Clickable dictation at various speeds is available at the bottom of this page. The transcript of the dictation appears here as well.

    More office-type dictation which, in my opinion, is relatively easy. Since it is easy, be sure to push! Write neatly for if you can't read it back, it's useless. But push with continued practice until you can write faster than your "usual" speed.

Shorterhand Skills for the Future, Pitman Publishing Corporation, 1974, p 64, 70, and 75
Speed Building Practice

Gentlemen:  We wish to take out insurance on a new building that will be completed in the near future.  Our architect has designed the project in what we think is an excellent manner, but we are sure that you will undoubtedly wish to see the plans.  We are also planning to make some improvements in the amount of space to be provided in each office, although we know that this will be an expensive job
            Please inform us whether there will be any difficulty in obtaining this insurance because changes are being made in the plans.  It is essential that we hear from you about this matter very shortly.  Very truly yours,

* * * * *
Dear Sir:  It is most important that we receive from you in the near future a sample of the materials that you plan to display in your annual fashion show.  We wish to prepare some dresses from this material in order to have our models show them within the next three weeks.
            We are now going to make an attempt to build up our sales of less expensive dresses and it is, therefore, very important that we use the most efficient means of production.  If your materials meet our needs, we can prepare the dresses and put out our new catalog within the next two months.  Very truly yours,

* * * * *
Gentlemen:  We are writing to ask about the income from mortgages which we purchased from you and on which we were led to expect a return of eight percent on our money.
            At the present time, the return on our investment is about five percent and we would not have invested our money with you if we had known that this would be the return to be received.  The thought that is uppermost in our mind is whether you propose to do something about this situation of which I am sure you are aware.
            Please advise us as soon as possible of the prospects for future returns on our investments with you.  Very truly yours,

For more information on shorthand speed building, click here.

 

Instructions for Self-Dictation Practice:
    Copy and paste the above article into a word-processing document, using double or triple spacing and 12- or 14-pitch type.
    As always, be sure to check your shorthand dictionary for correct outlines before "drilling"!

Dictation Practice:
    Note that the material was counted and recorded for dictation at 100; all other speeds were copied from the 100 take and electronically adjusted and may therefore sound unusual.

60 wpm 80 wpm 100 wpm 120 wpm 140 wpm

The dictation material above is copyrighted, all rights reserved.

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Gregg Shorthand Pitman Shorthand Speedwriting Shorthand