The Lost Art of Teaching Neat Handwriting: Cursive, Penmanship, and the Skills That Slip Away

The Lost Art of Handwriting: The History and Decline of Cursive and Spencerian Script

Handwriting, particularly cursive and ornate Spencerian script, was once considered an important part of a proper education and a mark of sophistication. But with the rise of the digital age, the art of penmanship is dying out.

Cursive derives from the Latin word currere, meaning "to run", reflecting the fluid motion of joined up letterforms. The earliest forms of cursive developed in ancient Rome, but cursive handwriting became widely used in the western world from the 16th century onward. around the mid-1600s, English clerk and writing master Charles Snell created the standard loops and shapes of the cursive alphabet we know today.

Spencerian script evolved in America in the mid-19th century, developed by Platt Rogers Spencer. He promoted his ornate, florid style of penmanship through books and the Spencerian College of Commerce. Spencerian script was seen as fashionable and a status symbol, taught in schools until the early 20th century.

But the importance placed on handwriting started to decline in the 1920s and '30s with the proliferation of the typewriter. The ballpoint pen was also popularized post-WWII, requiring less pressure and skill than traditional dip pens.

By the 1970s, many schools had dropped handwriting from the curriculum, viewing it as less necessary to learn. The rise of computers and digital communication from the 1990s onward made neat handwriting even less essential.

Today, only 15% of American elementary schools spend time on cursive, as most communication is digital. Most states no longer require proficiency in cursive for school graduation. An entire generation is growing up without knowing how to write in script.

While typing and digital media have advantages, losing the art of handwriting also comes at a cost. Handwriting promotes focus, memory, creativity and other cognitive skills in ways that typing does not. Having legible handwriting remains important for tasks like taking notes or writing a letter.

Preserving the dying arts of cursive and Spencerian will require reviving instruction in schools, promoting an appreciation for the craft, and simple daily practice. Mastering graceful handwriting teaches discipline, patiences and creates a personal signature. There is value in continuing to cultivate this lost art form.