1. A non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform operations comprising: receiving a handwriting input from a user, the handwriting input comprising a plurality of handwritten strokes provided in a touch-sensitive surface coupled to the device; rendering, in real-time, the plurality of handwritten strokes in a handwriting input area of a handwriting input interface; receiving one of a pinch gesture input and a expand gesture input over the plurality of handwritten strokes; upon receiving a pinch gesture input, generating a first recognition result based on the plurality of handwritten strokes by treating the plurality of handwritten strokes as a single recognition unit; upon receiving a expand gesture input, generating a second recognition result based on the plurality of handwritten strokes by treating the plurality of handwritten strokes as two separate recognition units pulled apart by the expand gesture input; and upon generating a respective one of the first and second recognition results, displaying the generated recognition result in a candidate display area of the handwriting input interface.