Tips for cleaning up notes

[Stephanie Fernandez, RMR]

I've had a much easier time with speed than accuracy, and I'm wondering what I can do to improve. I can always read through it, but I'm interested in pursuing CART work eventually.
I've tried writing from hard copy, using finger drills, and practicing slower material, but nothing's really helping yet.
Any suggestions?

[Stephanie Fernandez, RMR]

Thanks. I've been trying to do that, but I'm sure I spend more time on speed than accuracy. I'll make some adjustments to my practice and see how things improve.

[Tami]

Well, Stephanie, a little while back I remember you telling me you write everything out. Are you still doing that??

You've done amazing, BOIT! (by the way)

If you are still writing everything out, your hands have to be FLYING nowadays.

I've always been an extremely clean writer. I was taught briefs and phrases in theory. To build speed in school, I incorporated more briefs and phrases, along with increasing my hand speed. I still to this day keep perfecting my writing -- mostly out of necessity due to serious repetitive motion injuries, but it's also just a lot of fun and keeps work interesting.

It just makes sense if your hands are FLYING and my hands are poking along, who has a better chance of writing clean???

If it takes you three or four strokes for one word and me one or two strokes for the same word, I only have to worry about writing one or two outlines clean, not three or four.

It sounds pretty basic to me.

Happy Writing Short!

[Stephanie Fernandez, RMR]

I haven't really gotten around to implementing more briefs yet. Generally I think it's easier for me to write things out, but I've been meaning to start briefing some of the words I always mess up. Maybe I can try to incorporate a few more phrases. One of the responses here reminded me that I wanted to use SKP for "and" so I could phrase it. Maybe I'll start with that.
Thanks for the advice.

[Tami]

As the CSR is being conducted as I write this, Stephanie, and I'm pretty sure you're not there, you have lots of time to incorporate briefs and phrases into your writing style. Just start slowly. I think you have a great idea about starting with the SKP- and phrasing.

Maybe I should enlighten a less experienced reporter out there who so freely gives advice as if she's gotten a few more years under her belt than she does . . .

I passed the CRR the first year I started writing RT. It was over a decade ago. Yes, the CRR is only entry-level RT, but the nonsense about it taking five years -- especially for someone with your drive and determination -- is just that, nonsense.

My son just tran'd the mock CSR given last weekend in Vegas at the CCRA convention at .9. He's on track to pass his CRR his first year out of school, and that's his goal.

Do not let someone else tell you what you can and can't do. You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to.

You go, Girl!!

[Stephanie Fernandez, RMR]

Well thank you. I wish I had your confidence in my writing. I don't know long it will take, but I'll keep everyone's advice in mind and try to push myself and be realistic about my expectations.
Honestly, I don't know whether it's not being able to go to classes anymore, all the stress I'm dealing with it at the moment, or a combination of both, but I'm more frustrated than I've ever been with my writing. I honestly feel like I'm getting worse.
Anyway, congratulate your son for me. It's great that he's writing so well.

[Tami]

Just remember you have plenty of time between now and next July or October to start incorporating a shorter writing style. It really does get easier when you shave down your strokes. I promise.

When I get a student sitting next to me from the local write-it-out CR college, I just can't believe how stressful they make writing. It really doesn't have to be that difficult.

Then when I hear a student quits their first year out or they don't even take their first job because they know their hand speed is pretty much topped out, it just bums me out.

[Tami]

Be careful what you ask for. :)

I'll check it out.

[Kyung]

The question is do you want clean notes, or do you want a clean output? If you want a clean output, practice is the answer.

But there comes a point when you realize that you are always going to be stroking some words wrong. Add it to your dictionary the way you always stroke it incorrectly. If you are constantly writing something incorrectly, either come up w/an alternate way of writing it or just add it to your dictionary. For instance, I have problem with "and" and "an". I used to write and a-n-d. Currently I'm working on learning to write it s-k-p. It's a pain, but it will be great once I get it done. I also did not take out a-n-d out of my dictionary and will be able to use both, if necessary, in the future.

Briefs are your friends. Figure out briefs that will work for you.

[Stephanie Fernandez, RMR]

Thanks. I'll give that more thought. . . actually you reminded me that I meant to use SKP for "and" too, and I never did try to implement that into my writing.

[Stephanie Fernandez, RMR]

Actually, that's just what I was considering. I've been trying to get a job, and CART and police transcription seem like the only possibilities for me right now. I'm on an eligibility list for some local police departments but their background checks take several months and in the meantime, I still need to find a job. I've been encouraged to pursue CART since I passed my 190s, but I've never been confident enough in my realtime to try. I was trying to work on that since I probably won't be going to the CSR until June or October (most likely October), but I don't want to sacrifice speed development either. It's difficult to juggle all the skills that need to be developed. I think you may be right. Maybe I have to consider doing some other kind of work for now.
Thanks for the advice.

[Stephanie Fernandez, RMR]

Thanks. I can't even take qualifiers until next summer. But I'll definitely look into it then.

[Mike Rowell]

I like RealTimeCoach (ncra.learnrealtime.com) for practicing clean writing. Most of the material is very dense, and the dictation is generally not well metered. I think it's read by actors who don't teach court reporting because there are a lot of bursts in speed, vocal inflections, and even the occasional bit of yelling. Also, it's over-priced and buggy. BUT! The reason I use it is the "check transcript" function which will show you ever word that didn't translate (and, likely, a few that did).

Because it's heavy on the syllables and contains speed-bursts, generally if I can write a take on RTC with 90%+ trans rate, I can pass a test in school at the same speed no problems. It's around $300/year, so it's not cheap, but I can't think of a better tool for what you're talking about. There are even mock university-lectures.