Key learning points

1. The letters c, a, d, o, g and q all start just below the x-height line and go round in an anti-clockwise direction.
2. The letters c, a and o are x-height letters.
3. The letters g and q have descenders and d has an ascender.
4. The letter g finishes with a curl up at the descender line.
5. The letter q finishes with a diagonal line out to the side at the descender line.

Common misconception

Keywords

• X-height letter - a letter which sits between the baseline and the x-height line

• Ascender - the part of a letter that extends above the x-height line

• Anti-clockwise direction - moving or going in the opposite direction of a clock's hands

• Descender - the part of a letter that descends below the baseline

• Diagonal line - a line that slants or leans