Gregg Speed Studies/Speed Study 12

by John Robert Gregg

Layout 2

SPEED STUDY XII
TWELFTH LESSON

Rounding Angles.—The numerous examples of angle joinings illustrated in the Twelfth Lesson of the Manual furnish an opportune time to introduce a principle in writing that has a vital influence on speed—the rounding of angles. The predominance of curves is fundamental in the system. It is this feature that gives to the writing its fluent and graceful appearance and adds tremendously to its speed possibilities. But angles do occur of necessity. In addition to furnishing a balancing point in the outline, they contribute greatly to the legibility of forms, if rightly handled. An angle, however, does not necessarily mean an abrupt stop, but, rather, a change in direction. Early in his practice the writer should form the habit of getting around the corners rapidly. A study of a page of notes of an expert writer will show that this idea has been developed to a remarkable degree. The Gregg Writer in a recent number, when commenting on the notes of a stenographer who complained that he found it "impossible to get speed," said:

"The notes showed wonderful exactness of form, but the angles were so positive that it was evident that an absolute pause had taken place after each of them. Precision is a good thing, especially when learning the principles, but it can be carried too far in the case of rapid note-taking and thus prove a detriment to the acquirement of high speed. When the writer of shorthand has attained sufficient command over his hand to make the outlines rapidly and yet retain proportion of form, he should aim to acquire skill in turning the corners, so to speak―in other words, round off the angles. This is a point worthy of thought, experiment, and practice on the part of the writer who aims at becoming an expert."

Study the following examples illustrating the principle:

Drill 1

Key: from, important, found, much, been, refer, rapid.

It will be seen that the outlines preserve the distinctive forms and yet it is evident that no perceptible stop was made at the angle. To get around the angles in this rapid way requires a clear mental picture of the entire form, and a certain knack to execute the movement smoothly. It is easy to acquire this knack, and it is a very important factor in acquiring speed. The sharpness of the angle is simply avoided and the form executed without a stop, much as it is eliminated in such words as "friend" and " keep." The idea is not to make an effort to round the angle, but to eliminate the sharp point. The proportion and distinctive forms of the strokes must, however, be carefully preserved.

Drill 2

Key: stop, month, subject, badly, invent, refund, emphasis, manage, manufacturer, event, business, punched, public, speed, baggage, some, must.

The principle can be applied to phrasing also with advantage—and particularly to such blended phrases as the first five following:

Drill 3

Key: would-have-been, would-have-been-able, could-have-been, might-have, which-would-have-been, I-would-be, in-which, from-which, to-find, to-favor, what-has-been, which-may-be, will-not-be, cannot-be, I-shall-not, we-have-not-been.

Drill 4

The Reading and Writing Exercises on page 87 of the Manual will afford an excellent drill in applying the principle of rounding angles. Copy each exercise several times until the forms. are well memorized. Then have the whole dictated until it can be written swiftly without stops.

BUSINESS LETTERS

If-you-will-send-us, blank, school, topics, teaches, texts, great-favor, product, Green, appropriation, permit, advantage, offer, to-offer, basis, quotations, please-note, f.o.b., previously, quoted, manager, foundry, tells, merchandise, factory, upon-receipt, distance, reverse, charges, plot.

Obtain, shares, Carpenter, several-days-ago, promised, very-soon, slides, if-possible, in-spite, it-is-not, of-next-week, large-number, standard, sufficient, quantities, we-hope-that-this, inconvenience, in-order-that, to-check, records, indicate, if-there-is, correction.

PASS IT ON

Waldo Pondray Warren

You-think, might-be, to-some, otherwise, clip, it-would-be, to-encourage, employees, especially, among-those, hundreds, suggestions, rpagazines, snowflakes, any-one, persons, observations, virtually, benefit, discovered, points, adapt, to-my, I-found, I-wanted, clipping.