Week 7: Bottom row: the remaining keys

This week completes the bottom row. You learn the last letters on the left side and the punctuation keys on the right. The right side of the keyboard is busy, so knowing exactly which finger owns each key is important. Rather than rushing, check each finger before you press it. Building that habit now makes the next weeks much easier.

What you will learn

This week introduces six new keys:

• x: left ring finger
• z: left pinky
• ,: right middle finger (with Shift it types <)
• .: right ring finger (with Shift it types >)
• /: right pinky (with Shift it types ?)
• \: right pinky (with Shift it types |)

Your left ring finger reaches down from s to x. Your left pinky reaches down from a to z. The punctuation keys sit along the right edge of the bottom row, so your right fingers reach down and to the right from k, l and ;.

Technique tips

• Keep the reach short. The bottom row is below the home row, so move the finger down and back up without moving the whole hand.
• Pay attention to the comma and the period. Both are close together, so press them with the correct finger and make sure you are not hitting the key next to it.
• The slash and the backslash are at the far right. Move your right pinky only, and keep your wrist still.
• Leave a space after punctuation before typing the next word. Rhythm matters as much as the key itself.

Lessons

1. Lesson 1, learn (10–15 minutes): Watch the keyboard demo for x, z, ,, ., / and \. Press each key with its finger, including the Shift versions.
2. Lesson 2, practice (10–15 minutes): Type short sentences that use the new keys, and place the punctuation marks in the correct spots.
3. Lesson 3, review (10–15 minutes): Repeat the keys that give you trouble, then finish with the 2-minute test.

This week’s goal

Reach 20 WPM and 92% accuracy. Finishing the lessons earns 1 star. Reaching 92% accuracy earns 2 stars. Reaching 20 WPM as well earns 3 stars. Punctuation changes the meaning of a sentence, so accuracy comes first this week. Speed follows when each key is automatic.