As Adults We Use Pens Instead of Pencils — But Should We?

I don’t know about you, but when I was at school, we were encouraged to use pencils rather than pens.

Pencils were for the classroom setting. Pens were for writing exams.

Today, most of us have become so used to using electronic forms of note-taking and writing that this illustration might not hit home with you, but for those it might resonate with I have the following reflection:

While not some sort of universal rule, I think that the ways, and the stages, at which we are encouraged or confined to use either pens or pencils (both literally and metaphorically) can teach us a fair few things about the ways in which we take in and distribute knowledge and information.

For this, I focus specifically on writing, connected to information or communication, and do not extend this image to artistic practice.

I have the following premise:

Pencils represent actions that are tentative– a process of learning or working on ideas, or something that is not yet definite.

Pencils represent ‘adaptability.’

Pens, on the other hand, become more associated with a ‘confident’ output or input of information — a demonstration of skill, notes that have the ring of authority. In short, output that is harder to erase.

Pens represent ‘permanence.’

At times, the school sphere is seen as a place where we use pencils. As we grow older and attend university or start working in the ‘adult’ world, pens become the more appropriate medium.

In school we primarily learn from our teachers. We might not be so good at taking notes yet, or even getting the ‘right’ answers. In these scenarios it is helpful to use pencils since what we have written can easily be rubbed out and changed. We are still part of a developing process in both learning and growing where adaptability is central.

During university, we have made some sort of progression. We are still learning, but we are older now, and considered, perhaps, to have more authoritative agency and ability. It makes sense to take notes with pens since its marks are easier to see on the paper, and lectures now often involve frantic scribbling in order to get every word uttered by the lecturer down on paper for the purpose of revising for exams (or at least this was my experience). Pencil marks would have faded too much by the time I have moved my hand and arm across the page rapidly during the lecture, and may even be more or less gone by the time it is time for revision in preparation for exams.

Pens are simply more permanent. Their imprints carry a sense of authority (especially if the person writing also has impressive handwriting).

Also in working life, the use of pens might remain a more common choice than pencil for similar reasons. We are expected to be authoritative, sure of our answers, and proficient at communicating our opinions and knowledge in a concise manner.

There is no need to provide the option of rubbing out things written in pen, unlike with tentative pencil marks.

However, if we make a mistake in our writing, we scribble it out until it cannot be seen anymore — leaving ugly, messy marks all over the sheet of paper. If the goal is to present something that looks polished, we would need to make drafts until we can present a polished, final copy.

Of course, this is now usually done by presenting an electronically written piece.

In a way, the widespread use of electronic communication emphasises this expectation of polished communication and ‘perfection’ at all stages of life in modern society. We no longer need pencils or pens in the same way, because typing things up makes them easier to edit, write and read. We can get instant clarity (ideally).

Yet, there have been several studies that indicate that the act of physical writing helps us retain information. Based on their findings, one would hope that both pencils and pens are here to stay.

What I theorise is this:

There is nothing wrong with using pens, and they have advantages over pencils. However, on a metaphorical level, maybe we should reflect a little on how we take information in, and how we communicate information we have learned.

While confidence is considered to be important when we share information or thoughts, it doesn’t hurt to retrain our attitudes to have the pencil ready at hand so we can rephrase things at times once we have a second look at what we are saying, or even to rub things out as we continue learning.

Because the fact is this: we should never stop learning. Or, if we think we have, we are deluding ourselves.

Maintaining an opinion is a strength, but we should look carefully at the things we write in permanent ink in our lives. Do we communicate with others by the use of pencils (‘adaptability’) or pens (‘permanence at all costs’)?

The truth is: we need both pencils and pens in our lives. Where, and how, we decide to use each type of tool is the important thing.

(And yes, electronic writing has its role to play too.)