Handwriting Analysis Tips
In "The Adventure of the Reigate Puzzle," master sleuth Sherlock Holmes deduces several things about the criminal's personality through his handwriting. The idea of being able to infer facts about people from their handwriting is called graphology. Although generally regarded as a pseudo-science, many people still practice graphology and believe it can be used to find out about the writer's personality. Learning some tips about graphology can help you pull a Holmes-style deduction from a hand-written note.
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Slant
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The general slant of handwriting can be used to determine whether the person is emotional. Handwriting that stands up straight indicates that the writer is someone who controls her emotions, is egotistical and can be cold and neutral. Right-slanted writing (/) shows that the writer reacts strongly to emotional situations, is sympathetic and sociable. Left-slanted writing (\) indicates that the writer is introverted, indifferent and fears the future. These points, and all the others listed in this article should be taken in conjunction with each other to form the best inferences regarding the writer's personality.
Pressure
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Use the depth of color and the impressions left on the back of the paper to determine how much pressure the person applied when writing the words. Driven and successful people put a lot of pressure on the paper when they write, but especially "heavy" writers can be uptight and respond badly to what they see as criticism. Empathetic people put little pressure on the page when they write, and are said to be sensitive to their surroundings. Uneven writing indicates a lack of vigor.
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Word Spacing
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The spaces people leave between words in their handwriting can show something about the writer's character. Think of spaces between words in writing a little like space between words in speech. A big space between words is supposed to indicate depth of thought, like the space represents pondering time. If some words have big spaces between them, it shows honesty and openness on the part of the writer. Small spaces between words indicate that the writer is emotionally unstable, wishes to be with others and may also be intrusive.
Size
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Graphologists also use the size of a person's handwriting to judge his character. Big handwriting, which is defined as any writing with the letters over the benchmark of around 1/3 of an inch, indicates that the writer is extroverted, confident and boastful. Conversely, small handwriting is thought to indicate a shy, academic and respectful writer. If a person's tall letters, such as "b," "d," "t," "l" and "h," reach high up, they are thought to be unrealistic in their idea of what they can accomplish.
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References
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