If you see a journalist’s handwritten notes, chances are you’ll find what looks like just pages and pages of random scratches.
That is not bad handwriting. It’s shorthand, and it’s supposed to look like that.
Once a must-have skill for students, reporters, journalists, and secretaries everywhere, short-hand notes have become outdated with the advent of digital recording mechanisms.
But it’s still handy, especially when technology fails, and you only have a trusty pen and paper to take notes. Besides, wouldn’t it be cool to know a skill used by less than 1% of the global population?
So, how do you go about building your own shorthand system? Let’s start with the basics.
Summarize this article for me please⏰ 60-Second Summary
- Shorthand is a quick, efficient way to take notes using symbols and abbreviations
- It improves your note-taking speed and memory retention and reduces clutter in notes
- Choose between the popular systems—Gregg, Pitman, and Teeline—or create your own
- Common techniques include using symbols for words, abbreviating standard terms, and focusing on phonetic spelling
- To practice, choose a shorthand writing system, create a custom dictionary, and simplify abbreviations for faster writing
- Boost your shorthand skills with ClickUp’s features that help you with note-taking and optimize your overall workflow
How to Take Shorthand Notes Effectively
- What Are Shorthand Notes?
- Why Shorthand Is Useful for Note-Taking
- Benefits of Taking Shorthand Notes
- Popular Shorthand Systems
- Basic Techniques and Symbols in Shorthand
- How to Practice Shorthand Effectively
- Best Practices for Effective Shorthand Note-Taking
- Common Mistakes to Avoid in Shorthand Note-Taking
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Are Shorthand Notes?
Shorthand notes are a quick and concise way to record information, using symbols and abbreviations to capture ideas swiftly instead of writing full sentences.
It helps you focus on the key information rather than writing unnecessary fluff. Think of it as Marie Kondo-ing your notes, only keeping the relevant bits.
Writing shorthand is also about keeping things simple. Using symbols and abbreviations can save time and energy, allowing you to focus more on the content than the act of writing itself.
📌 Example
If you’re attending a meeting about a new marketing campaign, here’s what your shorthand notes might look like.
“John: → on TMR by Fri
Emma: ? Bf for CL? scdl mtg for Wed”
Shorthand symbols used:
- → = Follow-up
- TMR = Target market report
- Fri = Friday
- ? = Question
- Bf = Brief
- CL = Campaign launch
- Scdl mtg = schedule meeting
- Wed = Wednesday
Here’s what these notes mean:
“Follow up with John on the target market report by Friday.
Ask Emma for a brief for the campaign launch. Schedule a meeting with her for Wednesday.”
💡Pro Tip: One of the best ways to leverage shorthand writing is to learn a shorthand system that suits you and make your own note-taking strategy. Write shorthand in a way that makes sense to you.
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhy Shorthand Is Useful for Note-Taking
If you were to describe it in a sentence, shorthand is like a cheat code for writing. It takes your note-taking from a sluggish tortoise crawl to a hare sprint—and in this case, you win!
With shorthand, you bridge the gap between spoken and written communication, making transcription faster and easier, which is especially helpful in meetings and lectures.
Another reason shorthand is invaluable is its ability to enhance focus. Instead of getting bogged down by writing every word, shorthand forces you to concentrate on the core message.
Tiro, the secretary of Cicero, the famous Roman orator, created one of the first shorthand systems, called ‘Tironian Notes,’ to jot down speeches and debates quickly. His method was so good that it became the standard for Roman senators.
Fast forward to today, and shorthand has evolved into systems like Gregg and Teeline shorthand (we’ll talk about these in just a minute!), perfect for anyone who’s ever thought, “There has to be a faster way to write this down!”
Who uses shorthand?
Shorthand isn’t only for court reporters and journalists; it’s accessible to anyone:
For instance:
- Students: Shorthand allows you to keep up with fast-paced lectures. Your note-taking speed matters when attending long lectures or making notes from a video
- Professionals: Important meetings often move quickly, and shorthand helps you keep up. It helps you jot down those meeting minutes with ease
- Enthusiasts: Shorthand can be a fascinating challenge for those who love solving language puzzles. It is also a great way to document creative processes, combining linguistic artistry, a bit of history, and a lot of fun for your brain!
Summarize this article for me pleaseBenefits of Taking Shorthand Notes
The benefits of shorthand notes are numerous. Here’s what you’ll achieve if you start today.
- Speed: Write up to 200+ words per minute with enough practice. Speed is especially crucial when you need to capture detailed information in a short amount of time
- Clarity: Learn how to write with fewer words, leading to less clutter and clearer notes. Shorthand forces you to distill information to its essence, which means your notes are more precise and focused
- Professional edge: Be the one who always gets all the details in meetings. In any professional setting, missing key details can be detrimental. Shorthand ensures you capture every vital piece of information
- Memory boost: Shorthand helps retain information better by focusing on what’s important
- Low-tech friendly: All you need is pen and paper to get started—handy for when a note-taking app is not easily accessible
Summarize this article for me pleasePopular Shorthand Systems
Shorthand has evolved over the centuries, giving rise to several systems designed for speed and efficiency. Let’s take a closer look:
1. Gregg shorthand
Created by John Robert Gregg, Gregg shorthand is a note-taking method that uses flowing, cursive-like symbols. It is particularly useful for students and professionals who need to transcribe spoken words quickly.
📌 Example: Writing the word ‘photography’ in Gregg shorthand might translate to symbols for ‘f-t-o-g-r-f,’ focusing on sounds, not spellings.
2. Pitman shorthand
Developed by Sir Isaac Pitman, this system uses different stroke thicknesses for various sounds. Thicker strokes are for voiced consonants, and thinner ones are for unvoiced consonants.
Pitman Shorthand is often favored by those who need precision.
📌 Example: Voiced consonants like ‘b’ are written with thick strokes, while unvoiced consonants like ‘p’ are thinner.
3. Teeline shorthand
Designed for journalists, Teeline simplifies the alphabet for faster writing. It is particularly helpful for those who need quick and efficient note-taking.
📌 Example: The word ‘meeting’ might be written as ‘mtg,’ focusing only on essential sounds and letters.
Each shorthand system has its unique flair, but they all share one common goal—simplifying your note-taking.
Summarize this article for me pleaseBasic Techniques and Symbols in Shorthand
To get started with shorthand, here are some of the fundamental techniques you’ll need:
- Symbols: Represent entire words with symbols to avoid writing too much. Familiarize yourself with common symbols, like using a simple line or curve to represent a common word like ‘the’ or ‘and’ 🔣
- Abbreviation: Abbreviate common words like “w/” for “with” or “b/c” for “because.” Abbreviations help reduce the time spent writing, which is especially useful in fast-paced environments 🖊️
- Phonetics: Focus on how words sound, not their spelling. “Night” can become “nyt,” for example. Phonetics is about simplifying spelling, which helps quicken up the writing process 🎶
- Speed techniques: The ultimate goal is building fast shorthand speed. List all your symbols in a document so you can copy and paste them when needed. If you are going for the old-school handwritten way, practice hand movement for quick strokes 🏃
Summarize this article for me pleaseHow to Practice Shorthand Effectively
To master shorthand, you need the right approach and tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step #1: Choose your system
Decide on a system that fits your needs. If you use it for journalism, you might want to use the Teeline system. As a student, you might want to use the relatively more straightforward Gregg or Pitman system.
Step #2: Learn the basics
Familiarize yourself with the essential techniques and symbols. Practice is key to learning shorthand. You can even collaborate with a partner to practice in real time, making learning more interactive.
Use resources like a Gregg shorthand dictionary or practice guides to help you master the fundamentals. If you plan to create your shorthand system, you need to get the basics right.
Step #3: Use tools for efficiency
Shorthand writing is quick, but tools like ClickUp make it more efficient. Whether you’re looking to use AI for note-taking or want to collaborate with your peers, ClickUp has it all!
🗒️ Take notes with Notepad
Your notes eventually become tasks and action plans—so why not simplify the process? ClickUp Notepad helps you seamlessly organize your notes in checklists or any customized format.
Want to trigger an action? Simply turn your quick scribbles into trackable tasks with deadlines, assignees, and priorities.
Plus, ClickUp’s editing features make your notes clear and visually appealing. Accessible anytime, anywhere—on mobile or desktop—this is the perfect tool for smarter note-taking!
📃 Strategize and collaborate with Docs
Let’s be real; collaboration makes everything easier! But isn’t decoding somebody else’s scribbles a problem with shorthand writing? Not with ClickUp!
Craft and share a team-wide shorthand dictionary or cheat sheet with ClickUp Docs, so there’s no more confusion over symbols or abbreviations.
Customize entries, collaborate in real-time, and link notes to tasks to keep everyone aligned.
Fun Fact: Among shorthand writers, G.D. Bist, an Indian stenographer and typist born in 1920, held the world record for being the fastest, writing 250 words per minute.
Collaborate using Visual Notes with Whiteboards
Want to take collaboration a step further? The ClickUp Whiteboards feature is a virtual canvas for your team to brainstorm shorthand strategies visually. Map workflows, connect ideas, and instantly convert concepts into actionable tasks without any back and forth.
Automate your workflow with Brain
Do you think AI and shorthand work together? Well, they thrive together!
ClickUp Brain is your personal AI ‘ask-me-anything’ tool that connects your tasks, documents, and team knowledge to provide instant answers and automate repetitive work.
Need a summary of last month’s meeting notes? Check. Want to convert content from a document into a clear outline for a report? Double-check! All you need to do is ask.
Pair Brain with ClickUp Automations; you don’t have to worry about missing out on tasks or triggering follow-ups. No details lost, no time wasted!
ClickUp not only helps you with shorthand note-taking but also improves your workflow.
- Convert shorthand notes into trackable tasks
- Turn meeting notes into clear, actionable summaries
- Edit, update, and refine shared notes in real-time
- Keep all your notes, tasks, and updates in one organized place
Also Read: 15 Best AI Note-Taking Apps & Tools
Step #4: Set goals for improvement
Discipline is important when learning shorthand, especially for professional reasons. Set clear, measurable goals to track your shorthand progress.
Whether it’s increasing speed or mastering new symbols, gamify your objectives and reassess regularly to stay focused and motivated.
💡Pro Tip: Focus on mastering one shorthand system at a time to avoid confusion. Once you’re comfortable, you can experiment with combining multiple systems into your unique blend for even better efficiency.
Summarize this article for me pleaseBest Practices for Effective Shorthand Note-Taking
To get the most out of shorthand, keep these best practices in mind:
📝 Practice regularly
As with any skill, practice makes perfect! Regular practice helps reinforce what you’ve learned. Dedicate time each day to practice shorthand, even for just 15 minutes.
The more you practice, the faster and more accurate you become.
📝 Develop a personal dictionary
A personal dictionary is invaluable, especially when working with specialized vocabulary. Create a shorthand dictionary with custom symbols for common terms and names specific to your requirements. This makes your note-taking easier and your shorthand more personalized and efficient.
📝 Keep it simple
Avoid overcomplicating your notes with excessive abbreviations. Simplicity is key to effective shorthand.
Summarize this article for me pleaseCommon Mistakes to Avoid in Shorthand Note-Taking
While shorthand can be incredibly useful, it’s easy to fall into these traps:
❌ Making notes too dense
Don’t overcomplicate shorthand with too many abbreviations. Keep it simple for clarity, as dense notes are hard to decipher later. The goal is to write information quickly and not create a top-secret code. This helps make professional collaborations easier.
❌ Relying only on memory
It’s easy to forget shorthand symbols, especially if you’re new to the practice. Keep your shorthand dictionary handy at all times.
❌ Not reviewing notes
Unreviewed shorthand can be a puzzle later. Reviewing shorthand notes promptly ensures you don’t forget important details.
Summarize this article for me pleaseUpgrade Your Shorthand Skills with ClickUp
Whether you choose the Gregg, Pitman, or Teeline system or create your own, shorthand notes are about practice, simplicity, and using the right tools.
ClickUp adds another dimension to shorthand as a document management software that helps you capture notes, turn them into actionable tasks, and effortlessly track them.
Did we mention it does all this for free? It doesn’t get any better than this!
Ready to club your note-taking with productivity? Sign up for a free ClickUp account now!
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
