Write Shorthand
Shorthand is a method of speed-writing that substitutes a line or symbol for a certain sound or letter, much like hieroglyphs.
Though its practical benefits are disappearing with modern technology, the ability to write shorthand has a variety of advantages. You will have a unique skill that few others have, and which can save you time when taking notes by hand. Since it is so rare, it can even serve as a secret code if you want to keep your notes private!
The following steps will get you started on the road to mastering this dying art.
Contents
Steps
Deciding Which System of Shorthand to Learn
- Learn about the various types of shorthand, and consider the following factors: Level of difficulty, notable features, and aesthetics. This will help you decide which system will be most beneficial for you. The following are the most well-known forms of shorthand today:
- Pitman. First presented by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837. Notable features: phonetic (records the sound of a letter or word rather than its spelling); utilizes thickness and length of strokes; symbols consist of dots, lines and dashes; system of abbreviations within Pitman shorthand. Level of difficulty: hard.
- Gregg. Introduced by John Robert Gregg in 1888. Notable features: phonetic (records the sound of a letter or word rather than its spelling); vowels are written as hooks and circles on the consonants. Level of difficulty: moderate/hard.
- Teeline. Developed in 1968 by James Hill as an easier alternative to traditional shorthand. Notable features: based on letters rather than on phonetics; of the symbol systems, most closely resembles the English alphabet. Level of difficulty: easy.
- Keyscript Shorthand. Invented in 1996 by Janet Cheeseman, Keyscript is based on Pitman, but is fully alphabetical, using none of the Pitman symbols, but only the ordinary lowercase letters of the alphabet. It is phonetic. Level of difficulty: easy/moderate.
- Determine your preferred method of learning. If you learn best in a structured classroom setting, consider taking a formal course on shorthand. If you are a quick learner and prefer to learn independently, you may be able to teach yourself.
- Consider inventing your own form of shorthand. If learning a traditional method of shorthand seems too daunting, or if you are feeling particularly creative, consider inventing your own form of abbreviated writing.
Taking a Course
- See whether your local community college or university offers courses in shorthand. Classes will help you learn shorthand in a structured setting, and you will meet other students with whom you can practice and test your knowledge.
- Find a tutor. If you prefer one-on-one training, a private tutor is a great option. Though it can be expensive, working with a tutor is one of the fastest ways to learn a skill because you will get immediate feedback on your mistakes.
- Consider an online course. There are many shorthand courses available online, some of which are free of charge. Many of them include interactive elements like practice tests, chat rooms, and study rooms that will facilitate your learning experience. Search the internet to find a reputable website that suits your needs.
- Set a schedule to keep your memory fresh. This step is crucial, since learning shorthand depends so heavily on memorization. Whether you have decided to take an online course or use a private tutor, make sure you are practicing shorthand multiple times per week. If your class or tutoring session meet only once a week, devote time outside of class to practicing and studying.
Doing it Yourself
- Find a manual, dictionary, and/or book on whichever system of shorthand you have chosen to learn. There are many books available on how to teach yourself shorthand. These can be found in bookstores, libraries, or online.
- Memorize the symbols. Go through the entire alphabet and learn the symbol for each letter or sound, depending on which type of shorthand you are studying.
- Use flashcards to improve and test your memorization. Since shorthand requires a lot of memorization, flashcards will serve as a great tool to help you remember which symbol represents which letter, word, or sound.
- Do the practice exercises that come in your book, if there are any. These were designed by professionals to help you learn quickly and thoroughly.
- Practice writing in shorthand using your book as a guide. Until you have completely memorized the shorthand alphabet, practicing writing it will help you build intuition and understand the language more deeply than simply using flashcards alone.
- Read shorthand. Just as with any other language, reading and understanding shorthand will improve your ability to write it.
- Test yourself. Using the flashcards you have made, ask a friend to test you on your knowledge.
Inventing Your Own Shorthand
- Abbreviate words, especially if they are very long. Make sure that when you go back and read your notes, however, you will know what word you were abbreviating.
- Eliminate pronouns. For note-taking, pronouns are often unnecessary if the subject is already known. For example, "She likes cooking" becomes "Likes cooking."
- Substitute numbers for words. This is a simple way to save you time. For example, the number 2 can be used in the place of the words "to, too, and two."
- Use initials in the place of a person's entire name.
- Use your imagination! If you want your language to be difficult to decode, you will have to get creative. Come up with substitutions that don't make sense, or that aren't already commonly used. Consider using symbols to write your own unique alphabet, and then memorize it and keep a copy on hand.
Tips
- Since shorthand is about speed, make sure you are not pressing down too hard with your pen. This will make your hand achey and tired more quickly, and slow down your writing.
- If you are taking shorthand notes in class or in a courtroom, write key words in the left-hand margin of your page for easy reference.
- Make sure you are using the right pen and paper for the type of shorthand you are learning. Most shorthand teachers recommend using a fountain pen.
- If you miss a certain word when taking down a dictation, continue writing and leave a space or mark for where the missing word will go; when you have finished the sentence, go back and write the word in. This will help keep up your speed.
