書法是中國最獨特而豐富的藝術門類，惜至今日，重視者鮮，連欣賞亦無法入門。本文即意在針對一般知識份子，整理出一個可解讀書法、欣賞書法之初步而基本的參考模式，力求普遍共通而簡淨，以可大可久。文中先敘述中國文字與書法的演變，包含書法藝術與中國文字的關係、歷代書法演變與書家典範、書法之生活應用與現代發展；接著分析書法藝術的表現要素與鑑賞方法，而定位了書法藝術、歸結其表現原理，尤其系統簡要地指明其構成要素和鑑賞步驟；其後再論及書法藝術的精神內涵，點出古來書法理論所含的審美理想或哲學基礎以及依之而立的流派；最後則提掇出七個結論，以醒耳目。

Calligraphy is the most unique and richest Chinese art. However, fewer people make much of it, let alone appreciation. The article is meant to sort out the basic pattern of know-how to interpret and appreciate Chinese calligraphy for intellectuals. The purpose is to achieve its popularity and everlasting application to all. The article first states the evolvement of Chinese characters and calligraphy, including the relationship between the art of calligraphy and Chinese characters, the transformation of calligraphy and patterns of calligraphers over the past dynasties, and the application and modern development of calligraphy. Then, the elements of expression and ways to appreciate calligraphy are analyzed to define the art of calligraphy, to generalize its principles of expression, and to demonstrate its elements of composition and steps to appreciate it systematically and concisely. The spiritual connotation of calligraphy art is surveyed later in the article, which also points out the ideal of the beauty appreciation, the foundation of philosophy and various branches incorporated in the ancient theory of calligraphy. In the end, seven conclusions are brought up to clarify the clutter.