1. A method for controlling an application based on a handwriting input, the method comprising: displaying a first screen on a touch screen display of a terminal; determining an occurrence of a communication event associated with an application, the communication event occurring while displaying the first screen; displaying a notification indicating the communication event on the touch screen display in response to the determination while displaying the first screen; activating, in response to the determination, a handwriting recognition module to recognize a handwriting input to be associated with the application when displaying the notification; receiving the handwriting input on the touch screen display of the terminal; recognizing the handwriting input received on the touch screen display of the terminal; determining a symbol corresponding to the handwriting input; associating the symbol with a function of the application; and processing the associated symbol through the application.