Your handwriting says a lot more than appears on the page. American Profile asked graphoanalyst Dena Blatt how the curves in penmanship round out a person’s character.
American Profile: Is it easier to analyze cursive or print?
Dena Blatt: It is easier with cursive. Cursive writing reveals strokes in the handwriting that are not in printing and can reveal negative traits such as temper, stubbornness, deceit and rationalizing. Writers who can do cursive but refuse to and only print, especially block print, may unconsciously be afraid of revealing their faults.
AP: How does spacing between words, letters and sentences reveal the amount of social space a person needs?
DB: Abnormally large spacing between words indicates a need for one’s own “space.” Narrow spacing between letters suggests suppression of feelings, while wide letter spacing may mean that the writer has a sense of ease with others or an extroverted nature. Narrow vertical spacing between lines shows a lack of perspective dealing with others.
AP: A person’s signature is an expression of him/herself to the world. What does an illegible signature say about a person’s self-perception compared to a legible one?
DB: An illegible signature may be written by a busy person who does not care about how it looks or it may signify a desire not to be known too well, perhaps because of some personality or character failings. A legible one is written by someone who is considerate of its readability by others and feels there is nothing to cover up or hide. Large and legible “John Hancocks” denote an extroverted nature. Tiny and legible signatures may imply a research-oriented mind or a timid soul.
AP: Can handwriting indicate depression?
DB: Depression or sadness can be seen in drooping final letters in a word, drooping words and drooping endings to “g” or “y.” Markedly drooping lines denote strong depression.
AP: What can people learn about their career and life satisfaction from their penmanship?
DB: Introverts generally write with smaller handwriting with an upright or left slant, possibly squeezing letters together. An extrovert would have large handwriting with a right slant and normal spacing between letters and words. Writers with flat-topped “r’s” possess mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity. People who write letters traditionally, but with fluency and directness (no beginning strokes) and average size and right slant, are suited for helping professions like teaching, psychology, social work or medicine. Business professionals may have fast, almost illegible writing with many fluency strokes, average in size or larger. An entrepreneur would more likely have smaller, analytical writing. Figure-eight “g’s” denote a talent for verbal or written expression. Artists and performers usually have large, heavy pressure writing.
AP: Doctors analyze patients’ handwriting to discover ailments such as low blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease. Would someone notice a change in handwriting before other symptoms?
DB: Generally, after other symptoms. It takes time for the changes to show in handwriting, whether they are psychological or physical. Penmanship changes can be warning signs for future illness, such as ulcers, arthritis and heart trouble.
