Has Cursive Writing Fallen From Grace?

y">pops out at me located in the middle of the bottom
Cursive writing flows across the paper like a magicalportion of the document was that of John Hancock.
song reverberating through the strings of a harp.Perhaps his creative and bold style brought forth
Cursive lettering is more difficult than block letteringsome bantering from his colleagues. But if you look
(or casual style writing). Lines, loops, spirals and swirlsclosely at each individual signature, it is clearly evident
work rhythmatically in slants and rollercoaster hoops.that these Congressional members were extremely
The formality of cursive writing was used inmeticulous about their stately penmanship.
professional correspondence before the developmentWith the advent of computers, cursive writing
of the typewriter in the eighteenth and nineteenthbecame unstandardized across different school
centuries. Cursive connected words in a single strokesystems in a variety of English speaking countries. It
are quite distinctive from "printing" or block lettering.seems like handwriting skills are declining primarily due
"Joined up writing" is a common phrase for cursiveto the convenience and assortment of fonts stored
writing in British English. "Running Writing" is the termon computers. Anyone can combat that claim by fine
sometimes used in Australia.tuning your handwriting when you practice slanting
There are different types of handwriting styles inyour letters consistently and make the letters
two categories:o Manuscript (print)o Cursivecontinuous. The partnership between pen and paper
I remember during first and second grades, using theare used as an avenue to promote personal writing
white tablet paper sectioned by solid blue and redexpressions, just like a paintbrush is to canvas -
lines, with dashes of a blue line running through theallowing the hand to sway and glide with creativity.
middle of the two. The area between the line ofMany people look to re-popularize great and
dashes down to the solid red line at the bottom ofmonumental things from the past that have been
the section was the perimeter for small letters. Theinstrumental in the progression of modern technology
range between the solid blue top line and solid redand human development. We often hear this saying:
bottom line was the designated area to write capital"Everything old is new again." This is clearly evident as
letters. The continuous development in personalwe see car manufacturers going retro in their body
penmanship brought a sense of pride in your writtenstyles, fashion trends rotating full circle, today's
work.commercials are using many popular songs from
Let's step back into history for a moment andartists of yesteryear and anything vintage is a
examine the signatures on the Declaration ofcollector's haven!
Independence, signed by members of Congress onNow-a-days, "rarity" is an asset. Some creative
July 4, 1776. Notice how the printing of this documenttraditions like cursive writing should not be deemed
flows with influences from a combination of Cursive,as becoming completely blasé. Despite the
Script, Old English and Manuscript lettering. Frequently,fact that cursive writing lost its popularity due to the
I always heard a phrase when someone made alack of demand and modern technology, why not sit
request for my signature, they'd ask for my "Johndown and take time to rediscover the elegance and
Hancock." No one could ever give me an explanationpersonal satisfaction of what this invaluable talent has
on the origins of this saying, so I came up with myto offer. Who knows if cursive writing will become
own summation. After looking at the image of theretroactive? You certainly wouldn't want to be left in
Declaration of Independence, the one signature thatthe dark if it does.