Summarize:

Guide paper is paper that has two horizontal, parallel, solid lines running from one side of the paper to the other, with a dotted line that is in the middle of the two lines. This paper will help the student focus on making the letters the correct sizes. Large letters should reach from the top solid line to the bottom solid line, and lower-case letters should reach from the dotted line to the lower solid line. You can typically purchase this paper at teacher supply stores, or you can download templates online (search for "handwriting guide paper," and you will find multiple templates). In a pinch, you can also make the paper yourself. However, if you do this, you should make sure that all guidelines are uniform in size and length so that the students can practice with consistency. It is important that students also learn to pay attention to the spacing between each letter and each word, and to try and be consistent with the spacing. Students can use their pinky fingers or a popsicle stick to help them learn how much space should be between each word. The spacing between letters is a bit more tricky to measure, but the letters should be far enough apart so that they do not touch or run into each other. At first, students will have a hard time focusing on this, but as their motor skills develop, they should practice keeping all letters slanted at a uniform angle. One way to help the students check whether the slant is uniform is to draw a vertical line through the center of each letter. When you (or the student) finish drawing these lines, you should be able to see that the lines are all parallel to each other. If the student is still learning how to make the slant uniform, some lines will be parallel, while some may slant in opposite directions. If the student is struggling, don't lose your patience. Simply explain to them how the lines should look, and demonstrate it yourself. Then, let them practice again.
Use guide paper. Practice letter and word spacing. Observe the slant of the letters.