is necessary to high speed. Using a heavy touch means gripping the pen; it destroys all flexibility of movement and it also retards speed and leads to inaccuracy. No more pressure should be exerted than is necessary to make a clear, definite outline.
Efficiency Methods.—Much of the speed displayed by the fastest writers of shorthand is acquired by a study and practice of efficiency methods in performing their work. The elimination of waste mechanical motion has almost as much to do with speed in writing as does the shortening of outlines or the application of the abbreviating principles of the system, phrasing, etc. The position of the notebook, the turning of the leaves, the passing from one outline to another, the spacing between the outlines, the passing from the bottom of a column to the top of the next, the distance the hand travels above or below the line of writing—all are factors that should be considered very carefully and analyzed by the student who wishes to acquire high speed as well as accuracy. The proper time to make a study of these features of the writing is at the start, before incorrect habits are formed.
Turning the Leaves of the Notebook.—To the inexperienced writer the turning of a leaf of his notebook is always attended with a sense of hurry and fear that something will be lost, especially if the dictation is pushing him to the limit of his speed. A little study and practice will enable the writer to turn the leaves without appreciable loss of time.
The following description of the proper method of turning the leaves is the result of much study and practice on the part of the talented reporter, Thomas Allen Reed. He says: "While writing on the upper half of the leaf introduce the second finger of the left hand between it and the next leaf, keeping the leaf just being written on steady by the first finger
