Speedwriting Basics

If you learn and practice these speedwriting basics, you can save time taking notes.



  • Replace "tion" and "ment" with a dash.

    Any time a word ends in "tion" or "ment," instead of writing those letters, use a dash. You will be able to tell by the context if the word ends in "tion" or "ment" when you go back through the notes.

    Example:
    replace- equals replacement
    inven- equals invention

    You tell me:
    atten- equals ???
    base- equals ???


  • Replace "ing" with an underscore.

    Any time a word ends in "ing," instead of writing those letters, put a short line under the last letter before the suffix.

    Example:
    replac_ equals replacing
    invent_ equals inventing

    You tell me:
    attend_ equals ???
    play_ equals ???


  • Replace "the" with a dot.

  • Omit most vowels.
    Example:
    plc equals place
    nm equals name
    hst equals host or haste

    You speedwrite the following:
    make equals
    trike equals
    deal equals

    Now for some fun... What have I speedwritten below:

    Bk in . clssrm, . chldrn wr hv_ fn.


    Answer: Back in the classroom, the children were having fun.

    It will take more time in the beginning, but later on, you will fly through your notetaking!

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