Regarding The Associated Press story "Cursive writing may be a fading skill, but so what?" in the Sept. 20 Trib: The writer of the headline undoubtedly is a product of the public school system and the author of the story, being unable to cognitively assess all aspects of the situation, is looking only at the most obvious answer to the headline's question.
Becoming proficient in the cursive style and in handwriting in general, a person also acquires two other virtues that will provide benefits for a lifetime: self-discipline and patience -- and not only the discipline and patience it takes to form perfect letters, because in handwritten work, correcting errors of grammar, spelling or composition is not just a mouse click away; editing is time-consuming and a time-waster.
It is much better to learn to be correct when using these elementary units of writing the first time than to fix the errors later. (Note that when using a computer's spell-check feature, a word may be spelled correctly but it may be the wrong word.)
Writers should also realize that a written communication, whether done manually or mechanically, is a picture of the person producing it. If a letter or report or just a note is to be effective, the recipient must be persuaded to read it and to have a good impression of the writer. The first step in this process is to make the communication attractive. Good handwriting does that.
Self-discipline and patience are two of the keys to success in many of life's endeavors and learning the cursive writing style is a major step in achieving these virtues. It should be taught all the way through the sixth grade.
William R. Casey
West Mifflin
