Machine Shorthand Basics

• This study guide covers the basics of machine shorthand
• It introduces key concepts, the keyboard layout, and initial fingering
• It goes over consonant compounds and abbreviations
• It provides exercises for skill development

Preface

• Machine Shorthand is a skill course that teaches how to take dictation using a machine as a writing tool
• This method is used in courts, legal offices, and modern business and government offices
• A key skill for stenographers is accurate transcription
• Machine shorthand assists this by producing printed notes directly from the machine
• The book is designed to teach students to operate the machine with proper keyboard techniques
• Lessons are presented carefully to ensure a full understanding of the course principles
• The aim is to help students become employable through machine shorthand
• The book also reviews essential English knowledge
• This emphasizes the importance of grammar, spelling, and punctuation for efficient stenography

Lesson 1

• Machine Shorthand is described as an easy skill course if instructions are followed
• Proper keyboard techniques and timely completion of assignments are emphasized for skill development
• The sound of an English word is written on the keyboard using paper tape
• Each stroke is printed on the paper tape, which automatically spaces as keys are pressed
• The keyboard is divided into three sections: initial consonants, vowels, and final consonants
• Initial consonants begin words/syllables on the left side of the keyboard
• Final consonants end words/syllables on the right side of the keyboard
• Vowels are located on the bottom of the keyboard

Home Position

• Fingers should be naturally curved on the keyboard, beginning at the homekey position
• The left hand fingers are placed on the keys S, T, P, H
• The left thumb rests lightly over the vowel keys A and O
• The right hand fingers are placed on the keys F, P, L,T
• The right thumb rests lightly over the vowel keys E and U
• Machine shorthand is manually operated and spaces automatically when keys are released

First Letters

• Initial S is written by the left small finger; it appears on the far left of the paper tape
• Vowel A is written by the left thumb; it appears on the paper tape after depression
• Practice letters by touch without looking at the keyboard
• Always return fingers to the homekeys and concentrating on finger movement
• When writing the word SAY, write letters S and A together in one stroke

New Letters and Words

• Initial T is written by the left ring finger at the homekey and appears on the left side
• Final T (-T) is written by the right small finger and appears on the right side

Consonant Compounds

• Two or more consonants together such as "ST" in "STAY" are consonant compounds
• "ST" is written by depressing initial S and initial T together
• STAY is written as consonant compound ST and vowel A together
• STATE is written as consonant compounds ST, vowel A, and T simultaneously

New Words

• To write the word ATE, depress vowel A and -T at the same time
• SAT is written by depressing initial S, vowel A, and -T simultaneously

New Letter and Words

• Vowel U is written by the right thumb at the far right of the vowel keys
• Example new words include, YOU, SUE, SUIT, STEW

Skill Development

• Practice new vowels like U and new words
• Check the paper tape for clear impressions and good spacing
• Ensure the paper tape is neatly tucked into the paper tray

Punctuation Mark

• To write a period, depress the right homekeys FPLT all together, repeating until they appear side by side

Lesson 2

• It involves review of Lesson 1, with practice on letters, words, and punctuation marks
• There are some exercises for skill warm up
• Some examples of skill warm up include basic letters, words for practice like "ate", and punctuation marks

New Letters

• Introduces Final S (-S), Initial Z (Z), and Final Z (-Z) letters to expand on previously learned characters
• Final S (-S) is written with the right little finger just below the -T key
• Initial Z is represented by the same key as initial S (left small finger)
• Final Z is adjacent to -S, and it's depressed by extending the right little finger sideward

Consonant Compounds

• Some new consonant compounds are introduced, in particular -TS
• The -TS compound is written by depressing the crack between the -T and -S keys, on the right side
• Suits is written as SUTS in one stroke and states is written as STATS in one stroke

Machine Shorthand Abbreviations

• It presents the use of machine shorthand abbreviations for commonly used words
• This includes words like, is / his = S
• At / the / it = T
• Take = T
• Machine shorthand derivatives are an essential part of shorthand writing

Derivatives

• Using derivatives can create similar words based from abbreviations
• TAKE (TA) + S = TAKES (TAS)

Phrasing

• It explains the significance of phrasing in machine shorthand to improve speed
• Phrases are composed of simple words like IS THE (ST)
• Examples of phrases include "is the", "is a", "at the", and take the"

Lesson 3

• Covers commas, the number zero, and Asterisk
• Vowel O is controlled by the left thumb and represents the number zero
• Asterisk key is for error correction

Machine Shorthand Abbreviations

• Presents a set of abbreviations
• It emphasizes that these abbreviations should be accurately written
• These abbreviations should be remembered to save time

Letter U

• Letter U is used for double O
• Take the suits too is used as an example

Comma

• The comma is written by reaching the letters RBGS with the right fingers

Asterisk

• Indicates an error has been made
• Asterisk key is located between the two index fingers
• Depressed once before writing the correct word

Lesson 5

• It covers abbreviations, consonant compounds, question marks and phrasing

Phrases

• Common phrases can be written together
• “are you” is written as “R U”
• A review of new letters, initial R and final R are discussed

Skill and Development

• Practice a sentence by increasing pace
• Take your tray, Rate Rosa’s trait, Are the stars true

Assigned Patterns

• It includes writing the sound pattern sentences in long hand

Spelling

• The letters that describes a work is to be spelled out
• EAETHRC is spelled as TEACHER