Speed-Writing: How to Write Shorthand

From lecture notes to study notes, college involves a lot of writing. Not only do you need to write frequently, but you also need to write at a decent speed in order to keep up with lecturers while they are talking. This would make it worthwhile for you to learn shorthand. Let’s get an understanding of what shorthand writing is, why it’s a valuable skill to have, and how you can start learning how to write shorthand.

What is Shorthand?

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Shorthand is a system of writing that uses symbols to represent letters, words, or phrases. Writing with shorthand symbols allows you to write at a quicker speed than traditional handwriting. You will soon learn that shorthand is also used by many professionals, in places such as law courts.

There is more than one type of shorthand writing. The first modern system was developed by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837. In his system, Pitman used symbols to represent the sounds made by words. This system is known as Pitman shorthand, and is still popular in the UK today.

In 1888, John Robert Gregg published his own system of shorthand. While he studied Pitman shorthand, he decided to make changes that he thought would improve the shorthand system. He then took the Gregg shorthand system to the United States, where it has since become the most popular form of shorthand.

Another well-known form of shorthand writing is Teeline. It is one of the newer systems as it was developed in 1968. This system got quite a lot of popularity in the British commonwealth, where it is often taught to journalists.

How To Write Shorthand

Learning to write shorthand can be broken down into clear, manageable steps. By following these, you can start mastering the skill of writing shorthand and improve your note-taking speed.

Step 1: Choose a Shorthand System

The first thing you’ll need to do is decide which shorthand system you want to learn. There are several popular systems to choose from, each with its own style and complexity:

• Pitman Shorthand: Based on the sounds of words, this system uses strokes of varying thickness and dots to represent vowels and consonants. It’s one of the most detailed and accurate systems for fast writing.
• Gregg Shorthand: Known for its flowing, cursive-like strokes, this system focuses on speed. It’s widely used in the U.S. and relies on circles and loops to represent sounds.
• Teeline Shorthand: A simpler system based on the alphabet, it’s often taught to journalists and is faster to learn than other shorthand methods.

Choosing the right system depends on how much time you have and how fast you want to learn. If you’re aiming for high speed and accuracy, Pitman or Gregg might be your best options. If you want something quicker and easier to pick up, Teeline could be the way to go.

Step 2: Learn the Basic Symbols

Once you’ve chosen a system, start by learning the basic symbols. Shorthand systems use a combination of lines, curves, and dots to represent letters, sounds, or whole words. For example:

• In Pitman, thick lines represent sounds like “b” and thin lines represent sounds like “p.” Dots and dashes indicate vowels.
• In Gregg, you’ll see lots of loops and curves to represent letters and sounds, making it flow like cursive writing.

Start by familiarizing yourself with the basic strokes and how they map to common letters or sounds. Most systems have a guide or chart that you can refer to while you’re learning.

Step 3: Practice with Common Words

Next, begin practicing by writing common words and phrases. For instance, in shorthand systems, words like “and,” “the,” and “is” often have their own unique symbols to speed things up even more. This is where practice is key—learning to recognize and write frequently used words quickly will greatly enhance your shorthand skills.

Step 4: Build Speed Gradually

As you become more comfortable with the symbols and patterns, start timing yourself to see how fast you can write. Don’t worry if you’re not fast right away; focus on getting the symbols correct before speeding up. The more you practice, the faster you’ll get, eventually reaching speeds where you can keep up with spoken language.

Step 5: Use Dictation Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your shorthand is to practice with dictation exercises. Record yourself speaking, or use an audio recording, and try to transcribe it using shorthand. This will help you apply the symbols in real-time and train your brain to process spoken language quickly.

Alternative Shorthand Methods

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If traditional shorthand systems like Pitman or Gregg feel too complex or time-consuming to learn, there are alternative methods that can still help you speed up your writing. 

These methods are easier to grasp and offer flexibility, allowing you to develop a personalized shorthand system that suits your specific needs.

Speed Writing

One of the most accessible alternatives is speed writing. Unlike traditional shorthand, speed writing uses simplified abbreviations and symbols derived from the standard alphabet. You can create your own shortcuts by removing vowels or shortening long words. 

For example, instead of writing “important,” you could write “imprtnt.” This method doesn’t require learning a completely new system and can be tailored to your preferences, making it quicker to pick up.

Stenoscript

Stenoscript is another alternative that uses the standard alphabet, but it’s structured to help you write faster. It’s more like a phonetic writing system, where you write out sounds rather than the full words. 

Stenoscript simplifies complex words into shorter forms, allowing you to capture ideas quickly without the need for complex symbols. This can be useful for students who want an easier entry point into shorthand-like writing without diving into traditional systems.

Creating Your Own System

If you prefer complete flexibility, you can design your own shorthand system. Start by identifying the most common words and phrases you use in your notes, then develop quick symbols or abbreviations for those terms. 

For instance, you could use a simple dot for “the” or a small “x” for “and.” The key is consistency—once you establish your system, stick with it to ensure you can read back your notes later.

Handywrite

Handywrite is similar to Gregg in the way it simplifies words, but it uses the standard alphabet, making it easier for beginners. The strokes are quick, flowing, and cursive-like, which helps increase speed while maintaining legibility. It’s ideal for those who want to balance ease of learning with writing speed.

Bell’s Invisible Speech

This system is a bit more specialized, designed to record every human speech sound, making it useful for linguists or those in the speech pathology field. While not commonly used for everyday note-taking, it showcases how shorthand can extend beyond simple note-taking to more scientific applications.

Blissymbolics

For a more visual approach, Blissymbolics uses descriptive pictures to represent concepts rather than words. Originally designed as a universal language, Blissymbolics is useful for people who want to communicate ideas without relying on written or spoken language. 

While it’s not as fast as traditional shorthand systems, it offers a unique way to capture abstract ideas quickly.

Why is Learning Shorthand Valuable?

Firstly, writing in shorthand is much quicker than standard writing. Standard handwriting reaches speeds of 20 to 30 words per minute, which is too slow to record someone speaking. The average shorthand speed of some people has been recorded at over 200 words per minute. This makes shorthand better for taking notes. Because of the difference in speed, shorthand is an important skill to learn to keep up with lecturers when taking notes.

Shorthand has also proven to be useful in many lines of work. Personal assistants and secretaries use for it for minute taking, while journalists use it when documenting a news story. Court reporters use it when typing on a stenotype machine. Stenographers, who transcribe letters and documents, are often employed in law offices.

Shorthand is helpful for writing down all important details when getting instructions from your boss or conveying a phone message. Voice-recognition software often makes mistakes, especially if someone gets words mixed up or names wrong. A person using shorthand can identify and rectify such mistakes.

Shorthand also provides personal benefits such as improving your listening, summarizing, and memory skills. It is also good for your CV, as it shows you have commitment to learning a new skill. Overall, shorthand reduces the time you spend on writing, and the time that you save can be utilized for other tasks.

Now that you understand what shorthand is, how to learn it, and why it is a valuable skill, you can try it for yourself!

FAQs

What is shorthand, and why is it useful?

Shorthand is a system of writing that uses symbols or abbreviations to represent letters, words, or phrases, allowing you to write much faster than traditional longhand. It’s useful in professions like journalism, law, and administrative work, where note-taking speed is essential.

What are the main types of shorthand systems?

The most popular shorthand systems are Pitman, Gregg, and Teeline. Pitman is known for its speed and complexity, Gregg is widely used in the U.S., and Teeline is often taught to journalists in the UK. Each system has its own unique features and learning curve.

How long does it take to learn shorthand?

The time it takes to learn shorthand depends on the system you choose and how much time you dedicate to practice. Some systems, like Teeline, can be learned more quickly, while more complex systems like Pitman or Gregg may take a few months of consistent practice to master.

Can I create my own shorthand system?

You can create your own shorthand system by developing abbreviations and symbols for frequently used words or phrases. This method is less formal but can be effective for personal note-taking. However, it may not be suitable for professional use where standardized systems are required.

Are there any alternatives to traditional shorthand?

Yes, alternatives like speed writing or stenoscript use simplified abbreviations of the alphabet, making them easier to learn and adapt. These methods offer flexibility and can help you write faster without learning a completely new set of symbols.