The Act of Cursive Writing



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Act of Cursive WritingIs the act of Cursive Writing truly obsolete or not?12/8/2011Angie MeyerCommunications 1000This is about whether the act of cursive writing is obsolete. Cursive writing is a flowing, connected, fluid form of writing used for speed and ease. It allows people to write their thoughts often as soon as they have an idea pop into their minds. Cursive itself is writing that has been created in various styles for writing down notes and letters quickly. Some styles of cursive writing are known as:Cursive Arabic: “This flowing script inspired the cursive of Medieval Latin, which in turn developed into the longhand script of English,” (The Eastern Mysteries: An Encyclopedic Guide to the Sacred Languages & Magickal Systems of the World, p. 185).Roman Cursive: There are two types of this: the older one being Majuscule or/and Capitalis as known as ancient Roman Cursive and the newer one being Minuscule or/and Roman Cursive. This style uses letters that are modernly recognizable which is similar to English Cursive.Cursive Greek: During this development of the cursive writing, it has undergone several changes due to cultural evolution. It went from slanted and partly connected letter forms to the latest style which is similar to Western European cursive scripts due to widespread usage.English Cursive: The cursive style was derived from Old Roman and Old English into the style we see today in British and North America using English.“Cursive handwriting was introduced by Aldus Manutius in 1495 A.D., of Venice, who decided to change the writing due to the concept of “running hand” to help make writing go smoother, cleaner and quicker,” (Inventors., 2011). The first language of cursive writing was in Roman Capitals and Greek letterforms; that language evolved over time into the 26 letter alphabet we now know and use for writing for both upper and lower cases. “Via 18th century French: cursif from Medieval Latin: cursivus, literally “running,” derived from Latin: curreue “to run, hasten,” (, 2011).There are two general types of handwriting: longhand and cursive. Longhand, known as print, is a form of writing where one does not connect letters. Cursive is a form of writing where letters are connected together. Longhand is the most basic type of writing; it is more often used for science, mathematics and daily life. We continue to use longhand, however, as numbers cannot be written in cursive writing due to the difficulty in connecting numerical symbols. Even on SATs, a large majority of students submitted their essays via computer while the multiple choices were done with a pencil and eraser. “As of 2007, 85% of high school students printed their SAT essays,” (News., 2009). Longhand was also used for other questions that did not require “writing sentences,” such as scribbling carpentry measurements. Cursive handwriting is often the most available method to record information. For instance, imagine that you are having a coffee with a business associate discussing measurements of a building when you have an idea. To demonstrate your meaning you grab a napkin, dig into your bag for a pen and scribble images and/or words. More than not, scribbles resemble cursive writing as it is quicker to connect letters in a hurry than to slowly and tediously print each single individual one. As Mr. Schick states, “I have often seen programmers for example, reach for loose-leaf or even napkins when they suddenly decide to work on a difficult problem,” (Computing Canada, 2005, p.19). He has also stated that, “meanwhile, over in the style section, the Globe profiled a rising number of business professionals who, weary over the roaming issues and network problems associated with mobile devices such as Research In Motion’s Blackberry, have gone back to the age-old practice of keeping 3-in. x 5-in. index cards (which are referred to as the “hipster PDA”) with important notes – which they fill out with handwriting. Talk about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing,” (Computing Canada, 2005, p.19).Unfortunately, people in general have fallen out in their capability with their cursive writing. People have begun to use cursive writing less and less due to typing on devices at a quicker speed than writing. Typing allows a person to continue to type words without pausing while with writing one has to pause frequently for spaces, punctuation and so forth. School and work have encouraged the usage of keyboard skills for many reasons:Clear text to readQuicker to typeEasy to send a typed document in a “mass” message [one format of message sent to multiple people at once]Multiple copies made in matters of secondsMore words on a piece of paperFormal formatAdvantages of cursive writing are:Develop their own “style”Write freely and flowing without a pause except for spacesMemorize more while writing than what is typed because you are forced to manually write the information down than just typing it awayCursive writing aids in producing lists on the goCursive is scribbled quicker due to connecting letters rather than drawing each singular letter at a time in longhand, known as printIt aids in building and coordinating motor and muscle skills including the ability to focus Due to cultural and technological evolution, we have quickly advanced our writing skills in the last four thousand years.? What began as drawing and scratching pictures on cave walls has progressed to carving symbols and then writing with a quill on paper. From there then the development went further to various instruments until typewriters were developed over a century ago reducing the need to use puters came after typewriters approximately fifty years ago. In the past fifty years, technological advances have reached the point where people have laptops, tablets and mobile phones. People use keyboards on a daily basis. Considering the majority of documentation being typewritten, the degree of cursive writing being used has decreased significantly. The advancing wireless network has also aided in the acceleration.“The nature of writing has been constantly evolving, particularly due to the development of new technologies over the centuries. The pen, the printing press, the computer and the mobile phone are all technological developments which have altered what is written, and the medium through which the written word is produced. Particularly with the advent of digital technologies, namely the computer and the mobile phone, characters can be formed by the press of a button, rather than making the physical motion with the hand,” ().“It’s also a dynamic cultural element. Cursive writing changed with the times, so a third grader in the 1960s learned a different style from a third grader in 1990s. It tends to reflect cultural values. Eighteenth century Puritans wrote a version that eliminated unnecessary frills. In the 19th century, American script was fluid and loopy. The 20th century found Americans writing a cursive form that was far more utilitarian. In the 1990s, cursive became even more pared down, which is the style most kids are learning now,” (, 2009).“And speaking of computer science, the speedy trend toward computerized and increasingly electronic forms of communications have, in many people’s minds, rendered cursive skills practically obsolete. Who writes letters anymore in order to share a story with a friend? Who handwrites a cover letter when applying for a job? When’s the last time you sat in a meeting and found yourself holding an agenda written in pen? Seemingly, cursive is an outdated skill in all the ways that count. With the exception of the legally binding signature, few people use it in daily (even in yearly) life,” (People., 2009).People used to send handwritten letters, cards and documentation out via mail now known as “snail mail.” Everything is sent/received in a milli-second thanks to the electronic world becoming wireless. Bills are typewritten and printed then mailed or emailed to the customers. People rarely receive cards with handwritten text. No one seems to want to sit down and make the effort to painstakingly write cursively on a piece of paper when a simple E-card is sent via the Internet either by mobile device, laptop or tablet.There are some programs where an individual can jot notes down on a tablet in class, after all, notes are needed to be jotted down; Cliff notes, references, critical information that one would need to know. It is too difficult to use technological devices for ALL of one's courses, thus one still needs to write in some form; print, cursive or hybrid, preferably cursive. Not everyone can afford a mini laptop or tablet to type everything quickly in class.Yet, how are students supposed to write down mathematics equations on a tablet? Teachers often broadcast information on the projector or write information on the white or chalk board expecting students to copy the information onto their loose-leaf. However, for the most part, teachers have begun to distribute class materials via email or by photocopying. In general, teachers seem not to believe that there is sufficient time or reason for teaching cursive writing anymore in the curricula due to the majority of English related tasks such as papers and essays which are required to be typed on a computer and then to be printed or emailed.For instance, Mr. Bailey, at NSCC Institute of Technology, Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a Mathematics teacher yet he prefers to write in print on the white board and passes out photocopies of the manuals. Ms. Meisner, an English and Mathematics teacher, prefers to write in cursive on the white board and pass out photocopies of assignments; she also distributes certain information packets or/and assignments through email. In today’s age of technology, the increasing access to computers and wireless resources, such as laptops, is being permitted in classroom use and portability. This results in today’s student population to be more adaptable to the rapid changes in their education. Educational establishments are keeping up with the times ensuring the students have ample access to the resources which do not relate to cursive writing, mainly typing. It takes more time to pause to think how to type an equation while a person could use Live scribe for an example. Live scribe is software along with some hardware installed on a touch screen laptop, or a desktop computer, where a pen is used to “write” on the specially designed “book” which then is saved and automatically translated to text. For the Operating System to accommodate the software there is a need for an interface which would allow an individual’s personal writing style to be recognized by the software. The program even “speaks” the text out loud to eliminate the need to read the information. This is also useful for people with low vision. There are other programs where the user simply speaks into the device or machine and the system follows the user's commands, including translating voice to text and vice versa. Equations can even be jotted down and the computer program itself will automatically translate it into text from a writing – any form of the person's writing, preferably cursive writing due to the fact that the program is designed to favor cursive writing as the writing itself is larger with a fluid flow. However, due to the success of incorporating BlackBerrys, IPhones, and tablets involving touch screens eliminating the need for actual keyboards, companies have designed programs where anyone can practice cursive writing on the screen. “Will changes in user interface breathe new life into skills as handwriting? More broadly, is the purpose of technology to replace manual processes, or simply to provide new vehicles in which to use them?” (Computing Canada, 2005, p.19).What this means is, with the ability to practice cursive writing – without the standard form of paper and pen – anyone is able to continue writing in cursive on any device with the capability. It will also allow people to preserve their style rather than to lose it or switch over to longhand only. Each individual’s style is unique within the general style depending on the era and in which country that individual lives; each individual does not write the same as another individual. It is possible to duplicate a form of writing; however a great deal of practice is required.That is one reason why people prefer signatures in cursive writing; it creates a higher level of difficulty to match the smoothness and flowing fluid of the signature. For style, people have their own ways of writing, left and right handed people do not write similarly. Left handed people tend to write at a slanted angle while right handed people tend to write at a flat angle. People without hands are able to write with their mouth or feet.The quality of cursive writing also shows how individuals view themselves, the world and the idealistic and creative concept of thinking. For instance, a bubbly personality would typically lead to large text of flowing letters with large o’s and a’s while ‘jellying’ up the g’s, f’s, and y’s with a flow and circular motions. For a person who is typically bitter and in a rush tends to write in small fonts and the text tends to be illegible. Doctors are famous for their illegible handwriting. The majority of their writing is in cursive on prescriptions.“But perhaps the greatest argument against the abandonment of cursive is far less philosophical than rites of passage and cultural reflectivity, and this is the point on which many teachers and other experts get stuck. Learning how to write is a crucial component in learning how to learn. The focus on cursive in and around third grade reflects the developmental connection between writing and thinking,“ (People., 2010).“The two don’t become truly separated until later. Children who excel in handwriting skills tend also to excel in other academic pursuits,” (, 2007). “Cursive writing assists in the development of fine motor skills and muscle control, and it’s an introduction to self-expression,” (News., 2009). “To abandon handwriting lessons is potentially to interfere with the learning process as a whole,” (People., 2010).It is apparent that with the progression of technology, however, the act of cursive writing is becoming obsolete. It may only take fifty years or less for cursive writing to be obsolete considering the rate of acceleration. Programs may continue with the capability of cursive writing.For education and work, cursive writing is no longer perceived as a necessary skill. Keyboard skills are deemed necessary due to the changing of our technological age. It is unfortunate that as technology replaces cursive writing young children are not being encouraged to put their minds to creativity through flowing fluid words. Children should still have the option to decide if they want to continue with learning cursive or stick with print.Children are now being taught keyboard skills in class first before they learn cursive writing which assumes the teacher still teaches cursive. Future generations are quickly picking up skills and knowledge of how to assemble and access technological advances while forgetting the necessary skill of writing. Ever miss those cute scribbles of love poems, little notes on the fridge and thank-you cards with cursive handwriting expressing their gratitude? Typewritten text feels and seems to be cold and abrupt while with cursive writing, it brings warmth to the receiver. It is genuine, but will it soon be gone forever?REFERENCESBreens, Tom. September 21, 2009. Cursive Writing: A Fading Skill. Discovery News. Retrieved from , David Allen. (2002). The Eastern Mysteries: An Encyclopedic Guide to theSacred Languages & Magickal Systems of the World. (p. 185). St. Paul, MN, USA. Kelley, Raina. November 12, 2007. The Writing on the Wall. Newsweek. Retrievedfrom , Kitty Burns. (2008). Script and Scribbles: The rise and fall of handwriting.New York: First Melville House Printing.Layton, Julie. February 23, 2010. Is cursive writing obsolete? Retrieved from, Douglas. October 29, 2011. Cursive. Online Etymology Dictionary.Retrieved from Writing. (n.d.) Retrieved from, Shane. May 13, 2005. Computing Canada; 31, 7; CBCA Complete. (p. 19).Suddath, Claire. August 3, 2009. Mourning the Death of Handwriting. Time.Retrieved from , Anne. (2010). Handwriting is History. Julian Dibbell (Ed.) The BestTechnology Writing 2010. (pp.174 – 185). New Haven, CN. Yale UniversityPress. ................
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