Lesson 4 - Form Flashcards
Form
Pg 1 & 5
- stroke structure
- shows how much the writer has moved away from copybook style
- shows originality, creativity, conventionalism
- the style the writer adopts to move form I to You
- the style used to move towards goals/future/other people
- conscious decision that hsows how much they need to show how different they are
Copybook style
Pg 4
- every writer’s handwriting is influenced initially by the school copybook from which they learned to write
- copybook style changes over time and differs for countries
- a generic style that writer uses to create a self portrait (mostly an unconscious act)
- calligraphy is an affectation, not a copybook style
Copybook style as an adult
Pg 5
if someone continues to write in copybook style as an adult they are trying to conform to standards imposed on them by those who were in authority when they were younger, rule follower, lets others make decisions, does not want to move away from the familiar, conformist
moves away from copy book style
Pg 5
reveals individuality and ORIGINALITY, breaks away from the mold and stands outside the group mentality, reveals independence and wants to be different
Simplified writing
Pg 7
- Guiding image: seeing the essential
- Looks: personalization comes from increased efficiency due to discarding superfluous/inessential elements of strokes, eliminates upstroke of initial stroke
- Means: mental agility, good grasp of essentials, dislikes ornamentation/frills, appreciation of beauty is more down-to-earth, simple tastes, matter of fact approach, the more simple the script the more complex the character, DIRECT which can come off as abrasive/abrupt, no-nonsense approach, dislikes small talk, straightforward approach
Neglected writing - simplified gone mad
Pg 8
- Looks: essential form of letters is either omitted or mutilated in some way, weakens clarity overall, illegible, movement is rapid and released, degree of untidiness and restlessness
- Due to: lack of intelligence, too much speed, thoughts coming too quickly
- Means: lack of consideration, unable to see what is necessary, remains impenetrable to others (con or un con), poss insincerity/deceit/cunning may be present
Embellished writing
Pg 8
- Guiding image: embroider or decorate
- Looks: personalization comes through embellishments and adornments that clutter w/ inessential/unnecessary strokes, unnecessarily complicated and time consuming, all manner of adornments are possible, creates a certain effect w/ extravagantly swollen strokes intended to please/seduce, can be in any stroke
- Means: the more artificial the writing the more artificial the writer, misdirected energy - uses it in the wrong place, too much talking/wasting time before getting down to work, loses sense of proportion, focuses on too much info to details, likely enjoys all the trimmings of life, showy and pretentious appearance/possessions, attempts to hide/conceal weakness the writer perceives in their character, a ‘poser’/wears a mask/persona, poss plays to seduce the writer to gain vics confidence to deceive more effectively, indicates someone impressed by wealth/status, tasteful embellishments = SHOWMANSHIP, writing is supposed to be automatic so all embellishments reveal some kind of insecurity of the writer
Embellished i-dot or j-dot
Pg 9
- Looks: circles, hats, hearts
- Means:IDIOSYNCRASY, more prevalent in female adolescents, consistent desire to be different, compare this w/ other traits to see if this a pos/neg, often creative
Greek E (embellished writing) Pg 9
- Looks: found in letter ‘E’ and ‘R’ structures
- Means:reveals LITERARY APTITUDE and cultural interests, likely to be excited about books
Bizarre (embellished writing)
Pg 10
- Looks: Poor taste in embellishments
- Means: strange or deranged ideas
Persona (embellished writing)
Pg 10
-hides behind the “mask” of the public image they desire to uphold, may frequently change their writing depending on the situation/company they keep, estimation of self is likely low if they emphasis the facade, when the writer changes letter styles in the same piece of writing that is evidence that the writer has changing feelings about self - unable to maintain appropriate behavior all the time
Rhythm of form
Pg 10-11
- rhythmical pattern a person uses in writing corresponds to their over all personal rhythm that all muscles use
- Harmonious writing will have balance btwn contraction and release
- a good deal of repetition in the way strokes are made equals regularity
- too much of anything spoils the rhythm and indicates an unhealthy inner state
- irregular rhythm indicates an unhealthy personality
- Rhythmic disturbance is one of the signs of emotional imbalance
Expansion or contraction of the writing movement
Pg 11
- primary width = distance between downstrokes of one letter
- normal mid zone letters is 3mm in height and width is slightly less
- copybook = lacks spontaneity due to inner insecurities, wants to do things ‘right’, tries to fit in, less inhibited w/ those they know
- fullness/leanness letters show if the writer is holding back or reaching out
Fullness of writing - letter width
Pg 11
Looks:
-AKA released writing since it takes up more spaces than school model
-mid zone letters extend horizontally and are broader than they are high
-rounded forms (not angular/straight lines)
-advance more easily across the page
Means:
-need to project self outwards to meet others
-can let go of things of value fairly easily
-the wider the downstrokes of the letter or w/in letter the more freely inclined to spend - implies GENEROSITY and generosity to self (time/money/energy/attetion/etc)
-spends a lot of time on things that interest them
-shows the amount of elbow room writer needs
-broadens horizon - seeks out adventures, willing to understand other’s views
-natural, lack of inhibition, and freedom of expression
-broad letter width is larger than life and wasteful of resources
Leanness in writing
Pg 12
Looks:
-restricted writing (due to narrow structure)
-letters take up a lot less space than school model
-taller than they are wide
-squeezed look
-lateral compression (not loose/freely spread across page)
Means:
-inhibited: narrowness holds the writer back from moving forward across the page; movement is only slightly towards others (clingy to stay near the stage door entrance)
-mid zone restricted means insecurity, inhibition and a restriction of self expression - especially in relation to others
-does not like to waste time/money/resources
-likes to stick with the familiar for security
-builds up tension and when it is released they over-react or react inappropriately in some way
-feels vulnerable so they keep emotions locked up and is inaccessible to even those close to them
-uptight, over-controlled, lacking in spontaneity
-doesn’t take up much space in a room
-needs people around to feel secure, craves contact, yet socially inhibited - wants to be liked/loved
-very needy - their needs are more important than learning about others
-doesn’t like to be alone because they realize their own failings (doesn’t want to think abou them)
-narrow letter formations + narrow spaces btwn letters -= CONSERVATIVE (controlling mechanism where the writer holds back, resists change)
-some retracing of downstrokes
-letter width and letter spacing extremely narrow = ULTRACONSERVATISM (fear: habitually controlled)
-overall impression of squeezed/cramped/painfully tight = FEAR OF WANT (this is rarely seen; means concerned about own needs and reluctant to share resources)
fear of want is different than ultraconservatism
*usually an upright slant, when they go left, right, or variable they are trying to keep themselves in check
Retraces strokes
Pg 14
- when upstrokes retrace the downstrokes above the baseline (can occur anywhere in a letter) + squeezed/cramped writing = REPRESSION (feelings are buried and not expressed), the more squeezed the writing the less the writer gives of self
- when strokes are occasionally retraced + no cramping = SUPPRESSION (a positive trait that is a controlling mechanism to remove thoughts or restrain behavior)
- generally repression starts off as suppression - which temporarily controls unwanted thoughts/feelings
Irregularity in letter width
Pg 14
-when this happens overall the writer fluctuates btwn inner assurances and inadequacy when dealing w/ others
