Graphology is the study of handwriting, which for hundreds of years has been recognized as being unique to each individual.

Through the centuries, starting with Suetonius, the Roman historian, scholars like Shakespeare and Walter Scott believed that personality is reflected in the style of writing. The scientific establishment began to compile evidence and theories proving this as early as the 17^th century.

Early work in Italy and France was taken forward in Germany, and the basis of today’s methods were set down during the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. This makes graphology a relatively new science, which perhaps explains why many remain skeptical.

The term ’graphology’ was first used by the Frenchman Michon in 1875, from the Greek ‘grapho’ meaning I write, and ‘logos’ meaning theory. Graphology is now widely used in fields ranging from education, recruitment and human resources, to criminal psychology and illness diagnosis.

Further reading on the subject is available in many books including:
 

At its most complex, graphology is a large and dynamic subject. At its basic level however, it is relatively easy to understand and to begin to apply. Used as a simple guide, graphology can provide useful indicators to the writer’s personality, whether you are analyzing yourself or those around you.

N.B. Experimenting with analysis is interesting, enjoyable and a good way to learn, but do not to attempt formal analysis of others, particularly staff reporting to you, until and unless you become expert in the use of graphology and preferably receive some certification or accreditation to that effect.

the basic features of handwriting

Write a few sentences freely on a level surface on a piece of paper.

Now look for and be able to identify the main features of the writing above:

• Size and proportions
• General layout
• Direction of lines
• Degree of connection
• Regularity
• Rhythm (or evenness)
• Degree of broadness
• Speed of writing
• Form of letters
• Covering of space
• Shading
• Angle of writing (slope)
• Right and left tendencies
• Spacing
• Degree of attention
• Pressure
• Decoration/distortion

Now follow the basic analysis process below, which you can use on other samples. The more you practice, the you become able to analyze without referring to the written guidelines:
 

Graphology - the basic analysis

is the sample valid? That is, has the style of the writing been affected by any external influences? Eg., an uneven writing surface; an awkward writing position; or written on the move (in a car or train, etc.). You cannot analyze a sample that is not reliable. For the purpose of checking slope and coverage it is more difficult to analyze samples that have been written on lined paper.

size - There are many aspects to the size of writing and alone it doesn’t indicate many things. Size (and especially the relative size of letter parts) needs to be considered along with other factors. There are some simple indicators however. Small writing is generally a strong indicator of a detailed, technical personality. Large rounded and dominant central case (see the later explanation of ‘cases’) letters indicate a friendly and sociable personality.

letter-word slope - Is there a consistent slope to the letters and therefore the words in the sample? Check by drawing lines through the up and downward strokes. Backwards slopes indicate an introverted personality; forward slopes are extraverted. Upright strokes indicate a personality who is motivated by factors other than people, (ie neither extrovert nor introvert). The degree of slope reflects the degree of extraversion or introversion. The degree of consistency of the slope (ie parallel strokes) indicates the degree of emotional consistency.

line slope - Writing which rises to the right shows optimism and cheerfulness. Sagging to the right shows physical or mental weariness. (This applies to signatures sloping-downwards also.)

flow - One of the essential indicators, but like any other factor not to be used on its own. Generally, restraint is indicated every time the pen leaves the paper, and the converse applies. Gushing, eager, impulsive people have a more continuous flow of writing. Flowing writing has linked letters and sometimes linked words. Thoughtful, considered people will have fewer linked letters and no linked words. Artistic and conceptual people who like space and time around them will often have completely separated letters. (It follows that pressure at school on some children to

‘write joined-up’ - because the common view is that to do otherwise is ‘not grown-up’ - is unnatural and often counter-productive. In any event continuity of flow does not correlate to intelligence.) spacing - Space between words indicates social attitude to others. Close words are a sign of sociability. Large spaces between words indicate the person is comfortable alone, and may even distrust others. Spacing between letters shows artistic spatially aware character, (artists, etc.)

decoration and distortion - Don’t confuse the two. Decoration is intended; distorted is malformed and unintentional. Both are different to unfinished letters, which is a different indicator. Decoration is generally a sign that the writer wishes to be noticed more than he or she is at present. Malformed letters indicate a variety of things which must be dealt with individually. Unfinished words can be a sign of intelligence and impatience.

the three cases - divisions of the personality

An essential aspect to analyze is the bias of the writing towards upper, central and lower cases. The upper case is the area in which the extended up-strokes are found in the tall letters like b, d, f, h, l, t, etc. The central or middle case is the central region occupied by letters with neither long up-strokes nor long down-strokes, such as a, c, e, m, n, o, etc. Which obviously means that the lower case is the area occupied by the extended down-strokes of letters such as g, j, p, q, etc.

The central case contains most of the writing. The upper and lower cases are those which extend above and below the central body of each letter. The three cases represent the three aspects of our personality. If it helps you to assess the relative dominance of the three cases draw a horizontal set of ‘tram-lines’ through some lines of writing to mark the division between the three cases. Look at the relative dominance and extent of each of the cases.

Upper      our ‘higher’ selves, and thinking about religion and philosophy
Central    our mental and social approach to life
Lower      our physical aptitudes and attitudes

Look where the writing is mainly concentrated, and where the emphasis is; this is where the emphasis of the personality is too. Look for any encroachment from upper case to the line above or from lower case to the line below - it’s a sure indication that the encroaching case is dominant. Also look at the central case to see if there is an upward or downward pull. An upward pull is best spotted if you see an arched pattern running through the central case. A downward pull is best spotted by seeing a pattern of troughs through the central case. The pull pattern in the central case also indicates the emphasis of the personality.

some other simple indicators

Large broad upper loops are a sign of emotion.

Right-pulled lower loops show interest for the good of others.

Left-pulled upper case shows a fondness for the past.

Uneven upper loops show changeable satisfaction, or disillusionment.

Full left-pulled lower loops show physical fulfilment.

Closed ‘e’s and other small closed central loops show secrecy.

‘Stand-alone’ or properly formed ‘s’s at word ends show independence.

Word-end ‘s’s where top of letter is formed into downward right loop show a yielding or co-operative nature.

Angular central case is a sign of an interest in ideas rather than people.

Rounded central case shows interest in people.

Uncompleted case letters, eg ‘a’s, ‘b’s etc., (open when they would normally be joined loops) show a casual nature; very open shows propensity to gossip.

Small writing is generally a sign of technical personality.

Loops in angular writing show a potentially difficult character.

‘T’ cross strokes connecting a number of ‘t’s with a single line shows speed of thought (but not a guarantee of correct thinking).

Omitted ‘i’ dots and ‘t’ cross strokes shows forgetfulness or carelessness.

Position and style of ‘i’ dots show different things:

          Directly above, close to and in line means exacting.
          Ahead means active and thinking.
          Flicked shows sense of humor.
          Behind shows thoughtful.
          Inconsistent (varying positions) means a distracted mind.

and in general - You should try to build up a picture of the person you are
analyzing using as many different indicators as possible. Also try to use other psychometric tests and systems to build up a multi-dimensional picture; the more perspectives you can use the better. If this brief introduction interests you then get hold of a book or two on the subject and teach yourself more. It’s a fascinating subject and a useful additional way of providing insight into your own personality and those around you.