Readers Digest

[jbradley]

There is an article in this month's Readers Digest about cursive writing. It called it a lost art. It blames texting and word processing for this. It stated that in years past, cursive was taught in the 3rd, 4th & 5th grades, now in a lot of schools it is taught in the 3rd only. The article said that one section of the ACT college entrance exam specifically states no printing. Most students struggle with script, some actually say they have forgotten how to write in cursive.

I thought it was a pretty interesting read. Tried to find it on rd.com, but couldn't. It may be next month before it is in the online version.

 

[franz]

Interesting. I never took the ACT, and I had no idea there was a section that was supposed to be done in longhand/cursive. I shudder to think how that must make life for the graders.

 

[rearviewmirror]

My eldest daughter was PISSED they weren't going to teach her cursive, so I got her a book and we've worked on it together. I think it's important to learn.
My dad emphasized a few things to be successful. Clean finger nails, socks that matched your outfit/belt and shoes matching, shoes that are shined, and legible hand writing. He was from a time where business was done without computers, so everything was hand written.

 

[rearviewmirror]

and i'm 34 years old and much prefer the large print version of RD

 

[Toothpick]

I've forgot how to write in cursive. I can write each letter individually but writing a sentence all the letters just smudge together and end up not being legible because I can't remember how to connect the letters together.

 

[dcobranchi]

I find it very difficult to believe that the ACT requires cursive. Especially since the SAT requires the essay portion be printed.

 

[jbradley]

I find it very difficult to believe that the ACT requires cursive. Especially since the SAT requires the essay portion be printed.

I have never taken it, so I can't say. I was just quoting the article.

 

[cursethis]

I've forgot how to write in cursive. I can write each letter individually but writing a sentence all the letters just smudge together and end up not being legible because I can't remember how to connect the letters together.

It comes back rather quickly if you use it enough. I forgot how to write Q's, Z's, and z's when I first started to write cursive again.

An odd quirk of mine is that I have to write in cursive with a fountain pen... it just doesn't feel right printing with a nib. On the flip-side, I usually print when I use a ballpoint or rollerball pen.

 

[Toothpick]

An odd quirk of mine is that I have to write in cursive with a fountain pen... it just doesn't feel right printing with a nib.

i'm on the other side. I can only print with the FP i have. the ink comes out to fast for my feeble cursive to keep up. It's a combo of it coming out to fast and cheap notebook paper soaking it right up.

 

[jzuzphreek]

I took the ACT twice (11 years ago and 12 years ago)... don't remember having to write cursive.... actually don't even remember having to write essays. I do remember that I forgot my calculator on my second attempt. All my other scores went up, but my math score went down. Same cumulative score. I was so mad!

 

[celestino]

Incredible how we can lose some thing so simple and elegant in a few decades. i have my pens waiting for my 13-year-old son to help him continue to improve his cursive writing!

 

[cody6766]

one section of the ACT college entrance exam specifically states no printing

Unless that is new, or very old, I think it's wrong. I took the ACT back in 2002 and 2003 and it was all done on scantron. The only time I did any writing was when I carefully printed my name and other info in the blocks to mark the sheet as mine. I do remember standardized exams in Jr High that required essay writing, but I don't remember any stylistic requirements.

On the main point of this post, I already wrote a tirade on the subject in the long 'debate' thread on the subject. The Cliff's notes version: I'm for it being taught in grade school and think removing it from the curriculum is a disservice to students.

 

[purerockfury]

This is by far my favorite of the forum sections on this site. The artistry you all have is beautiful. Calligraphy, cursive really is an art form I tend to use these types of fonts when writing emails to friends and family. Since I can no longer write in cursive.

When I was younger we were taught to write in cursive early. Only until I got into high school and drafting class did my downfall from cursive start. I actually had to learn to write in print lettering. Now I could not write in cursive if I was forced to at gun point. I have actually forgot how certain letter look and work. Maybe one day I can afford a nice pen and ink and re-learn.

 

[cameraflier]

I'm curious to read the article. If someone finds it, please share.

Thanks.

 

[jbradley]

When I get home I'll try to take a picture or scan it @ post it.

 

[jbradley]

For some reason I couldn't get my scanner to work, so here are pictures of the article. Please pay particular attention to the last paragraph on page 2 and the first on page 3.

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

for those of you who has practiced on improving their handwriting, you may want to post what you used to do so. You might promote somebody's thinking into trying this out for themselves. Website? Books? Youtube?

Actually the question is for me, but it sounds good doesn't it?

btw i am actually typing on a cursive keyboard....because everytime I can't spell something correctly, I'm cursive it....

 

[syngent]

A stub nib will give an instant impact

Slowing down and making an effort to correct certain things you don't like will over time make an improvement

 

[suits123]

It was a while ago but I don't remember that portion on the ACT. Maybe it is something new. Will definitely cause some lower scores if it does!

 

[syngent]

What is ACT ?