How to sign “Writing” in ASL
BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the American sign. See the BSL sign for “Writing” instead
Step by step
- Hold your non-dominant hand open and flat in front of you, palm facing up like a page of paper.
- Touch the tip of your dominant index finger to the dip of your dominant thumb, as if holding a pen.
- Scribble quickly across the open palm with small side-to-side strokes, as if writing a note.
- Keep your dominant palm facing down or slightly toward you while you scribble.
- Hold the non-dominant hand steady; it does not move while the other hand writes.
Practice tip
For 'wrote a paper' use one quick downward stroke; for 'write your name' use one careful sideways stroke.
Fingerspell “Writing”
Letter by letter — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.
Text-based guide researched from established ASL references (Lifeprint, university and public-health materials) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade.