From keyboard to quill: Professional revival in a digital world

Even though there will be many who will scoff at the idea over the relevance of handwriting, it is still considered a professional skill today. However, its significance and emphasis may vary depending on the context and industry. While digital communication has become the norm in many professional settings, there are still situations where good handwriting is valued and can make a positive impression.

While the digital age has undoubtedly influenced communication and documentation practices, the art of handwriting still holds relevance and can set individuals apart in specific professional scenarios, Professor Sunil Roy, Dean, School of Management Sciences-Apeejay Stya University opined.

We have come across terms like handwriting, penmanship, and calligraphy. Traditionally, calligraphy has a strong presence throughout the world representing its culture and tradition. Handwriting is generally perceived as writing with a pen, pencil, or with any other instrument.  Penmanship is the art or skill whereas calligraphy is a disciplined art form of hand lettering that follows specific rules. It represents traditions and heritage of different parts of the world and is mainly admired for the expression component in it.

“In the last decade, there has been a dynamic change due to technology. There is a perception that handwriting and calligraphy would be obsolete with how things are progressing. But it’s a misconception. The digital era can address size, shape, slant, spacing, and smoothness but can’t bring in expressions. Did you know that nice calligraphic art with expression is worth millions of dollars? Professor Roy asked.

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Understanding, explaining, learning, remembering, recalling, applying and creating are integral parts of modern education. Handwriting brings in superior learning effect as it certainly helps students to recall and remember better

–Professor Sunil Roy, Dean, School of Management Sciences-Apeejay Stya University

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He cited various benefits of practicing handwriting. Experimental research has shown that handwriting practice may improve literacy learning by engaging motor functions. “Our motor skills are only engaged when a person is writing by hand with a pen or pencil and not typing. The findings of experimental research conducted by Wiley & Rapp in 2021, reflected that the handwriting group using pen and paper was found to be decisively better than the typewriting group in terms of literacy and literacy-related generalisation,” Professor Roy explained.

When you write with pen and paper, you hear the sound you make while writing and get a sensory experience that creates contact between different parts of the brain resulting in the opening up of the brain for quick learning.

“Understanding, explaining, learning, remembering, recalling, applying and creating are integral parts of modern education. Handwriting brings in superior learning effect as it certainly helps students to recall and remember better,” Professor Roy said.

On the question of recommending exercises or activities to improve handwriting, his response was spontaneous. “Practice, practice, and practice” is the mantra for enhancing any skill. All skills can be enhanced by following this mantra. “Mahatma Gandhi had said that poor or bad handwriting should be regarded as a sign of imperfect education, experts recommend some ways to improve handwriting,” the professor shared.

          

But when it comes to adults, one should follow a model of writing developed by Washington University Psychology Professor, Virginia Berninger – simple view of writing – which has three elements: Transcription (handwriting and spelling); executive functions (attention, planning, reviewing, and revising); text generation (words and sentences).

“All the three elements bring in working memory which consists of short-term memory – reviewing and long-term memory – composing. Both are achieved more by writing more,” Professor Roy said.

Why is handwriting still important?

Personalised communication: Handwritten letters, thank-you notes, and greeting cards convey a sense of thoughtfulness and personal touch.

Signatures: Handwritten signatures are still required for many legal documents, contracts, and official paperwork.

Note-taking: While digital note-taking has gained popularity, some professionals still prefer to take notes by hand during meetings, conferences, or brainstorming sessions. Handwritten notes can help with better retention of information.

Personal branding: In certain professions, having legible and attractive handwriting can contribute to personal branding and self-presentation. For example, calligraphers, wedding planners, or personal stylists may use their handwriting as part of their professional identity.