Stenography (stenography) is a system for writing quickly by hand, and is especially useful for writing speeches. The concept of speedwriting has been around for almost as long since the creation of writing itself. The ancient cultures of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China all had simple alternatives to their standard writing. Today, the ability to use speedwriting remains a valuable skill for those working in journalism, business, and administration. Learning an efficient speedwriting system takes practice and time, but it can be done!
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Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Speedwriting System
Step 1. Consider the decisive factors before choosing a method
There are several speedwriting systems, and they differ from one another. You need to consider a few different things:
- How much time do you have to learn the system?
- How fast do you want your writing skills to be?
- Is there a standard speedwriting system for your profession?
Step 2. Choose the Gregg Pre-Anniversary, Gregg Anniversary, or New Era Pitman system for maximum speed
The Gregg and Pitman systems have been the main competing systems of speedwriting for English since the nineteenth century, and both have also been adapted into several other languages.
- The Gregg system was developed by John Robert Gregg in 1888 and has since undergone several adjustments. The Gregg Pre-Anniversary and Anniversary systems draw on the systems outlined in 1916 and 1929, respectively. The symbols to remember are many, but the advantage is being able to write more than two hundred words per minute.
- The Pitman system was developed by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837. The New Era Pitman system, which dates back to 1922 and is a more efficient version of the original system, is a fairly complex system but also allows you to write more than two hundred words per minute. Since thick and thin letters represent different sound pairs, you will need a pen with a steel tip to write. Also, you need lined paper, because the line is also part of the system.
Step 3. Try the Gregg Simplified system if you want a fast writing system with a moderate learning rate
With the Gregg Simplified system, you can still write two hundred words per minute. This version, introduced by the McGraw-Hill company in 1949, was the first speedwriting intended more for business than for court use. There are far fewer emblems to remember than the Gregg Anniversary system.
Step 4. Study the Gregg Diamond Jubilee or Pitman 2000 system if you have little time to spare
With these methods, you can still write up to 160 words per minute, but it will take much less time.
Step 5. Use the alphabetical system if you want a quick and easy learning process
The alphabetic system is based on the alphabet, unlike the symbol system which uses various lines, curves and circles to represent sounds. This makes the alphabet system easier to learn, although you won't be able to achieve the same writing speed. But a good fast writer can write up to 120 words per minute.
Three examples of such systems are Speedwriting, AlphaHand, and Keyscript
Step 6. Choose Teeline Shorthand if you are a journalist
Teeline is a hybrid system based largely on the shape of the letters of the alphabet. This system is the preferred fast writing system at the UK National Council for the Training of Journalists and is taught at the journalism department there.
Part 2 of 3: Gathering Materials on Quickwriting
Step 1. Visit your local library or bookstore for books on how to learn speedwriting
Alternatively, you can order a book on speedwriting via the Internet.
- Many books on speedwriting are probably out of publication. This is why libraries, used bookstores, or online bookstores may be able to provide a wider selection of books.
- Several books on speedwriting are in the public domain and are available for free download over the Internet.
Step 2. Look for old-fashioned study aids
If you want to learn to write fast, these study aids are designed for you. These include recordings or cassette tapes containing dictation, writing, self-tests, and supplementary materials.
Keep in mind that these study aids may require equipment to listen to sound from cassettes
Step 3. Get a quick writing dictionary for your system
These published books can show how different words are written in shorthand.
Step 4. Take advantage of the many speed writing resources available on the Internet
This includes tutorials, dictation, and quick writing examples.
Step 5. Take a speedwriting course
Such courses can be conducted via the Internet or face-to-face meetings.
Make sure that you understand the length of the course and that you have sufficient time in your schedule to take the course
Part 3 of 3: Practice Quickwriting
Step 1. Start with a realistic estimate
A claim that you can learn speed writing in just a few hours should not be believed. The time you need will depend on how often you practice, the difficulty of the system, and your desired writing speed. It can take up to a year of hard work to really master useful speedwriting.
Step 2. Prioritize mastery over speed
You must fully master the principles of word formation first. An increase in writing speed will be achieved after mastering it.
Step 3. Practice every day
Try to practice at least 45 minutes to an hour, if possible. But remember, that every day, even if it's a short workout session, it's better than one or two long training sessions each week.
Step 4. Do it gradually
Start with the alphabet, filling each line of a small piece of notepad with one letter. Next, improve by writing words, by doing the same. When you're ready, step it up again by writing a set of common words.
Saying words out loud as you write them helps your brain make connections between phonemic sounds and symbols
Step 5. Increase speed with dictation exercises
Speed dictation has several different speeds (words per minute), so you can practice at an increasing pace.
- Practice at each pace (30, 40, 50, 60, etc.) until you feel comfortable, then work your way up.
- If you want to practice as often as possible, place the recorded dictation on your MP3 player and practice when you have a few minutes to spare.
Tips
- It is best to write down the note written in quickwriting as soon as possible while the meaning of the shorthand can still be remembered.
- Get cheap paper, as you will be using it a lot. But make sure the paper is smooth, so it doesn't wrinkle and hinder writing.
- Other writing systems that use the letters of the alphabet have also been developed to assist with faster writing without sacrificing readability as in fast writing systems. This writing system usually differs from fast writing, in that it does not require learning new symbols, and by using a system of abbreviations of words.
