Images: Handwriting tests in the text message era

The differences between the cursive of under-24 and over-45 writers could be attributed to the shift in handwriting education. When they attended elementary school, most baby boomers and older generations learned about the tails and connections recommended by the Palmer Method (top) or the similar Zaner-Bloser method when they learned cursive writing.

Today, a variety of cursive fonts are taught, depending on the teacher's preference, and less time is spent perfecting penmanship to make time for other instruction, such as typing on a keyboard.

Handwriting Without Tears (middle) emphasizes consistent and legible letters but does not restrict students to particular strokes. D'Nealian (bottom) recommends particular strokes, but the characters are a print-cursive hybrid.