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{{short description|Teaching cursive and learning method}} |
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The '''Palmer Method''' of [[penmanship]] instruction was developed and promoted by [[Austin Norman Palmer|Austin Palmer]] in the early 1900s. It soon became the most popular handwriting system in the [[United States]]. |
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[[file:Palmer Method sample.jpg|thumb|Sample writing from ''The Palmer Method of Business Writing'']] |
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The '''Palmer Method''' of [[penmanship]] instruction was developed and promoted by [[Austin Norman Palmer|Austin Palmer]] in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was intended to simplify the earlier "[[Spencerian script|Spencerian method]]", which had been the main handwriting learning method since the 1840s.<ref name= "deadmediawiki">{{Citation | last = Tyler | first = Robin DVC | date = 2010-04-12 | title = Palmer Method of Penmanship | publisher = NYU Dead Media Archive | access-date = 12 April 2010 | url=http://cultureandcommunication.org/deadmedia/index.php/Palmer_Method_of_Penmanship#Precursors_and_Palmer.27s_Method}}.</ref> The Palmer Method soon became the most popular handwriting system in the [[United States]].<ref name = apps>{{cite book|last1=Apps-Bodilly|first1=Susan|title=One room schools : stories from the days of 1 room, 1 teacher, 8 grades|date=2013|publisher=Wisconsin Historical Society|isbn=978-0-87020616-0|page=61|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ThFJAgAAQBAJ&q=palmer+%22most+popular%22+handwriting&pg=PA61|access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> |
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Under the method, students were taught to adopt a uniform system of [[cursive writing]] with rhythmic motions. |
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Under it, students were taught to copy a uniform style of [[cursive writing]] with rhythmic motions. Left-handers were usually made to use their right hands. The method developed around 1888 and was introduced in his 1894 book ''[[Palmer's Guide to Business Writing]]''. In spite of opposition from the major textbook companies, this [[textbook]] enjoyed great success: in 1912, 1,000,000 copies were sold throughout the country. The method garnered awards, as well: in 1915, the Gold Medal at the [[Panama Pacific Exposition]] in [[San Francisco, California]]; and in 1926, the Gold Medal at the [[Sesquicentennial Exposition]] in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]. |
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==History== |
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Palmer's style fell out of popularity and was replaced by a movement to teach children [[Block letters|manuscript]] before teaching them [[cursive]], in order to provide them with a means of written expression as soon as possible and thus develop writing skills. Students would switch to cursive later on. This effectively reduced the emphasis on handwriting in elementary school and is sometimes said to have been responsible for a decrease in the overall legibility of modern American handwriting. |
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[[file:Palmer Method alphabet.jpg|thumb|Alphabet and numerals from ''The Palmer Method of Business Writing'']] |
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The method developed around 1888 and was introduced in the book ''Palmer's Guide to Business Writing'' (1894).<ref>Palmer, A. N. (1894) ''Palmer's Guide to Business Writing''. Cedar Rapids, IA, Western Penmanship Publishing Co. [Web.] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://lccn.loc.gov/11026563 .</ref> Palmer's method involved "muscle motion" in which the more proximal muscles of the arm were used for movement, rather than allowing the fingers to move in writing. In spite of opposition from the major publishers, this textbook enjoyed great success: in 1912, one million copies were sold throughout the United States. The method won awards, including the Gold Medal at the [[Panama Pacific Exposition]] in [[San Francisco]], in 1915, and the Gold Medal at the [[Sesquicentennial Exposition]] in [[Philadelphia]], in 1926.<ref name=zanerian>{{cite web|last =Vitolo|first =Joseph M.|title=AN Palmer (1860–1927) |url=http://www.zanerian.com/Palmer.html| website = The Penmen Archives |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> |
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Proponents of the Palmer Method emphasized its plainness and speed, that it was much faster than the laborious [[Spencerian Script|Spencerian Method]], and that it allowed the writer to compete effectively with the [[typewriter]].<ref name="trubek">{{Citation | last = Trubek | first = Anne | date = 2009-12-17 | title = Handwriting Is History | publisher = Pacific Standard | access-date = 17 December 2009 | url = http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/handwriting-is-history-6540/ | archive-date = 2010-02-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100204210820/http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/handwriting-is-history-6540/ | url-status = dead }}.</ref> To educators, the method's advocates emphasized regimentation, and that the method would thus be useful in schools to increase discipline and character, and could even reform delinquents.<ref name="cbsnews">{{Citation |last = Smith|first = Tracy|date = 23 January 2011|title = Is penmanship being written off?|newspaper = CBS News|access-date = 10 Nov 2015|url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-penmanship-being-written-off/}}.</ref> |
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The style is now experiencing renewed attention, both from people interested in improving handwriting for themselves, and for those working with [[facilitated handwriting]] for the disabled. As the Palmer method has a focus on shoulder and arm movements, it is helpful for many with limited movement of the fingers. |
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The Palmer Method began to fall out of popularity in the 1950s and was eventually supplanted by the [[Zaner-Bloser Method]], which sought to teach children [[print writing]] (also called "manuscript printing") before teaching them [[cursive]], in order to provide them with a means of written expression as soon as possible, and thus develop writing skills.<ref name="alston">{{Citation |last1 = Alston|first1 = Jean|last2 = Taylor|first2 = Jane|year = 1987|title = Handwriting: Theory, Research and Practice|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Jpg9AAAAIAAJ |publisher = Nichols Publishing |place = New York|isbn = 9780709951070}}.</ref> The [[D'Nealian Method]], introduced in 1978, sought to address problems raised by the Zaner-Bloser Method, returning to a more cursive style of print writing. The Palmer company stopped publishing in the 1980s.<ref name="usc">{{cite web|last1 = Makala|first1 = Jeffrey|title = Born to Please, Art of Handwriting Instruction, Spencerian and Palmer methods|url = http://library.sc.edu/spcoll/hist/handwriting/page3.html|website = University Libraries' Rare Books and Special Collections|publisher = University of South Carolina |access-date = 24 January 2015}}</ref> |
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==Legacy== |
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In radar engineering, a [[Palmer Scan]] is a scanning technique that produces a scanning beam by moving the main antenna and its feed in a circular motion. The name was derived from the looping circles practiced by students of the Palmer Method.<ref>{{cite book |last=Vakin|first=SA|title=Fundamentals of Electronic Warfare (Artech House Radar Library)|publisher=Artech Print on Demand|isbn=978-1580530521|year=2001}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==Bibliography== |
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{{refbegin}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
* Thornton, Tamara Plakins |
* {{cite book|author= Thornton, Tamara Plakins|title= Handwriting in America|location= New Haven|publisher= Yale University Press|date= 1996|isbn= 0-300-06477-2|url= https://archive.org/details/handwritinginame00tama}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
* [http://www.zanerian.com/Palmer.html A. N. Palmer] |
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==Further reading== |
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{{refend}} |
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*{{cite book|title=Script and Scribble: The Rise and Fall of Handwriting|author=Florey, Kitty Burns|publisher=Melville House|edition=First|date=January 20, 2009|isbn=978-1933633671|url=https://archive.org/details/scriptscribbleth00flor}} |
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*{{cite book|title=The Palmer Method of Business Writing: A Series of Self-teaching Lessons in Rapid, Plain, Unshaded, Coarse-pen, Muscular Movement Writing for the Home Learner, Where an Easy and Legible Hand-writing is Sought|url=http://palmermethod.com}} "The object of this website is to teach rapid, easily-executed, business writing. It has not been written to exploit any one’s skill as a pen artist. It aims to be of use to those who are ambitious to become good, practical business writers. The lessons it contains are not experimental, but have been the means of guiding millions of boys and girls, young men and women to a good business style of writing." |
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==See also== |
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* [[D'Nealian Method|D'Nealian]], a style of writing and teaching cursive and manuscript adapted from the Palmer Method |
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* [[Zaner-Bloser Method|Zaner-Bloser script]], another streamlined form of Spencerian script |
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* [[Round hand]], a style of handwriting and calligraphy originating in England in the 1660s |
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* [[Regional handwriting variation]] |
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* [[Teaching script]] |
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* [[Engraving]] |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* {{cite book|author=Palmer, A.N. |edition=Original |date=1894 |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/11026563/ |title=Palmer's Guide to Business Writing|publisher= Library of Congress}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
* {{cite book|author=Palmer, A. N. |date=1935 |edition=1935 |url=https://archive.org/download/palmermethodofbu00palmrich/palmermethodofbu00palmrich.pdf |title=The Palmer Method of Business Writing}} |
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* Image of Palmer-style handwriting: http://www.nystamp.org/Ink29.jpg |
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* {{cite book|author=Palmer, A. N. |url=http://www.iampeth.com/books/palmer_spanish/palmer_spanish_index.php |title=Método Palmer de Caligrafía Comercial|date=1949|edition= Scanned images of the 1949 |language=es}} |
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* {{cite journal|url=http://www.zanerian.com/Palmer.html|author=Sull, Mike |journal= Excerpt from Spencerian Script and Ornamental Penmanship |volume = I |title= A. N. Palmer (1860-1927)}} |
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{{European calligraphy}} |
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[[Category:Penmanship]] |
[[Category:Penmanship]] |
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[[Category:1894 introductions]] |
[[Category:1894 introductions]] |
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[[Category:Latin-script calligraphy]] |
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[[Category:Western calligraphy]] |
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{{literature-stub}} |
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[[es:Método Palmer de caligrafía comercial]] |
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[[pl:Metoda Palmera]] |
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Latest revision as of 07:09, 12 September 2024
The Palmer Method of penmanship instruction was developed and promoted by Austin Palmer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was intended to simplify the earlier "Spencerian method", which had been the main handwriting learning method since the 1840s.[1] The Palmer Method soon became the most popular handwriting system in the United States.[2]
Under the method, students were taught to adopt a uniform system of cursive writing with rhythmic motions.
History
[edit]
The method developed around 1888 and was introduced in the book Palmer's Guide to Business Writing (1894).[3] Palmer's method involved "muscle motion" in which the more proximal muscles of the arm were used for movement, rather than allowing the fingers to move in writing. In spite of opposition from the major publishers, this textbook enjoyed great success: in 1912, one million copies were sold throughout the United States. The method won awards, including the Gold Medal at the Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, in 1915, and the Gold Medal at the Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia, in 1926.[4]
Proponents of the Palmer Method emphasized its plainness and speed, that it was much faster than the laborious Spencerian Method, and that it allowed the writer to compete effectively with the typewriter.[5] To educators, the method's advocates emphasized regimentation, and that the method would thus be useful in schools to increase discipline and character, and could even reform delinquents.[6]
The Palmer Method began to fall out of popularity in the 1950s and was eventually supplanted by the Zaner-Bloser Method, which sought to teach children print writing (also called "manuscript printing") before teaching them cursive, in order to provide them with a means of written expression as soon as possible, and thus develop writing skills.[7] The D'Nealian Method, introduced in 1978, sought to address problems raised by the Zaner-Bloser Method, returning to a more cursive style of print writing. The Palmer company stopped publishing in the 1980s.[8]
Legacy
[edit]In radar engineering, a Palmer Scan is a scanning technique that produces a scanning beam by moving the main antenna and its feed in a circular motion. The name was derived from the looping circles practiced by students of the Palmer Method.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Tyler, Robin DVC (2010-04-12), Palmer Method of Penmanship, NYU Dead Media Archive, retrieved 12 April 2010.
- ^ Apps-Bodilly, Susan (2013). One room schools : stories from the days of 1 room, 1 teacher, 8 grades. Wisconsin Historical Society. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-87020616-0. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ Palmer, A. N. (1894) Palmer's Guide to Business Writing. Cedar Rapids, IA, Western Penmanship Publishing Co. [Web.] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://lccn.loc.gov/11026563 .
- ^ Vitolo, Joseph M. "AN Palmer (1860–1927)". The Penmen Archives. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ Trubek, Anne (2009-12-17), Handwriting Is History, Pacific Standard, archived from the original on 2010-02-04, retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ Smith, Tracy (23 January 2011), "Is penmanship being written off?", CBS News, retrieved 10 Nov 2015.
- ^ Alston, Jean; Taylor, Jane (1987), Handwriting: Theory, Research and Practice, New York: Nichols Publishing, ISBN 9780709951070.
- ^ Makala, Jeffrey. "Born to Please, Art of Handwriting Instruction, Spencerian and Palmer methods". University Libraries' Rare Books and Special Collections. University of South Carolina. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ Vakin, SA (2001). Fundamentals of Electronic Warfare (Artech House Radar Library). Artech Print on Demand. ISBN 978-1580530521.
Bibliography
[edit]- Gard, Caroll (1937). Writing Past and Present. New York: A. N. Palmer Company.
- Thornton, Tamara Plakins (1996). Handwriting in America. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-06477-2.
Further reading
[edit]- Florey, Kitty Burns (January 20, 2009). Script and Scribble: The Rise and Fall of Handwriting (First ed.). Melville House. ISBN 978-1933633671.
- The Palmer Method of Business Writing: A Series of Self-teaching Lessons in Rapid, Plain, Unshaded, Coarse-pen, Muscular Movement Writing for the Home Learner, Where an Easy and Legible Hand-writing is Sought. "The object of this website is to teach rapid, easily-executed, business writing. It has not been written to exploit any one’s skill as a pen artist. It aims to be of use to those who are ambitious to become good, practical business writers. The lessons it contains are not experimental, but have been the means of guiding millions of boys and girls, young men and women to a good business style of writing."
See also
[edit]- D'Nealian, a style of writing and teaching cursive and manuscript adapted from the Palmer Method
- Zaner-Bloser script, another streamlined form of Spencerian script
- Round hand, a style of handwriting and calligraphy originating in England in the 1660s
- Regional handwriting variation
- Teaching script
- Engraving
External links
[edit]- Palmer, A.N. (1894). Palmer's Guide to Business Writing (Original ed.). Library of Congress.
- Palmer, A. N. (1935). The Palmer Method of Business Writing (PDF) (1935 ed.).
- Palmer, A. N. (1935). The Palmer Method of Business Writing (Scanned images of the 1935 ed.).
- Palmer, A. N. (1949). Método Palmer de Caligrafía Comercial (in Spanish) (Scanned images of the 1949 ed.).
- Sull, Mike. "A. N. Palmer (1860-1927)". Excerpt from Spencerian Script and Ornamental Penmanship. I.
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