Benefits Of Writing By Hand

Sometimes I write by hand and other times I use the computer. These days I use my computer more often. I love how easy it is to read what I've written when I use my computer. If I plan carefully and put it in the correct folder it will be easy to find at a later date. However, writing by hand has some benefits over using a typewriter or computer so perhaps I should make the effort to write by hand more often.

More personal
Many people feel a hand written note or letter is more personal than something typed. There is something special about knowing the letter you are holding was written by hand by the person who sent it.

However
Sometimes it is difficult to read a person's hand writing, especially if the writing is small or untidy. In this circumstance reading can be tiring and frustrating.

My writing can be difficult to read which is one reason I like to use a computer. I find the more I write the more likely it is my writing will get harder to read. This is partly because I don't put enough effort into being neat and forming each letter correctly. Sometimes I rush.

Another reason is that I broke my right arm in my teens and it had to be pinned. Sometimes my arm hurts when I write by hand. The more it hurts the more likely I am to be untidy.

Good for your memory
Studies have shown people are more likely to remember things they have written by hand than with a computer. This suggests noting things you need to remember for a test would be more effective done by hand.

Writing by hand has benefits for the brain long term as well. Research has found it helps keep the brain active as a person ages.

Aids concentration
Writing by hand is said to help one stay focussed. It is easier to be distracted when using a typewriter or computer.

Convenience
If you take your laptop or other portable writing device to a coffee shop or use it on the train you are limited by battery life. This is not the case with pen and paper but it is a good idea to have a spare pen and plenty of paper.

You can use a pen and paper anywhere. Okay, not quite anywhere, you can't write under the shower.

Unleashes creativity
Some writers claim writing by hand encourages them to be more creative and less critical of their work.

Variety
Writers have different choices when writing by hand. Some have a special brand of biro and others prefer an old fashioned fountain pen. There are those who choose a coloured felt tip pen or a lead pencil. Personally I like to write using a 2B pencil .

Some write on unlined paper or in a spiral bound exercise book. The size will vary according to personal taste. I have a variety of notebooks ranging from A4 to quite small. An article I read stated American writers sometimes choose yellow legal pads for the first draft of their writings.

I think I will continue to sometimes write by hand but the bulk of my writing will be on the computer. I find one of the advantages of using the computer is being able to go online to get extra information and check facts.

It is great to live in a time when we have choices in regard to selecting the most appropriate method of recording ideas for a particular project.


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