Hand Wrtten

[Lion]

Do you prefer writing in Cursive or Hand Printing or does the situation dictate what you do???

[shandy]

Having written Cursive all my life I find it really hard to write print fashion. I love the way cusrive looks as well, it goes hand in glove with a fountain pen

[Taffi Abernathy]

Cursive.

[JBat]

I have spent many years printing; through college and to this day, and have it down pretty good. But since I've been getting back into fountain pens, I've started to resurrect my cursive. It's been a little awkward in the beginning but it's coming around. I agree with Ian, it seems to fit the FP better, but I'll still probably vacillate between the two.

[Shangas]

I was probably amongst the last generation of Australian schoolchildren who was taught cursive handwriting.

That's what I use every day.

[East Bay Rider]

As a draftsman for years I can only write my signature in cursive. When I was still on the drafting board my "lettering" (printing) was very very neat.

[JBat]

Originally Posted by Shangas

I was probably amongst the last generation of Australian schoolchildren who was taught cursive handwriting.

That's what I use every day.

What is taught now?

[Shangas]

From what I'm seeing, it looks like they've gone back to printing. If they are taught cursive (which I doubt), they probably get ONE lesson in it. The handwriting of kids that I see these days is absolutely shocking.

[2careless]

Hmm, I think the kids nowadays aren't taught a particular system. As long as they can scribble or wiggle, the teacher passes them
I'm glad that they are now starting to teach phonics again.

[Skullring]

I was in the habit of printing for many years but my cursive is coming back pretty well. I think cursive feels much more natural with a fountain pen.

[JBat]

Originally Posted by Shangas

From what I'm seeing, it looks like they've gone back to printing. If they are taught cursive (which I doubt), they probably get ONE lesson in it. The handwriting of kids that I see these days is absolutely shocking.

I agree. It used to be such a big part of the curriculum growing up. It's to everyone's detriment that it no longer is. Another victim of the computer age I guess.

[2careless]

These days bad handwriting is "cool".
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...912419,00.html

[JBat]

^^All the more reason to keep it alive.

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by 2careless

These days bad handwriting is "cool".
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...912419,00.html

For those who graduate medical school, it seems as though bad handwriting is an unspoken necessity. What's up with that?

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by Taffi Abernathy

For those who graduate medical school, it seems as though bad handwriting is an unspoken necessity. What's up with that?

Faith, my handwriting sucks, it all started in law enforcement, college, and now my hand shakes (nerve damage) when I write so I type on the computer to do all of my business. If not you could not understand what I am trying to say. I actually have to think real hard to print the letters without looking like poo.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by Safetrends

Faith, my handwriting sucks, it all started in law enforcement, college, and now my hand shakes (nerve damage) when I write so I type on the computer to do all of my business. If not you could not understand what I am trying to say. I actually have to think real hard to print the letters without looking like poo.

David, that really is a pain that you have nerve damage. What sort of fountain pen do you write with? I have minor tremors in my right hand, a legacy from early childhood, and find that the larger the pen both in girth and length really helps steady my hand. If you are near a Mont Blanc store ask them if you can try a 149, also a broader nib I find helps, more footprint on the paper to still the hand!

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by Safetrends

Faith, my handwriting sucks, it all started in law enforcement, college, and now my hand shakes (nerve damage) when I write so I type on the computer to do all of my business. If not you could not understand what I am trying to say. I actually have to think real hard to print the letters without looking like poo.

I'm very sorry to hear that, David. You have an unfortunate but bona fide medical problem. Newly-minted physicians just write illegibly because they somehow view this as an unspoken (almost) expectation - there's a world of difference between your two situations. Once again, sorry to hear about your hand problems but it sounds like you've done a good job of compensating using your computer. Faith

[Kokyuryoku]

As a teacher, I use both on a daily basis. I use cursive for my lesson plans and all my notebooks, but when I write on the board I always print.

Originally Posted by 2careless

Hmm, I think the kids nowadays aren't taught a particular system. As long as they can scribble or wiggle, the teacher passes them
I'm glad that they are now starting to teach phonics again.

This is also happening in Japan. Most of my older students, over 50, have amazing handwriting. However, now they no longer teach it at school because (reasons explained to me by a junior high school English teacher) it is too hard for the students to learn, it takes too long to teach, it's difficult to read and most foreigners don't use it anymore. Upon hearing the last point I opened my bag and showed him my notebook and lesson plans, all penned in cursive. His eyes almost popped out of his head.

Originally Posted by JBat

I agree. It used to be such a big part of the curriculum growing up. It's to everyone's detriment that it no longer is. Another victim of the computer age I guess.

The computer age has also taken it's toll on Japanese Kanji. Students ability to read and write kanji has dropped dramatically since texting and emailing became common. However, they still have a special class for handwriting in Japan that continues until 6th grade (12 years old) at least in my town anyway.

Originally Posted by 2careless

These days bad handwriting is "cool".
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...912419,00.html

Thanks for the link

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by Taffi Abernathy

For those who graduate medical school, it seems as though bad handwriting is an unspoken necessity. What's up with that?

From personal experience ...It comes from hastily taking down notes during lectures and writing at the speed of light during 3 hours exam papers.My writing deteriorated and in my fouth year I had to make an active attempt at improving it.It worked ......a bit !! Its much better now.

[TswaneNguni]

Taffi,here an example ....not too bad is it ???

[daveathall]

I love writing and use cursive as often as I can, there are some situations where I have to print.

[Lion]

First, I guess I need to learn how to spell as I have misspelled a word in the title of this thread.....I usually print but use a combination of printing and cursive together and many times in the same word as I write. I can see that with a fountain pen I could easily get back into a cursive handwriting style and I do remember how!!!

[JBat]

Chris, your handwriting isn't bad at all. It's uniquely yours, and that's a big part of the experience.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by JBat

Chris, your handwriting isn't bad at all. It's uniquely yours, and that's a big part of the experience.

Yep, I agree.

[East Bay Rider]

They do still teach cursive handwriting in public school - in third grade. I'm really not sure why as it seems like teaching kids a whole new language while they're already learning vocabulary words etc. each week and it seems like most kids (including mine) just stop using it.

Anyway - I am now actively TRYING to get my son to start writing in cursive again. His printing is so neat - all caps like his dad (Draftsman) but it's slow to write that way. I'm encouraging him to write in cursive simply to speed up and improve his note taking ability as he'll be starting High School next year.


True story:
When my boy was in 1st grade he was interested in learning cursive. He was learning to read and write at 3 y/o so I said "Why not" and taught it to him. Kids that age like to practice the new things they learn so he did an entire homework assignment in cursive and turned it in. It was neat and well done and he was proud of himself. When he received it back from the teacher the note on top simply said "Please print".
After all his extra effort to do a good job and that was the reaction.
I'll never forget that.

[Shangas]

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

From personal experience ...It comes from hastily taking down notes during lectures and writing at the speed of light during 3 hours exam papers.

I certainly know what you mean. Those 3 hour exams year after year took their toll on my handwriting. I used to practice writing faster and it was important to write fast rather than anything else.

[Bisquitlips]

I can write in both styles, but I am better with a printed style. Working on my cursive though!

[JimC]

I tend to print these days, after many years... I'm like Bill (above.) Even when I try to "write" (in cursive) my style is very upright and "stiff." I would love to be able to turn the paper a bit and write on a slant like so many here.

[Shangas]

I never print unless I have to, because I always considered printing childish.