Typing, like most skills, improves with practice. But if you're practicing incorrectly, you'll continue to make errors even as you get faster. In order to improve both your speed and accuracy, you'll need to learn touch-typing. Touch-typing eliminates the guesswork and the need to look at your keyboard. Once you master the correct keystrokes for each finger, commit to practicing your typing at least an hour a day until you reach the speed you're aiming for.
Learn touch typing. Memorize the location of each key on the keyboard and how to place your fingers on the home-row keys when you begin to type.
2
Learn the correct keystrokes for each finger. Extend your fingers to reach the numbers and special symbols on the top row of keys.
3
Sit up straight in your chair, with your keyboard in a comfortable position. Your arms should be at your sides, with your wrists extended straight out from your body. You should not be straining in either an upward or downward direction to strike the keys.
4
Keep your wrists at the same angle as your keyboard. Don't rest your wrists on your desk or keyboard. Avoid moving your arms as much as possible.
5
Practice. Open a novel to any page and begin typing what you see. Turn on the television and type what you hear. Use typing manuals and type the practice pages and practice tests. Type emails to friends. Use computer-generated typing practice, either online or in downloaded form.
6
Check your finished work for errors. If you're making lots of mistakes with letters in the bottom row of keys, move your chair back; you may be sitting too close to the keyboard. Use practice exercises that focus on the bottom row of keys. If you're making errors with keys in the top row, sit closer to the keyboard and use exercises that focus on the top row.
7
Adjust the angle of your monitor and use a glare-reducing screen to cut down on eye strain, which can cause errors.
8
Take timed typing tests. When you feel confident that you know touch typing, take timed tests using a typing manual or an online testing site. These test results will tell you your speed and accuracy. Online tests will highlight your errors. Use the feedback to correct problem areas, such as words you always misspell or punctuation you misuse.
Tips & Warnings
Have your eyes checked by an optometrist or opthalmologist if you get headaches when you type.
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