To write or to type? The effects of handwriting and word-processing on the written style of examination essays

Abstract

There is much debate about whether or not these days students should be able to word-process essay-type examinations as opposed to handwriting them, particularly when they are asked to word-process everything else. This study used word-processing software to examine the stylistic features of 13 examination essays written by hand and 24 by word-processor in a mock first-year Divinity university examination. Generally speaking, the differences are small but they raise some interesting implications for students and tutors to consider.

Keywords:

• university examinations
• essays
• handwriting
• word-processing
• writing styles