What is Handwriting?

An ancient art? A modern-day tool? A universal skill? Something intensely personal? Something we take for granted? Or a skill many struggle to master?

Handwriting may be some or all of these things. For some it is purely an art form, and the neatness and accuracy of the presentation is the main focus. For others, it needs to be a functional tool which allows them to put ideas on to paper, effortlessly and fast. Here, the look of the script is less important than the fluency of the script. For all of us, there are times when we need handwriting for one purpose and times for others.
Our handwriting is very personal, a part of our self-image and an expression of our personality, just as the way we dress and present ourselves is. We all have a view on how our handwriting appears to others and would sometimes like that image to be different!

Handwriting is a means of expressing language, just like speech, and it also leaves a lasting trace. Some call it 'Language by Hand'. It is a physical way of expressing thoughts and ideas and a means of communicating with others.

Mark-making is basic to man. Symbolic representation for others to interpret is uniquely human and it is known that man has engaged in writing since cave paintings were first discovered. However, the production of the symbols of any writing system is not something which comes naturally, like walking or jumping. We cannot write unless we have been taught how to, a fact which is sometimes ignored. The formations of the symbols within each writing system have ideal movement patterns, and the spatial relationships between symbols and the directional conventions on the page have to be communicated between generations.

Handwriting is a very complex skill to master, one which involves linguistic, cognitive, perceptual and motor components, all of which have to be coordinated into an integrated fashion. Although we take it for granted, some people, young and old, find handwriting very difficult to perform and feel they need help to perfect the skill. Support from those with expertise and experience is nearly always appreciated.

To write is to be human.

The full article from THE NATIONAL HANDWRITING ASSOCIATION.