Schools generally employ a hierarchy of punishments for
infractions of rules. While there are variations between types
of school, boarding and day schools, with not all being applied
in all cases, the hierarchy is generally reasonably consistent.
Writing lines involves copying a sentence on to a piece of
standard paper or a chalkboard as many times as the punishment-
giver deems necessary. The actual sentence to be copied varies
but usually bears some relation to the reason the lines are
being given in the first place, e.g. "I must not talk in class."
Although this feels a lot quicker, obviously the same number of
words are being written either way so in theory it should take
just as long. However, it is possible that if a student believes
the method is quicker, he will work harder anyway and thus
finish more quickly than a student completing lines the
conventional way (see placebo effect). Many students actually do
finish more quickly because they are able to write the words
faster when writing the same one o