Letter Styles
Primary 4 · Creative Arts
Letter Styles
Lesson 1 of 4
15 min
Let's begin
Ishimwe writes a label for his desk: ishimwe. His friend Uwase writes hers: UWASE. Teacher Habimana looks at both and smiles. "Each of you is half right," he says.
Who is right about what? It is all about the two kinds of letters.
Every letter of the English alphabet has two forms.
The names come from old printing shops. Printers kept the capital letters in the upper box (the upper case) and the small letters in the lower box (the lower case).
Good lettering uses four light guide lines. They keep every letter the right height.
So Ishimwe should write Ishimwe, with a capital I and small letters after it.
No pencil? Cut a reed or a bamboo stick with a slanted tip to make a pen, and use ink made from charcoal powder, water and a little porridge.
Tip
Capitals touch the top; tails go to the bottom
Say it as you write: capitals from the top line, small letters from the middle line, tails down to the tail line.
Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.
What is another name for uppercase letters?
Answer: Capital letters.
Which of these small letters have tails below the base line: p, n, y, s?
Answer: p and y.
Write this name correctly: mUTONI.
Answer: Mutoni.
Why are road signs often written in capital letters?
Answer: Capital letters are big and clear, so people can read them from far away.
Make it: Draw four guide lines and write your full name. Use a capital letter only at the start of each name.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Written by Ganzaa, including the diagrams and the exercises (Try it yourself and the practice questions).
Quick check
Match each letter to where it sits on the guide lines.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
