Do you think better while typing, or while writing by hand? That’s the question Clive Thompson is asking.
I never write entire pieces of journalism by hand, but I do sometimes make outlines on notepaper. And I’ve noticed distinct differences between the two modes. When I’m thinking about the logical connections between different parts of my argument, for example, I’ll draw big swooping arrows connecting points together — something that can’t be done easily in a word processor. In a word processor, however, I’m able to use the classic DJ-style writing technique — cranking out chunks of text and remixing them via cut-and-paste.
That’s actually been a subject of discussion in the Venomous Household lately. Hubby, you see, is studying for his MBA which, this semester, entails taking both Marketing and Statistics classes after work. I don’t think he’d mind if I told you that he hates school. Always has, always will — and this MBA program is no exception. He’s more comfortable learning in passive mode. (Think: History Channel.)
These days, I’m already over-educated and not interested in going back for more, but I’m still constantly finding new things I want to learn about — computer stuff, herbology, copywriting. With every new thing, I read obsessively on the subject, taking copious notes in the process. As a result, I have filled so many notebooks and index card boxes that I can stock an entire bookshelf with them. Not that I need to refer back to them very often, mind you.
There’s something about physically writing things down that makes them stick in my brain so better than if I merely type notes into a computer. Sure, like Clive mentions, making inferential leaps and reaching those moments of “Aha!” insight happen more often when I’m writing. But there’s more to it than that. It’s as if, because writing is so much slower than typing (I type 120 wpm), my brain has more of an opportunity to mull things over, to absorb them, and to rephrase them in my own words. That last part, I believe, is really essential to learning and grasping new concepts.
I’ve been trying to explain this to Hubby who, despite being mathematically gifted, is struggling with his Statistics class. It’s not just the formulae — his professor doesn’t require students to memorize them — but the concepts behind them. “Take your book notes by hand,” I tell him, but he insists on typing them into the computer which, admittedly, is more legible than his handwriting.
Knowing that husbands quite often mistake their wives’ advice as nagging — and, hence, ignore it — I think I’ll be sharing Clive’s entry and the accompanying NYT article (reg. req’d.) with Hubby tonight after he gets home from class.
But enough about us. How do you learn best: writing by hand, or typing at your keyboard? (And that one-handed typing doesn’t count!)
Thursday, January 20th, 2005, 3:27 pm | 
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January 20, 2005 at 4:15 pm
Interesting, never considered it, but definitely a difference.
I vote handwritten for the sake of memorization, but I’ve grown dependent upon the keyboard for creative writing. Fo sho.
January 20, 2005 at 4:46 pm
I have to write by hand to learn. Learning is altogether different than writing. When I write a paper, I use my ‘puter. I can write as quickly as I think then, which is important to me.
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January 20, 2005 at 4:52 pm
Except for quick post or comments like this, everything starts on legal paper with a number 2 pencil, and the pencil has to be round; no octagonal or pentagonal pencils permitted; if the paper is very smooth, which doesnt happen with legal paper all that often, I’ll use a gel cap pen with black, and only black, ink.
January 20, 2005 at 5:19 pm
I find that trying to go back to a yellow pad and number 2 pencil is excruciating to my creative flow. I work much better on the computer. The ability to let the words and thoughts flow from my brain to my fingertips is much easier than the snail crawl of handwriting.
January 20, 2005 at 6:20 pm
There’s something about the connection between reading something, and encasing it in my brain long enough to write it back down again somewhere else that helps me retain some of it, at least.
Typing? Nah. Obviously, I’m a typing monkey, so to hear something, even if its from my own brain and then type it doesn’t necessarily mean it sticks.
Ackshully — not that any of it sticks, really. Except for obscure trivia that I can’t possibly dislodge. Go figure. Heh.
January 20, 2005 at 6:29 pm
I retain more if I write but compose better at the keyboard. If the VH insists on redoing his class notes have him transcribe by hand and taking the time to write legibly. I did that for my chemstry classes and it really made a difference.
January 20, 2005 at 6:41 pm
It depends on if I’m having a hard time with whatever I’m writing. I find a blank computer screen intimidating, and if I’m trying to come up with short jokes or one liners, I’ll doodle or take notes on paper and write out rough ideas, crossing them out and rephrasing them. If I’m writing on an idea already solidified in my brain, it’s got to be typed because that’s the only way I can keep up with my bullet train of thought… writing it all out on paper would frustrate me to no end!
January 21, 2005 at 2:26 am
Getting the computer to affix a signature to a form is too hard to be worthwhile. And sometimes there isn’t a PC handy and the task isn’t well-suited to recording on my Palm. But other than that, I don’t write anything by hand. Writing by hand means that 95% or more of my mental energy is focused on the mechanics of producing legible text on paper, which is a stupendous waste of resources…especially when the alternative (typing) hasn’t imposed a perceptible cognitive overhead since I was 6 years old.
January 21, 2005 at 3:44 am
I totally hear ya on this one. I type fast (though only 70 wpm — holy shit @ your 120), but I also found that I could memorize things better when I hand-wrote my notes. This will probably really make you gag, but I used different colors of ink for certain points/themes. As for Statistics, I have to admit that it was easiest for me not to question the formulas — I just plugged them in. Trying to figure them out would drive anyone nuts.
January 21, 2005 at 6:57 am
The different color thing doesn’t make me sick at all, Becky. I do that, too, sometimes. I also used to highlight text books in different colors.
And I’m one of those annoying kids who’d take notes in class, then re-write them legibly into outline form, and then type them into a computer.
I was also a very good student. Except in law school, which I hated.
January 21, 2005 at 2:56 pm
Hmmm – I learn best by hearing it said first then writing it down – everywhere but math. Math I have to “do” – I have to work the problems and completely understand them, then I will know how it works and I can pretty easily take the tests. Nothing intuitive – just really hard work.
I have a Computer Science degree with a Math minor (nearly a double major but didn’t have time to take 2 more classes – oh well so what…) Anyhow, I was always able to grasp regular math – Stats is NOT regular math. I had the world’s lousiest teacher. Even when I asked for help, the wanker couldn’t explain it to me. I ended up with a D in the class and decided not to take it over.
Advice to your hubby. Go through the school – see if they can find him someone who can help explain Stats so he understands it. An MBA program won’t let a low grade slide! As I said – understanding other types of math is of little or no help in stats – That’s why people can lie so convincingly with them. Good Luck to him in the class and good luck on the big move!
January 22, 2005 at 11:03 pm
Ok, ok, all that they said. What ever works. For learning I do the hand written notes. For expressing I do the keyboard.
Now for the STAT course. My advise (I didn’t have trouble with the stat courses I took. And we didn’t have calculators then. We used slipsticks. brag brag, pass the hat) would be to have VH research the course, find where/who has the prof’s old exams and get copies. Analyse the type of problems, learn how to set them up and READ THE BOOK (twoma’s law of learning>>>>READ THE BOOK AND YOU ARE AHEAD OF HALF THE CLASS.)! Most of the profs in these kinds of technical classes are trying to teach certian principles and how to recognize the type of problem and how to set it up. Get some one to look at the old exams that knows what is going on and then identify the problem types he puts on the exams and learn how to set them up. Your calculator will do the rest.
January 26, 2005 at 7:00 pm
Handwritten. When I was in economics class I outlined the book as I read it so that I could know just where I was. Best thing I ever did. By the time I got to the end of the chapter I had the subject down cold. Easiest A I ever got. Just sitting there figuring out how to express the thought in words makes it stick in my mind and then I remember it.