant back up to the midline
4. Level midline exit: a short, near-flat stroke that leaves at midline height instead of dropping to the baseline

How it joins

The cursive v is one of four letters that finish high, at the midline, rather than dropping to the baseline. The others are b, o, v and w. This is what makes them the connectors children find hardest.

A letter following v has to start from the midline instead of rising from the baseline, so its shape changes slightly. That is normal and is worth pointing out explicitly, because a child who has only ever practised letters in isolation will try to start the next letter from the baseline and produce a broken join.

Our sheets currently draw v with a baseline exit, which is a legitimate and widely taught join, so the letters connect cleanly. If your school teaches the high exit, use these sheets for the letter shape and teach the join separately.

Common mistakes

• The exit is dropped to the baseline, which turns v into u in the reader's eye even when the body of the letter is right.
• The bottom is rounded rather than pointed, so v already looks like u before the join is even attempted.
• The level exit starts flat and then sags across the join, dragging the next letter down with it.
• The two sides come out at different lengths, so the point sits off to one side rather than under the middle of the letter.

Letters that move the same way

Arched overcurve letters: An overcurve lead-in: a shallow rise from the baseline that arches over at the midline before dropping to the baseline again. The arch is rounded in m and n, pointed in v, and used once as a launcher in x, y and z.

mnxyz

Print first, then cursive

Cursive is usually introduced once print handwriting is automatic, typically around third grade. If a child is still thinking about how to form printed letters, adding a second script makes both harder. Theprinted v page covers that form, andwhen cursive is usually taughtexplains why the timing varies so much.