The Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Emancipation Proclamation. All of these documents share many things in common. Excluding the fact that they’re all historical artifacts, one notable trait is that they were all originally written in the dying art of cursive.

Cursive has developed through many different versions of writing before evolving into the iconic version that is known today. It allows for creativity, and it’s something that can be considered personal, just as much as any other style of writing. Cursive can be unique to every individual. Even though it consists of many of the same elements, like its infamous curves and loops, many consider it a personality trait important to them. 

Forms of Cursive

There are many forms of cursive writing and whether a writing style is considered to be cursive varies from person to person. The Spencerian method and D’Nealian script are just a few. The popular penmanship style, calligraphy, is also a form of cursive. 

According to Britannica, the term “calligraphy” translates to “the art of beautiful handwriting” in Greek. In East Asia and the Middle East, calligraphy is considered a considerable art. Modern calligraphy consists of a collection of thin upward and thick downward strokes. 

Formal forms of cursive are formal cursive, casual cursive, and italic script. Formal cursive joins the letters through a series of loops and curves consistently. Casual cursive also joins the letters but there are occasional pen lifts in between consecutive letters. Italic script is the sharp joining of letters without the use of loops and curves.

Where is Cursive Now and Where is it Going?

In the 1980s many schools began removing penmanship classes as typewriters began to emerge eliminating the need for formal handwriting. In their place, computer and keyboarding classes have emerged

In middle schools, LCPS requires all students to complete a semester of keyboarding class in grade six to gain basic knowledge of online and computer skills. The art of penmanship is slowly slipping away, with the increasing work that computers and technology do for people. 

Cursive doesn’t need to be taught in school, but it should be there for those who want to learn the art to keep it alive. Keyboarding classes don’t necessarily have to be taught considering that most kids are skilled in the subject already.

According to Common Sense Media, 91% of children receive a phone by the age of 14: the average age for a child in grade eight, 71% receive one before the age of 12: the average age of a child in grade six, and 42% receive one before the age of 10.

Data from the National Education Center for Statistics found that 26% of 12 graders were proficient in writing and 2% advanced. Senior Nishitha Kancharla learned cursive and calligraphy through her love of decorating and stationery. “I’m kind of disappointed because yes, the age of technology is rising, and I understand that, but it’s disappointing to know that people don’t write anymore,” Kancharla said. “History only exists because of writing and because people write things down and honestly it’s cooler to see how someone’s handwriting connects to their history more than something that’s typed up on a document that anyone can replicate. Cursive has so much value to it because not many people know how to write that well, so when you do know how to write [it], a lot of people are mesmerized by it, and I like that.”

Many argue the need for the style of writing has vanished, and therefore shouldn’t be taught in schools. While this may be true, cursive doesn’t need to be taught in schools; however, it shouldn’t disappear for those who want to learn. 

The history of the country was written in this style of writing, and many are unable to understand it even if they want to.