Shorthand is any technique for writing fast by the hand, and it is especially effective for transcribing spoken language. The notion of shorthand has existed for almost as long as writing itself; ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Chinese civilizations each had simpler equivalents to their conventional alphabet. Today, shorthand continues to be an important skill for journalists, business people, and administrators. Mastering an effective type of shorthand requires time and effort, but it is possible! Choosing a Shorthand System

1. Prior to selecting a strategy, it is essential to consider critical elements. There are several shorthand systems, and they are distinct from one another. You must consider many distinct factors:

  • How long do you have to learn the system?
  • How quickly do you want to write in the future?
  • Exists a standard shorthand method for your profession?

2.  For optimal speed, choose Gregg Pre-Anniversary, Gregg Anniversary, or New Era Pitman. Since the 19th century, Gregg and Pitman have been the primary rival methods in English shorthand, and both have been adopted for use in various other languages.

John Robert Gregg created Gregg in 1888, and it has subsequently undergone several modifications. Gregg Pre-Anniversary and Anniversary refer to the 1916 and 1929 versions of the system, respectively. There are many symbols to learn, but the trade-off is the ability to write more than 200 words per minute.

Sir Isaac Pitman invented Pitman in 1837. New Era Pitman, a condensed version of the original theory from 1922, is a complicated system that enables you to write over 200 words per minute. Because thick and thin strokes indicate various pairings of sounds, a steel-tipped pen is required for writing. Additionally, you need lined paper, since the lines are an integral aspect of the system.

3. Use Gregg Simplified for quick writing and moderate learning load. Gregg Simplified still has a maximum speed of 200 words per minute. This version, which McGraw-Hill produced in 1949, was the first shorthand designed for corporate use rather than court reporting. Significantly fewer items must be memorized than in Gregg Anniversary.

4. If you have limited time, you should learn Gregg Diamond Jubilee or Pitman 2000. These techniques still allow you to write up to 160 words per minute, but they need a substantially less time commitment.

5. Use an alphabetic scheme if you want to learn quickly and easily. In contrast to symbol systems, which use lines, curves, and circles to represent sounds, alphabetic systems are founded on the alphabet. This makes them simpler to learn, but you will not be able to attain the same quick rates. Still, a proficient speed writer may write 120 words per minute.

Speedwriting, AlphaHand, and Keyscript are three examples of these.

If you are a journalist, choose Teeline Shorthand. Teeline is a hybrid system mostly based on alphabetic forms. It is the National Council for the Training of Journalists' recommended shorthand theory and is taught to journalism majors in the United Kingdom.