Pitman Shorthand Curriculum
Structured 13-Level Learning Program
Master English Pitman shorthand progressively: from pen holding and consonant angles to the 12-vowel scheme, continuous outline joining, phraseography, and timed stenography dictations.
Curriculum Standard
English Pitman
Self-paced • 13 progressive levelsShowing 7 lessons
Level 1⏱ 15 minsBeginner
Introduction to Shorthand & Phonetic Principles
Understand how shorthand works by sound rather than conventional spelling.
Concepts:Shorthand is strictly based on the sound of spoken words.Silent letters are completely ignored (e.g. "debt" is written as "d-e-t").
Level 2⏱ 20 minsBeginner
Basic Straight & Curved Strokes
Master the core 8 straight consonant strokes and introductory curves.
Concepts:Every straight stroke has a standard uniform length (about one-sixth of an inch or 4 mm).P and B slant from top-left to bottom-right (120°).
Level 3⏱ 25 minsIntermediate
The Pitman Vowel Scheme
Learn the 12 vowels, dot/dash signs, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place vowel positions.
Concepts:Vowel positions: 1st Place = Beginning of stroke, 2nd Place = Middle of stroke, 3rd Place = End of stroke.Heavy Dots: 1st place = AH (Pa), 2nd place = AY (May), 3rd place = EE (We).
Level 4⏱ 25 minsIntermediate
Complete Consonants & Position Writing
Explore curves, upward strokes, and the 3 writing positions (Above, On, Through the line).
Concepts:Position 1 (Above the line): First vowel sound is a 1st-place vowel (e.g. "Talk", "Path").Position 2 (On the line): First vowel sound is a 2nd-place vowel (e.g. "Take", "Paid").
Level 5⏱ 20 minsIntermediate
Joining Strokes Without Lifting the Pen
Learn the cardinal rule of stenography: continuous outlines written in one fluid stroke.
Concepts:Never lift the pen when writing the consonants of a single word.The second stroke begins precisely where the first stroke terminates.
Level 6⏱ 25 minsIntermediate
Word Formation & Intervening Vowels
Master rules for reading and writing vowels between joined consonant strokes.
Concepts:First-place vowels after the first stroke are placed after that stroke.Second-place vowels after the first stroke are placed after that stroke.
Level 7⏱ 25 minsAdvanced
Phrase Writing (Phraseography)
Combine frequent words into single fluid outlines to double your writing speed.
Concepts:Phrases must be easy to write, easy to read, and naturally associated.The first word in a phrase determines the position of the entire outline.