Qualities
• Disorganization
• Fickleness
• Changeability
• Lack of self-control
• Nonconformity
Regular Guys—and Gals!
Having perfect regularity (i.e., consistency) in an overall handwriting style is impossible, but there are general consistencies that indicate regularity.
Regularity
Regularity is demonstrated by maintaining consistent slant, pressure, and height in letters. There is also a consistent return of strokes to the baseline. These characteristics indicate that the writer is stable, disciplined, and able to control impulses. He or she also has a strong sense of duty, reliability, concentration, and willpower.
Irregularity
Fluctuation in slant, pressure, and height in letters shows irregularity, indicating that the writer is apt to have little control over impulses—at times exhibiting rebellious, undisciplined, or careless behavior.
Regularity Versus Rhythm
What’s the difference between regularity and rhythm? you ask. According to Felix Klein, the constancy of size, width, pressure, and straightness of lines characterizes regularity. Both regularity and rhythm are reflections of movement. It is the elastic “to-and-fro” movement of the writing—the interchange of movement release and movement contraction—that forms the rhythm. Everyone has individual rhythm.
Faster Than the Speed of Write
Writing speed is an important feature, but it’s also one of the most difficult elements to assess accurately. Unless you observe a writer in action, there’s no immediate way to know how much time she or he took to write! And the fact that speed can vary from document to document—or even within the same document—poses another challenge. The pace used to take notes during a lecture will likely be different from the pace used to write up a thoughtful letter to a boyfriend or girlfriend. Because you probably won’t have more than one handwriting sample from any individual, you won’t have the ability to make comparisons and draw a well-rounded conclusion.
Speed in handwriting is a characteristic of great interest to professional graphologists. As noted in Chapter 1, Robert Saudek studied speed, and many graphologists believe it is a crucial element because so many other characteristics are affected by how fast or slow the writing is (and vice versa).
Here are some guidelines for distinguishing slow and fast writing:
S-L-O-W Writing
Basic Elements of Slow Writing
• Disconnected writing
• Angular or arcade connective forms
• Heavy pressure on the page
• Elaborate or decorative writing style
• Regularity
• Upright or left slant and left trend
• Descending baseline
• Narrowing left margin
Common Personality Traits of Slow Writers
• Lacking spontaneity
• Inhibited
• Liking familiarity
• Deliberate
• Formal and reserved
• Contemplative
• Accurate and thorough
FAST Writing
Basic Elements of Fast Writing
• Use of garland or thread connective forms
• Light pressure on the page with a thin stroke
• Irregularity
• Right slant and right trend
• Ascending baseline
• Widening left margin
Common Personality Traits of Fast Writers
• Spontaneous
• Makes the most of time
• Gets things done
• Active
• Mover and shaker
• Quick thinker and learner
Speedy Gonzalez: Too Fast
If a writer’s speed is too fast, he or she can be
• impulsive
• impatient
• careless
• superficial
• hasty
As you would suspect, a writer whose speed is moderate and who has a well-paced release of energy is generally stable and takes things in stride.
Putting the Pressure On
Did you ever get a note in which the writing is so dark and deep you can see and feel the imprint with your fingertips on the back of the page? That’s an example of heavy writing pressure.
As previously mentioned, pressure is produced by two factors: the pressure against the pen point, which is called primary pressure; and the grip the writer has around the pen, which is called secondary pressure and is the basis for pastose writing. To check for pressure, turn the paper over and see how much the writing makes indentations on that page.
The writing surface plays a part in pressure, too. If you write on a paper placed on a wooden desk or table, you’ll demonstrate less pressure than if that same page was placed on a pad or softer surface.
The Felt-Tipped Pen
Felt-tipped pens (such as the Flair) show virtually no pressure against the page, making handwriting difficult to analyze. The pattern created by a felt-tipped pen is a consistent brushlike stroke.
People who use felt-tipped pens often prefer a thick stroke, which is a sign of sensuality.
PEN POINT Don’t Hold the Pen Against the Writer
Every now and then, you’ll get a bum pen that blots ink (think leaky ballpoint) or discharges ink in a way that creates a fat or almost smearing stroke (think fountain pen). These indicators are more reflections of the pen’s personality than of the writer’s! When examining a handwriting sample, be mindful of this discrepancy—if the ink blots or smears are consistent throughout, it’s the fault of the pen, not the writer, and should not be interpreted as a negative character trait.
Color and Discharge of Ink
If the ink is pale, the writer displays weak emotional energy. He may be cold, superficial, or overly sensitive. If the ink is uneven in discharge, her emotional and physical state may be inconsistent.