Handwriting Preserves Lexical Richness Over Typing

Researchers review studies from 2014, 2017 and a 2019 experiment showing handwriting improves memorization and lexical richness compared with typing, with the 2019 study involving 58 university participants. They also report that early AI-assisted drafting reduces retention of authored content. The authors recommend balancing handwritten and digital writing, and providing explicit keyboard and digital-writing instruction to maintain writing fluency and learning outcomes.