You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people say that in our modern age, it is unnecessary to teach children about the skills of handwriting. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer 1: [Disagreement]
Many people believe that handwriting skill is no longer important in this era of technology, and children do not require investing time to hone their handwriting, especially when they will most likely type instead of writing for the rest of their life. Unfortunately, this opinion is misguided. I strongly believe that handwriting skill is important even in today’s digital world.
Good handwriting is important because when children learn to write clearly and concisely, they also learn how to express themselves properly. This leads to better academic and professional performance. I reckon handwriting is much more than simply putting letters on a page; it is a key part of learning and expressing ideas. Scrawls that cannot be read may be compared to speaking that cannot be understood. Handwriting is also important because children are required to use it daily in school, and those who struggle with the mechanics of handwriting may have trouble taking notes or completing their schoolwork. This can affect both their self-esteem and their attitude toward school. Good penmanship means better grades as studies show that the same mediocre paper is graded much higher if the handwriting is neat.
More importantly, handwriting proficiency inspires confidence despite some people’s belief that handwriting is not related to better academic performance. The more children practise a skill such as handwriting, the stronger the motor pathways become until the skill becomes automatic. Furthermore, handwriting aids memory. For example, if a person writes a list or a note and then loses it, he is more likely to remember what he wrote than if he just tries to memorize it.
In conclusion, computer and digital data have no way replaced the necessity of handwriting skills. They are even more prevalent in this era of technology where good handwriting is related to academic performance and success, on the one hand, and inspires confidence, on the other hand.
[Written by – Stephen]
Sample Answer 2: [Agreement]
Handwriting skills involve craftsmanship, artistic way of presenting letters and require a great deal of time and practice. Since students are more likely to type rather than write on paper for the rest of their life, I do not believe that this skill is prevalent in this modern era where computers are used both in the academic and professional arenas.
To begin with, neat handwriting was a criterion for academic success in the past, but not anymore in this digital era. Assignments, classwork, tests and other school activities are mostly done on computers and this is why a student needs to grasp the skills of computing and typing more than presenting immaculate letter formations on paper. To illustrate an example, I submitted three assignments during my last term and all of them were submitted to my teachers’ emails, and not a single one was handwritten. Besides, time invested in honing excellent handwriting can be better utilised in mastering more important subjects and skills.
Moreover, the use of computers and the Internet in offices is a common trend. An employee is expected to be an expert computer user, and immaculate handwriting is not a requirement to be hired by a company. Ironically, better penmanship has little value in a world surrounded by technology. Considering the future, when computers would be more predominant, parents and teachers should focus more on teaching technology to students than instructing how much a letter should be stressed or curved!
To conclude, academic activities and professional needs, in this era of technology, compel students to have skills in computers and this is why it would be more practical to enhance their technical skills rather than handwriting skills- which has already become less important.
Sample Answer 3: [Disagreement]
Good handwriting of pupils is one of the essential skills for their academic success. The dominance of technology has changed many people’s views on teaching students the art of writing. But I personally disagree that modernisation and the use of technology have made handwriting skills obsolete.
To begin with, good penmanship leads to better school performance in most cases. Also, it puts a solid impression on the readers or examiners. To exemplify this particular impression, 71 per cent of learners who have clear and nice handwriting, have good academic records and a reputation among schoolmates and teachers.
However, considering the contrary point of view that good handwriting by children is useless could be justified as the predominant use of technology where most of the writing is done on computers. Moreover, skills in technology should be one’s goal rather than only giving preferences to handwriting.
Nevertheless, only reading and speaking skills are not enough for better academic performance. Practising the topics by writing them on paper could be a much efficient way to learn. For example, in mathematics, it is helpful to practice the problems and learn the formulas by writing. Additionally, writing is also a pivotal part of communication and this skill is necessary because research shows that when children learn how to do it, they also learn how to express themselves.
To conclude, it can be summarized that learning to write is indispensable which should be taught to children. Amid the sea of typed materials and digital data, handwritten materials have their own dominance, hence, handwriting skills should not be ignored.
[Penned by – Sruchi]
Tips: Why handwriting skill is important for children:
1. When young children learn to write clearly and concisely, they also learn how to express themselves.
2. Handwriting stimulates young students’ brains more than typing on a keyboard because handwriting involves more complex motor and cognitive skills.
3. Being able to write effortlessly enables youngsters to focus more fully on a topic rather than being distracted.
4. Children who struggle with the mechanics of handwriting may have trouble taking notes, completing their schoolwork and taking tests.
5. Good handwriting has a positive impact on grades.
6. Illegible handwriting can cause poor self-esteem. Poor self-esteem can trigger a lack of confidence among students.
7. Studies show that the same paper is graded much higher if the handwriting is neat and legible.
8. Good handwriting skill is appreciated by classmates, parents and teachers alike.
9. Students retain learning better when working with new ideas through handwriting instead of typing on a computer.
10. Handwriting can help them slow down and fully engage with their thoughts while typing on a computer may not.