Monotype Corsiva could be described as a traditional, yet elegant font (as you already mentioned), though still functional. Functional in that it is readable, even at a smaller size (though I wouldn’t reccommend using it under 16pt).

See if there is any history to the font – who developed it, during what time period, was there a specific use for it, etc. If you can’t find any of that information, look into the history of Handwritten font (Monotype Corsiva is a handwritten font).

After that, just BS, lol. Good Luck.

http://www.monotypefonts.com/AboutUs.asp

The Lanston Monotype Machine Company was founded by Tolbert Lanston in Washington D.C. in 1887. The original Monotype machine used “hot metal” to form individual letters. Thus spelling mistakes could be corrected by adding or removing individual letters. This was particularly useful for “quality” printing – such as books. In contrast the Linotype machine formed a complete line of type in one bar. Editing these required replacing an entire line (and if the replacement ran on to another line, the rest of the paragraph). But Linotype slugs were easier to handle if moving a complete section of text around a page. This was more useful for “quick” printing – such as newspapers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotype_Corporation

Monotyping

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotyping

Corsiva:

Description

An italic typeface made in the style of the early Italian cursives, as exemplified by the work of the writing master Ludovico degli Arrighi in the sixteenth century. The capitals are of swash design, with characteristic flourishes, designed primarily for use as initial letters. Corsiva can be used for short text passages in advertising but is best used to add sparkle to invitations, greeting cards and menus, and to give a sense of occasion to certificates and awards.

Outline of Font history:

http://www.webreference.com/dlab/9802/

MONO…. just one, only one, … alone…. yourself… ..

Type… well.. only one type…….

Corsiva….. is the tipe of letter that is not straight, but tilted a little bit with an angle, and the letters are all attached together i mean they are not separated but they are like written with one single line of writting, without taking out the pencil of the paper when writting one word.