Checklists for handwriting analysis are some of the most non finite of all the esoteric diagnostics. And yet because of the almost infinite combinations of all the systems of interpretation, the different characterizations for each letter are all too easy to forget. Hence, we need the intuitive eye. We have a descriptive language for many of the more general contrasting styles, but most of the individual attributions for each character have been forgotten. Let my start by saying that here in the United States, our Constitution was written in cursive by Thomas Jefferson. He had great penmanship. It has taken most of my life to learn to write legibly.
There was this practice of the attributions of signs, called the "Law of Signatures," This was done for the sake of expedience. This entailed corresponding identifying features with their associated similar objects. Metaphorically; She's a peach, He's a jerk, Or, we are stuck in a rut. We see this practice in mnemonics, (memorization). The "Law of Signatures" however was generally used to give names and attributions to herbs. Liverwort; Hepatica. Mandrake; Mandragora. We have also seen this practice applied to Palmistry; The Mystic Cross, a central intersection crossing the rising fate line with the transverse simian line, (Dominant Raja marking, {FIRE / ACTIVE}, it is not necessarily an indication of mysticism.) Jacob's Ladder, a series of lines extending across the Jupiter mound in succession from the upper mound of Mars toward the Saturn, Sun and Mercury fingers (supposedly indicative of an aspiring nature and social confidence).
Somewhat regrettably, this kind of interpretation by analogy has dominated the practice of handwriting analysis as well as many other unconnected popular superstitions. Let's look at a checklist for common interpretations and this will become obvious.
Line Quality:
Fine and sensitive or Thick and heavy handed
Stylish and ornamental or Blockish and architectural
Rhythmic and coordinated or Dynamic and unordered
Linear and connected or Aerated and spaced out
Smooth and nerve steady or Jagged and jittery
Rounded or Angular
Flattened horizontally(Stringing), Secretive or Vertically, Narrow mind
Slant:
Rightward / Extrovert / Impulsive
Vertical / Ambivert / Even Tempered
Leftward / Introvert / Restrained
Alternately Rightward and then Leftward / Chameleon / Unpredictable
Baseline:
Flat on the baseline, grounded and self supporting
Below the baseline, depressed
Above the baseline, spirited and ungrounded
Wandering baseline, moody and not self supporting, thieving
Writing upwardly toward upper right hand corner, Cheerful enthusiasm
Downwardly toward the lower corner, Bumming out, Hitting bottom?
Ascending and descending loops overlapping above or below other lines of writing; Connotes confusion, (Overlapping crowded writing looks confused.)
Size:
Small, good concentration, pedantic, controled
Large, drive, untaught
No capitals or punctuation, no sense of self
All capitals, chivalrous
Paging:
Margin to margin, pragmatic
Few words to a page, idealistic
Crowds the page, utilitarian
Few words to a page, Want words to have emphasis
Everything clinging to the left side, Has difficulty finishing
Writing up to the right edge, finishes hard
Writes down the right side of the page when coming to the edge instead of just starting another line, Conquerer! (That's Me! {I am Napoleon!})
As with any diagnostic It is advisable to not get bogged down in assumptions. People often have reasons for their quirks. Sometimes a flourish is just a flourish.
