Why is Writing on Paper Better than Typing On a Keyboard?

Have you noticed that it's getting harder to find a traditional biro at home when you need one? That's because, in the digital age, people tend to use their phones when making notes these days rather than writing on paper  in the traditional way. As note-taking options go, using a conventional pen or a pencil might seem like a step backwards to some, but it has its advantages.

Pens still have broad appeal with people, which can be seen by the fact that the global pen market is still worth an incredible $17.2bn. So, what is it about writing on paper  with a pen that keeps drawing people back when there are perhaps more convenient and efficient ways of taking notes?

That's precisely what we take a closer look at in this article as we delve into the enduring mystique of pen and paper writing . As you'll see by staying with us and reading on, traditional writing offers something that the vast majority of technology-based alternatives simply don't.

Writing on Paper vs. Typing: A Comparison

The advantages offered by typing on a PC or laptop keyboard are obvious. It can be an exceptionally quick way to get your thoughts down in black and white, but it has a cold, mechanical, almost detached feeling when compared to using a pen. On the other hand, writing on paper  represents a sensory experience that transcends most screen-based options.

When you hold a pen in your hand and write on paper , there's a physical connection between you and the medium. This connection engages your senses, and it becomes more than simply about forming words. You feel the texture of the paper under your hand and hear the soft scratch of the pen, creating a rhythm that's tied to your thoughts and emotions.

Compare this to the sound of someone typing at pace, which, let’s be honest, isn’t a particularly pleasant noise. However, the advantages of writing on paper  vs typing go beyond how it makes you feel, as it can provide some very real cognitive benefits.

The Benefits of Writing on Paper

The science of putting pen on paper  shows us that it achieves the same end as typing, i.e. the recording of information. However, there is a bigger difference than you might realize. So, why is it important to write  in the time-honored way sometimes? Here are a few surprising answers to that question.

• It Helps with Memory Retention - One of the biggest advantages of handwriting is the effect it has on your memory. As such, your brain is engaged in a different way when you write with a pen, working complex neural pathways for those fine motor skills required to write on paper. This has a positive effect on retaining information.

Studies have shown that when you take notes by hand, recall is improved as it's encoded into the memory differently.

• Focus & Comprehension - Another cognitive benefit of handwriting is the improved comprehension and focus that it allows. Part of the reason why this happens is that it takes more concentration to form the shapes of individual letters, and it’s a slower process, meaning that your brain has more time to process what's being written.

Writing on paper  makes you go at a more deliberate pace, too, leading to higher levels of absorption of what you're jotting down.

• It's Less Distracting There's no getting around the fact that typing on a digital device will be more distracting than choosing to write on paper. On a PC or laptop, you're only a click away from YouTube and all those other things that can distract your attention from what you're supposed to be focusing on.

Not only that but there's something inherently creative about putting pen to paper, and a blank piece of paper gives you a place to express your creativity.

• It Also Offers Therapeutic Benefits - Pen and paper writing can also have therapeutic effects, especially when entering your thoughts into a journal or personal letter. It allows for greater introspection and processing of your thoughts and feelings - which can lead to reduced levels of stress and a greater sense of personal well-being.

Writing on paper  is singularly unique, and the scope for individual expression is much greater than typing since everyone also has their own style of handwriting.

The sensory engagement you get when writing on paper  is more personal and clearly better for the mind. However, what we haven’t yet mentioned is that there is a way that you can enjoy the benefits of technology while still enjoying all of these benefits for the brain.

There’s a Way You Can Get the Best of Both Worlds

Thanks to major technological advances, it’s now possible to enjoy the advantages of pen and paper writing  as well as the benefits that the latest writing gizmos offer. In order to illustrate this, let’s examine the XPPen Smart Note Plus and what it provides.

Believe it or not, you still get to write on paper  with this neat little gadget, but the difference here is that A.I. recognition software takes what you write and automatically places it onto your tablet or mobile phone screen. Pretty amazing, right? Featuring a standard A5 slimline notepad, you really do get the best of both worlds! It can even recognise nine different languages!

…and What About the XPPen X3 Pro Smart Chip Stylus?

Alternatively, if you happen to own any of the great XPPen Artist Pro Drawing Displays, you can use an X3 Pro Smart Chip Stylus, which uses EMR technology to offer one of the most realistic pen and paper writing  experiences available. Combined with a Magic Drawing pad with AG etched XP-Paper that feels just like the real thing, you might even forget that you're NOT writing on paper .

The X3 Stylus gives the user exquisite control and responds to every swipe you make on the screen, meaning that it also offers industry-leading performance for artists. There truly is tech available that can bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary.

There's Nothing Like Writing On Paper  - Except When Using XPPen Art Products

It would be accurate to say that nothing can 100% replicate the experience you get when you write on paper  in the traditional way. Coming with various advantages, writing with a biro and a sheet of paper engages the mind in a way that most tech just can't replicate. However, something can come very close in the digital art world, and we're proud to say it comes from XPPen.

So, if you want to enjoy all the cognitive benefits of writing on paper , as well as studio-level art design capabilities and unsurpassed nuance and control, we recommend you look around our website. There, you'll find everything you need to know about what's now possible in digital art.