principals are usually willing to give their stenographers time to get them down properly or will furnish a list of them. In your spare moments study these; make up outlines or abbreviated forms for the difficult ones. For those of frequent occurrence, evolve brief forms. In a few days you will be able to comprehend the usual routine manner of your dictator and adapt phrases to meet his special forms of dictation. The phrase book will help you materially in this respect. Although possibly some of the phrases may not be in the book, the many examples given will suggest the best outlines for the particular phrases used by your employer. In the case of new or difficult words, ask how they are spelled if necessary, but do not trouble your employer unless it is really essential that you should do so. Keep a small dictionary in your desk for reference. Get down the sound of the word as nearly as you can make it out and when you come to it in your notes look it up in the dictionary. See that it makes good sense. If it does not, ask, so that you may have it right. Rely upon yourself, however, just as much as you can. and gradually as your own vocabulary is increased you will find that your difficulties will decrease.
In every line of business technicalities abound. The good stenographer must adapt himself to his surroundings and study the technicalities of the
