MACHINE SHORTHAND 2

1.1 AN EASY SKILL COURSE

Machine Shorthand is an easy skill course. Be sure to follow carefully

all the instructions in this book. Learn proper keyboard techniques,
complete each assignment on time and you will build a rewarding Machine
Shorthand skills.

1.2 THE MACHINE SHORTHAND KEYBOARD

Initial Consonant Final Consonants

The consonant sounds The consonant sounds
that begin words or that end words or
syllables are syllables are
written by written by
depressing one or depressing one or
more keys on the more keys on the
left side of the right side of the
keyboard. keyboards.

Vowels
All vowel sounds are
written by depressing one
or more keys on the bottom
of the keyboard.

1.3 HOME POSITION ON THE KEYBOARD

As you begin, place your fingers on the keyboard in a naturally curved
position. And this is the home key position. Always start writing with
your fingers at the home key.
The machine shorthand is manually operated and spaces automatically at
each keyboard strokes when keys are released completely.

Left Hand Right Hand

The left and fingers are placed on The right hand fingers are placed
the keys S, T, P, H at the upper on the keys F, P, L, T at the upper
part of the keyboard. This is the part of the keyboard. This is the
left home key. The left thumb right home key. The right thumb
rests lightly over the vowel keys rests lightly over the vowel keys E
and O. and U.

1.4 THE FIRST LETTERS

Initial S. The first letter to be learned in this course is initial S

which is written by the left small finger. With the other fingers on
the home key position, depress initial S with the left small finger
several times. You will see that initial S appears on the far left of
the paper tape. Always release the key after each stroke to allow the
machine to space.

Vowel A. This vowel is written by the left thumb. Move the left thumb
to the far left of the bottom row and depress vowel A several times to
get a clear print of vowel A in the paper tape.

NEW WORDS

YOU is written by depressing the U key.

To write the word SUE, depress initial S and vowel U simultaneously.
STEW is written by depressing consonant compounds ST and vowel U
together.

In Machine Shorthand, the first principle that you will learn is to

write only the sound of a word, like SAY. Write the letters S and A
together in one stroke. You will not write letter Y because you do not
hear the sound of Y in the word SAY. Practice writing SA several times
and SA appears as it sounds and written.