1 . If you try to write longhand really fast, you'll only reach about 50 w.p.m. if you write words out in full. No matter how much practice you get, your speed is hampered by the mechanics of forming legible words. Most alpha shorthand systems are capable of reaching speeds upwards of 100 w.p.m. Most symbol systems can go 20-40 w.p.m. faster with adequate work; the old symbol systems, the ones intended for court work, can be cranked up to over 200 w.p.m. (For comparison purposes, average speech is about 150 w.p.m. Beginning secretaries were required [in years past] to write at least 80 w.p.m. for three or five minutes. Experienced secretaries were said to have speeds of 120 w.p.m. or more since they would be familiar with the vocabulary of their field. Really good executive assistants had speeds of 150 and up. While certified court reporting speeds vary with the requirements of each state, in New Jersey, for example, a speed of 225 w.p.m. is required.)
2. For short bursts of time, you can take down and read back faster dictation than for longer periods. As the dictation continues, mental fatigue sets in quickly, causing you to fall further behind the longer the dictation lasts.
3. Whether you write Gregg or Pitman, pencils are not recommended for writing shorthand. Pencils drag on the paper; the points dull with continued writing, forcing you to make larger outlines. Use a pen for best results.
4. Easy material, with common words, is easier to write and can be written faster. Uncommon words, technical material, and text sprinkled with foreign words must be written at a lower speed.
5. Shorthand must be automatic to be written swiftly. If you have to pause to think, you're in trouble!
6. Nervousness (whether from test conditions or other causes) and stress will hamper shorthand speed. My personal solution to nervousness was to take lots of job interviews and take lots of shorthand tests. Eventually, I calmed down and was able to test well because my nervousness of being tested had faded.
7. It may sound detrimental to speed building, but writing accurately is better than scrawling something you won't be able to read later. Your mind will build speed faster if you write outlines according to the rules of your system.
8. Shorthand is written with your brain. Most of us are all physically capable of writing at high rates of speed if only our minds can supply outlines fast enough. A thorough review of your shorthand system will help stock your mind with correct forms.