If you want to learn shorthand typing at home, you are in the right place. In this blog post, I will teach you how to learn English shorthand typing at home, step by step.
One of the main reasons to learn Pitman English shorthand is that it allows you to take verbal notes faster and more accurately. It is essential for stenographers, stenotypists, secretaries, journalists, or anyone needing to note things down quickly.
Learning Pitman Shorthand at home is possible with a good learning strategy and tools. This guide will lead you through the steps to teaching yourself Pitman Shorthand.
Read More: How to Improve English Shorthand Speed?
Step-by-Step Guide on How To Learn Shorthand Typing At Home
First, before you learn shorthand typing, you must know its basic ABC. Pitman shorthand has a different ABC compared to the regular alphabet. It uses various symbols and strokes that represent sounds rather than individual letters. Each sound is encoded with specific lines, curves, or dots that can be combined in numerous ways to convey words and phrases quickly.
Here is the Complete Pitman Shorthand Alphabet.
1. Downward Strokes
For letters written downward, these consonants fall into this category:
P __\__ B __\__ T __I__ D __I__ Chay __/___ Jay ___/___
2. Horizontal Strokes
For letters written horizontally, these consonants fall into this category:
K _____ Gay _____M _____ N ___Ing ____ L______
3. Curve Strokes
For letters written in a curved manner, these consonants fall into this category:
F _____ V _____ Ith _____ Thee _____ S _____ Z _____ Ish _____ Lee ______ R ______
4. Upward Strokes
For letters written upward, these consonants fall into this category:
Ray________ Way _______ Yay ______ Hay ______ Hay
Note:
The standard English alphabet has 26 letters, but we also use these additional strokes to represent certain sounds for 24 sounds.
Additionally, both ‘Ray’ and ‘Chay’ use downward strokes, but the stroke direction is different. ‘Ray uses a 26-degree downward stroke, while Chay uses a 30-degree downward stroke.
The below image shows the strokes in the alphabet.
It is easy to understand that you must learn the basic ABC of shorthand handling before developing a pitman shorthand typing speed.
Remembering the alphabet and practising writing perfect strokes daily would be best. You will start making short words when you learn the complete ABC of shorthand and write down strokes.
Here are tips for doing shorthand exercises.
Method of Practicing Shorthand
It is essential to follow these methods to practice writing consonants correctly. This will help you form each stroke with precision and accuracy.
Light/Dark Strokes: Each consonant consists of light and dark strokes, as explained earlier. It is essential to practice making these strokes with the correct pressure to differentiate between light and dark strokes. We write light and dark words according to the pronunciation of words; if the word sound is light, we write light strokes. For example, the words Pet, Palm, and Pee, are light. We write light strokes to write down these kinds of words. If the words have dark pronunciations such as Go, Dark, or Do, these are dark words, so we use dark strokes to write them down.
Combining Strokes: After mastering the individual strokes, practice integrating them to form complete consonants. Don’t forget to follow up with the proper direction of pressure for the stroke.
Practice Writing from Top to Bottom for Letters with Downward Strokes. Ensure the strokes are straight and you keep them at an even length.
Horizontal Strokes: These horizontal strokes write from left to right. Make sure the strokes are in proper letter spacing.
Curves: Try to draw smoothly and with a constant curve. Concentrate on keeping the curve balanced and with no jagged angles.
Upward Strokes: Write upward strokes as if writing from bottom to top. Try to keep your strokes straight and parallel to one another.
Continues Stroke: You can write individual strokes with the tools and start writing consonants stroke by a flaw. It will assist in keeping the writing more fluid and natural.
Columnwise Drill: Write all consonants one after the other in columns. Then, write the first consonant several times vertically before writing down the second consonant again. Doing this work repeatedly will lead to muscle memory and increased accuracy.
Blending the Strokes: Once you have conquered individual strokes, combine them to create complete consonants. Let your stroke be just the right way and with the correct pressure.
After following these methods, you can write all consonants correctly. Consistent practice and attention to detail are other critical factors in ensuring the right consonant sound.
Conclusion:
In the end, practice makes the man perfect. Shorthand typing speed depends on your practice and relies upon your writing strokes. If your grip is firm for writing strokes, you can write shorthand faster and more accurately. Shorthand ABC is necessary to proceed further and to learn advanced skills. ABC is essential for every shorthand student.
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