Although I type much faster than I can write, I think it still has a place. A handwritten note is a very personal touch and handwriting can show you about a person’s personality as well.

I had to handwrite every essay after 2nd grade in elementary school, which was torture. Once I could go back to printing (in middle school), I did, and took typing, too. I know kids learn “keyboarding” in elementary school now, but a 12 year-old learning how to type in 1975 was pretty rare.

My kids both struggle quite a bit with handwriting due to disabilities, and once they learned typing and were allowed to use it for school work, a huge barrier was taken away.

If Neal Stephenson wants to write his novels with a fountain pen, hey, more power to him. But I think handwriting is going to go the way of the quill, blotter, and ink pot.

My handwriting does not look like the style sheet above (in fact, as a kid I rebelled against that style sheet). I enjoyed writing, but in my own way. My Dad said that I didn’t write, but that I drew. My letters were my own, and I allowed my personality to come out when I wrote. I basically still have the same handwriting that I had in eighth grade. It is legible, but it is definitely me.

I am also a person who types quickly and use computers and gadgets all the time, but communication by writing notes is still very important.

Also, I do not think that children should be pushed into fitting into that style sheet, but to allow them to find their own way (the style sheet as a guide, not the law). When I taught, I wanted them to express themselves, not hindering them to fit into a mold that everyone can’t fit into. If the child in the story did better using another method to communicate, great. I wouldn’t discourage him/her from continuing to write, but some people are better in other areas.

These are my thoughts.