Final consonants b  

              B    
  ch             F P    
  d                     D    
  dz                     DZ friends (TPREPBDZ) use only for words that end with ds
  f             F    
  g                  G    
  j               PBLG    
  k                B G    
  l                 L    
  m               P L    
  mp             FRP    
  n               PB    
  ng               PB G sing (SEUPBG)  
  nj               PB G range (RAEUPBG)  
  nk          *    PB G    
  p               P    
  r              R    
  rch             FRPB    
  rf             FR B    
  rv             FR B curve (KUFRB)  
  s                    S    
  sh              R B    
  t                   T    
  v          *  F    
  x                B G S    
  z                      Z    
  shun                  G S nation (TPHA*EUGS)  
  kshun          *     B G S action (A*BGS)
 Machine Shorthand 2
Lesson 1 Module 1 and 2

The Stenograph Keyboard

 Punctuation Period             F P L T    

  Comma              R B G S    

  Question mark ST P H    

  New paragraph          P    F    

  Correction          *  
(asterisk)

The Keyboard

The Keyboard is divided into three sections:

1. INITIAL CONSONANTS
2. VOWELS
3. FINAL CONSONANTS
 Stenotype chords
Stenotype chord
English letter Example Comments
STKPWHRAO*EUFRPBLGTSDZ
Initial consonants b    PW    
  c (soft)   K   R cell (KREL) Use for soft c only
  ch   K  H    
  d  TK    
  f  T P    
  g  TKPW    
  h      H    
  j S K W R    
  k   K call (KAUL) Includes hard c
  l      HR    
  m    P H    
  n  T P H    
  p    P    
  qu   K W    
  r       R    
  s S    
  t  T    
  v S     R    
  w     W    
  y   K W R yet (KWRET)  

alternatively, commonly chorded by the entire initial

  z S        *   bank, STKPWHR, in order to avoid thousands of potential
conflicts
 Vowels Short a /æ/        A    

  Long a /eɪ/        A  EU    

  aw /ɔː/ /ɑː/        A   U    

  Short e /ɛ/           E    

  Long e /iː/        AO E    

  Short i /ɪ/           EU    

  Long i /aɪ/        AO EU    

  Short o /ɒ/         O    

  Long o /oʊ/         O E    

  oi /ɔɪ/         O EU    

  oo /ʊ/ /uː/        AO    

  ou /aʊ/         O  U    

  Short u /ʌ/ /ə/            U    

  Long u /juː/        AO  U  
POSITION OF THE FINGERS ON THE KEYBOARD
1.B. WRITING WORDS
EXAMPLES:
AT: Place your left thumb on A and your right litter finger on Final T.
Strike both letters at the same time as if you were playing a chord on the piano.
Release the key quickly.

SAT: Place your left little finger on S, your left thumb on A, your right little finger on
Final T. Strike all three keys at the same time. Stroke the keys quickly and release
them instantly.

1.C STENOGRAPHIC ARBITRARIES

Frequently used words are shortened to save time. They are called arbitraries. A few arbitraries will
be presented in nearly every lesson. If you master the lesson by lesson, you will have a great advantage.
Don’t let yourself fall behind.

Memorize the three arbitraries and practice them. Be sure to read your notes.

1. he S
2. you U
3. the T
1.D. PUNCTUATION: PERIOD
The four letters FPLT on the right, or final side of the keyboard are written to represent the period. To
write the period, move the fingers of your right and from the home position on the “cracks” to the upper bank
of keys and strike all four keys. Release the keys and return your fingers to the home key position.

F P L T
F P L T
F P L T
F P L T
1.E. SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Write each sentence group two times. Write a period at the end of each sentence. Then practice the three
groups as a whole., reading back your notes after each writing.

1. He sat.
You sat.

2. He sat at the set.

You sat at the set.

3. He sat at a set.
You sat at a set.
 P E G
READING STENOGRAPH NOTES
The word in the notes below are written in one stroke, W A S
just as your wrote the HE, SAT and SET. Read the notes several T
times, until you read accurately without hesitation. T O P
ST A R
H E R
F P L T
W O R L D
H E R
W A S
P A R T
A W A S
S A D H A R D
W O R L D F P L T
F P L T A R T
T E D W A S
S E T T O P S

O U T A S

T A

S HR U B S H O R T
ST O P
F P L T
F P L T
tell TEL Sal SAL

You sell. Sell a set.

You sell to Al. Sell a set to Al.
You tell. Tell Al to sell.
You tell Al. Tell Al to sell the set.

2.C. CORRECTION KEY: ASTERISK

The Asterisk key is the key located between the index fingers. If you make an error and want to correct it, touch
the asterisk key with either index finger and depress it one time only before writing the word correctly. When your
read the notes, the asterisk (*) warns you to ignore the word preceding it and continue reading the notes that
follow the asterisk.

EXAMPLE:

S E L
A
*
T
S E T
F P L T
2.D. STENOGRAPIC ARBITRARIES

MEMORIZE AND PRACTICE THESE ARBITRARIES. ALWAYS READ YOUR NOTES.

it T( Initial) Note: Final T is always THE:
Saturday SAT

2.E. SKILL DEVELOPMENT

WRITE EACH SENTENCE GROUP TWO TIMES. THEN PRACTICE THE FIVE GROUP AS A WHOLE,
READING BACK YOUR NOTES AFTER EACH WRITING. WRITE THE PERIOD.

It is important to write and read initial T as IT and final T as THE.

Sell it. Tell it. Sell the set.

You sell it. You tell it. Sell the set to Sal.

Tell Al Saturday. Tell Al to sell it Saturday.

Tell Sal Saturday. Tell Al to sell it.
2.F. READING STENOGRAPHIC NOTES

The Stenograph notes emphasize words as they SOUND: like car= KAR, scout= SEOUT, court = KORT. Practice
reading the notes until you read them without hesitation.

T U
S H O P S H U D
W A S P U T
H O T U P
F P L T T
H E R T O P
P E T F P L T
W A S P A T
H U R T S W E P T
S A T U P
F P L T T
H O U S
F P L T
 There are two distinct aspects of learning Stenograph shorthand:

1. Writing
2. Reading

LESSON 3
COMBINATION FOR I

The Stenograph keyboard is compact so that writers do not have to make long finger reaches that waste
time and reduce speed capabilities. As a result, not all letters appear. Missing letters are formed by writing
combinations of two or more letters that do appear on the keyboard.

In the first two lessons you operated the four vowel keys –A and O with the left thumb; E and U with the
right thumb. The missing vowel I is formed writing E and U together with the right thumb. This is a quick, easy
accurate stroke on the machine.

Although the combination is EU, think of it only as I when you write it on machine and when you read it in
your notes.
3.C. NEW PUNCTUATION: QUESTION MARK S E
EU L
STPH is the combination you will write for the question ST P H
mark at the end of every question. To write the question
mark, move the fingers of your left hand from the home IS HE ILL?
position to the upper bank and strike all four keys (STPH) at
the same time. Release the keys promptly. Underlining of two or more words in the text indicates a
phrase which is to be written in one stroke. (Of course the
Examples: underlining will not appear on your stenograph tape.)
ST P H
ST P H 3.E. STENOGRAPH ARBITRARIES AND PHRASES
ST P H Practice these new arbitraries and phrases. Be sure
ST P H to read your notes.
3.D. PHRASING is S (Initial) he isES
Sometimes an operator writes two or more words in is (in phrase) S or –S is heSE
one stroke. This is called phrasing. For example, the two
words HE IS are written in one stroke = ES

Examples:
ES
EU L
F P L T
He is ill.
 3.G. STENOGRAPHIC NOTES
3.F. SKILL DEVELOPMENT
The Stenographic notes emphasize EU for vowel I
Write each group of two sentences several times, trying to
as well as the arbitraries and phrases you have
improve the accuracy and rhythm of your writing with each
learned. Notice that Initial S is always used for IS
repetition. Then write the exercise whole. Observe the phrasing
when standing alone.
indicated. Read your notes often.

I sell to Al. EU SEL TO AL FPLT He is to tell us. ES TO TEL US FPLT

I sell to Sal. EU SEL TO SAL FPLT He is to tell us Saturday.
ES TO TEL US SAT FPLT
Toss to Al. Is he to tell us?
Toss to Sal. Is he to tell us Saturday?

Is Al ill? Is he to sell the set?

Is Tess ill? He is to sell it Saturday.

is Al set? Tell Al to sit at the set.

Is Tess set? Tell Tess to sit at the set.
4.C. STENOGRAPH ARBITRARIES AND PHRASES

As your writing vocabulary expands, more phrases will be available. They will be listed in each lesson for
special practice. Use them whenever the opportunity occurs; they will add to the ease and speed of your writing. Be
sure to keep the phrases in mind when reading back your notes.

Remember to use Initial T for IT and Final T for THE when writing the phrases that follow.

4.D. STENOGRAPHIC ARBITRARIES AND PHRASES

accept =SEP is a SA
is the S-T
is it ST
it is T-S

4.E. SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Practice each group of two sentences before writing the entire exercise. Write accurately. Accuracy is the result
of intelligent practice.

Put up the top. He is to accept the pass. The pup is a pet. Is the pet ill? It is up to Al to accept it.
Tell Al Pat is ill. He is to accept the set. The pub is a pal Is the top up? It is up to Pat to sell it.
Put up the top. He is to accept the pass. The pup is a pet. Is the pet ill? It is up to Al to accept it.
Tell Al Pat is ill. He is to accept the set. The pub is a pal Is the top up? It is up to Pat to sell it.

PUT UP T TOP FPLT

TEL AL PAT S EUL FPLT

ES TO SEP T PAS FPLT

ES TO SEP T SET FPLT
4.F. READING STENOGRAPHIC NOTES
The notes emphasize words as they sound, plus the arbitraries and phrases you have learned. Notice the
pattern for SCRABBLE in the first column.
5.C. KEYBOARD PRACTICE
Read your notes loud so you will hear the long A vowels. Writing the proper combination for long A is essential
to clear notes.

Write ST in one stroke – Initial S and Initial T. Write AI for long A.

tap TAP pal PAL

tape TAIP pale, pail PAIL
Sal SAL say SAI
sale, sail SAIL says SAIS
pass PAS step STEP
pace, pays PAIS still STIL
at AT Pat PAT
ate AIT stay STAI

5.D. STENOGRAPH PHRASES

to us TOUS to the TOT

5.E. SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Write each group two times before going on to the next. Be sure you read your notes. If you find errors, make
every effort t avoid repeating these errors when you rewrite. Corrections made promptly are time savers.

I ate Saturday. Pull it to the top.

Tell Al I ate. Tape it to the sail.

The sale is Saturday. He says he is ill.

You pay up Saturday. He says he is to stay.

Stay at the top. Tell Al to accept the tip.

Is he still at the top? Tell Tess to accept the pay.

Is he to sail Saturday? Stop the pup.

He is to pay us Saturday. Stop the tape.

Sell the pop to us.

Pass the pop to us.
5.F. READING STENOGRAPHIC NOTES

Read the notes aloud. Once isn’t enough, repeat two, three, even five times. It is the way to develop the
knack of fluent reading.
6.C. READING STENOGRAPHIC NOTES

The Stenographic notes continue to emphasize the use of AI for the SOUND of long A.
7.C. SKILL DEVELOPMENT
These skill development sentences need
intensive practice. The kind of progress you make
tomorrow and next week and next month
depends upon the kind of practice you do today.

The sail is perfect.

The tape is perfect.

I saw the certificate.

He tore the certificate.

Tell Al to represent you.

He ought to represent you.

I put the sets up Saturday.

I pay the top rates.

Tell Ray to accept the certificate.

He is all set to represent us.

Ray says you are ill.

Is Paul still ill?
7.D. READING STENOGRAPHIC NOTES
LESSON 8

8.A. STENOGRAPH ARBITRARIES AND PHRASES

you are U R is a S A to the TO T it is T S are you RU

is he SE to us TOUS is it S T is the ST

8.B. NEW LETTER: COMBINATION FOR INITIAL N

LEFT HAND: Write TPH for Initial N with the ring, and index fingers on the upper bank
RIGHT HAND: Write final RT in one stroke with the little fingers.
8.C. KEYBOARD PRACTICE:

It pays to knit. T PAIS TO TPH EU T FPLT Tape up the net. TAIP UP T TPH ET FPLT
Tell Art to pay. TEL ART TO PAI FPLT Tell Art to stay. TEL ART TO STAI FPLT
I remember the part. EU RER T PART FPLT I remember the port. EU RER T PORT FPLT

in N (TPH) in the N T (TPH T) in a N A (TPH A) any NI (TPH EU)

necessary NES (TPH ES) April AIP (A EU P)

8.D. SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Write each group of sentences at least two times before practicing the exercise as a whole. Be sure to write
accurately, with emphasis on the art of good writing habits on the arbitraries are a real asset. Read your
notes ,the new combination and the new arbitraries and phrases .

Pay up in April. PAI UP TPH A EU P FPLT Al pays any rate. AL PAIS TPH EU RAT FPLT
I sail in April. EU SAIL TPH A EUP FPLT Art pays any rate. ART PAIS TPH EU RAT FPLT

The net is perfect. T TPH ET S PER FPLT Stop in at the sale. STOP TPH AT T SAIL FPLT
The nuts are perfect. T TPH UTS R PER FPLT Stop in any Saturday. STOP TPH TPH EU SAT FPLT

A pass is necessary. A PAS IS TPH ES FLPT You ought to stop the race. U AUT TO STOP T RA EUS FPLT
Your part is necessary. UR PART IS TPH ES FPLT You ought to represent us. U AUT TO REP US FPLT
 ARBITRARIES AND PHRASES
LESSON 9. THE LONG I SOUND - IS WRITTEN AOI (N-TPH in keyboard )

Until N-L (TPH L) in your - NUR (TPH U R)

notice N-TS (TPH TS) to your - TOUR
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
I taught Al to type (EU TAUT AL TO TAO EU P)
I notice your rye is up. EU TPH TS UR RAOEU S UP FPLT
You ought to notice your pear is ripe. U AUT TO TPH TS
UR PEAR S RAOEUP FPLT
You are to stay until Saturday.
U R TO STAEU TPH L SAT FPLT
Examples:
You are to represent us untiL April?
U R TO REP US TPH L AEUP STPH
tie TAOI TAOEU sit S EUT SIT
I saw a nail in your tire.
rye RAOI RAOEU sight, site, cite SAOIT
EU SAU A TPHAEUL TPH UR TAOEUR FPLT
pie PAOIPAOEU pill PIL
I notice a rip in your tie.
pipe PAOIP PAO EUP pile PAOIL
EU TPH TS A R EU P TPH UR TAOEU FPLT
tire TAOIR TAO EUR type TAO EUP TAOIP
He tore your nice tie.
E TOR UR TPH AOEUS TAOEU FPLT
S A O EU T
He sought to tear your tie.
P A O EU L
E SAUT TO TEAR UR TAOEU FPLT
P EU L
Remember to type the certificate.
RER TO TAOEUP T SER FPLT
8.E. READING STENOGRAPHIC NOTES
The Stenographic notes emphasis the combination TPH for initial N.
READING STENOGRAPH NOTES
RULES OF WRITING

1. Write by sound - what you HEAR. Silent letters are dropped.

2. Write a single vowel as spelled.
3. When two vowels occur together, write the sounded vowel.
4. Write AI for long A and AOI for long I.
5. Write AU for the sound of AW in words involving the dipthong AW like SAW and TAUGHT.
6. Write AU in AL and ALL words having the sound of AW like SALT.
7. Write AU in -OUGH words having the sound of AW like OUGHT.

ARBITRARIES:
notice N TS (TPH TS) he E
April AIP (A EU P) necessary NES
certificate SER your UR
any NI (TPH EU) the -T
saturday SAT remember RER
is S you U
perfect PER until N-L (TPH -L)
are R or -R accept SEP
in N (TPH) it T (initial)
represent REP
PHRASES: Review
The phrases you are learning now, like the arbitraries will occur often in writing. They will add to your
writing competence if you learn them and practice them daily. Remember: You must read your notes in order to
recognize the phrases.

in a NA (TPH A) in the N-T (TPH -T)

to your TOUR you are UR
he is ES is he SE
is a SA it is T-S
to the TOT in your NUR (TPH UR)
is it ST (initial) to us TOUS
I EU

SENTENCES: Review
ASSIGNMENT 1
The tire is perfect. I saw the star. Are you in any race?
You are in style. It is still in sight. Is he to represent Ray?
Notice the pipe. He says he knits. Ray taught us.
Is the sail perfect? The nut is tight. You ought to remember.
He is all in. Notice the step.
 STENOGRAPH NOTES:
ASSIGNMENT 2
 LESSON 10
NEW LETTER: FINAL M
The pets are tame.
The name is Art.
Try to knit.
Try to sell.
Time the race.
The rate is the same

Write PL for final M

Write TR with the right and index fingers in one stroke

EXAMPLES:
Tim TIM (T EU PL) am, many -M (PL)
time TAOIM (TAO EU PL) number NUM (TPH U PL)
rim RIM (R EU PL) recommend REM (RE PL)
rhyme RAOIM RA O EU PL interest TR (initial)
trap TRAP TRAP
trip TRIP TR EUP
try TRAOI TRAO EU
NEW PUNCTUATION MARK: PARAGRAPH

STRIKE THE ASTERISK KEY TWICE WITH EITHER INDEX FINGER.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT:
I AM STILL AT IT. I OUGHT TO REPRESENT YOU.
I AM TO TIME THE RACE (PAR.) I OUGHT TO RECOMMEND YOU. (par.)

EU PL STEUL T T FPLT
EU PL TO TAOEUPL T RAEUS
*
*
EU AUT TO REP U FPLT
EU AUT TO REPL U FPLT
*
*

Am I to number the sets? Am i to number the certificate?

Sell your interest to Sam. (par) Pay the interest in April. (paragraph)

PL EU TO TPH U PL T SETS STPH PL EU TO TPH UPL T SER STPH

SEL UR TR TO SA PL FPLT PAEU T TR TPH A EU P FPLT
* *
* *
 I saw many ties at the sale. i saw many trays (TRAIS) at the sale.
I remember Art. (par) I recommend Sam. (par)

EU SAU PL TAOEUS T T SAEUL FPLT EU SAU PL TRAEUS T T SAEUL FPLT

EU RER ART FPLT EU RE PL SA PL FPLT
* *
* *

Use this paragraph to improve the rhythm of your writing. Try to eliminate hesitation between strokes.

I saw Tom in April. He is all set. He is to time the race Saturday. You ought to recommend Sam to Al. The
trays are in. Remember to number the trays in the sale. Try to interest Art in the ties.

EU SAU TO PL TPH A EU P FPLT ES AUL SET FPLT ES TO TAOEU PL T RAEUS SAT FPLT U AUT TO RE PL SA PL
TO AL FPLT T TRAEUS R TPH FPLT RER TO TPH U PL T TRAEUS TPH T SAEUL FPLT TRAOEU TO TR ART TPH T
TAOEUS FPLT
 LESSON 11: LONG U fuss us luck plum
fuse use Luke plume

tub cur rut shut

tube cure route chute

cut dud sup truss

cute dude souptruce

purr duckcub dun

pure dukecubedune
To distinguish between such words as FUSS and FUSE, US
and USE, SUP and SOUP, RUT and ROUTE, we use the KEYBOARD PRACTICE
vowel combination AOU for the sound of long U. us US Sue, sue SAOU
use AOUS new, knew NAOU TPH AOU
HEARING PRACTICE: THE LONG U SOUND sup SUP news NAOUS TPH AOUS
soupSAOUP suit SAOUT
The pairs of words that follow will give you purr PUR rule RAOUL
preliminary HEARING practice for long U. Say each pair pure PAOUR tour TAOUR
aloud, emphasizing the U sound in the second word of the rut RUT stew STAOU
pair. it is this U sound that is written AOU. route RAOUT true TRAOU
STENOGRAPHIC ARBITRARIES AND PHRASES:

Tuesday TAOUS to you TOU

actual TAOUL are the R-T or -RT
until the N-LT (TPH-LT)

SKILL DEVELOPMENT:

The sale is Tuesday. T S AEU L S TAOUS FPLT

The tour is Tuesday. T TAOUR S TAOUS FPLT
I recommend the tour to you. EU REPL T TAOUR TOU FPLT.
I remember the actual number. (paragraph) EU RER T TAOUL TPH U PL FPLT
*
*

Use the new route. AOUS T TPH AOU RAOUT FPLT

Are the suits in the sale?R T SAOUTS TPH T SAEUL STPH
I type the news at night. EU TAOEUP T TPHAOUS T TPH AOEUT FPLT
I taught Sue to type. EU TAUT SAOU TO TAOEUP FPLT
 LESSON 12
NEW LETTERS: INITIAL H AND FINAL D STENOGRAPHIC ARBITRARIES AND PHRASES:

had H had a, had an HA

an A I had ID (EU D)
order ORD you had UD
help HEP he had ED
today TOD

SKILL DEVELOPMENT:

KEYBOARD PRACTICE: He has to order a hat. E HAS TO ORD A HAT FPLT

who HO ad, add AD Sam had a pet. SA PL HA PET FPLT
has HAS sad SAD Al has an interest in the store. AL HAS A TR TPH T STOR
him HIM sat SAT
her HER read, red RED I saw your ad today. It is time you had help in the store. I
hall, haul HAUL Ted TED recommend him to you. (paragraph)
ham HAM (HA PL) hat HAT
hill HIL H EU L head HEAD I had to order a suit Tuesday. You ought to order your
hurt HURT said SAID suit at the sale Saturday.
 KEYBOARD PRACTICE:
LESSON 13 The designation of long vowel sounds is extremely
NEW LETTER LONG E important. They give you a great advantage in reading
and transcribinG. Write AOE for long E.

see, sea SAOE set SET

tea, tee TAOE seat SAOET
ear AOER red, read RED
eat AOET reed, read RAOED
her HER stem STEM STE PL
here, hear HAOER steam STAOEM STAOE PL
sell, cell SEL net NET TPH ET
HEARING PRACTICE: THE LONG E SOUND
seal SAOEL neat NAOET TPH AOET
head peck leg set
See u. Nell is neat.
heed peek, peak league seat
See us in April. Pat is neat.
Your tea is perfect. Art is here.
less guess held Nell
Your tea is hot. Ray is here.
lease geese healed Neil, kneel
Read to Al. I seem to remember you.
Read to Tom You seem sad.
met dead stem fed
meet, meat deed steam feed

sell, cell men den fell

seal mean dean feel
STENOGRAPH ARBITRARIES:
husband HUS
receipt RAOET
report RORT
tomorrow TOM

SKILL DEVELOPMENT:
Help your husband. HEP UR HUS FPLT Your husband is here. UR HUS S HER FPLT
Number the receipt. TPH UPL T RAOET I am to represent your husband EU PL TO REP UR HUS
Stop us today or tomorrow STOP US TOD OR TO PL He tore up the receipt.
See us today or tomorrow (par) I tore up the report.

I recommend your report. He has an interest in the team.

I remember your report I see the tour is Tuesday.
I need all your help. I had to order many tie sets.
I need a receipt. (par) He had to ride in the race too.

I need to report tomorrow or Saturday. Try to type it up today or tomorrow. I am to see AL Tuesday. He is to head
up the team in April. You are to help. Is it necessary to set an actual time?

Continue to write vowel E as the arbitrary for HE.