Editing Quikscript (section)

=== Senior Quikscript ===
Senior Quikscript introduces a number of advanced techniques which save time in writing, namely ligatures, cursive, alternate letter forms, abbreviations and half-letters.

==== Ligatures and cursive ====
The most obvious difference is that Senior encourages [[Ligature (writing)|ligatures]] as long as the shapes of the letters are not altered. The design of the alphabet fosters these natural connections, as each Quikscript letter either begins or ends on the base line or the upper parallel. This structure permits letters to connect easily yet maintains the shapes of the individual letters because there are no connecting strokes between letters as there are in cursive Roman alphabet writing. It is common that Senior writing will have several conjoined letters in a row, but when such a connection is not possible, the letters are simply left unconnected.

==== Alternate letter forms and abbreviations ====
Read added a very small number of alternative letter forms, which permit even more letters to connect easily, along with a number of abbreviations for the most common English words, further reducing the space requirement for printed material and hence the costs of physical publication; it is the writer's choice whether to use them or not.

==== Half-letters ====
Senior Quikscript also introduces the concept of half-letters. Read recognized that the top half of several tall letters and the bottom half of several deep letters are sufficient to clearly distinguish them. Therefore, the portion of the vertical shafts of those letters which lies between the base line and upper parallel can be discarded with no effect to legibility. Half-letters increase the number of letters which can be conjoined, yielding several benefits:
# The alphabet's appearance becomes more cursive and fluid, which is [[Aesthetics|aesthetically]] appealing.
# Handwriting is more efficient because fewer pen-lifts are required.
# Word-shapes are more variable and distinct, which improves [[word recognition]] and increases the average [[Reading#Reading rate|reading speed]].

==== Examples ====
<gallery>
File:Senior Quikscript example 'Rip van Winkle'.png|Senior Quikscript example passage from  'Rip van Winkle' 
File:Senior Quikscript From J. A. Froude and R. L. Stevenson.png|Senior Quikscript example passage from 'J. A. Froude and R. L. Stevenson'
File:Senior Quikscript example passages.png|Senior Quikscript example passages
</gallery>