Penmanship: A Dying Art?

CBS News ^ | August 12, 2005 | Rachel Konrad

[RosieCotton]

I was surprised to hear recently that handwriting (i.e. anything other than basic printing) isn't always taught in schools anymore. I realize it's not as much of an issue, and I have mixed feelings about it becoming lost. Personally, I still do quite a bit of letter writing - there's something much more personal and meaningful about handwritten correspondence.

[cripplecreek]

One look at my mothers handwriting and you'll wonder if they taught it in the 40s and 50s.

[goldstategop]

No one writes beautifully anymore. The personal touch is becoming a lost art.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[RosieCotton]

Maybe an interesting topic for homeschooling discussion?

[Glenn]

isn't always taught in schools anymore

My handwriting is illegible. Always has been. It's a good thing you could not be held back for it.

[RosieCotton]

I've done some attempts at calligraphy in addition to working on my handwriting. I know approximations can be done on the computer...but beautiful writing is an art, as you said, and it would be sad for it to be lost.

[Piquaboy]

I have been pretty good at tails and legs since reaching puberty.

[blackeagle]

Penmanship Bump!

[MikefromOhio]

I never did write much...

[najida]

I read medical records all day...

OK, decipher the encryptions that is ;)

[Millee]

Me too. I'd still be in the 4th grade.

[greydog]

Cursive is for sissys anyway.

[Malacoda]

That's a shame...a well-written, beautifully lettered document is a wonderful thing.

Of course, I had good penmanship BEATEN into me by the Sisters of the Holy Chalkboard Pointer at Our Lady of Pain, so...

[LIConFem]

I used to have very good penmanship, but after using a 'puter keyboard for 22+ years, I'm barely able to sign my name legibly.

[Walkingfeather]

The idea of cursive was to be able to write faster. But some studies have indicated that one can print just as fast and can be read easier, so I think the idea is losing its meaning.

[yarddog]

That old idea about Doctors writing really does seem to be true. I can never read any of my Doctors prescriptions.

Somehow the druggist always does tho.

[Wilum]

My handwriting was always hard for others to read although I went through writing classes through the 60's. But for the last several years constantly communicating via computer, I've noticed even my signature, let alone my writing, looking a little rough.

[Huck]

My handwriting has always been horrible also. In the 6th grade, my English teacher gave me a penmanship workbook I was supposed to use during the summer. Yeah right! I can't type correctly either. Guess what I do for a living! I write! LOL.

[yarddog]

I think we started with cursive in the third grade too. We called it "real writing".