Scrawling

Scrawling is the act or result of writing or drawing in a hurried, careless, and often illegible manner. It describes both rapid, poorly formed handwriting and rough, spontaneous drawings created without careful planning. In writing, scrawls are common in margins, on sticky notes, or during lectures, where speed or distraction takes precedence over neatness. In drawing, scrawling refers to quick sketches or doodles that capture ideas, energy, or mood rather than finished form.

Materials typically include pens, pencils, markers, or charcoal, applied to paper, notebook pages, whiteboards, or walls. Surfaces and tool choice affect legibility and line quality, but the defining feature is the emphasis on speed and spontaneity rather than precision.

Contexts vary: personal notes and study margins, brainstorming sessions, or informal art practice. In graffiti or outsider art, scrawling elements may contribute to a deliberately raw aesthetic or social message, sometimes blurring the line between vandalism and expression depending on the setting and ownership of the surface.

Perception of scrawling ranges from practical to expressive. It can hinder readability and information retention when overdone, yet it can also convey immediacy, emotion, or a stream-of-consciousness flow in sketches and ideation.

See also scribble, doodle, graffiti.