Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) Machine Shorthand Theory and Writing Mechanics Syllabus

Give an example of why the inversion principle is needed.

To write '-rt' the keys -R and -T print as R-T in steno order; but for a sound like '-tr' the only available keys still print in steno order, so the writer relies on inversion (keys placed by position, read as the actual spoken cluster).

What governs how a multi-syllable word is divided into strokes?

It is divided along syllable/sound boundaries: each stroke typically captures one syllable (an initial consonant + vowel + final consonant), so a three-syllable word is written in up to three strokes unless a brief shortens it.

What is 'stroke economy' and why do reporters pursue it?

Stroke economy is writing words and phrases in the fewest possible strokes (via briefs and phrasing) to increase speed and reduce fatigue and error. Fewer strokes mean less hand motion per word and higher attainable WPM.

What is a 'brief form' (brief) in machine shorthand?

A brief is a shortened, often single-stroke outline assigned to a high-frequency word or phrase that would normally take more strokes (e.g., a one-stroke outline for 'because' or 'government').

Why are brief forms reserved mainly for high-frequency words?

Because the memory/recall cost of a brief is justified only when the word occurs often enough that the saved strokes meaningfully boost speed; briefing rare words adds memory burden with little speed gain.

What is 'phrasing' in machine shorthand?

Phrasing is combining several words of a common expression into a single stroke (e.g., 'I think that,' 'as a matter of fact'), dramatically reducing strokes for predictable word groups.

What types of words are most commonly combined in phrases?

High-frequency function words and predictable collocations: pronouns, auxiliary/helping verbs, articles, prepositions, and conjunctions (e.g., 'do you,' 'I have been,' 'of the,' 'and the').

What is a prefix stroke and how is it used?

A prefix stroke is a dedicated outline representing a common word-beginning (e.g., 'con-,' 'inter-,' 're-,' 'under-') that is written before the root so frequent prefixes are produced efficiently and consistently.

What is a suffix stroke and how is it used?

A suffix stroke is a dedicated outline for a common word-ending (e.g., '-tion,' '-ment,' '-ing,' '-ble') written after the root, allowing consistent, economical writing of recurring endings.

What is a personal brief dictionary (steno dictionary) and what does it contain?

It is the reporter's database in CAT software mapping each steno outline to its English translation, including theory outlines, personal briefs, phrases, names, and specialized terminology. CAT uses it to translate strokes.

What is the best practice for adding new briefs to a personal dictionary?

Add briefs that are memorable, conflict-free, and consistent with the writer's theory patterns; test them in practice before live use, and add specialized/job-specific terms (names, jargon) in job dictionaries to avoid mistranslations.

Why is maintaining and backing up the steno dictionary critical for a reporter?

The dictionary is what makes realtime translation accurate; losing it would cripple translation quality. Reporters regularly back it up, prune conflicts, and update entries to keep translation clean and current.

What is the general convention for writing numbers in machine shorthand?

Numbers are typically written using the number bar combined with the top-row keys, producing figures (digits) rather than spelled-out words, so '5' prints as 5; theory specifies how to form multi-digit and large numbers efficiently.

What is the 'number bar' on a steno machine?

The number bar is a long key across the top of the keyboard that, when pressed together with top-row keys, converts those keys into numeric digits (0-9) instead of letters.

How are cardinal versus ordinal numbers distinguished in steno writing?

Cardinals (one, two, three) are written as plain figures via the number bar; ordinals (first, second, third / 1st, 2nd, 3rd) require an added suffix or designated stroke that signals the ordinal form to the CAT software.

How are fractions typically written in machine shorthand?

Fractions are written with specific outlines or by combining the numerator and denominator strokes with a designated fraction/slash indicator so CAT outputs forms like 1/2 or 3/4 correctly.

How are decimals handled in steno number writing?

A dedicated decimal-point stroke (or number bar combination) is inserted between the whole-number and fractional digits so the writer produces forms such as 3.5 or 0.75 accurately in realtime.

How is a percentage written in machine shorthand?

The numeric value is written via the number bar followed by a designated percent-sign stroke, so 'fifty percent' translates to 50% rather than spelled words.

How are dollar amounts written in machine shorthand?

A dollar-sign stroke is combined with the numeric figures (and decimal stroke for cents) so 'five dollars and fifty cents' outputs as $5.50, with theory rules placing the $ before the number automatically.

What is the convention for writing dates in machine shorthand?

Dates are written using number strokes for the day and year plus a stroke or brief for the month, with theory and CAT formatting producing the desired output (e.g., 'June 27, 2026' or 6/27/2026) consistently.

How are clock times typically written in steno?

The hour and minutes are written as figures via the number bar with a colon or time indicator stroke, plus a stroke for a.m./p.m., so 'three thirty p.m.' becomes 3:30 p.m.

What is the convention for writing addresses in machine shorthand?

Street numbers are written as figures (number bar), street/city names phonetically or via brief, and state/zip via figures and abbreviation strokes, with CAT formatting capitalizing and arranging the address correctly.

What are punctuation strokes in machine shorthand?

They are dedicated outlines that insert punctuation marks (period, comma, question mark, colon, etc.) into the transcript, since punctuation is keyed by the reporter, not inferred, so realtime text reads correctly.

What are 'steno commands' (or 'macros/command strokes')?

Steno commands are special outlines that trigger CAT formatting or editing actions rather than producing words, such as new paragraph, new speaker (colloquy), Q/A designations, delete/undo, or inserting standard text.

What is the steno command for a new paragraph and why is it used?

A dedicated paragraph stroke tells the CAT software to start a new paragraph; reporters use it to format testimony and dictation properly in realtime without later manual editing.

What are 'Q' and 'A' banks/strokes used for in court reporting?

They are command strokes that insert the question (Q) and answer (A) designations in deposition/testimony transcripts, automatically formatting the next text as the attorney's question or the witness's answer.

Why must punctuation be stroked rather than left to software in realtime reporting?

Because the reporter hears sentence boundaries and intent that software cannot reliably infer; stroking punctuation in realtime produces an accurate, readable transcript instantly and reduces post-editing.

How does combining initial and final banks let one stroke capture a full syllable?

The left hand presses the initial consonant(s), the thumbs add the vowel(s), and the right hand presses the final consonant(s), all at once, so the chord prints the whole syllable in steno order as a single line.

What trade-off does a writer balance when deciding whether to create a brief or phrase?

Speed gained from fewer strokes versus the memory load and conflict risk of the new outline. The brief/phrase is worth it only when it is high-frequency, easy to recall, and conflict-free.

How does theory keep brief forms and phrases conflict-free with regular outlines?

Briefs and phrases use distinctive key combinations that would not normally occur as a phonetic outline for another word, so each maps to a unique dictionary entry and avoids ambiguous translation.

Why does proper machine setup (tripod height, tension, hand position) directly affect writing accuracy?

Because steno requires precise simultaneous key presses; a stable, ergonomic setup keeps the hands neutral and minimizes travel and fatigue, reducing dropped/extra keys and mistrokes that would create translation errors.