Methods and apparatus are provided for executing a function of a mobile terminal by recognizing a writing gesture. The writing gesture that is inputted on a touchscreen of the mobile terminal is detected. At least one target item to which the writing gesture applies is determined. A preset writing gesture of the at least one target item is compared with the detected writing gesture to determine whether the preset writing gesture is at least similar to the detected writing gesture. An execution command corresponding to the preset writing gesture is extracted, when it is determined that the detected writing gesture is at least similar to the preset writing gesture. The function of the at least one target item is executed by the execution command.