How often do you write by hand? It’s an activity often bypassed in the digital age, considered obsolete in our world of keyboards and screens. Even schoolchildren, who in the past would have spent hours perfecting their joined-up writing, may not be getting much practice in.
Several countries, including Finland and the US, have been phasing out handwriting lessons in school altogether in favour of instruction in typing. The COVID-19 pandemic forced education into the online realm and, despite a return to normal schooling, writing by hand may truly become a thing of the past.
Yet it offers unique benefits that cannot be replicated by its digital equivalent. Beyond its stylistic and human appeal, numerous studies in recent years have demonstrated that handwriting helps to enhance cognitive and creative functioning.
Writing by hand is thought to put less strain on our brains compared with typing, which comes with increased mental load due to the speed at which words are produced. Planning and composition are also thought to improve with written text: a study published in Reading and Writing journal found that students plan their essays more carefully when using pen and paper compared with a computer.
The medium of writing also has an impact on memory. A 2021 study by French researchers found that participants’ short and mid-term recall of words was improved when writing by hand compared to typing. Researchers writing in the Journal of Writing Research claim this is because writing is an “embodied” action that involves more complex sensory-motor processes, thus leaving a stronger footprint on our memories.
Of course, we can’t overlook the countless advancements that digital writing offers to people and society. For example, meta-analysis by researchers at Vanderbilt University found that writing on a computer allowed participants to produce better-quality texts compared with handwriting. The option of digital writing also offers immense benefits for people with literary learning challenges, such as dyslexia.
Yet the case for writing by hand persists, so how about getting a pen out every now and then?
In this digital age, sending or receiving a handwritten letter, however short, can make your day. The people at the Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society agree…
From medieval illuminated manuscripts to modern works of art, Newcastle University’s online exhibition celebrates the art of handwriting.
