Rational Dictation

I discovered this book through a 1927 ad in The Gregg Writer, which recommended using it with the 1917 Speed Studies after completing the portion of Speed Studies coordinated with the 1916 manual. OK, I’ curious by nature and ordered a copy of this book for about $5 including postage from an eBay seller. It’s a great book! The syllabic density of the words (which are conveniently counted in groups of 10) gradually increases. There’s over 400 pages of business letters, reporting and literary material with — if you’re familiar with other Gregg dictation books — shorthand previews of words and phrases in the margin beside the printed letters. The volume is clearly for a student who’s completed and practiced the theory as from the very first letter the learner is thrust into brief forms and intensive phrasing. I’m tickled pink with the publication and heartily recommend Rational Dictation by McNamara & Markett for anyone wanting more Gregg practice material.
Caution: Although the previews are in pre-Anniversary, that should be of no great hurdle to anyone who has actually studied any version of Gregg and wants to improve his or her shorthand vocabulary building. This is a super book!

(by jrganniversary
for everyone)

 


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4 comments Add yours
  1. Whichever group we move to should have a database or table feature. This looks like a great book, but, like other recommendations, in a few months the thread will be burried. A table of books would be great. Maybe Title, Authors, Edition/Date (Anni/…), Audience, Note (including if printings differ).

    This sounds like great book!

  2. Ordinarily I avoid most shorthand texts which don't contain a lot of shorthand plates for reading practice, but the quality of the letters and articles is excellent … and it presupposes anyone using the text has solid roots in his or her base system. Another plus is that the standard word count is in groups of 10.

    Agreed, CB, there should be lists of Gregg books with an indication as to level of ability to which the authors aimed. For example, Rational Dictation is clearly not a beginner's book but meant for an intermediate who has learned all the theory and brief forms who wants to improve both his vocabulary building and speed. Whereas any version of The Manual is intended to introduce a "newbie" to shorthand and lead him or her into feeling comfortable reading and writing it.

    It's a shame so much info will be lost forever once the group is forced to relocate!

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