The BREVITY Experience · Free practice

Working toward your next steno test?

I help court reporters and students write better.

I'm Tom Fernicola. Start with seven outlines and a short passage at a comfortable pace. No email is needed for this first exercise.

Try the first seven Request all 70

1 · Start small

Seven words. Two ways to write them.

Write each outline several times. Start with two or three if seven feels like too much. Use your usual outlines for the other words in the passage.

time

Magnum example
TAOEUPL
7 physical keys

BREVITY
T-PL
3 physical keys

page

Magnum example
PAEUPBLG
8 physical keys

BREVITY
-PG
2 physical keys

document

Magnum example
TKAOUPLT
8 physical keys

BREVITY
-PLT
3 physical keys

client

Magnum example
KHRAOEUPBT
10 physical keys

BREVITY
KHR-
3 physical keys

exhibit

Magnum example
KPEUBT
6 physical keys

BREVITY
-BT
2 physical keys

describe

Magnum example
SKRAOEUB
8 physical keys

BREVITY
TK-B
3 physical keys

counsel

Magnum example
KOUPBS
6 physical keys

BREVITY
S-L
2 physical keys

All shown forms are one stroke. These are selected comparisons where BREVITY uses fewer physical keys than the shown Magnum forms. Your own outlines may differ. Fewer keys do not automatically mean easier writing, greater speed, or less fatigue.

Check your dictionary first.

A new outline may already translate as another word. Compare raw steno notes or use a separate practice dictionary rather than changing working definitions. For client, KHR- uses the left-hand K, H, and R keys with no vowels.

2 · Feel them in a sentence

About a minute. Time to feel each outline.

The three recordings below practice the first seven words. Choose one set of outlines before you start. Use your usual writing for everything else. Try the same passage with the other set, then reverse the order on another session.

Each word is spoken completely, with a pause before the next word. Begin at the gentle pace. Give yourself time to form the outlines and notice how they feel. Use the same pace for both outline sets.

Practice passage

Practice pace: 1.0×

1× is the gentle starting pace. Move right for quicker playback or left for more time. The player preserves the voice’s pitch.

Recorded with the ElevenLabs Roger voice. All three passages use complete words with spaces between them.

Ready. Put your hands on the machine after you press Start.

The current sentence will appear here.

Download the selected dictation as an MP3

Use Start to begin again after a three-second count-in. The audio player’s Pause and Play controls let you stop and continue.

Using a CAT dictionary for the comparison?

A new outline may already translate as another word in your dictionary. Check for conflicts first. You can compare raw steno notes, or use a separate practice dictionary instead of changing your working definitions.

3 · Notice what changed

What would you keep?

Write the same passage with your usual outlines and the BREVITY alternatives at the same comfortable pace. Reverse the order another time. Give unfamiliar outlines practice before deciding.

What do you find hardest about writing with your current theory?
After trying these outlines, what, if anything, did BREVITY make easier?
Was anything still difficult or less comfortable?
Which outline would you keep, and why?

Explore at your own pace

25 selected comparisons, in small groups.

The first seven above are part of this 25-outline preview. Open one more group when you want to explore.

Group 2 · email, file, today, now, here, what

email

Magnum example
PHA*EL
6 physical keys

BREVITY
EPL
3 physical keys

file

Magnum example
TPAOEUL
7 physical keys

BREVITY
*FL
3 physical keys

today

Magnum example
TOED
4 physical keys

BREVITY
T-D
2 physical keys

now

Magnum example
TPHOU
5 physical keys

BREVITY
OU
2 physical keys

here

Magnum example
HAOER
5 physical keys

BREVITY
H-R
2 physical keys

what

Magnum example
WHA
3 physical keys

BREVITY
WA
2 physical keys

Group 3 · correct, explain, review, remember, date, copy

correct

Magnum example
KREBGT
6 physical keys

BREVITY
KR-
2 physical keys

explain

Magnum example
SPHRAEUPB
9 physical keys

BREVITY
SPHR-
4 physical keys

review

Magnum example
R*FR
4 physical keys

BREVITY
R-F
2 physical keys

remember

Magnum example
-RPL
3 physical keys

BREVITY
RE
2 physical keys

date

Magnum example
TKAEUT
6 physical keys

BREVITY
TK-T
3 physical keys

copy

Magnum example
KOEP
4 physical keys

BREVITY
KW-P
3 physical keys

Group 4 · received, sent, statement, testimony, deposition, transcript

received

Magnum example
SAO*EFD
7 physical keys

BREVITY
SEFD
4 physical keys

sent

Magnum example
SEPBT
5 physical keys

BREVITY
S-PBT
4 physical keys

statement

Magnum example
STAEUPLT
8 physical keys

BREVITY
STA
3 physical keys

testimony

Magnum example
TEFT
4 physical keys

BREVITY
T-T
2 physical keys

deposition

Magnum example
TKPOGS
6 physical keys

BREVITY
TK-PGS
5 physical keys

transcript

Magnum example
TREUPT
6 physical keys

BREVITY
TR-PT
4 physical keys

Download the three recorded dictations

These downloads use the gentle starting pace, with pauses between complete words.

Your practice passages

The three recorded passages use the first seven outlines. Download the practice sentences to write at your own pace or load into the Woodshedder.

First take · At the meeting · 35 words · about one minute

What time did your client arrive at the office?

Please describe the document you brought to the meeting.

Did counsel have a copy of that page?

Look at the exhibit and describe what you see.

Second take · A different copy · 31 words · about one minute

Which document did you send to counsel?

Please turn to the last page of the exhibit.

How did your client describe the call?

Did you have time to review the exhibit?

Third take · A fresh look · 30 words · about one minute

Please describe your first meeting with the client.

What time did you speak with counsel?

Does this exhibit contain the complete document?

Which page of the document did you keep?

Keep practicing

Ask for the complete 70-outline practice pack.

Get all 70 selected comparisons, short written passages, and a simple practice plan. Request one email with the pack. This does not subscribe you to a newsletter.

Your practice pack will arrive at the email address you provide. If you don’t receive it, check your spam folder or contact Tom.

Email address Send me one email with the 70-outline practice pack.

Tell Tom about your writing — required answers

Please answer every question to request the free pack. Describe your own background and experience. Honest neutral or negative feedback is welcome; no positive testimonial is required.

Name (required) School or program, or how you learned steno (required) Current theory (required) Current practice speed or professional writing experience (required) What do you find hardest about writing with your current theory? (required)After trying these outlines, what, if anything, did BREVITY make easier? (required)Was anything still difficult or less comfortable? (required)Which outline would you keep, and why? (required)What would you like help with? (required) Tom may email me personally about my writing and questions.

The pack request and permission for a personal reply are separate. No newsletter signup. Please do not include confidential case material. Privacy policy

When you want to go further

Choose the help that fits your writing.

Start with the free exercise. Request the 70-outline pack for more practice. If you want to keep going, these are two different ways to learn.

Look up individual outlines

BREVITY: The Briefs

A searchable online dictionary of nearly 9,800 BREVITY outlines, with practice lists and outline updates. Explore alternatives for words you already write, and practice the ones you want to keep.

$249 USD · Lifetime access
One payment. Use it on your phone or computer. A CAT download is a separate purchase.

Explore The Briefs

Learn the full theory system

BREVITY: The Theory + Woodshedder

The online beginner theory book teaches steno from the first keys through sound-based word building, with explanations, drills and printed steno notes. The included Woodshedder gives you a place to practice at your own pace.

$498 USD · Six months
$748 USD · One year
Online access for your selected period. One payment. No automatic renewal.

Explore The Theory + Woodshedder

You can try individual outlines without replacing your current theory. Give unfamiliar forms time in practice, and keep what works for you. No outline collection or theory can guarantee a test result.

The full reference includes ties and examples where Magnum uses fewer keys. The 70-outline pack is a selected practice collection, not a representative sample or a prediction of results.

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