Learning to write shorthand is very beneficial. Not only will you be able to write quicker, but you’ll also be able to take notes more easily during a lecture or class. Although there is no specific curriculum that needs to be followed to learn how to write shorthand, there are some basic rules that can be followed to improve your chances of becoming a good shorthand writer.
Read, Read, Read
The first and most fundamental rule of learning to write shorthand is to simply read, read, read. You need to find as many books on the subject as possible and preferably, try out different devices to read them on. Most importantly, make sure that you’re reading the right books. There are many different kinds of shorthand, and you need to make sure that you’re learning the right one.
When you’ve found a good book, it’s important to stick with it and not jump around from chapter to chapter. Instead, read the entire book and take notes in chronological order. This will make sense in terms of your overall learning experience. You should never learn how to write shorthand in a fragmented manner. When you learn how to write in chronological order, you will see all the patterns and relationships between key phrases and words more readily.
Watch YouTube Video Tutorials
Another great way to learn how to write shorthand is to watch YouTube video tutorials on the topic. These videos will usually contain a combination of text, images, and diagrams used to explain the complex process of writing shorthand. Some of the better-known YouTubers who cover this subject matter include:
- Sage Bambino
- Mikhailo Polanco
- Anita Greco
- Nancy Southard
- Michelle Visage
- Dani Morelli
- Dan Russell
These YouTube video tutorials are a great way to learn the theory behind writing shorthand. However, you should only watch those that have a strong emphasis on teaching you the shorthand system, not just the theory behind it. This will help you understand the process and logic behind it all. Some of the YouTubers mentioned above have hundreds of thousands of subscribers, so they must be doing something right!
Join a Pen Club
One of the best ways to learn how to write more concisely and how to take better notes is to join a pen club. These are small groups of individuals who meet regularly to engage in a creative writing exercise. The goal is to engage in a playful writing exercise where you can stretch your vocabulary and use new words and phrases. It’s a great way to learn how to write and to improve your overall style, all while having fun!
Some of the better-known pen clubs that meet regularly and offer creative writing exercises are:
- Rowan Pen Club
- Saint Paul’s School
- The Spaulding Literary Society
- Puerto Rican Pen Club
- The Elsberry Shakespeare Club
- Chapel Hill High School Alumni Association
These writing clubs are a great way to not only learn how to write, but to improve your writing skills as well. It’s always a good idea to join a writing club – even if you’re a legitimate professional! – because it can help you improve your writing craft and help you take your skills to the next level.
Take Scoring Practice Tests
If you’re looking to get serious about learning how to write shorthand, then your next step is to take scoring practice tests. These are designed to help you gauge your progress and to identify your weaknesses. There are many different types of practice tests available online, so search for the one that’s most suited to your needs. The most important thing to remember about these practice tests is that you’re always learning, and you should never feel that you’ve learned enough. The best way to improve your writing is by taking practice tests and analyzing your results. For instance, if you find that you’re having a hard time with words that end in “ing”, then you know there’s something you need to work on.
Consult With An Editor
One of the things that often gets overlooked when it comes to writing is the fact that you need to have someone proofread your work. It’s easy for an author to sit down and write a book, but it’s another thing entirely to have it professionally edited and published. If you’re looking to improve your writing, then it’s a good idea to seek out an editor who can take your words and help you make them sound much more like poetry. Editors can help you make your writing much more concise and easy to understand. Sometimes the best way to learn something is by helping others. By consulting with an editor, you’re essentially getting someone to help you make sure that your grammar, spelling, and overall language are correct. It can also be a good idea to have someone polish your writing, so it reads much more like an author intended it to read. An editor can help you eliminate run-on sentences, fix typos, and help you discover ambiguities in your language. If you need someone to help you polish your work and get it ready for publication, then an editor can be a good choice. However, be careful not to go for the cheapest option available. Always look for an editor who is well-respected in their field and who has a reasonable rate for their services.
Follow All The Basics
It’s a good idea to follow all the basics when learning how to write shorthand. This includes taking proper notes during classes, studying the grammar and structure of the language, and regularly practicing your writing. If you want to become a proficient writer, then you need to take the time to do all of these things. It’s no secret that shorthand is a very useful tool for commercial settings. But it takes some planning and dedication to master the skill.
Learning to write shorthand is a lot of work, but a well-deserved investment in your future. Not only will you be able to write quicker in a variety of settings, but you’ll also be able to take notes more easily during a lecture or class. All the basics should be followed when learning this skill, including proper note-taking, reading the right books, joining a writing club, and consulting with an editor. The key is to make sure that you’re learning how to write shorthand and not just copying someone else’s work. You’ll never be able to write proper shorthand if you don’t follow the basic rules, so make sure that you include that in your plan.