Cursive Handwriting
1. Overall Impression
First Glance: Start with a holistic view of the handwriting. Observe if it
feels neat, rushed, heavy, light, or erratic. This gives an initial sense of
the writer’s state of mind or personality.
Consistency: Check the consistency of the writing. Does the person
consistently connect letters, or are there irregular breaks? Consistent
handwriting is often linked to a stable personality, while inconsistent
writing can suggest emotional variability.
2. Specific Features to Examine
Here are key aspects that are typically analyzed in cursive handwriting:
a. Slant
Right Slant: Indicates that the person is more expressive, outgoing, or
extroverted.
Left Slant: Can suggest introversion, caution, or a person who is
emotionally withdrawn.
Vertical Writing (No Slant): Often reflects a practical, logical, and
objective personality.
b. Size of the Letters
Large Writing: Suggests confidence, extroversion, or attention-
seeking.
Small Writing: May indicate introversion, focus, or attention to detail.
Medium Writing: A balanced individual, comfortable with both social
interaction and solitude.
c. Pressure
Heavy Pressure: Often indicates intensity, high emotional energy, or
strong commitment. Excessive pressure can suggest tension or stress.
Light Pressure: Can imply sensitivity, adaptability, or lower emotional
engagement.
d. Letter Spacing
Wide Spaces Between Words: Suggests someone who values
freedom, independence, or prefers distance in relationships.
Narrow Spaces: May indicate a person who prefers company, is
sociable, or dislikes being alone.
e. Letter Formation
Loops in Letters (e.g., 'l', 'e'): Large loops often indicate emotional
openness or imagination. Tight or small loops can suggest restraint or
control over emotions.
Open vs. Closed Letters: Open loops in letters (like ‘o’) suggest
openness to communication or being transparent, while closed loops
may suggest secrecy or introversion.
f. Speed of Writing
Fast Writing: Usually indicates someone who is quick-thinking,
impatient, or spontaneous.
Slow Writing: Reflects a more careful, deliberate, or methodical
thinker.
g. Baseline
Upward Baseline: A baseline that rises as the writing progresses can
indicate optimism, motivation, or enthusiasm.
Downward Baseline: A baseline that drops suggests tiredness,
pessimism, or a lack of motivation.
Wavy Baseline: May indicate emotional instability or inconsistency in
behavior.
h. Connectivity of Letters
Connected Writing: Fully connected cursive suggests logical thinking
and smooth thought processes.
Disconnected Writing: Gaps between letters indicate a more
analytical mindset or someone who thinks in bursts rather than fluidly.
i. Margins
Left Margin: If the left margin is very wide, it may indicate someone
who is cautious about the past. A narrow or tight left margin can
suggest a person who clings to the past.
Right Margin: A wide right margin can suggest fear of the future or
reluctance, while a narrow margin might show eagerness or impulsivity.
3. Forensic Handwriting Analysis (Authenticity and Identification)
If you are analyzing cursive handwriting for forensic purposes, you will focus
on the identification of the writer and authentication of the document:
Signature Comparison: Look for inconsistencies between the writer's
signature and their regular cursive writing. Forensic experts compare
multiple samples to determine forgery.
Natural Variation vs. Intentional Disguise: Everyone’s handwriting
naturally varies. However, attempts to disguise handwriting often result
in unnatural breaks, unusual pressure changes, or inconsistent letter
forms.
Stroke Direction and Pen Pressure: Examine the direction of the pen
strokes and how much pressure is applied at different points in the
writing. Forgers often make hesitant strokes or apply inconsistent
pressure.
Unusual Letter Forms: Pay attention to unique or unusual letter
formations that may serve as personal identifiers.
Tools Used in Handwriting Analysis
Magnifying Glass/Microscope: Used to inspect details like stroke
quality, pressure variations, and whether the writing appears natural or
hesitant.
Digital Analysis Software: In forensic contexts, tools can analyze
stroke direction, pressure patterns, and more, comparing different
handwriting samples digitally.
Light Box: Helps in comparing multiple samples by overlaying one
sample over another to detect differences in alignment, letter forms,
and slant.
Combining Insights for a Conclusion
In graphology, these features are used to build a psychological profile,
often looking for clusters of traits that reinforce a particular personality
trait (e.g., outgoing, analytical, or cautious).
In forensic analysis, the goal is to match the handwriting sample to an
individual through distinctive characteristics and patterns.
Caveats
Handwriting can change over time due to age, illness, or emotional
states, so results should be interpreted in context.
Context matters—for example, someone might write differently under
stress or time constraints, which can affect letter slant or pressure.
Analyzing cursive handwriting involves a combination of observing specific
traits and applying them to the context, whether psychological or forensic.
