I remember how boring those ordinary speed tapes were when I was in school, so I created The Brief Zone CDs to help make practicing a lot less boring !
On each CD you'll get 50 timed briefs & phrases that you apply your own theory to, along with 3-speed dictation, as well as timed hardcopy practice material
all on just 1 CD !
Check it out @ WWW.THEBRIEFZONE.COM

I just saw your site, that looks incredible, the product and the whole way you presented it is extremely professional and well made.
good job!

Thanks so much for the offer of help. I will check out your site and I can assure you I will definitely be bugging you with questions!

I've been a court reporter for 8 years now. I love the job. I have several students that use your site.

Hi, I just joined this site and I read with interest the information on The Brief Zone. I went to the web site and there are so many choices, I'm not sure where to begin. I need to pass my 160 Q&A to get into 180, I need to work on my briefs, my accuracy and my speed. What would you suggest I order? Thanks!

Terrific! Thank you for the help. I've ordered the combination drill for both Jury Charge and Q&A, at the 170, 180, 190 speeds. I'm looking forward to using them.

Hi Sue,

I want to order a CD the Combo Drill you sent me but for Lit. Can you please tell me how much it is? Also, I love the one you sent me already. Eventhough I find it a bit challenging at the higher speeds but it is a great workout for my fingers. I push for speed.

Hi Terry, that's great, I'm so glad you like the CD! It was a combo drill also, and they're regularly $24.95 + 4.60 for shipping. That's exactly what should happen...that you are pushing for speed, but then dropping back one or two speeds for accuracy...your test speed goal should be the highest of the 3 speeds you choose. In otherwords, 180 or 190 wpm on the CD I sent you would be the test speed you're reaching for in school at this time in that type of material, Jury, I believe it was. Then by slowing down and working on the individual sentences and cyber hardcopy helps you increase your accuracy and eliminate hesitating on your outlines...the brief drills are to also help you achieve instant stroking responses to your outlines...even if you don't always use a "legal" brief, meaning it's a brief listed in your theory's dictionary, as long as you write it without hesitating, you're increasing speed automatically....we have 2 types of Literary CDs...1 is for beginners up to 100 wpm and the other is Advanced up to 235 wpm.....Hope this all makes sense to you :-) If you have any questions, don't hesitate to
ask :-) Sue.

I just read your post about flash cards. What theory is used for them?

Hi Sue, I've received the Q&A I do/did phrases. It was great. I loved it. I'm trying to prepare myself for the RPR Lit and Q&A in May. What would you suggest that I order?

Wow! I will really look forward to that! Please, don't forget to let me know. :)

Hello Sue, I am currently a student in California, and i an in the process of relocating. I would greatly appreciate it if you could give me some insight as to which schools in NY are very good and why. Also if you know how court reporters in NY Differ from court reporters in California. I dont mind giving you my contact number, because im having some anxiety issues and any guildence at this point would be appreciated. FYI i will be living in Queen NY. Thanks.

I'm scheduled to take the RPR in May. I'm going to be taking the Lit and 2 voice. So whatever you have that you think would do it for me. LOL
I've already passed the JC and some days I feel really good about my practice and I'm gonna pass and other days, well, you know how it is. :)

Hey Sue. Had a question for you. I am currently in reporting school. I've finished my theory and am starting my 80/100s. I am having issues getting financed each quarter and have been thinking about practicing my speed on my own. My question is do you have all I need on your site to accomplish that? I would appreciate any advice you could give me. Thanks!

Thanks so much for the advice. I did actually speak to my dean today and I am going to pay the school instead of trying to find finance. So load off my back! This will definitely give me time to get my financing together for the next quarter! When is your site going to be up and running? I went online to check it out and saw it's being constructed. Thanks again for the advice. It's so great having someone with experience who you can bug!

Hello Sue,
It feels funny calling you 'Sue', since I was one of your students on Long Island. How are you doing? I just joined CSRnation recently, and am just beginning to explore it. I finished school in Dec, 2007, and was interning with a few agencies. In Jan, 2008, I sliced my finger and now I can't work. Apparently I injured the nerve. I have been putting my resume out there for scoping though. So far its going well. I have one reporter who sends me work regularly, and I am currently looking for more.
I was very glad to see you here. When I saw the 'brief zone' I just had to drop a note to say hello.
I hope that you are doing well. Are you still buddies with Tina?
Well take care, and drop me a line when you get a chance.
Mary DeCaprio

Hello,
It is sooo funny - I just spoke to Nikki literally minutes ago! I wish that I had read your message first. I sent her my resume, she replied by email, and I called her. She sounds so nice. I give her a lot of credit for trying to open a business of this type without having court reporting experience. I also gave her my sister-in-laws name - she is an excellent proofreader. It does suck about my finger - but what are you going to do? I have to do something, so scoping it is. At least for now, until it heals. I figure that by scoping I am making chicken sh_t out of chicken salad. I can't let it stop me.
I have to tell you something. School wasn't the same after you left. I always knew that in your class I would get excellent practice. You were the one speed teacher there who was helpful in terms of practical advice. You always had worksheets, or vocabulary, and your practice in class! I would always go through more paper in your class than all the others. I really like the practice logs that you used to give out. I had a bulletin board right in front of my desk, and I used to put your handouts right there in front of me. I loved them.
Anyway - glad to hear that you are doing well, and believe me - if I need help, or advice, or just a pep talk,you'll be hearing from me!
Take care!

Hi Ms. Irwin, (Sue) thought I would drop a line to say hi and see how you are doing. I'm okay, still trying to find my way. Finished my interning hours, however, my speed is down. I was sitting in with one court reporter with Five Star and she thought that I should work on my speed and then when I feel comfortable give her a call and then only sit in about three times and go out on my own. So are you still teaching? How's your neck these days? Hope to talk to you soon. Gail Letscher

Thanks, Sue. It's a great site. The CD's will be helpful with my practices.

Thanks much, Sue. I have been gone and off the computer for a while, but I am back in business.

Debi

This site is GREAT! Thanks so much!

Thank you very much. I will be checking out the drill zone.

Thanks for the tip! Will be using it frequently!

Thanks, Sue, will check out the Brief Zone,,,thanks again
Dale

Sue, thank you for directing me to the site. I like briefs!

Hi, Sue.

Chris Isaacs is the singer. I really like your icon (the steno machine). This is a very interesting web site.

Linda

Hey hey. I actually already took you up on your offer. I got the serious speed; I, did & do phrases and I have been using them a lot. They are really helpful! :)

Hi there. I'll check out the site.
Thanks,
LMB

I'll check it out. Thank you!
Donna

Thanks for the info. I will check it out!

Hi, Sue,

You're showing up on my friends page. Since I haven't been here since Dec. 2007, I might be the rudest friend you have in terms of replying to your welcome.

But I'm posting and reading often now that I plan to have a scoping business up by Jan. 1, 2009. It looks like you're busy with your school and CR business, so you need not reply but I thought the least I could do was to say thanks.

Ciao.
Tracy Revalee

glitter-graphics.com

Happy New Year, Sue!

Hi, Sue,

I remember when I first set up my profile here, you responded positively to the comment that I was madly in love with my husband. So imagine how guilty I felt when I cropped him out of the picture I posted on my website. Hey, a good picture is a good picture, right?

heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!! misss uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

After 25 years in court reporting, why is the first question I ask on this wonderful site -- where does everyone get the cute little steno artwork from??? Not sure where I should post that question, but the green steno machine artwork on this page -- just too cute!