Dictation and Transcription

Abstract

A senior secretary may have to advise juniors on the ways in which they could organise their shorthand notes. Instructions might contain some or all of the following points:

• 1. Use a shorthand notebook with hard covers, good quality paper and spiral binding.

• 2. Fasten an elastic band round the used pages of shorthand notes so that the notebook will open at a fresh page.

• 3. Write with a fountain pen or use special shorthand pencils. Keep the pen filled and pencils sharpened in readiness for taking dictation at any time. Notes written in ink are easier to read and form a more permanent record; a properly designed shorthand pen will have a good flexible nib and will hold the ink supply for longer than the average fountain pen.

• 4. Enter the current date at the bottom of the page for ease of reference.

• 5. Develop a suitable system for inserting small corrections, such as leaving a wide left- or right-hand margin. For long substitutions or reminders it might be preferable to use a form of footnote.

Taking shorthand dictation; using a dictating machine; ideal audio dictation; transcription; remote control