The other day I had to make some handwritten notes. On reading them back I realised, not for the first time, that my handwriting is a bit of a mess. I doubt I’m alone in this. Nowadays our fingers are more accustomed to keyboards than pens. But does that mean handwriting is dead? & more importantly—should we be worried about it?
A group of bestselling British authors clearly think we should be, as they recently auctioned handwritten excerpts of their books to support a charity, Three Peas. Besides raising funds for displaced people & refugees, their goal was to draw attention to the ‘demise of handwriting.’ They argue that while technology has made writing easier, something fundamental is lost when we abandon the pen.
Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo, describes handwriting as a physical act that sparks creativity—“like switching on an electrical appliance.” Similarly, Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring, writes all her novels by hand, explaining that she finds the connection between brain, hand & pen “more organic” than using a keyboard.
Education experts share their concerns. Studies show that young learners are increasingly struggling with basic handwriting, leading to illegible exam papers & lower scores. The National Literacy Trust found that 36% of children rarely or never write by hand in their free time, a sharp increase from 23% just a year earlier. The pandemic’s impact on early education may have worsened the trend. A 2014 study by Mueller & Oppenheimer found that students who took handwritten notes retained more information than those who typed. The researchers attributed this to “generative processing,” where handwriting forces deeper cognitive engagement with the material.
The Digital Age: More Writing, Not Less
But while handwriting seems to be fading, writing itself is thriving—just in a different form. The Linguist Gretchen McCulloch, is quoted in an article in the Times as stating that the internet has expanded, not reduced, the amount of writing we do. Before social media, many adults simply stopped writing after school unless their job required it. Now, from texts & emails to social media posts, people are constantly engaging in informal written communication. She also notes that digital writing has developed its own conventions, blending spoken & written forms with elements like emojis to express nuance. Supporting this perspective, Baron (2018) highlights the way in which digital communication is reshaping literacy. While some worry about declining formal writing skills, Baron argues that informal digital writing fosters linguistic creativity & adaptability.
Teacher Takeaways
- Handwriting & Cognitive Benefits: Research suggests that writing by hand can enhance memory & learning, particularly in young learners. Consider incorporating frequent handwritten tasks to support retention. Don’t think ‘formal’ texts, instead encourage note-taking, brief summaries & written responses before a speaking task.
- Digital Writing as Literacy: The rise of informal, digital writing doesn’t mean students are less literate—just literate in different ways. Teaching digital literacy, including tone & audience awareness, is now essential.
- Balancing Both Worlds: While handwriting is a skill worth preserving, we should also embrace the opportunities digital writing offers. Perhaps the key isn’t choosing one over the other but ensuring students can navigate both.
What’s your take? Do you encourage handwriting in your classes, or do you focus more on digital literacy?
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