How to Lift a Pen

Intro: How to Lift a Pen

Pens seem like easy objects to grasp and lift off of a desk; yet, many students find themselves unable to lift them.

This instructable will teach any able-bodied student with at least one hand how to lift a pen from his or her desk.

Be sure to watch follow-up videos covering how to position a pen for writing, how to write a word, and expert-level how to write TWO words.

STEP 1: Oooo... the Claw!

Reach toward the pen with your thumb positioned under your pointer finger. All five fingers should be oriented toward the pen.

Think of your hand as a crab claw, and keep your four fingers together.

STEP 2: Pinch Without the "Ouch!"

Pinch the pen about a thumb's width above the pointy end. If your pen is capped, pinch the pen just below the cap.

STEP 3: Tom Cruise That Pen!

With an established FIRM grip on the pen, move your hand away from the desktop.

STEP 4: Turn It Over.

Turn your pen over by rotating the far side of your hand in toward your body.

Congratulations, you have just picked up a pen (hopefully not for the last time).

Comments

[hmerchant]

So, wheres your banana toast recipe??

[cfisher17]

I messed up and my front door is now In the toaster. Thanks for making it clear instructions...not

[patrick1967]

I like it ! I like it ! sarcasm for all the dumba$$ posts lol

[patrick1967]

I like it ! I like it ! sarcasm for all the dumba$$ posts lol

[iharper]

TECHNIQUE!!!TECHNIQUE!!!TECHNIQUE!!!TECHNIQUE!!!TECHNIQUE!!!

[MrE]

it's all in the technique! First go like this, spin around. Stop! Double take three times. One, two three. Then pelvic thrust. Whooooooo, whooooooo. Stop on your right foot, don't forget it! Now it's time to bring it around town. Bring-it-a-round-town. Then you do this, then this, and this, then this, then that, then this and that, and then... phewwwww!

[missplumeau]

For safety sake! NEVER pick up a pen with the pointy end facing you! Other than that, thanks for a much needed 'ible!

[temper]

A great (humorous) social commentary on 98% of the instructables NOW allowed to be posted here. There! that was NICE wasn't it?

[johnnymercer]

I admit to a twinge of guilt uploading this instructable. No disrespect intended, just humorous motivation for my class. My only saving grace is that one student will be uploading a unique instructable, and the rest are creating some impressive "second opinion" instructables.

[gdonlon]

Thank you so much I've always had trouble before a test. I would always have to ask my teacher to lift it for me! You've helped me a lot!

[ilpug]

Directions were not clear enough, My genitalia got caught in the ceiling fan

[stubbsonic]

Yea. We've all been there. Rookie mistake. Eyes on the prize.

[rich_j_l]

Good work, I might use this as an example with young people I work with!

[122717]

How about you just pick it up? Jk.

[stubbsonic]

This just raises a ton of other questions. Does this work similarly for other objects like pencils or other pens? What if you already have something in your hand? Do you just put whatever that thing is on the other hand? I noticed there's a cup in your picture. Is that something I should get when assembling parts? Thanks for the great instructable.

[johnnymercer]

All of these comments have been awesome. Thanks for the added laughs everybody.

[whycantmynamework]

Well done thank you from kids everywhere

[mitchums]

FIRMLY GRASP IT

[Ty Mashaw]

I've been doing it wrong the whole time!

[johnnymercer]

Thanks for the suggestion. I made this instructable as proof that my speech students could easily make a demonstrative lesson in less than one class period. Sometimes seeing is the only believing in HS speech.