The benefits of writing by hand
Three reasons to close the computer and pick up a pencil
When it comes to notetaking, list-making, journaling, strategizing, and everything in between, we typically head straight to the computer, boot up the word processor, and start typing. A lot of us have been doing this without a thought for years, and with cursive writing gradually being phased out of many school curricula, our tendency to default to typing is likely here to stay.
But is typing the best way to go? Current research suggests not really. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons why you’ll benefit far more from writing by hand than from typing.
Physically writing things down helps us understand and remember
This is an important one, both for students and in the workplace.
When it comes to notetaking, writing out typed notes may be more efficient when it comes to capturing more of what’s being said, but is efficiency really the main goal in this scenario?
According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology by Audrey L. H van der Meer and F. R. (Ruud) van der Weel, using laptops and typing encourages verbatim notetaking. While this type of notetaking essentially allows you to capture each word verbatim, it can often be a more surface-level way of listening. Cognitively speaking, according to the study, verbatim notetaking involves a shallower form of mentally processing information and does not promote deeper, more conceptual thinking.
Because we can type faster than we can write by hand, taking handwritten notes will force you to slow down, digest what’s being said, and decide what to write and how to write it.
This encourages us to engage with the material in more critical, conceptual ways and begin to make it our own.
Writing by hand promotes mindfulness
The act of slowing down while writing by hand is not only better for understanding the material on a deeper level, but also creates a certain atmosphere of awareness, and a real sense of what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.
In an interview with Tim Ferriss, English author Neil Gaiman discussed his love of fountain pens and the act of putting pen to paper when writing a first draft. Gaiman says, “I like the feeling of fountain pen. I like uncapping it. I like the weight of it in my hand. I like that thing, so I’ll have a notebook, I’ll have a fountain pen, and I’ll write.”
Tracking progress based on the materials used is also something Gaiman takes into consideration when writing. He explains, “I will always have two fountain pens on the go, at least, with two different colored inks, at least, because that way I can see at a glance, how much work I did that day. I can just look down and go, ‘Look at that! Five pages in brown. How about that? Half a page in black. That was not a good day. Nine pages in blue, cool, what a great day.’ ”
Many of us are paying attention to physical workspace and curating a certain aesthetic these days, especially considering how much we’ve been staying home, in order to promote an environment conducive to wellbeing, concentration, and productivity. So why not do the same when writing? Being aware and understanding your own process can increase your level of enjoyment and creativity at work, or in your studies.
Engaging fine motor skills and multiple senses
The act of physically picking up a pen and writing does great things for your brain! According to the study by van der Meer & van der Weel, the motor skills involved in using a pen positively affect the neural activity related to higher levels of cognitive processing and learning. Unlike typing, handwriting is a complex act that uses multiple different skills and senses, and it also seems to improve recognition and retention. Research indicates that recognition and retention of letters is greatly improved when children learn to write by hand as opposed to typing out words with a keyboard. More information on learning and retention through longhand writing can be found here.
Bonus tip: draw and add visuals (of course!)
Want to deepen and maximize your learning experience? Add pictures, recommends van der Meer. Visual elements such as drawings, shapes, icons, and symbols work perfectly alongside handwritten text. They can help you think more systemically, looking for connections between ideas and concepts, and also encourage further choice- and meaning-making as you engage with what you’re hearing, discussing, or learning. You can use color, placement and visual hierarchy to further differentiate different sections and elements visually.
So the next time you need to take notes, write a best-selling novel, or capture the key takeaways from a meeting, consider grabbing a pen and paper.
Written by Sarah Ellis for Pinkfish.ca
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