Actually handwriting is a lost art. I don’t want to quibble over semantics but the idea I’m trying to get across is that handwriting or penmanship was a style of writing that was taught back in the pen and ink days. The difference between handwriting/penmanship and cursive is that penmanship requires you to use the large muscles in your arm (vs just wrist and fingers as is usually done in teaching cursive). Your hand and wrist stay more firm and your arm moves more or the most. Most good Calligraphers still use this approach in writing decorative text. Though it is initially more difficult when starting out this way, one big advantage is that your hand fatigues less due to using the bigger muscles and over time you have more control and consistency of letter formation. I used to do some calligraphy when I was younger and this approach will help you get consistent letters without cramps or fatigue. It isn’t that people can’t have nice handwriting when learning cursive it’s that most will not. The disadvantage of the penmanship style is that it truly takes practice and patience. In our world of text messaging I think I know which one will win out ;- ) Recent research has also shown that students remember things better when they are handwritten (cursive, manuscript, whatever) as opposed to keyboarding as different regions of the brain are required that have more links to language formation than the more mechanical regions required for typing/keyboarding.
Thanks for your thoughts. I have to use handwriting at my work about the same as a keyboard. I have a lovely ball point pen that feels good in my hand, a quality pen that keeps me from wanting to write sloppy, along with good quality paper products to compliment the pen. I like having fine tools to use in my work. :-)
I can write cursive in two styles. I don’t know how to text. I refuse to learn.