What is the primary benefit of legible and automatic handwriting for students?

The primary benefit of legible and automatic handwriting is that it increases the quality and quantity of compositions. When students can write effortlessly and legibly, they are able to focus more on the content of their writing rather than the mechanics of forming letters. This fluency in handwriting allows them to express their thoughts and ideas more freely, leading to richer and more extensive compositions. Additionally, when the act of writing does not require excessive cognitive effort, students can invest their mental resources into organizing their ideas, improving their vocabulary and sentence structure, and ultimately enhancing the overall quality of their written work.

Other factors such as understanding letter sounds and social interaction are important but are not directly tied to the benefits of handwriting proficiency in terms of composition. Similarly, while reducing time on tasks like oral exams can be beneficial, the primary impact of handwriting fluency specifically pertains to the ability to write effectively and efficiently.