Shorthand Reading Shorthand Speed Long Live Pitmans Shorthand

p1
SHORTHAND SPEED p1 of 13
The article excerpts are from the following

books, available online at Internet Archive
www.archive.org Despite the Victorian- www.long-live-pitmans-shorthand.org.uk
style language of the articles, the advice is Pitman’s New Era Shorthand Reading
still relevant for today's shorthand students, Shorthand © Beryl L Pratt
more so as nowadays we do less handwriting PDF DATE: 9 December 2012
than in the past and we need to reclaim those http://long-live-pitmans-shorthand.blogspot.co.uk
skills. The three dots ... show where text has
been shortened. American spellings retained.
Ÿ "Pitman Speed Practice" (1915) by Alfred Sugarman. It contains 11 articles

discussing shorthand speed and learning techniques, and 112 other passages
on a wide variety of subjects current at the time, and now of more historical
interest. The articles are counted in tens for use as dictations and are ideal for
extending vocabulary. There is no actual shorthand in the book.
Ÿ “100 Valuable Suggestions to Shorthand Students” (1890) by Selby A Moran,
University of Michigan, Principal of the Stenographic Institute, Ann Arbor.
Ÿ There is no actual shorthand in these books and they are therefore useful to
writers of other shorthand systems.
Ÿ The text of these books may not be used commercially, please see the Archive
terms of use, generally personal and study purposes only.
Word signs = short forms
Preface – by Arthur M Sugarman BA, Chairman, Department of

Stenography and Typewriting, Bay Ridge High School, New York
Preface by Arthur Sugarman. The
essentials for the attainment of high
speed in shorthand writing may be
summed up briefly under the following
heads. First: A thorough mastery of
whatever system of shorthand is
learned. Second: An unhesitating use Do Not Become
of all the word signs and contractional Discouraged – by Selby
devices employed in that system. Moran, Item 19
Third: A wide and ever-increasing
vocabulary. Do not become discouraged. ... There
is no study that does not have its
Fourth: A familiarity with the best
difficult parts, and the one who
modes and styles of expression current
succeeds in these is the one who will
in our literature. Fifth: The ability to
not allow every little thing to give him
assimilate the thought as the sounds
Insert vowel after the short form "equally" as "equal" the " blues," while his equally talented
are being recorded. Sixth: Plenty of
would also make sense. brother falls behind and is lost sight of,
practice in recording utterances, varied
simply because he would not do what
Insert vowels in “steady” to prevent confusion with “study” in subject matter and speech.
he might. A steady application of will is
already written, and “staid” which has a similar meaning. And, lastly, the element that makes for a very important factor in considering
success in all fields of endeavor, one's chances of success in the line of
Perseverance. ... (112 words) shorthand work. (81 words)
p2
www.long-live-pitmans-shorthand.org.uk
Pitman’s New Era Shorthand Reading
Shorthand © Beryl L Pratt
PDF DATE: 9 December 2012
http://long-live-pitmans-shorthand.blogspot.co.uk
Get A Thorough Mastery Of The Principles – by Nathan

Behrin, Supreme Court, New York, Champion shorthand
writer of the world (350 wpm) Part 1 of 2
Get a thorough mastery of the All notes taken at any speed should
principals by Nathan Behrin. The strictly be compared with the printed
seeker after high speed should devote matter. It will then be found that
himself to obtaining a thorough many words are taken for others
mastery of the principles of his system because of the forms they assume
of shorthand. Not until the ability to when written under pressure. Most of
write shorthand without mental these can be avoided by careful
hesitation has been acquired, should attention to the writing. Experience
speed practice begin. alone will authorize any deviation from
the textbook forms.
A student observing the note-taking of
an experienced stenographer will be Phrasing should be indulged in
struck with admiration at the sparingly on unfamiliar matter. But on
smoothness of the writing and the familiar matter the student should
perfect regularity of the outlines. An always be alert for opportunities of
excellent method of practice for the saving both time and effort by
like facility is in the copying of a employing the principles of
selection sentence by sentence until intersection, elimination of consonants,
the whole is memorized, and then and the joining of words of frequent
writing it over and over again. occurrence. Nothing less than absolute
accuracy should satisfy the student.
(218 words) (Continued)
"Nothing less" Insert the vowel in "less"; when writing the

phrase "nothing else" join a downward Ell-S and omit the vowel.
The same applies to "anything less" and "anything else"
p3
Get A Thorough Mastery Of The Principles – by Nathan

Behrin, Supreme Court, New York, Champion shorthand
writer of the world (350 wpm) Part 2 of 2
Conflicting outlines should be carefully The student ambitious to succeed will

distinguished. Where words may be endeavor to familiarize himself with all
distinguished either by the insertion of matters pertaining to stenography. By
vowels or the changing of one of the reading the shorthand magazines, he
outlines, the latter should always be will keep himself in touch with the
the method employed; vowels should latest developments in the art.
freely be inserted whenever possible.
Facility in reading shorthand will also
The sense of the matter should be
be acquired by reading the shorthand
carefully preserved by the punctuation
plates in these magazines. For
of the notes, indicating the full stop
comparison and suggestion, he will
and leaving spaces in the notes
study the facsimile notes of practical
between phrases.
stenographers.
The best matter for the student
He will neglect no opportunity to
beginning practice for speed is to be
improve himself in the use of his art.
found in the dictation books compiled
And, finally, he will join a shorthand
by the publishers of the system. At
society, where he will come in contact
first, the dictation should be slow to
with other stenographers who are
permit the making of careful outlines.
striving toward the same goal as
Gradually the speed should be himself. (244 words)
increased until the student is obliged
to exert himself to keep pace with the
reader; and occasionally short bursts
of speed should be attempted as tests
of the writer's progress.
Insert the second vowel in "permit" to distinguish it from "promote".

Insert the final vowel in "occasionally" because "occasional" would also make sense.
p4
Getting up speed – by Frederick J Rose,

Law Court Reporter, Chicago, Illinois
Getting up speed by Frederick Rose. added naturally, without further effort,

How does a child learn to read? Isn't it as a consequence of it. …
by first laboriously learning the ABC? ...
Don't for one moment let there be any
Don't overlook that word "laboriously."
excuse that speed practice requires a
No learning can be acquired by
specially set stage, a specially
grafting on processes; it all comes by
engaged reader, special paper, pens,
labor. Shorthand is no exception.
ink, and all the paraphernalia of
One of the mysteries of acquiring artificial stimulus. They are all very
speed in shorthand writing is that well in their way. But accustom the
speed comes in just about exact ratio mind to meet the inconveniences of
to the labor put upon the study of the practical work, for there will be no
ABC of whatever system of shorthand favors granted in practical work. …
writing is learned. That is the
Read over what you have been able to
experience which twenty-five years of
get, if possible; if not able to read all
shorthand writing for daily bread has
of it, still keep trying. Speed in
taught. ...
shorthand writing is the prize for
It is in the first few months ... that the courage.
pupil lays the foundation, surely and
Training for high speed begins with
irrevocably, for later high speed in
Lesson One, when the pupil is geared
execution and speed in mental
in low speed. It is just as disastrous to
processes.
start in "high" in shorthand writing as
Therefore, paradoxical as it may it is in driving an automobile. It begins
appear, the sagest advice, and the in low speed, and you get into the high
most practical to be given to the speed because you started in low
shorthand student, is to TAKE TIME to speed. (318 words)
lay the foundation well and truly, and
speed, up to a given degree, will be
Insert a final vowel in the short form “specially” (twice) because

“special” would also make sense.
Insert the diphthong in “unsuitable” to distinguish it from “unstable”.
p5
What Causes Hesitation – by Paul S Vosburg, Official Stenographer,

Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What causes hesitation by Paul order to cultivate a good judgment in

Vosburg. To hesitate, in shorthand selection. … Fourth: Manual skill.
writing, is to be lost, that is, to There is only one way to gain this by
hesitate to any great extent. … What writing the outlines over and over
causes hesitation? First, inability to again, until the hand is accustomed to
accurately hear the words uttered; form them instantly.
second, lack of familiarity with the
This is especially true of the forms that
words spoken; third, not knowing the
are peculiarly difficult for the individual.
outlines for the words or not being
Certain consonants or combinations
able to quickly form them in the mind;
give one writer trouble, while to
fourth, lack of manual skill; and fifth,
another they are easy. The student
unsuitable materials.
should pick out his weak points. …
To avoid the first cause of hesitation, Fifth: The materials. The instrument
one must have a good ear, and see the pen or pencil should be adapted to
that the conditions are favorable for the individual. Whether a pen or pencil
distinct hearing. To eliminate the is better for the individual must be
second cause, one must be a constant learned by experience. …
student of words the meanings as well
There is only one way to reach the
as the sounds. He will be continually
desired end: by constant practice. … In
on the alert to enlarge his vocabulary
general, the best results are obtained
by general reading and conversation.
from short daily practice, rather than a
…
number of hours one day and skipping
Third: Not only will he study words and a day or more. … Everything written
their meanings, but will get thoroughly should be read, and the weak points
in mind the best outlines for the words, noted and special attention given to
and he should continually form them. … (324 words)
outlines for new words, first before
consulting a shorthand dictionary, in
Always insert the second vowel in both "adapted"

and "adopted" to distinguish between them.
p6
Overcoming weaknesses – by Walter H Lee,

Principal, The Milton School, Washington DC
Overcoming weaknesses by Walter Lee.

Merely taking dictation does not
necessarily mean a gain either in
speed or accuracy; practice should be
carried on according to a well arranged
plan in which home work plays just as
important a part as class work. Word and Phrase Signs –
The following method will bring good by Selby Moran, Item 39
results if rigidly adhered to during the
entire period of speed practice. The
Word and phrase signs. ... Although
student should use two note books,
there are but a few hundred of these
one for taking dictation in class, the
contractions, yet it is almost
other for home work. In the latter he
impossible to write a sentence of a
should write every outline discussed
half-dozen words without using one
by the teacher, as well as principles
or more for which there is a sign.
explained and other things new to the
This being the case, it becomes very
student.
important that you have these
In addition to this and it may mean signs "upon your fingers' ends."
the difference between success and
You need not expect to gain any
failure he should write every outline
considerable degree of speed without
which, during the reading back in class,
knowing them as well as you know
he finds has been improperly or poorly
your ABC’s. Not only be able to write
written. He should be a merciless
them correctly at slow dictation, but
taskmaster over himself, putting down
also know them so well that the
every word about which he is doubtful,
sound of the word will cause a
even common word signs such as "it"
picture of the outline to be instantly
or "was" if they have been poorly
formed in the mind. ... (113 words)
executed. …
Shorthand is worthless unless it is
readable; it is better to read correctly
and quickly what has been written
than to make poor outlines and be
uncertain about the whole of the
matter which has been dictated.
(206 words)
p7
The Stenographic Expert – by Willard B Bottome and William F

Smart, Joint Authors of “The Stenographic Expert”* Part 1 of 3
The stenographic expert by Willard newspaper articles, commence

Bottome and William Smart. dictation practice. Pick out slow
Limitations of space require terseness orators, and practice on their speeches,
in this article, and call for brief facts or sermons, thus becoming acquainted
rather than details. Many years' with the practical part of shorthand,
experience proves that the quickest early in your career. ...
way to achieve shorthand power and
Always read over your notes. Take
ability is to adhere strictly to the
regular dictation practice at a school,
following points:
or from a friend, or a phonograph.
First: Thoroughly understand the
Try repetition practice if your
system.
shorthand powers seem to have
Second: Copy the exercises in the arrived at a stand-still; that is, write
textbooks and the shorthand one passage over again, slightly
magazines until print can be increasing the speed because you have
transcribed into shorthand perfectly at to acquire a quickly moving brain, and
a fair rate of speed. a "responsive hand.”
Third: Practice writing the majority of All this time, read plenty of printed
the words in the English language until shorthand, especially straight matter,
they can be written with ease. because the vocabulary is somewhat
limited in court work.
Fourth: Systematic speed practice.
Carry a memorandum book, in which
Fifth: The acquisition of an extensive
to jot down words that conflict, good
general knowledge.
phrases, and, later on, short cuts.
When a speed of fifty or sixty words a (239 words) (Continued)
minute is achieved by copying in
shorthand from such matter as
*This book can also be read at www.archive.org Although the Pitman's

Shorthand within is pre-New Era, the general advice still holds true.
Insert the vowel in "brief" so that it does not suggest "number of".
p8

Smart, Joint Authors of “The Stenographic Expert” Part 2 of 3
Get the best textbooks in the system, better to write the double character.
and endeavor to carry out the advice Give more attention to grammalogs
not of theorists, but of those who have and words in position than to lengthy
proved themselves to be high speed outlines. It is advisable to get too
writers, as well as practical shorthand much ink on the paper than too little,
reporters. Besides acquiring a in the early stages.
thorough knowledge of the system and
Become absorbed in the speaker's
the ability to write it, you have to gear
ideas, cultivate imagination in reading
up your brains to clearly grasp, and
shorthand, and transcription will be
instantly, the speaker's thoughts, and
easy. Study the best American and
to transmit them intelligently to paper
English writers, and utilize their works
by a thoroughly trained hand, and
for your dictation practice. This will
fingers. Without these essentials, high
enable you to acquire a good
speed is impossible.
vocabulary, as well as a fair literary
Whilst an effort should be made to style, thus enabling you, when
write every word as rapidly as it is necessary, to make good speeches for
uttered, the brain should be educated poor speakers.
so in the memory. This will enable the
shorthand writer to catch up, at Avoid ingenious phrases and short cuts,
pauses. until you have developed the manual
dexterity to write close to one-hundred
Avoid everything that clouds the mind and sixty words a minute on straight
or disturbs the hand. At first do not matter. Then increase your speed by
adopt a cramped style of writing. learning the best short cuts, suitable
Always write to read. If in doubt about for the particular work in which you
writing a half length character, it is are engaged. (298 words) (Continued)
"make good speeches for poor speakers" Reporters may do this,

but the shorthand learner should always aim for verbatim.
“ ... it is better to write the double character.” This refers to writing
both strokes in full when in doubt about halving, and does not
refer to doubling of strokes.
p9

Smart, Joint Authors of “The Stenographic Expert” Part 3 of 3
Endeavor to write independently of the The beginner has a long road to travel.
context and to make yourself an The acquisition of the theory, and
intellectual machine, not a mere much reading practice in shorthand
phonographic automaton, recording can be done at odd moments, even in
words of which you fail to grasp the street, and in traveling back and
meaning. Endeavor also to write forth to the office.
figures rapidly in the ordinary Arabic
numerals. … The interest on a wise expenditure of
time and money will be enormous. A
Develop concentration and initiative,
knowledge of shorthand is one of the
and grasp every situation you are
most valuable assets of today in the
reporting, because every public
administration of the world's affairs.
shorthand assignment is different from
all others. Expert shorthand writing is
Steady persistency, and application
the result of gradual growth.
will place in your hands a never failing
Do not be deceived by alluring money-making capability, which will
statements about short cuts outside always be in demand; and success in
the textbooks, which are not based on the art will result at first in a
the principles of the system. They are fascinating and useful hobby, then in a
useless until you have a well laid steady salary, and, lastly, with the
foundation, and have acquired a good exercise of constant perseverance and
speed on solid matter. application, in independence and a
lucrative income. (239 words)
Although the contraction “independent/independently” does not have a stroke

Ell, it could take a disjoined Ell if necessary to distinguish between the two.
Beware the difference between "a never failing" and "an ever failing" –
identical when said quickly, with the meaning only clear through the context.
"income" is above the line, as it uses the short form "in"
p10
The shorthand writer should make careful and accurate outlines –

by William Whitford, Medical Reporter, Chicago, Illinois
The shorthand writer should make In developing speed, the shorthand

careful and accurate outlines by writer should refrain from using too
William Whitford. Constant practice, many short cuts indiscriminately.
practice, practice, is absolutely These should only be used for
essential to the development of great frequently recurring words or
manual dexterity. In shorthand, haste expressions, and then not necessarily
makes waste; it is the persistent standardized.
plodder who achieves success.
I am and always have been opposed
Furthermore, to acquire as large a to short cuts that violate the
command of the language as possible, fundamental principles of our Pitmanic
the aspirant for speed should select a systems, on the ground that they
variety of matter on which to practice, seriously interfere with legibility, are
such as extracts from political deterrents to the achievement of
speeches, biographies, lectures on manual deftness, are veritable pitfalls,
miscellaneous and scientific subjects, and calculated to create endless
proceedings of conventions, histories, troubles for the young reporter.
sermons, addresses, essays, editorials, (175 words)
legislative proceedings, arguments of
counsel, charges to juries, etc.
"Pitmanic systems" There were several variations in the USA at that time.
p11
Excelsior the motto for shorthand writers – by Charles F. Larkin,

Official Stenographer, Superior Court, Montreal, Canada
Excelsior the motto for shorthand

writers by Charles Larkin. The surest
and quickest way to become a one
hundred per cent stenographer is to be
Phrasing – by Selby
accurate and painstaking from the
Moran, Item 42
start. Remember that illegible writing,
whether shorthand or longhand, is of
Phrasing. Do not phrase over any
little use to anyone.
pause or break of any kind in a
Thoroughness in the individual sentence. Shorthand notes, when
engenders enthusiasm and a relish for properly phrased, are, as a rule, more
his work, while in the aggregate it is legible than though each word were
one of the essentials of a great nation. written separately.
The ideal school room is a beehive
In speaking, words are naturally
where everyone is busy, happy, and
combined into phrases, clauses, or
full of enthusiasm. …
brief sentences, and, in reading, one is
Exercise often in the open air so as to enabled to grasp the meaning much
have strong steady nerves, good more readily, if it is possible to have
digestion, and a clear alert brain. these combinations of words, which
are related to each other either
From the start, use the best fountain grammatically or rhetorically, set off in
pen or pencil you can obtain, and, some way from what precedes and
preferably, flat-lying notebooks, from what follows. …
clearly ruled and free from spots. Sit
as comfortably and unconstrainedly as Phrasing, however, cannot be made
possible so as to write with a light use of, if the words composing the
flowing motion of the arm. parts which would naturally be united
do not form good angles in joining.
Even after a situation has been (115 words)
secured review occasionally and keep
abreast of the improvements in the "Than though" in the second sentence
system. would be "than if" nowadays.
Be courteous, keep your nerves and Insert the vowel in "brief" so that it
temper always under control and you does not suggest "number of".
should succeed. (182 words)
Insert the first vowel in "enabled" to
"Improvements” to the USA distinguish it from "unable to".
versions were ongoing at that time.
p12
Repetition – by Henry Candlin, Repetition versus new matter –

Court Reporter, Greeley, by Charles W Phillips, Court
Colorado Reporter, Chicago, Illinois
Repetition by Henry Candlin. Practising Repetition versus new matter by

the same outlines many times without Charles Phillips. The use of repetition,
a knowledge of the principles under or practising the same education
which they are written is working in matter over and over again, and the
the dark, it may be conducive to speed taking of dictation on new matter are
on those particular words, but will not not antagonistic methods, but are
tend to the ability to write other words complementary.
of the same class.
Repetition, the writing, perhaps
After the brain has comprehended the thousands of times, of the same
principles, repetition is necessary to matter under proper conditions is the
enable the hand to move with ease greatest factor in producing digital skill,
and facility. smoothness of hand movement, etc.
In other words it is all important in the
We would advise students to read all
development of the technic of
the printed shorthand they can get;
shorthand speed.
memorize and practise the
grammalogues, contractions and On the other hand, constant practice
phrases so that no conscious effort is on new matter, well selected and
required to bring them to the mind diversified matter, produces the
and record them on paper; practise mental coordination, the instant
writing on many different subjects; connection of the thing heard with its
read back everything you write; write shorthand equivalent without which
strictly in accordance with the rules; even moderate speed is impossible. …
repeat the same matter until it is as Both methods should be vigorously
easy as ABC and shorthand will be a pursued. (121 words)
delight. (145 words)
technic = technique
p13
Picturing Outlines – by Selby Keep Cool – by Selby

Moran, Item 53 Moran, Item 51
Picturing outlines. Form the habit of Keep Cool. If there is one thing that
picturing in your mind the outlines of needs emphasizing more than another
words you hear in conversation or see of a reporter's qualifications, it is to
in reading. Most students will find this keep cool. Shorthand needs too much
an easy and, at the same time, a very attention to be written properly unless
profitable habit to acquire. one is perfectly calm. …
Many students experience considerable There is no better way to enable the
trouble in training the mind to act reporter to be deliberate, under all
rapidly in recalling the proper outlines circumstances, than a thorough
for words. They know the outline well preparation for the work, such a
enough and can execute it rapidly preparation as will inspire a confidence
when once they are able to recall it, that you are equal to the task before
but too often they have to stop and you. …
think what it is. The only way to attain
Always bear in mind that a slow writer
ability to do this readily is by practice.
with a cool head will accomplish far
…
more than a much more rapid reporter
The fingers must also be trained to who cannot control himself, but gets
move rapidly, and in harmony with the nervous at every little thing that
power of recalling the characters. occurs out of the regular course of
Hence, that kind of drill which will events.
bring both into action at once, and (117 words)
train them to act harmoniously should
not be neglected. (145 words)

Shorthand Reading Shorthand Speed Long Live Pitmans Shorthand

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p1

The article excerpts are from the following

Ÿ "Pitman Speed Practice" (1915) by Alfred Sugarman. It contains 11 articles

Preface – by Arthur M Sugarman BA, Chairman, Department of

Get A Thorough Mastery Of The Principles – by Nathan

"Nothing less" Insert the vowel in "less"; when writing the

Get A Thorough Mastery Of The Principles – by Nathan

Conflicting outlines should be carefully The student ambitious to succeed will

Insert the second vowel in "permit" to distinguish it from "promote".

Getting up speed – by Frederick J Rose,

Getting up speed by Frederick Rose. added naturally, without further effort,

Insert a final vowel in the short form “specially” (twice) because

What Causes Hesitation – by Paul S Vosburg, Official Stenographer,

What causes hesitation by Paul order to cultivate a good judgment in

Always insert the second vowel in both "adapted"

Overcoming weaknesses – by Walter H Lee,

Overcoming weaknesses by Walter Lee.

The Stenographic Expert – by Willard B Bottome and William F

The stenographic expert by Willard newspaper articles, commence

*This book can also be read at www.archive.org Although the Pitman's

The Stenographic Expert – by Willard B Bottome and William F

"make good speeches for poor speakers" Reporters may do this,

The Stenographic Expert – by Willard B Bottome and William F

Although the contraction “independent/independently” does not have a stroke

SHORTHAND SPEED p10 of 13

The shorthand writer should make careful and accurate outlines –

The shorthand writer should make In developing speed, the shorthand

SHORTHAND SPEED p11 of 13

Excelsior the motto for shorthand writers – by Charles F. Larkin,

Excelsior the motto for shorthand

SHORTHAND SPEED p12 of 13

Repetition – by Henry Candlin, Repetition versus new matter –

Repetition by Henry Candlin. Practising Repetition versus new matter by

SHORTHAND SPEED p13 of 13

Picturing Outlines – by Selby Keep Cool – by Selby

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