Shorthand is one of the most powerful skills you can learn if you want speed, efficiency, and accuracy in writing. Whether you’re preparing for stenography exams or aiming to become a professional stenographer, mastering shorthand basics and advanced techniques is essential.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Shorthand consonants and vowels
- Grammalogues and short forms
- Advanced phraseography techniques
Let’s start from the foundation.
1. Shorthand Consonants Guide
Consonants are the backbone of shorthand writing. In systems like Pitman shorthand, consonants are represented by simple strokes instead of full alphabets.
What Are Consonants in Shorthand?
Consonants are written using:
- Straight strokes (light or heavy)
- Curved strokes
- Direction (upward or downward)
Each consonant sound has a fixed shape and direction.
Basic Consonant Strokes
Here are some important consonants:
Light Strokes (Unvoiced Sounds)
- P → Light downward stroke
- T → Light downward stroke (slightly different angle)
- K → Light slanted stroke
- F → Light curve
- S → Small circle
Heavy Strokes (Voiced Sounds)
- B → Same as P but darker
- D → Same as T but darker
- G → Same as K but darker
- V → Same as F but darker
- Z → Same as S but heavier
👉 Tip:
Light = no vibration
Heavy = vibration (voice)
Direction Matters
Some consonants change meaning depending on direction:
- R → written upward
- L → written downward
This helps avoid confusion and increases writing speed.
Joined Consonants
Instead of lifting your pen again and again, shorthand connects consonants:
- “PR” → P + R joined
- “TR” → T + R joined
This is called outline formation.
Important Rule
👉 Write what you hear, not what you see.
Example:
- “Phone” → F + N
- “Know” → N
Silent letters are ignored.
2. Shorthand Vowels Guide
Vowels in shorthand are secondary but important. They help in pronunciation and clarity.
Types of Vowels
1. Light Vowels
- a (as in cat)
- e (as in pen)
- i (as in sit)
2. Heavy Vowels
- a (as in calm)
- o (as in go)
- oo (as in food)
Three Positions of Vowels
Each vowel can be written in 3 positions:
- Beginning
- Middle
- End
Example:
- “bat” → vowel placed near beginning
- “bet” → vowel placed in middle
- “boot” → vowel placed at end
How Vowels Are Written
Vowels are written using:
- Small dots
- Small dashes
👉 Dot = light vowel
👉 Dash = heavy vowel
Why Vowels Are Often Skipped
In fast writing:
- Vowels are often omitted
- Only consonants are written
Example:
- “government” → G V R N M N T (simplified outline)
This is what makes shorthand so fast.
3. Grammalogues (Short Forms)
Grammalogues are special shortcuts used for commonly used words.
Instead of writing full outlines, you write just one stroke or symbol.
What Are Grammalogues?
They are:
- Frequently used words
- Represented by single strokes
Example:
- “be” → B stroke
- “do” → D stroke
- “go” → G stroke
Common Grammalogues List
Here are some important ones:
- be
- do
- go
- have
- give
- think
- thank
- will
- shall
- can
- may
- must
- important
- government
- opportunity
- principle
Why Grammalogues Are Important
✔ Save time
✔ Increase speed
✔ Improve exam performance
👉 In exams, grammalogues can reduce writing time by 30–40%.
Tips to Learn Grammalogues
- Practice 10 daily
- Use flashcards
- Write sentences using them
- Revise regularly
4. Short Forms in Shorthand
Short forms are similar to grammalogues but slightly more detailed.
They are used for:
- Long words
- Frequently repeated words
Examples of Short Forms
- “Development” → Dev
- “Information” → Info
- “Department” → Dept
- “Management” → Mgmt
Difference Between Grammalogues & Short Forms
| Feature | Grammalogues | Short Forms |
| Length | Very short | Slightly longer |
| Usage | Common words | Long words |
| Form | Single stroke | Abbreviated outline |
Best Practice Strategy
👉 Combine both:
- Use grammalogues for common words
- Use short forms for long words
5. Phraseography (Basic to Advanced)
Phraseography is one of the most important concepts in shorthand.
It means:
👉 Writing multiple words in one continuous stroke
Basic Phraseography
Example phrases:
- “it is”
- “you are”
- “we have”
- “in the”
Instead of writing separately, they are joined.
Rules of Phraseography
- Write continuously
- Maintain proper direction
- Avoid awkward shapes
- Keep it readable
6. Advanced Phraseography
Now let’s move to the advanced level.
This is what separates beginners from professionals.
What Is Advanced Phraseography?
It involves:
- Complex word combinations
- Speed optimization
- Smart joining techniques
Examples of Advanced Phrases
- “as soon as possible”
- “in accordance with”
- “with reference to”
- “on the other hand”
- “I would like to inform you”
Techniques for Advanced Phraseography
1. Omission Technique
Skip unnecessary words:
- “the”
- “a”
- “of”
Example:
- “in the case of” → “in case”
2. Blending Technique
Merge strokes smoothly:
- “you will” → joined smoothly
- “we shall” → blended outline
3. Hook & Loop Usage
Use:
- Small hooks for “r” and “l”
- Loops for “st” and “str”
4. Halving Principle
Half stroke = add “t” or “d”
Example:
- “meet” → shortened M stroke
5. Doubling Principle
Double length = add “tr”, “dr”
Benefits of Advanced Phraseography
✔ Increases speed up to 120–150 WPM
✔ Reduces hand movement
✔ Improves fluency
7. Daily Practice Plan
If you want to master shorthand, follow this:
Daily Routine (1–2 Hours)
Step 1: Practice consonants (10 min)
Step 2: Practice vowels (10 min)
Step 3: Learn 10 grammalogues (15 min)
Step 4: Write short forms (15 min)
Step 5: Practice phraseography (20 min)
Step 6: Dictation practice (30 min)
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Writing spelling instead of sound
❌ Ignoring stroke direction
❌ Overusing vowels
❌ Not revising grammalogues
❌ Poor joining of phrases
9. Pro Tips from Experts
✔ Focus on accuracy first, then speed
✔ Practice daily without break
✔ Revise old outlines regularly
✔ Use dictation audio
✔ Analyze mistakes
