How to Read Back Your Shorthand Notes Without Mistakes
You read shorthand back accurately by writing clear outlines in the first place, practicing reading as a separate daily skill, and using the meaning of the sentence to resolve unclear outlines. Fix the writing problem at the source and reading becomes easy.
Key takeaways
- Clear outlines are the root of good reading.
- Practice reading as its own drill.
- Use sentence context to resolve doubtful outlines.
- Review unclear outlines the same day.
Why you cannot read your own notes
- Outlines are written too small or too large.
- Strokes are not distinguished by thickness, length or position.
- You wrote too fast to form each outline fully.
- A vowel or position mark was left out.
Daily reading drills
- Write a short dictation.
- Wait an hour, then read it aloud without looking at the reference.
- Mark every outline you hesitated on.
- Rewrite those outlines three times, neatly.
- Read again the next morning.
Use context
When one outline could be two words, the sentence usually decides. Read a few words ahead, and ask which word makes sense. Training this habit makes you faster and more accurate during transcription.
Fix the writing, not only the reading
If the same outlines keep confusing you, fix how you write them. Make the distinguishing feature larger, such as the length or the shading, and practice that outline until it comes out the same way every time.
Tie it to dictation practice
After each dictation, look at which mistakes came from reading errors rather than listening errors. Those are the ones to target with reading drills.
Ready to put this into practice? Browse the dictation catalog, pick a speed that fits your level, and get an instant mistake breakdown after every attempt. Create a free account to save your progress.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I misread my own shorthand?
Usually because outlines are unclear or rushed. Neater writing and reading drills fix most cases.
How often should I practice reading?
A short reading drill every day is better than a long one once a week.
Should I write slower to read better?
Slightly slower, clearer writing during practice often improves both reading and later speed.
What should I do when I cannot read an outline?
Use context, make your best guess, and mark it so you can review it after.
Does reading practice improve speed?
Yes. Faster recall of outlines directly speeds up transcription.