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Curiosity got the better of me and I went in search of a little insight into this world I am most sceptical of.

Revealing the hidden truth?

by Jacqueline Alexander

It seems that more and more companies are using handwriting analysis as part of their filtering process when recruiting a new member of staff. When you next apply for your dream job, you may well be asked to write a page of text in freehand and, unless you are applying for the post of calligrapher, this will probably then be sent to the company's preferred graphologist for analysis.

I am not at all sure about this form of judgement - not because I have anything to hide although I am not about to reveal all my deepest, darkest thoughts and feelings in an interview situation but I don't believe that the local graphologist will reveal any of my skeletons either. And that's the real reason for my reticence.

Like body language experts and astrologers, most of the revelations seem to be based on generalisations dressed to look specific. 'This person is sociable but also enjoys time on their own'. Doesn't that cover just about everyone with the rest catered for with 'this person likes spending time alone but sometimes craves company'. How about 'this person is open but doesn't want to give too much away'. I would guess that a large proportion of the population would subscribe to this. In it's crudest form, I am sure that there are general indicators that prove to be true and reveal whether you are open, secretive, outgoing, withdrawn, shy, extrovert, controlled or easy going. I am sure these general characteristics can be communicated through handwriting but we can usually tell many of these things just by exchanging glances with a person anyway.

Saying that, of course, if you have a healthy level of humour and a slightly above average level of curiosity then graphology and doodle analysis is great fun. So, when I stumbled across the subject of this week's Web Watch, I was more than a little amused.

Bored.com gives you access to hours of time wasting. Amongst a fair amount of dross are a few little widgets that may just do the trick when it comes to keeping boredom at bay.

On the home page of this site you are presented with several lists of games, jokes, quizzes and widgets. Just click on 'make a fun drawing' and get to work on creating your favourite kind of tree, house or person. Once you've completed your masterpiece, this site will analyse it and tell you what you're like.

I decided to draw a little house with a garden, a healthy tree, a few flowers and a river running through the grounds. It looked quite idyllic if a little basic in its construction. I was then presented with a series of questions about my doodle before being presented with my analysis. Apparently I fantasise a lot - I did wonder where this analysis was going until it also told me that I was full of ideas. As a designer how could I not agree?

You can also get basic handwriting analysis on this site. I fear the results are based on the well phrased questions more than the writing - it's too difficult to write with a mouse although the experts tell you that they can define a person whether they write with a pencil, pen, crayon or chalk using their right hand, left hand, mouth or toes so who am I to argue?

Having investigated the meanings of my doodles, curiosity got the better of me and I went in search of a little insight into the world of graphology.

Graphologists claim that they can give detailed insights into a person just by studying their handwriting. The use of graphology as a recruitment tool has been criticised extensively by both legal and ethical groups but it has to be said that there is less take-up in British companies than in either their American or French counterparts although it seems to be making considerable headway in the media. As I was watching the snooker the other night, who should pop up but a handwriting expert giving her tuppence worth on the nature of the top players currently competing in the Grand Prix in Aberdeen. The subject of her analysis was deemed to be determined, focussed and self motivated. I was left wondering how they didn't know that already even though John Parrott was enthralled by the summing up of his fellow competitor.

Still curious, I sought out the help of the British Institute of Graphologists (britishgraphology.org). Amongst the information on courses, a free guide to the basics of graphology and a list of contacts, there are some handwriting samples for a few of the more well known souls to tread this earth together with a full analysis of their character.

Bill Clinton, the former US President, apparently has strong materialistic and sexual drives. No surprise there then.

And who does this sound like? 'A woman who is well aware of her position and worth. Nonetheless, despite her tendency to put herself first, she has the ability to understand and empathise with the many, and varying, difficulties and situations within which people find themselves.' Do you think the late Princess Diana might fit the bill?

It comes as no surprise to learn that Myra Hindley's 'open curves' show a lack of warmth and emotional connection but it is nothing less than shocking to see two handwriting samples from her former partner, Ian Brady.

To the uneducated eye you would think these were samples from two completely different people but the first was Brady's handwriting from before he had unleashed the control he kept himself under and the other is after he and his partner committed their unspeakable crimes.

With this evidence laid before me, my scepticism began to wane - not a lot but enough to motivate me to seek out a few more tips on the art of graphology. I found what I was looking for at jpanalysis.co.uk. Ignoring all the claims of revealing hidden personalities and advice on relationship compatability ( I ask you!), I went straight to the free lessons. Apparently, large writing indicates an extrovert, so guess what small writing indicates. A left slant is self conscious while a right slant is sociable. And so it goes on.

I'll let you investigate further. It may not help you analyse your friends and family but it's good fun and, if you get asked for a sample of your handwriting at your next job interview, you might just find out what they want to see. You never know.

Bored?

Song Tapper

Warped Celebrities

A Lesson in Graphology

Famous handwriting samples

Jacqueline Alexander presents Web Watch every Tuesday at 5.45pm on BBC Radio Berkshire on 104.1FM, 104.4FM, 95.4FM, 94.6FM and DAB Digital Radio. To listen in, just visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire.

What is Web Watch?

Web Watch is broadcast on BBC Radio Berkshire, published in the Henley and South Oxon Standard and published online right here at web-watch.info.

As a cross-media project, Web Watch is designed to help you find the best sites here on the Internet.

You can catch Web Watch on air every Tuesday at 5.45pm when Jacqueline Alexander sits down with Phil Kennedy during the Drivetime show on BBC Radio Berkshire to chew the virtual fat.