Shorthand is a method of writing quickly by using symbols or abbreviations for sounds, words, or phrases. : a short or quick way of showing or saying something.

Shorthand is a key employability skill for Journalists. Many potential employers will not consider applications for a job in Journalism unless you have 100wpm shorthand. It is essential for the speedy and accurate recording of interviews, court and council proceedings, as well as general newsgathering.

A typical shorthand system provides symbols or abbreviations for words and common phrases, which can allow someone well-trained in the system to write as quickly as people speak. Abbreviation methods are alphabet-based and use different abbreviating approaches.

A shorthand "typist" is a stenographer. The device is a chorded keyboard and the keying is phonetic (how the word sounds). A stenographer can achieve up to 300 wpm, although usually around 200 is adequate, because that's the average speed at which people speak.

The use of shorthand, also referred to a stenography, dates back to Ancient Greece, but has been used and adapted for years. Pitman â?? Invented in 1837 by Sir Isaac Pitman, Pitman shorthand is most widely used in the UK and uses line thickness to represent â??lightâ?? and â??heavyâ?? consonant sounds.