Linking Assignment – Task 4
Task 4: Manual Scripts
Classmate: Jonathan Dowswell
Link: https://blogs.ubc.ca/jondowswell/2025/01/31/task-4-manual-scripts/

For this linking assignment, I purposefully chose to engage with a colleague who completed the manual writing option for this task because I opted for the potato printing option. There were elements of Jonathan’s manually written notes and his reflection that I identified with.

Like Jonathan, I handwrote notes from lectures and reading materials throughout my undergrad. I can relate to Jonathan’s sentiment that passively listening or simply highlighting doesn’t provide the same level of engagement as writing or doodling. Reflecting on this observation, I wonder if typing notes on my laptop would be as effective as handwriting. Even with my consistent computer use for work and school, I still take notes manually  – even when typing them would be just as easy. Jonathan’s very specific pen preference was also very relatable. Anyone who has done a considerable amount of manual writing has a preferred tool. Preference is often influenced by ease of use,  feel and the aesthetics of the end product—how an individual writes (speed, pressure, etc.) impacts which writing tool is chosen.

Jonathan’s choice to write using all uppercase letters was curious – I find lowercase lettering faster to produce and, therefore, more appropriate for shorthand. Using upper and lowercase letters also provides visual clarity, signifying importance or where thoughts begin and end. I had a small chuckle at Jonathan’s comment about being required to learn to write legibly in lowercase if he ever was tasked with teaching in an elementary classroom. My B.Ed is in Primary/Elementary education and there is (was?) a definite stereotype about elementary school teachers having exceptional printing and handwriting skills. I wonder if this stereotype is still common in today’s digital age.

I wasn’t aware of any errors in Jonathan’s writing; however, I wasn’t as attuned to look for or notice them as I am when reading digital print. The informal nature of handwriting, especially using all uppercase letters like Jonathan has done, allows for grace in breaking formatting and grammatical rules. This, combined with the fact that we are generally more thoughtful in manual writing because the editing and revising process isn’t as easy as it is in word processing (mentioned by Jonathan), perhaps produces fewer initial errors than digital composition anyway.

Jonathan references the “human touch” of manual printing and its use for more meaningful communication. I agree with his sentiment that meaningful writing should be done manually; it’s almost as if you are offering more of yourself, and how you write makes it more personable. That is a large part of why I’ve held on to handwritten birthday cards, notes, and recipes from those who mean something to me. It’s a gift to look back on recipes handwritten by my mother-in-law, who has since passed. It feels like a part of her still exists in the present time. I don’t think I would be as sentimental about an email . . .