Handwriting has been a primary method of communication and record-keeping for centuries.

From
ancient scripts to modern cursive, handwriting has evolved with the development of societies.
Historically, handwriting instruction has been a staple in educational curriculums worldwide. With the
rise of digital technology and keyboarding, handwriting instruction has become less emphasized in many
schools. Today, students often spend more time typing than writing by hand. This has led to debates on
whether teaching handwriting, particularly cursive, is still necessary in modern education. Handwriting
helps develop familiarity by reinforcing motor skills, cognitive functions, and memory retention, which
are foundational for learning. Although some people believe the schools should teach skills that will be
more useful in the future instead of having kids spend a whole class every day to learn handwriting,
nevertheless, handwriting helps develop a lot of beneficial skills, so it is more sensible for students to
take their time and handwrite notes instead of typing.

While some argue that cursive instruction has its place in education, it is essential to prioritize practical
skills that better prepare students for the future. Being familiar with practical life skills and knowledge is
more important than knowing how to write in cursive. According to source C, “Finally, current… than
English,” in context this information is significant because it highlights that while cursive may have
historical value, in today’s education system, more time should be spent on practical skills, such as
programming and financial management, which are more valuable for students' future careers and daily
lives. Source E supports this by stating “Every hour…your money,” the evidence suggests that every hour
spent learning obsolete skills, like cursive, is time that could be better invested in learning skills that are
more practical, like managing finances or programming. Familiarity with handwriting fosters deeper
cognitive and motor engagement, ensuring long-term understanding and retention, making it a timeless
skill that supports personal and academic growth despite modern alternatives.

In addition to its practical applications, handwriting also has cognitive benefits that play a crucial role in
enhancing learning and memory retention. Handwriting, by fostering a deeper connection between
thought and expression, helps develop essential skills that enhance learning, memory, and cognitive
function, reflecting that physical engagement with knowledge leads to a more profound understanding.
In conformity with source D, the article suggests that “Handwriting is…and phrases,” in context this
information is significant because it discusses how handwriting is crucial for developing skills in reading,
writing, language use, and critical thinking. Source E opposes to this by asserting that “Much of…with
print.” The evidence notes that much of today’s communication happens through digital means, such as
typing, and print is the dominant form of writing. Familiarity with handwriting develops essential
cognitive and motor skills that enhance reading, writing, and critical thinking, making it a crucial part of
education that supports deeper understanding and memory retention, even in a world dominated by
digital communication.

Beyond its cognitive benefits, the familiarity gained through handwriting plays a vital role in fostering
deeper understanding of the material. Familiarity fosters deeper understanding, suggesting that
students benefit more from handwriting notes as it strengthens their connection to material and
enhances retention compared to typing. Conformable to source C, “In fact…their education,” this
evidence asserts that although students become proficient in typing quickly, the act of handwriting
enhances deeper comprehension and connection to the material, which typing may not offer. Source D
affirms that, “The act…class discussions.” This evidence explains that the act of handwriting engages
complex motor functions, which promotes better retention and comprehension. Studies have shown
that students who handwrite their notes are more attentive during class discussions. Familiarity with
handwriting fosters deeper engagement and understanding, as it activates complex motor functions
that enhance retention and comprehension, making it a more effective method for notetaking than
typing despite the convenience of digital tools.

As seen in previous sections, handwriting aids in cognitive engagement; it also strengthens memory
retention and comprehension, which are critical for academic success. Handwriting engages cognitive
and motor functions that strengthen memory retention, comprehension, and critical thinking skills—
abilities crucial for academic and personal growth. While modern technology offers faster alternatives
like typing, these do not inherently build the same depth of understanding or connection to material.
Evidence from source C shows that while typing allows for quicker mastery, it does not enhance
comprehension or retention as effectively as handwriting. Source D further emphasizes that handwriting
promotes active engagement and better comprehension of content, proving its foundational role in
learning. By integrating handwriting into education, schools provide students with a vital skill that
reinforces familiarity with their studies, enabling them to process and apply knowledge more effectively.
Therefore, handwriting instruction remains a critical part of education, bridging the gap between
knowledge and understanding in a way that modern alternatives cannot fully replicate.