SPEED STUDY I
FIRST LESSON
Speed and accuracy in shorthand writing begin with the very first lesson. They depend almost wholly upon two things: first, the clearness of the mental picture of each form the student has in mind; and, second, upon his ability to execute correctly and with rapidity the movements which are necessary to reproduce the picture. A good shorthand style depends eventually, not upon what the writer has in mind, but upon what he can put on paper. It means clear vision plus mastery of movement.
An analysis of Gregg Shorthand shows that there are certain elementary combinations which are repeated, with slight variations, over and over again—even in the most advanced writing. A mastery of these movements, it is obvious, will therefore give the writer a firm foundation upon which to build his structure of speed and accuracy.
In studying the drills, aim first at securing a clear mental picture of the form to be executed; analyze carefully the movement necessary to make it rapidly, and then repeat the movement until facility is acquired. At the beginning a careful comparison of the notes written with the correct forms in the text is essential. The comparison should be carried on until the habit of correct movement has been established. The characters are to be written, not drawn. Two important features to be looked after constantly are: first, length of consonant strokes; and, second, sizes of circles and hook vowels.
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