手写书信是一门正在消亡的艺术吗？在当今的数字时代，电子通讯方便快捷，相比之下，手写文件则需要相当的专注力。除了用来练字以外，用手写字还可以帮助你巩固字的写法、单词的拼法和标点符号的用法。本期 “随身英语” 讨论用手写字为何对大脑有益。

词汇：writing 书写

When did you last write a letter? Properly write one – by hand? In a digital world, where sending a text or email is far more convenient than using snail mail, is the writing on the wall for traditional pen and paper? Well, some people claim that writing still has many benefits, so maybe it’s not time to ditch your ballpoint or fountain pen yet.

These days, when people request things in writing, a typed, electronic document will be accepted. Doing this on a computer means it could be saved, edited, duplicated and sent via email. But crafting a handwritten document is unique: It requires planning and thought, and, as well as practising your handwriting, it helps you to remember spelling and punctuation.

Some experts believe your brain benefits from using old-fashioned pen and paper. This is particularly relevant for students, where typing notes into a laptop is thought to lack the ‘tactile feedback’ to the brain that contact between pen and paper does. BBC Worklife website quotes Hetty Roessingh from the University of Calgary, who says that “taking notes by hand involves cognitive engagement in summarising, paraphrasing, organising, concept and vocabulary mapping.” Others agree that handwriting may boost fine motor skills in your hands and fingers.

There are everyday benefits to using pen and paper too. Scribbling notes, shopping lists or messages on the back of an envelope can still be useful, quick and portable. But putting pen to paper in a letter to a friend or loved one can probably have the most impact. Pen pal writer Katherine Moller told the BBC: “In a world where it is so easy to hop online to email or to send a fast text, it is so personal and so precious to know someone chose to turn off the virtual world to spend some time with you.”

So, while digital skills remain important, don’t write off your pens and pencils yet – especially if your smartphone, tablet or laptop runs out of power!

词汇表

by hand 手写
snail mail 传统信件（对应电子邮件）
the writing (is) on the wall 不祥之兆
pen and paper 笔与纸，纸笔
ballpoint 圆珠笔
fountain pen 钢笔
in writing 以书面的形式
craft 精心书写
handwritten 手写的
handwriting 习字，字迹
type 打字
take notes 记笔记
cognitive engagement 认知参与
paraphrase 改述
motor skills 动作技能
scribble 匆匆记下
pen pal 笔友
write off 使报废

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Give an example from the article of something you can write with.

2. Doing what can cause students a lack of ‘tactile feedback’ to the brain?

3. How do some experts think handwriting can help us?

4. True or false? Pen pal writer Katherine Moller thinks writing a letter adds a personal touch to communication.

5. Why might you have no choice but to use a pen or pencil to write something?

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. _______ might take longer, but I like to receive something personal through the post.

By hand                      Scribbling                      Snail mail                 Pen pal

2. I couldn’t _______ in the lecture because my pen ran out of ink!

took notes                   take notes                    taking notes              take note

3. My boyfriend left me a _______ note, saying he was leaving me.

handwritten                 by hand                        handwriting               paraphrasing

4. Have you got a _______? I need to write this number down.

write off                       handwriting                  pen and paper           by hand

5. I’m _______ what my boss said – but basically, we’ve worked very hard and he’s very pleased with us!

scribbling                    paraphrasing                crafting                      typing

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Give an example from the article of something you can write with?
Examples mentioned included: ballpoint pen, fountain pen, pencil.

2. Doing what can cause students a lack of ‘tactile feedback’ to the brain?
Typing notes into a laptop is thought to lack the ‘tactile feedback’ to the brain.

3. How do some experts think handwriting can help us?
Handwriting may boost fine motor skills in your hands and fingers.

4. True or false? Pen pal writer Katherine Moller thinks writing a letter adds a personal touch to communication.
True. Pen pal writer, Katherine Moller said: “In a world where it is so easy to hop online to email or to send a fast text, it is so personal and so precious to know someone chose to turn off the virtual world to spend some time with you.”

5. Why might you have no choice but use a pen or pencil to write something?
Because your smartphone, tablet or laptop has run out of power!

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Snail mail might take longer, but I like to receive something personal through the post.

2. I couldn’t take notes in the lecture because my pen ran out of ink!

3. My boyfriend left me a handwritten note, saying he was leaving me.

4. Have you got a pen and paper? I need to write this number down.

5. I’m paraphrasing what my boss said – but basically, we’ve worked very hard and he’s very pleased with us!