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In school, you first learn to write in printed letters, and eventually in cursive. We all started off with giant pencils and over the course of a few years we graduated to pens. I suppose these days the focus is more on typing skills than writing, but let’s not stumble into deep depression over the lost art of handwriting just yet.
As we each reach the age of journal writing accountability (for me it was 17 and was jumpstarted by heartache), we choose a method to write with even if the decision is subconscious.
I began writing everything in cursive around age nine, but by the time I actually cared about writing my thoughts down with the idea of allowing others to read them, I quickly decided to switch to print so that there would be no eyestrain or confusion.
On that note, let’s talk about reasons why you might wright in cursive versus print in your own personal journal. Let’s dive in!
Reasons to write in print
There are several reasons why one might choose to write with their favorite journaling pen in printed letters versus cursive:
Legibility
Printed letters tend to be more legible than cursive, especially if your handwriting is not very neat or if you tend to write quickly. If you want to be sure that you can read what you wrote later on, printed letters may be a better choice.
Clarity
Printed letters can also help to clarify your thoughts and ideas. Because they are more structured and uniform than cursive, they may help you to organize your writing and present your ideas in a more clear and concise manner.
Speed
If you are a fast writer, printed letters may be a more efficient way to record your thoughts and ideas. For some, cursive requires more time and effort to write, and may slow you down if you’re trying to get your ideas down quickly.
Famous people who printed
Thomas Edison
The American inventor and businessman, known for his work on the electric light bulb and phonograph, kept notebooks throughout his life. His handwriting is primarily in print and is often described as messy and difficult to read.
Marie Curie
The Polish-born physicist and chemist, known for her groundbreaking work on radioactivity, kept a notebook filled with her research and observations. Her handwriting is a mix of print and cursive.
Neil Armstrong
The American astronaut, known for being the first human to walk on the moon, kept a series of mission logs and personal journals. His handwriting is primarily in print and is neat and legible.
Maya Angelou
The American poet and author, known for her powerful and evocative writing, kept a series of autobiographical writings and personal journals. Her handwriting is a mix of print and cursive and is often described as bold and expressive.
Bill Gates
The American businessman and philanthropist, known for co-founding Microsoft and his charitable work, kept a series of personal journals throughout his life. His handwriting is primarily in print and is often described as precise and deliberate.
Steve Jobs
The American entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple, kept a series of personal notebooks and diaries throughout his life. His handwriting is primarily in print and is often described as messy and difficult to read.
Amelia Earhart
The American aviator and adventurer, known for being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, kept a series of flight logs and personal journals. Her handwriting is primarily in print and is often described as neat and legible.
Nikola Tesla
The Serbian-American inventor and engineer, known for his work on alternating current and wireless communication, kept numerous notebooks and diaries throughout his life. His handwriting is primarily in print.
Anne Frank
The young diarist wrote her famous diary in printed letters, which allowed her to record her thoughts and feelings with clarity and legibility despite the cramped conditions in which she lived.
Advantages of writing in cursive
Fluidity
Cursive writing can allow for a more flowing, natural style of handwriting, which can be helpful for writers who want to capture the rhythm of their thoughts or emotions on the page.
Personal expression
Cursive handwriting is often considered more personal and expressive than printed handwriting. Cursive writing can help you convey emotions and thoughts in a way that printed handwriting cannot, which can be particularly helpful if you are using your journal as a tool for self-expression.
Speed
Cursive handwriting can be written more quickly than printed handwriting, which can be helpful if you are trying to capture your thoughts quickly or if you are short on time.
Creativity
Famous people who wrote in cursive
Cursive handwriting can be a way to express your creativity and personality through your writing. It allows you to experiment with different styles and forms of writing, and can be a way to add visual interest to your journal.
The autograph is the most popular example of cursive handwriting in human history. Here are some people whose diaries and journals favored cursive over print.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo, the Mexican artist known for her colorful and emotive paintings, also kept a journal throughout her life. She wrote in cursive, which is known for its flowing and expressive style, and often used drawings and paintings to accompany her writing.
Anaïs Nin
Anaïs Nin was a French-Cuban writer known for her diaries and novels. She wrote in a distinctive cursive style, which is known for its beauty and expressiveness. Her diaries are considered an important work of literature, and have been praised for their honesty and intimacy.
Mary Boykin Chesnut
American author and Civil War diarist, whose journals documented her experiences during the Civil War and Reconstruction in the Southern United States.
Louisa May Alcott
American author, whose journals detailed her life as a writer, her family, and her views on social and political issues.
Queen Victoria
British monarch, whose journals detailed her personal life, her reign, and her relationships with her family and advisors.
Emily Dickinson
American poet, whose personal journals contained her reflections on life, love, and poetry.
Famous people who wrote in both styles
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci is known for his stunningly beautiful handwriting, which he wrote in a combination of cursive and printed letters. His writing is renowned for its clarity and beauty, and is considered a masterpiece of calligraphy.
Anne Frank
Anne Frank, whose diary is one of the most famous journals in the world, wrote in cursive. Her handwriting is known for its flowing, expressive style, which is particularly impressive given that she wrote much of her diary in a small, cramped space.
Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf, one of the most important writers of the 20th century, wrote in a combination of printed and cursive letters. Her handwriting is known for its clarity and elegance, and is considered a reflection of her literary style.
Samuel Pepys
The 17th-century Englishman kept a detailed diary for almost ten years, recording his thoughts and experiences in a distinctive printed script that he developed himself.
Samuel Pepys was an English politician and writer who lived in the 17th century. He kept a detailed diary for almost ten years, recording his thoughts and experiences in a distinctive printed script that he developed himself – it was a mixture of cursive and shorthand. His cursive writing is known for its legibility and clarity, and has become an important historical document.
The Verdict
It’s entirely up to you whether you journal in print or cursive. I prefer print, because my brain connects the printed words with ideas instantly, whereas cursive functions as symbols my brain has to take the time to interpret. That may not be true for you. I know I could write in cursive much faster, which would result in capturing more words and ideas each time I write, but not being able to easily focus my ADD brain and connect to the meaning of the words is the deal killer for me.
Whichever you choose, just dive in. If you ever want to share a page of your journal with the crew, drop us a note on the contact form.