CHAPTER I

Unit 1

     1. Shorthand is written by sound; thus, aim is written am (long sound of a), cat is

written kat, knee is written ne. Since we are learning shorthand to save time in writing, it is
necessary to ignore those letters that aren't pronounced.

Consonants

     2. The consonants are arranged in pairs, according to their similarity of sound, and are
distinguished by a difference in length. For instance, k and g are both produced in the same
place in the mouth and likewise resemble each other in shorthand.
     The characters for the consonants in this lesson are derived from this elliptical
figure: 

     3. All these consonants are written forward from left to right; th and t and d are

struck upwards from the line of writing. The g given in this lesson is called gay, being the
hard sound as in game, get, and not the soft sound heard in gem, magic. The aspirate h is
indicated by a dot placed over the vowel.
     Many frequently recurring words are represented by simple alphabetic characters. These
abbreviations are called brief forms. Some of these signs represent two and even three
words; for example, the sign for r represents are, our, hour. A dot on the line of writing
represents the articles a, an. A dot at the end of a word expresses -ing. The pronoun I is
expressed by a large circle (written counterclockwise); he, by a small circle.
     The student should practice all these characters until he or she can write them without
the slightest hesitation. Let us examine more closely the curve letters k, g, r, and l.
     Each of these strokes begins and ends on the same plane. The beginning and the end
of k and g rest on the line of writing. R and l rest on the line of writing as a saucer would
rest on a table.
     The deep part of the curve in k and in g is at the end; in r and l, at the beginning, as
indicated by arrows.
     K and r are the same size. The same is true of g and l.
     Correctly written, r and l look like k and g when the paper is turned upside down.
     The sounds represented by lines are n, m, t, and d:

     Even though d is about twice the length of t, d should only go up about two thirds of the
line of writing.

     4. Phrasing.  The joining of simple words is a great help to accuracy and speed in

writing shorthand, and its acquirement should not be deferred until the habit of writing
common words separately has been formed.

     5. Punctuation, etc.  In shorthand the following marks are used:

 6. Sentence Drill

     7. In shorthand there are twelve distinct vowel sounds, which are arranged in four
groups, and three closely related sounds are placed in each group.  In this lesson we have
the first two groups, which for convenience are named the A group and the E group.

Memory aid: 

The A Group

The E Group

     Note: The first sound in the E group of vowels is the short i, heard in din, and should not
be confused with long i, heard in dine, which will be given later.

     8. Marking Vowels.  The vowels are grouped according to similarity in sound. The large
circle expresses three sounds of a. The short sound is unmarked, the medium sound is
marked with a dot, and the long sound with a short dash, as shown in paragraph 7. This
system of marking is used in all vowel groups uniformly.
     The dot and dash are occasionally needed to indicate the exact sounds in unfamiliar or
isolated words, but otherwise they are seldom used.

Picturing Writing Motion

     9. Frequently we shall have to refer to writing motion. The curved characters in this
lesson are taken from horizontal ovals, one written with right motion, the other with left.
The right motion is clockwise; the left, counterclockwise.
     10. Characters taken from the left-motion oval are called left-motion, because the
rotation is from left to right; characters taken from the right-motion oval are called right-
motion for a like reason; thus:

     The terms "left motion" and "right motion" refer to the rotation in movement, and not to
the direction.

How Circles Are Joined

     The following movement drills are intended to develop skill in the joining of circles.

     11. Circles Joined to Single Strokes.  At the beginning or end of a single curve, the
circle is placed inside the curve. Let us examine more closely how to join a circle to a curve,
using a-k, a-g, r-a, and l-a.

     The dotted line shows the position of the circle in relation to the curve. (Remember, the
dotted line in r-a and l-a does not represent the line of writing. The base of the r and of
the l rests on the line of writing.)
     The circle joins at a right angle, shown by the arrows above.

     Practice with the following sentences:

Key: He lay there in the air. I cannot go. I will not go. Ray is ill. He cannot hear Lee.

     12. At the beginning or end of a single straight stroke, the circle is written
with right motion. Observe closely the joinings a-d, d-a, a-m, and m-a.

     In joining the circle to a straight line, start and finish as shown by the dotted lines. Keep
straight lines absolutely straight.

Practice with the following sentences:

Key: I am aiming at him. I hit him in the knee. Eddy is aiming at me. He hit me in the head.

13. Reading and Dictation Practice

 Unit 2

     14. Circles Between Strokes.  Where an angle, or a point, is formed at the junction of

consonants, the circle goes outside the angle. Observe how the circle joins the strokes in r-
a-n and k-a-n:

     The straight line begins in the circle, as indicated by the arrows. The dotted line shows
the position of the circle in relation to the other strokes. If the page is turned upside down,
the word ran will become the word knack.
     Observe how the circle joins in n-a-l and m-e-l:
     To accommodate the circle in these joinings, the n and the m are written slightly longer
than they would normally be written. The arrow shows how the n is extended in the
word nail. The dotted line indicates the position of the circle in relation to the other strokes.

     15. Where straight strokes and curves join without an angle, or where two similar-
motion curves join without an angle, the circle is placed inside the curve. Observe how the
circle joins the strokes in r-a-t and t-a-k:

     In joinings of this type, the blending of the curve with the straight line should be so
smooth that the circle appears to have been inserted afterward. The dotted line shows the
position of the circle in relation to the other strokes.

     Practice with the following sentences:

Key: Take the lad to the deck. He is late. The red tag and ticket were at the gate.
     16. Some vowels are so obscure or neutral that they are omitted when they do not
contribute to speed or legibility.  For example, the e in the words taken and maker is
absolutely useless, and is omitted.  Any vowel which does not contribute to the legibility of
an outline may be omitted.  Any vowel which does not contribute to the legibility of and
outline may be omitted if its omission gives a more facile outline.

     17. Between straight strokes in the same direction the circle is written with right motion.
See the following outlines of m-a-m and d-e-d:

     The joining should be so smooth and snug that, if the circle were eliminated, the two
straight lines would blend into one stroke. Avoid forming points on the circles in the places
indicated by the arrows.

     18. Between opposite curves the circle is turned back on the first curve.

     Observe the outlines of g-a-l and l-a-g:

     If the circle were erased, the curves should blend into a continuous stroke. Avoid
forming points on the circles in the places indicated by the arrows.

Consonant Combinations

     19. Kr and Gl Combinations.  K and r, and g and l, are equal curves and are made a
little flatter than usual when joined, as the following outlines k-r, g-l, and r-k demonstrate:
In these combinations, the curves are rather shallow. They have a wavelike appearance and
are very fluent. Kr (or rk) is slightly shorter than the combined length of r and k when
standing alone. The same is true of gl (or lg).

     20. Gr and Kl Combinations.  Where curves of unequal length join without an angle,

as in the following, note how a distinction in length is positively shown in the following
outlines, g-r and k-l.

     21. Rk and Lk Combinations.  Since r and k are of equal length, the curves are

somewhat flatter, as with kr and gl.  Lk is very infrequent.

     22. The Signs for Th.  The sign for t is curved to express th, thus:

     As seen in earlier examples, these letters are very small—only about a third of the space
between the writing lines. The curve on the left starts outward at the beginning.
Consequently, the curve is deep at the beginning and flattens out toward the end. The curve
on the right starts on the right then swings upward. There should be no hook at the
beginning or the end. The dotted line shows the slant of the strokes. Note the similarity
between these curves and their parent stroke, the t.
 Brief Forms for Common Words

     23. A comparatively small number of frequently recurring words make up a large part of
the English language. As an illustration, ten words—the, of and, to, a, in, that, it, is, I—form
one-fourth of the entire written and spoken language.
     The forms for these frequent words are based on a very common method of abbreviation
in longhand writing. For example, amt. is written
for amount; Rev. for Reverend; gym for gymnasium; ans. for answer; math.
for mathematics, and so on. By taking advantage of this method of abbreviation, brief and
easily remembered shorthand forms are obtained for the most common words in the
language. Some of these brief forms consists of letters you have not yet learned, so do not
attempt to learn the new letters until the chapters in which they occur.

     *In some phrases they is written the same as the, as in they will.

Note: Refer to the alphabet page for explanation of characters.

24. Business Abbreviations

25. Reading and Dictation Practice

 Unit 3

      26.  By blending d and t into one long stroke the syllables ted, ded, and det are

expressed:

     Note: The combination det usually occurs at the beginning of words, as

in detect, detach, while ted or ded usually occurs at the end of a word.

     27.  By blending m and n into one long stroke the syllables men, mem are expressed.

In addition to men, mem this blend represents similar sounds, such
as min in minute, mun in money:
28.  Frequent-Word Drill
29.  Brief Forms for Common Words
     Note: W is omitted in the word were, and wh in where, when, what; other is expressed
by uth; all, by aw placed on its side; time, by the tem blend; into, by blending in and to.
For convenience, the long i in my is expressed by a large circle.

General Phrasing Principles

     30.  The following suggestions will be helpful to an understanding of the general

principles of phrasing:

1. Short and common words only should be joined, as of the, in the, etc.
2. The words should make good sense if standing alone, as it will be.
3. Pronouns generally are joined to the words they precede, as I can, you are, you
can, I would.
4. A qualifying word is usually joined to the word it qualifies, as good man.
5. The words to, of, in, with, and generally are joined to the word following, as to
the, of which, in that, with that, and will.
6. Words that do not make an easily written, distinctive joining should not be phrased.

     31.  Phrase Drill.  The simple phrases given in the drill below are of very high
frequency and will serve as models for other phrases:

32.  Reading and Dictation Practice

*Before a downstroke, to is expressed by t.

33.  Writing Practice

1. You will need a keen memory when you go to the market today.
2. When you take the grain to the mill you can get your money.
3. Many of our men will go to the train in the rain to greet the team.
4. I am not any more eager to be in debt to you than you are.
5. I am ready to go the limit in getting you the money you need.
6. He had a great desire to read, but he had little time and his reading was limited.
7. I am not willing to go by train, but you can make me a minimum rate by air and rail.
8. The data you need will be ready by the middle of the month.
9. The mill was then making a good metal tag at the rate of eighty a minute.
10. In his dream he was being attacked in the dark by an enemy.

     Dear Sir:  I am eager to eliminate without any more delay the error made in the
minimum drain rate to Erie.  I can meet you at Erie any day you desire.  My time is limited
and I cannot be there more than a day.  It would be well to get all the data in hand by the
time you are ready to do.  I will meet you any day you can be there. Yours truly,
 CHAPTER II

Unit 4

The Downward Characters

     34.  The characters for the consonants in this chapter are derived from another elliptical

figure:

     35.  All these character are written downward.  Ch is named chay, and sh is named ish.
The signs for sh and s are very small.  As s is one of the most frequent sounds in the
language, two signs are provided for it to facilitate joining in various combinations.  The
following memory aids will be useful:

     Let us have a closer look at the curve strokes left s, p, b, right s, f, and v:

     The dotted line shows the slant of the strokes as well as the relation of the beginning of
the outline to the end. The deep part of the curve comes at the end of left s, p, and b; at
the beginning of right s, f, and v as indicated by arrows. In your writing, observe very
carefully the proportion of these strokes. B and v should span most of the space between
the lines, but not all of it. The middle stokes p and f should span about half of the space
between the lines. Both strokes for s only span a quarter of the space. Practice the
proportions with the following sentences:
Key: He put his key by his hat. Will you have Ray get it for Lee? It is getting late.

     Observe how to join a circle to these consonants with b-a, a-v; a-b, v-a:

     The a in b-a and a-v is fairly round; in a-b and v-a, it is more of a loop. Be sure that the

a joins as indicated by the arrows and does not retrace any part of the consonant. If you
turn the page upside down, b-a will look like a-v; a-v, like b-a; a-b, like v-a; and v-a,
like a-b.
     Let us examine how to join a circle between same-motion strokes like p and r and
between k and f:

     The dotted line indicates the relation of the circle to the other strokes. The circle should
join so smoothly that if it were removed, the consonants would form a continuous curve. If
you have written an accurate outline, when you turn your page upside down, k-a-f will look
like p-a-r; p-a-r, like k-a-f.
     Let us examine how to join a circle between opposite-motion strokes like f and r and
like f and l:

     As the a is being completed, it should start to come down before it reaches the f. In

other words, the r or l should be started before the circle is completed as indicated by the
arrow.
     Let us examine how to join a circle between very acute angles, looking at d-a-sh and sh-
a-d:

     The vowel here becomes a loop, or a more elongated circle. Both the sh and d are
slightly extended in order to accommodate the loop. If you were to turn these outlines
upside down, shade would become a perfect copy of dash, and vice versa.

Consonant Combinations

     36.  Many of the consonants follow each other consecutively; for

example, r and l frequently follow p, b, as in play, brave.  As skill in writing such
combinations is essential to speed and accuracy, the following movement drills should be
practiced until fluency is secured.

     37.  Pr and Pl.  In writing pr and pl, start to the left. These combinations are written
with one sweep of the pen. At the beginning of these combinations, the hand moves from
the right to the left; it does not move immediately down.

     Practice with the following sentences:

Key: His helper placed the wrapper in the paper plate. The player will come by plane.

     38.  Br and Bl.  In writing br and bl, start down. These combinations are also written
with one sweep of the pen. At the beginning of these combinations, the hand starts
immediately down instead of to the left, as pr and pl do.
     Practice with the following sentences:

Key: His neighbor teaches members to play bridge. His bridge lesson was brief. He is not
able to play well.

     39.  Fr and Fl.  In writing the combinations fr and fl, the angle is rounded to give
fluency.  The motion is just the same as in writing a part of the longhand y.

40.  Frequent-Word Drill

 41.  Brief Forms for Common Words

     *The sign for the prefix over written above a following character is used to express the
word over.

     42.  As a prefix, after is expressed by af.  In compounds, every is expressed by ev.

     43.  The word been following have, has, had is phrased and is expressed by b:

     Note: The h dot in has, had, him, himself, her, and herself may be omitted in fast
writing.

44.  Business Abbreviations

45.  Reading and Dictation Practice

 Unit 5

The Sign for S

     46.  The signs for s, written downward, are taken from a small elliptical figure, thus: 

Memory aid:  

     The right-motion s is called "right s"  

     The left-motion s is called "left s"      

     47.  In practical writing the sound of z is expressed by the sign for s, since no confusion
arises from using the same character from both sounds in connected writing.  We already
are accustomed to writing and reading s for z in English, as in rays, praise.
     It is seldom necessary to make a distinction between s and z, but when it is, a short
dash is struck at a right angle to the sign for s to show that it has the sound of z, thus:

     48.  The base of the first consonant of a word rests on the line or writing, but
when s precedes another consonant, the base of the consonant following the s is placed on
the line.

     49.  Initial and Final S.  1. Before and after p, b, r, and l, and after t, d, n, m, and o,
the left s is used:

     2. In all other cases the right s is used:

     A circle placed outside the angle in any of these joinings does not change the motion.

50. Frequent Word Drill

     51. S Between Strokes.  When a circle vowel immediately precedes s between strokes,
treat the s as belonging to the preceding consonant; if the circle follows the s, the s should
be treated as if it belonged to the following consonant; when s occurs between strokes and
is not joined to a circle, writ the s with the syllable to which it belongs:

     52. The Ses Sign.  The ses sound as heard in faces, basis, races, cases, census, etc., is

expressed by joining the two s signs as a blend:

     Note: In rapid writing, the first s in ses may become obscure, and yet the second s,
being written contrary to the rule for writing a single s, clearly indicates the plural form. 
Compare the following:

53. Brief Forms for Common Words

     *The sign for the prefix under written above a following character is used for the
word under.

     54.  The suffix thing is expressed by a dot in the following words:

     55. Plurals of Brief Forms.   The plurals of brief forms ending in s are formed by
adding another s of the same motion, thus:

     There are four exceptions to this rule.  The brief forms force, course, invoice, and office
—which you will learn later—use the ses blend to express their plurals.

     In other brief forms the plurals are formed by adding s to the singular forms, thus:

56.  Reading and Dictation Practice

 Unit 6

     57. The Letter X.  When x occurs at the end of or within words, it is expressed

by s slightly modified in slant, thus:

     58.  The suffix shun (sion, tion) is expressed by sh:

     59. The Past Tense.  The past tense is expressed by t or d:

     1.  After most abbreviated words a disjoined t placed close to the preceding character is
used to express the past tense, thus:

     2.  In all other cases join t or d if a distinctive and facile joining is possible; otherwise,
disjoin t (as in glared, tapered) to express the past tense, thus:

60. Brief Forms for Common Words

 *The s is added to tell by changing the circle to a loop, thus: 

Brief Forms as Prefixes

     61.  A brief form is frequently used as a prefix or as part of another word, as illustrated
in the following:

62. Frequent Phrases

     *Before a downstroke, to is expressed by t.

63. Reading and Dictation Practice

 64. Writing Practice

     1. I shall not leave here today for my trip to France, as I am too busy, but I shall finish
everything soon.
     2. It may be that such a change in the history classes will help to settle the matter for
you.
     3. He will cash the pay check if you will present it at his desk.
     4. Since she is changing her plans to stay here some time before going to the city, I
think it will be well to leave the matter as it is for the present.
     5. Because the business in that part of the country is not good, he will remain there
another month to go thoroughly into the planning of a sales campaign.
     6. It is plain that if any action is to be taken it must take place before the session ends
today.
     7. He fixed the time at six and said that the men were asleep.
     8. I shall not fail to mention that the basis of his claim is very flimsy and that I feel that
his figures should be thoroughly studied and checked before any decision is reached.

     Dear Sir: The sale of the goods you shipped me in January is not going at all well. For
one thing, the season has been very late, causing business to be slack.  Can you think of
anything that will help our sales?  It may be that business in other parts of the country is
much the same as it is here and you have made some sales plans that will be of help to me.
I should like to go over this matter with one of your men the first time one of them is in the
city.  Yours truly,