The Write Stuff?

I just finished reading an op-ed in the New York Times by the same title. Interestingly, it was about handwriting, and surprisingly, it contained actual directions for lowercase letters. Much like the plastic strips of letters and arrows that we glued across the tops of our desks in Kindergarten and first grade. (a pause to remember how awesome school was then! Or was it that I was just a nerd from the start?)

The article began with a very striking point: handwriting in America is suffering. I concur, but not-so-much solely for the writer's given reason (which is, because it is interesting: from about second/third grade forward students are taught to write in cursive, and the cursive being taught is very loop-heavy. We tend to read words by the tops of the letter, rather than the bottoms--try it, it's true!--and all the loops make it more difficult to read. Ok. I believe you, kinda sorta.)

The theory that developed for me was that handwriting is suffering due to it's gradual venture towards becoming obsolete. With computers, the only times we need to use handwriting is to sign a greeting card or fill out a check; and who uses checks anymore with online banking? I filled one out for my co-pay at my doctor's office last week because they don't take plastic, and it was weird.

That said, I tripped back again to my elementary days of spelling and vocabulary words used for homework with ten sentences (fifteen for extra credit...of course I did!) all written by hand. I can recall those long page-and-a-half essays due, all writ by hand. I used to make my own books with construction and contact paper, complete with text and illustrations: these authentic originals are in my personal 8-year old script. These days, with computers in the classrooms and nearly every home, how much does that happen anymore? (I don't really know the answer. I don't have children and am not a part of any school system....yet.)

It's a bit of a bummer to hear that penmanship is growing increasingly more poor. I'm a lifelong leftie, and I'd like to think I have pretty nice handwriting, given that strike against me ( I CAN write in pen and NOT smudge!) I'm somewhat motivated to have a Renaissance with my journal. (but what will become of my blog, lol?)