Penmanship: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe the skill of writing by hand, especially when discussing the quality and style of a person's writing.

• His excellent penmanship was admired by all his teachers.
• Improving your penmanship can make your notes easier to read.

A general term for the act of writing by hand. Can apply to anyone's individual style of writing.

• His handwriting is very neat and easy to read.
• Poor handwriting can make it difficult for others to understand your notes.

Can refer to a style of handwriting, particularly in artistic or formal contexts, or can mean a written text for plays, films, or formal documents.

• Her wedding invitations were written in an elegant script.
• The actor studied the script carefully before rehearsals.

Refers to a style of writing where the letters are joined together in a flowing manner. Often taught in schools and used for formal writing.

• She wrote the entire letter in cursive.
• Learning cursive is an important part of primary education.

Used to describe the skill or style of someone's handwriting. It refers to the overall ability to write neatly and legibly.

• Her penmanship was so beautiful that it was often mistaken for printed text.
• The teacher praised the student's penmanship on his essay.

Refers to teaching and learning the techniques required to write by hand. This is commonly used in educational settings where students are taught to improve their handwriting skills.

• Handwriting instruction in the early grades is crucial for developing fine motor skills.
• The new curriculum includes handwriting instruction to ensure all students can write legibly.

Used when referring to the repeated practice of writing letters, characters, or text to improve handwriting. Often used in guided exercises or drills.

• She spent hours doing script practice to perfect her cursive writing.
• Daily script practice helped the students develop neat and consistent handwriting.