There are a number of different shorthand systems (also known as stenography or steno). Pitman is popular in the UK (although a new system called ‘Teeline’ is rapidly gaining popularity there) while Gregg is the most common in the US. Shorthand systems are a way of writing using squiggles and abbreviations for speed and they may be based on spelling or phonetics. A trained shorthand writer is able to write as fast as people can speak which makes it ideal for taking dictation. Shorthand is still sometimes used by secretaries and secretarial schools but also by closed captioners, by court reporters and by journalists and news reporters. It may also have military and law enforcement use or be used by anyone else who has to take notes fast.

‘Stenopads’ or Steno paper is ruled down the center of the page to help the writer work quickly. Instead of using the full length of the book, they write in the first column to the middle line which saves time on their hand traveling across the whole line. Then they use the second column.