Print a
In print, the lowercase letter a takes 2 strokes and is a short letter that sits between the baseline and the midline. Print letters (also called manuscript) are built from straight lines and circles, drawn top to bottom and left to right, with a lift of the pencil between strokes. This is the order most kindergarten and first-grade programs teach, so it is a good model for a child who is just starting. In English text a is the number 3 most common letter, at about 8.2% of all letters, so it comes up in nearly every line you write.
Close the oval first, then bring the pen back up and down the right side in one motion.
Stroke by stroke
- Start on the dashed midline at the right side. Go all the way round in a closed oval and meet your starting point, ending on the dashed midline at the right side.
- Lift your pen and start again on the dashed midline at the right side. Draw a straight line straight down, ending on the baseline at the right side.
Common mistakes
Leaving a gap at the top of the oval so the letter reads like a u.
a is most often confused with o. Put them side by side and check the first stroke: the starting point and the height are what separate them.
Words with a to practise
Practice
Trace on screen first: press Trace it above and follow the grey letter. Then print the sheet and write the same letter on paper. Writing on paper is what builds the habit.
Words with a to practise
Questions about print lowercase a
How many strokes is the lowercase letter a in print writing?
2 strokes. Keep going without lifting unless the instructions say so.
Where do I start a in print?
Start on the dashed midline at the right side. Go all the way round in a closed oval and meet your starting point, ending on the dashed midline at the right side.
Is print a the same in every school?
Most programs agree on the shape, but some teach the stroke order differently. This page follows one common top-to-bottom, left-to-right order and says so, so if your school's handbook differs, follow the handbook.
What letter is a confused with?
a is most often confused with o. Put them side by side and check the first stroke: the starting point and the height are what separate them.
Can I print a practice sheet for a?
Yes. Open the worksheet maker, type aaa or a whole word, pick a line size, and print. The sheet has a dark model row, grey tracing rows, dotted rows and blank lines.