Introductory remarks:

Unless we are fortunate enough to observe a writer in action, we are for the most part involved in assessing something which has already been completed, with no way of knowing how much time the writer took over his project. For this reason, the topic of 'speed' in writing has held particular fascination for many graphologists, several of whom have concentrated their efforts on establishing a method for accurate assessment. In particular, Saudek demonstrates, in his book "Experiments in Handwriting" that speed is an essential element, without which no analysis can be totally accurate.

The basic elements of the writing process are:

• muscular movement deriving from a nervous impulse whose origin is an idea or mental image
• the end product, i.e. the writing trail on paper.

So, if the speed of writing can be deduced reliably from examination of the trail, we have arrived at an important assessment that gives us a reflection of the mental, nervous, emotional and physical activity of the writer.

Concentration by various authors on the topic of 'speed' may in fact go too far, and may also result in comparative neglect of other important features such as 'stroke', 'co-ordination', 'rhythm', 'layout', etc., except in so far as they are reflections of speed. But it is true that most, if not all of the important characteristics of handwriting are to some extent either the outcome of quickness or slowness of writing, or are contributory causes of fast or slow movements. The distinction between cause and effect is not always clear, nor is it very significant. What does matter is to be able to recognise the features of a script that are indications of "acceleration" or "retardation" to assess their value taken separately, and to arrive from these indications, taken together, at an estimate of speed that is reliable enough, and sufficiently accurate, to be used as a yardstick.

Dr Eric Singer (see "A Manual of Graphology") gave his views on this topic as follows:

Speed of Writing:   The speed of handwriting is one of its most important features; at the same time it is one of the hardest to assess accurately, being a matter of deduction from a number of clues, and of estimation, rather than being capable of specific measurement.

Not only that, but speed is a variable feature. The speed at which rough notes are written, for instance, usually exceeds that of a formal letter by the same writer - (though this is not always so, and a similarity in speed and legibility between formal and informal scripts is in itself a useful sign of the consistency of the writer's behaviour, and sometimes of pedantic tendencies). For this reason it is helpful to have more than one sample to work on, though in professional practice it is not often that a variety of samples is provided by a client.

Signs of a quick writing:   For convenience of assessment and marking, these are grouped under ten headings:-

1. Connected writing
2. Garland, wavy-line and thread connections
3. Broad writing (primary and secondary width included)
4. Light pressure with thin stroke, or thick (pasty) stroke without pressure
5. Simplified or neglected writing
6. Irregular writing
7. Right slant
8. Right tendencies, including extended end strokes, i-dots and t-crossings to the right of the t-stem, or missing altogether
9. Rising lines
10. Broadening left margin

Signs of slow writing:

1. Disconnected writing
2. Angular and arcade connection, and copybook writing
3. Narrow and cramped writing
4. Heavy pressure
5. Enriched or complicated, elaborate writing
6. Regular writing
7. Upright writing or left slant
8. Left Tendencies, shortened or missing end strokes, i-dots and t-crossings to left of t-stem, or placed accurately over i's or t's.
9. Descending lines
10. Narrowing left margin

Assessment of Speed: Dr Singer's recommended method may seem a little meticulous, but it is a very good way to start off with. He examined the writing carefully under each of the headings given above and allocated so-many marks, divided between quick and slow under each heading. This can either be done with marks out of 10 for each category, as favoured by Dr Singer, or as Frank Hilliger, Founder of the Institute, and also a student of Dr Singer's, later advocated, i.e. fractions totalling '1' for each topic. (Mr Hilliger also varied a few other aspects of the speed chart in order to achieve a higher degree of accuracy, which a qualified tutor can properly explain. Please note that the following example does NOT follow the Institute's examination syllabus, which is complex and requires professional tuition. These notes have simply been provided to give a general indication of the method for assessing speed. Therefore, if you are seriously considering taking a course in graphology it is strongly recommended that you contact our Education Officer who can provide a list of qualified teachers.)

The table below gives a typical example of this type of assessment:

It has been found in practice that a normal, mature handwriting usually gives a total of between 5 and 6 (quick). Under 5 is getting slow, and over 6 is very good - if the writing is quite clear and legible as well.