Handwriting of the Twentieth Century 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

Handwriting of the Twentieth Century 1st Edition.

by Rosemary Sassoon (Author)

284 customer reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The history of formal calligraphy has been thoroughly documented, and the demise of what people see as beautiful handwriting is frequently deplored, but the details of the teaching of this skill during this century have gone almost unrecorded. Everyday handwriting is ephemeral and school books soon disappear.

The main purpose of this book is to create a historical record, however, techniques are illustrated that may be useful for teachers today, while the ever-changing views of the stylists provide examples, as well as a warning, to those who plan for the future. An individual sample of handwriting reflects the writer’s training, character and environment.

Collectively, the handwriting of a population of any period is a reflection of educational thinking, but overall it is influenced and ultimately moulded by economic need, social habits and contemporary taste. Within the short space of the period covered by this present study, the changing educational policies, economic forces and inevitable technological advance radically altered the priorities and form of handwriting. These changes show in the models and examples throughout this book as an inexorable (though not entirely smooth) journey towards speed and efficiency. The downgrading of skill training and the freeing of children’s creative talent have done the rest. You might say that at the end of the century we have the handwriting we deserve. That statement can be read several ways. It would be a pity to think that our students do not deserve to be taught strategies that enable them to write fast without pain. It might, however, mean that we are edging towards the flexible, efficient, personal handwriting needed to deal with the rapidly changing situation that is likely to face us in the next century.

Product description

Review

“A comprehensive and conscientious survey… [recommended for] researchers and faculty.” -“Choice, April 2000

Synopsis

This text charts developments in the teaching and study of handwriting over the course of the 20th century. It shows how changing educational policies, economic forces and inevitable technological advance have combined to alter the priorities and form of handwriting. This “long and sometimes sorry story” tells also of the sheer pain and hard work of children forced to follow the style of the day, and of the reformers who have sought to simplify the teaching and learning of handwriting over the years. Illustrated throughout with examples from copybooks and personal handwriting from across the world, the book is a historical record of techniques, styles and methods.

About the Author

Rosemary Sassoon holds a Ph.D. in typography and graphic communication from the University of Reading, United Kingdom. She works as an independent consultant.