The Brain Boosting Trick You’re Overlooking
Did you know that writing things by hand can give your memory a powerful boost?
Handwriting improves retention, comprehension, and long-term memory compared to typing on digital devices. But why is this? And how can we take advantage of this fact to give us an edge with our writing?
Let's find out!
The Science Behind Writing and Memory
I have always wondered why there were things I could remember very easily and things I couldn't remember for the life of me, even if I'd just learned it.
This became a bigger question when I entered University. I found myself able to understand all the concepts while forgetting the details.
What was happening? Why could I remember how certain cells interact with the body but not the exact process of cell division?
It turns out there is a big difference between learning conceptual information and factual information.
The difference between conceptual and factual information
Conceptual information involves understanding the 'why' and 'how' behind something.
The ideas, theories, principles, and abstract concepts that form the foundations of a topic.
Complex ideas like justice, evolution, or democracy.
Factual information is the 'who', 'what', 'where', and 'when' details. These are concrete, objective details that are verifiable and specific.
Facts don't require interpretation or understanding beyond the fact itself and are often just memorised for recall later.
Factual information anchors understanding in reality while conceptual information enables complex thinking and analysis.
Both types of information are crucial for the complete comprehension of a topic.
The techniques used when studying can greatly impact memory and the retrieval of information. Using the wrong type of technique can greatly hinder results but it turns out there is another factor that can impact memory and recall even more.
Analogue vs Digital
A 2020 study found that people who handwrite tasks or notes recall more details later, even without referring back to their notes.
This is because handwriting engages more senses than writing.
This is backed up by a 2019 study that highlighted the cognitive and neural differences between handwriting and typing. It found that handwriting can help in forming stronger memory traces. The tactile feedback and muscle engagement required for handwriting creates more sensory experiences, which aids in reinforcing memory.
The physical motion of writing, the feel of the pen and paper, and the visual reinforcement all contribute to better encoding of information.
Writing by hand forces us to slow down as we record the information which helps us process it. Because the process is slower and space on the page is limited, handwriting naturally leads to more concise, selective note taking which also enhances retention.
A 2016 study in the Journal of Educational Psychology also found that people retain 20-30% more information when they write by hand versus typing.
This answers my initial question of why my conceptual understanding of topics, even if i've just encountered them, is very high while recalling details is difficult for me.
All throughout primary and high school, there were limited computers in classrooms and I hand wrote everything. Paper handouts were the norm at the schools I attended and assignments were all done by hand. I believed this helped greatly with my ability to understand concepts.
When I went to University, I switched to digital notes on my laptop to accomodate online learning platforms and the volume of information I was now required to learn.
Things that I had learned when I was younger, like reading, writing, and synthesising information were now an automatic part of my learning process but wouldn't have been able to help me with learning new facts that I was only recording digitally. Especially when I wasn't re-enforcing my studies with the proper learning techniques.
How Can You Use Handwriting to Improve Your Writing and Memory?
Incorporating handwriting into our routines has clear benefits.
See for yourself by trying some of these suggestions:
Create a handwritten to-do list each day
Take notes with pen and paper or a digital tablet and stylus
Create a journal to document thoughts, ideas or reflections for the day. Journaling helps engage the memory network and reinforces information so a handwritten version is like having double the benefits!
Plan the first draft of your novel with index cards and a cork board
Write the first draft of a novel or article by hand in a journal or on a digital tablet
I find handwriting very useful for sorting and organising my ideas though I'll admit that I haven't entirely moved away from digital writing just yet. The convenience of having everything on my laptop is quite hard to give up.
I have a dedicated notebook for each of my projects and I find that I remember ideas easier when I handwrite them.
It's a much nicer experience re-writing notes or doing mind maps on paper too. Especially now that I've developed a fascination with fountain pens and different paper types.
There's also something really nice about walking into my room and seeing my novel plot board staring at me from the wall. It reminds me of the goal I'm working towards.
At the end of the day, while handwriting is effective and should probably used for initially learning a topic or skill, it's a personal preference and up to the individual.
References:
Umejima, K., Ibaraki, T., Yamazaki, T., & Sakai, K. L. (2021).Paper notebooks vs. mobile devices: Brain activation differences during memory retrieval. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 15, 634158. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2021.634158
Müller, P., & Oppenheimer, D. M. (2021).Handwriting vs. typing: Exploring the cognitive differences. Journal of Educational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000628
Mueller, P. A., & Oppenheimer, D. M. (2014).The pen is mightier than the keyboard: Advantages of longhand over laptop note taking. Psychological Science, 25(6), 1159–1168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614524581