Lesson 1- Getting Ready

WHAT IS MACHINE SHORTHAND?

 Machine shorthand, sometimes referred to as stenotypy, is a system of phonetic writing

which uses a compact keyboard consisting of 23 keys: 21 letters, an asterisk and a
number bar.

 The stenotype machine differs from a typewriter in that a single key or any number of
keys in any combination can be depressed at the same time. Thus, a syllable or word is
written with one key stroke rather than using a separate key stroke for each letter. This
is one of the reasons words can be written on the stenotype machine so much faster
than they can be typed on the QWERTY—the standard typewriter/computer—keyboard.

 As an example, all letters in the word “cat” are written at one time on the stenotype
machine as KAT. On the typewriter, the same word would be written in three key strokes
as C-A-T. You will notice that the word “cat” is spelled phonetically in stenotype (i.e., K is
used rather than C). Most words are written phonetically on the stenotype keyboard.

WHAT IS STROKES?

 Any single key or key combination depressed on the stenotype machine at one time is
referred to as a STROKE. Each stroke makes an inked imprint on a paper tape and/or is
stored in the computer or computer input device. KAT, the stenotype representation for
the word “cat” written, automatic spacing occurs between them, allowing for faster
writing.

WHAT IS OUTLINES?

 The letter combinations used to define a word are referred to as OUTLINES.

 The more definitive an outline is—that is, the better it distinctively outlines the word—the
easier it will be to read back or transcribe the notes by a human or by a computer.

 Shorthand outlines are also referred to as NOTES.

ORDER OF KEYS

STKPWHRAO*EUFRPBLGTSDZ

The letters on the keyboard are arranged in an order which naturally follows a syllabic sound.
That is, there are consonants on the right and left sides, vowels in the middle.

For example, the word “cat” (written KAT) consists of an initial consonant, a vowel and a final
consonant; “scat” (written SCAT) consists of two consonants, a vowel and a final consonant; “at”
(written AT) consists of a vowel and a final consonant. Each of these words is written in one key
stroke.

You will note that not every consonant appear either on the right or left side as an individual key.
To form the letters omitted, combinations of keys are used. You will learn these combination
letters as well as numbers, which are written by combining the number bar with specific
alphabetic keys.

THE STENOTYPE KEYBOARD

Because each key always prints in the same place on the paper tape, the stroke “KAT” would be
spaced as follows.

K A T
Subsequent strokes appear under the previous stroke on the paper notes. The words “cat,”
“scat,” and “at” would appear as follows:

K A T
S K A T
A T

Stenotype notes may be represented on computer CAT (Computer-Aided Transcription)

systems the same as they do on paper notes or written straight across and separated by
slashes as follows:

KAT/SKAT/AT

CARE OF THE SHORTHAND MACHINE

 Two major brands of shorthand machines are Stenotype and Stenograph. In addition,
there are variations on these machines. Your machine may be manual, electric, or
electronic; it may or may not be computer interactive. Although there are many different
machines available, all shorthand machines have at least the same basic 23 keys, and
their operation is essentially the same.

 Care of your machine is an extremely important aspect of good writing. New machines
are usually accompanied by a booklet describing their proper maintenance. Read this
booklet carefully. Keeping your machine oiled, clean, and in good working order is
essential. The better you care for your machine, the better—and longer—it will serve you.

 Used machines may or may not have care instructions included. Whether your machine
is new or used, the basic maintenance requirements are the same.

 General maintenance and care requirements follow. Use these guidelines unless your
machine maintenance manual instructs you differently.

SETTING UP THE TRIPOD

 If you have purchased a tripod with your new machine, a packing slip should tell you how
to place the machine on the tripod. If you do not have instructions on setting up the
tripod, follow the procedure below until you have mastered the operation by touch.

TO SET UP THE TRIPOD:

o Make sure the paper tray is closed or detached
o Extend the tripod legs
o Raise the stem and lock it in place
o Note that the stem has a key on the end that fits into a similarly shaped slot on
 the bottom of the steno machine
o While sitting, turn the steno machine upside down on your lap
o Fit the key of the tripod into the slot on the machine and turn it clockwise until
you hear a click
o Place the steno machine, with tripod attached on the floor
o Extend or attach the paper tray and
o Adjust the machine to the proper height—almost waist high with forearms about
parallel to the floor.

 Once you have mastered this technique of fitting the key into the slot until you hear the
click, you will not have to place the machine on your lap. Instead, you can just hold the
machine firmly, set it into the key of the tripod, turn clockwise, and listen for the click.
The click signals that the machine has been locked onto the tripod.
TO REMOVE THE TRIPOD:
o Pull the lever on the bottom of the steno machine that is located right next to the
key slot
o Turn the machine counterclockwise while holding the lever down
o Still holding the lever down, pull the machine away from the tripod

INKING THE MACHINE

- If you have a recent model stenotype or stenograph machine that uses an ink cartridge,
you will not have to ink your machine. Instead, simply replace your ink cartridge as
needed.

- If you have a non-ink cartridge machine, you will have to re-ink you ribbon as needed. To
add ink, put one drop in each hole of the ink spool. Never add more than this at one time.
Too much ink will cause the letters to run together and make later reading of your notes
difficult. Also, excess ink could run down inside your machine, causing an eventual
maintenance problem.

LOADING THE PAPER

- Before loading the paper tape, hold the pad of paper firmly in one hand and fan it a
couple of times. This will cause any fold which are stuck together to separate. You
should rarely encounter any trouble with the paper except for occasional static electricity
due to climatic conditions.

- Follow the directions for loading paper for your type of machine. Some machines have
stationary paper trays in which the new paper is loaded in the bottom compartment and
the used notes are fed into the top compartment.

- Other machines have paper trays that slide under the machine. If you have the latter,
pulling the knob at the back of the machine extends the paper tray. Be sure it is extended
 as far as it will go, otherwise the paper will not fold properly. Place the pad of paper in
the tray and gently push the paper back under the machine as far as possible.

- Place the end of the top fold of paper under the rubber roller (or platen). Turn the platen
with your fingers, bringing the paper up into place between the type bars and the platen.
Continue feeding the paper under the metal paper holder. Now, gently pull out a couple
folds of paper and fold them into the tray. Make sure the paper is lying completely flat
and is folding in the proper direction.

- Now strike a few of the keys several times. Make sure the paper is folding properly. It is
embarrassing—and quite unprofessional—if the paper hits the floor in a heap because it
was not loaded carefully. Also, look at the print on the paper. Is the inking of the ribbon
satisfactory? If not, re-ink or replace the ribbon.
POSITION AT THE MACHINE

- While sitting, raise the machine on the tripod until it is

almost waist high. When the fingers are resting on the
keyboard, the forearms should be just about parallel with
the floor. However, if you find that raising or lowering the
machine seems more comfortable, then use the more
comfortable position. Many experienced writers find that
having the machine lower than waist level relieves tension
on the wrists.

- To prevent your fingers or wrists from becoming fatigued,

it is important that you follow these ergonomic guidelines
and cultivate healthy writing habits.
o Keep wrists relaxed and straight, elbows resting by your sides, and shoulders
relaxed and level.
o Use only finger movement to stroke keys; do not move your wrists.
o Press keys with the minimum pressure necessary.

TOUCH

- The stroke should be a quick, light tap. Think of tapping the letters onto the paper rather
than pressing them into the paper. Do not pound; it will just slow you down, and it isn’t
good for the machine. Also, do not move the entire hand, just the fingers. The stenotype
machine is designed to be almost silent. Excessive hand motion and heavy stroking will
make it begin to click with every stroke. If this happens, lighten up.

- You write with the fleshy pad at the very tip of the finger, and you must be able to feel
the keys without interference from your nails. Long nails are a hindrance. Keep them
short.

SPEED

- Stenotype is a method whereby it is possible to take verbatim dictation at the speed at

which it is spoken. The student reporter’s ultimate goal is to write 225 words per minute.
However, the beginning student should not be obsessed with speed.