Improve Your Writing Skills: How Handwriting Enhances Clarity and Quality
It's hard to think of not using the computer
Created by Auther with Google Gemini
Back to Old School
I have mixed feelings about handwriting with a pen and paper improving Writing; several studies show that writing by hand has many benefits. The researchers report that when writing, those who use pen and paper show more connectivity in the brain, which is beneficial for learning and memory. Researchers studied the cognitive engagement of handwriting and found that high-density EEGs measure brain activity. The researchers found that when people write using pen and paper, they show more connectivity in the brain (·January 26, 2024).
Neurology of Writing by Hand
Marano et al. (2025) discuss handwriting as a complicated neurophysiological process that involves many skills working together. These include motor, cognitive, and emotional components. A discussion describes the evolution of Writing and the development of precise words for communication.
Another interesting aspect of handwriting is that individuals use their handwriting style, including pressure slant and spacing. Some write very neatly while others put little care into their production. Experts can look at individual handwriting and learn about a person.
Handwriting can improve one's
writing cohesively and coherently
There is some evidence that writing by hand can increase coherence and cohesiveness because it uses a wide range of neural activity.
Cohesive Writing
Cohesive Writing occurs when the reader finds the written piece easy to read. It is a logical and orderly arrangement of ideas and details. Transitional words, pronoun references, repetition, and logic achieve cohesive Writing.
Coherent Writing
Coherence is as effective for the reader. It is also logical, and the ideas are arranged orderly, with details and arguments within a text. These words connect easily to convey a clear message. Coherent Writing allows readers to follow the author’s thought process without confusion.
Back to My Dilemma
I started out writing that I had mixed feelings about writing by hand. It seems to be helpful. I will try occasionally, but it is much easier to type.
References
Pincher,(·January 26, 2024)Handwriting Boosts Brain Connectivity and Learning Neuoscience News https://neurosciencenews.com/handwriting-learning-brain-connectivity-25522/
Marano G, Kotzalidis GD, Lisci FM, Anesini MB, Rossi S, Barbonetti S, Cangini A, Ronsisvalle A, Artuso L, Falsini C, et al. The Neuroscience Behind Writing: Handwriting vs. Typing — Who Wins the Battle? Life. 2025; 15(3):345. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030345
I find it ironic that at the outset of the article it states it was written by the author using google gemini. I haven’t yet used an AI writing tool. But when writing about benefits of writing by hand… you see?
Thank you for this post, Karen. I could agree that typing is easier and save time; but there are 2 different stages of writing. I adore the first stage and would never allow AI to take it from me. The second is routine, and AI could help with spelling.
1) "Inspiration and a flash of idea". I don’t know what I will write I just have idea and contour. Then I grab a paper and start write. Not nice and neatly (in my case) but fast before the idea slipped away, with a lot of striking through, asterisks, inserted parts, abbreviated words, and other corrections which only I understand. I remember such scribbled text visually and saw it as it would be.
2) "Typing and spelling". After that comes typing, and during typing new corrections of structure.