Troab Teacher’s Tutorial
Note; This Tutorial is a reference tool for teachers to accompany the preparation of a course in
Troab shorthand, it is not an introductory course to the method for students..
CONTENTS Introduction
Purpose of note-taking – Aim of Tutorial
1. Fundamental principle
2. The Consonants Core consonants – paired consonants – blended consonants – writing ‘S’ - plural ‘s’
3. Indicating vowels
The vowel indicators – initial and final vowels – alternative ‘O’ – sound of AW –
Diphthongs, OI, OW - Double vowels
4. Abbreviation of words
Principles of abbreviation
5. Quick Forms
Principles – Frequency of words
6. The sound of ‘R’ Writing ‘R’ – indicating the sound of ‘R’ – the R-position
7. The sound of ‘L’ Writing ‘L’ – indicating the sound of ‘L’ – the L-position - Final L-syllables
8. Prefixes Frequently occurring Prefixes – More prefixes
9. Suffixes Frequently occurring suffixes / word endings – More suffixes
10. Writing faster
Combining Basic and Professional levels
11. Teaching Troab Basic (Alpha) level Basic shorthand – Keyboard
12. Teaching Troab Professional level
Salient features of Troab and Teeline compared,
A comparison of the Troab and Teeline shorthand methods.
Overview of Troab Shorthand
Shortcuts in note-taking
Resources for teaching
Reference. List of Quick Forms (Basic level / Professional level )
Troab Teacher’s Tutorial Note Throughout this Tutorial Basic level example words or comment are shown in Green, and
Professional level example words or comment in Blue.
Quick Form words are shown in italics and high-lighted in colour.
Introduction
Purpose
The purpose of Troab Shorthand is to enable the writing of notes at meetings, in the classroom or
office for decision making or ‘education’. It is the most versatile method of note-taking to aid
memory and to develop further thoughts triggered by what has been heard.
This Tutorial for Teachers of Troab may be used as a accessory to lesson preparation and as a
reference tool.
Because Troab is an integrated shorthand method these notes are integrated enabling comparison
between the Alpha (Basic shorthand) level and the Professional level.
Aim of Tutorial
To introduce the fundamental structure, theory and ways of teaching and writing Troab Shorthand
with illustrations of any writing differences between Basic and Professional levels.
The Fundamental principle
Shorthand is a way of capturing the spoken word on paper. Words are recorded as spoken.
Whether at business meetings, conferences or in the classroom, writing notes with pen and paper is
still the most versatile and least obtrusive method of taking notes.
This method of shorthand / speed-writing takes account of years of experience of several
generations of shorthand writers. Over the years certain conclusions have emerged regarding the
elements that contribute to an effective shorthand system. These include
writing the sound of words is an efficient way to write speech.
the consonants of a word form its recognizable ‘outline’ or short form.
the significant core letter sounds of shorthand writing are T, D, N and S, R and L
Troab shorthand is based on the above fundamental features.
The Troab shorthand method
Troab is an integrated system of shorthand; it can be written at two levels to meet different note-
taking needs – Alpha (Basic) level and Professional level.
The Alpha level is used for general note-taking at meetings, in the office or in the classroom.
The Professional level is used for high speed verbatim reporting where writing speeds of more
than 100 words a minute are required.
Both levels share a common core of abbreviation rules.
The difference between the two levels is that at Alpha level familiar script (longhand) letters are
used and at the Professional level all consonants are written as simplified, or contracted script
forms, each written as a single pen-stroke.
A special version of Alpha level - Keyboard - is used by keyboarders who wish to make notes on
an electronic QWERTY keyboard; this version is described at the end of the Alpha level course.
‘Pen-Keyboard’ is the Alpha script level version written without using the contracted core letters;
the common core of abbreviation rules applies throughout.
Because this is an integrated shorthand method it is possible to progress from the Alpha-level to
the Professional level with ease as the abbreviation rules are common at both levels.
(Return to CONTENTS page)
Troab Shorthand / Speed-writing
Throughout this tutorial, notes that are specific to Alpha-level (Basic shorthand) are high-lighted in
GREEN, and specific Professional level notes are in BLUE.
The most frequently occurring words, Quick Forms, are high-lighted in BROWN.
Note-taking with Troab
1. The Fundamental principles
Writing fast is an acquired skill building on familiar hand-writing skill with pen and paper.
Writing notes quickly involves both simplification of the way individual letters are formed and
judicious abbreviation of words.
The first step is to examine the writer’s hand-writing and decide whether it needs modifying –
letters should not be written too large or too small and without unnecessary curls or flourishes.
At Alpha-level (speed-writing) core consonants are used, D, T, N and S; these letter sounds occur
particularly frequently and are written using contracted simple forms of script letters to increase
the speed of writing.
Vowels are needed to enable meaningful reading of shorthand notes; a simple system is used
which progresses from familiar letter forms to a set of six vowel indicators providing simplicity
and speed of writing and reading.
In this method of speed-writing you are given a literary ‘tool-box’ of consonants, vowels and word
formation which together can be used to create quickly-formed words and sentences with a
minimum of rules.
The basic theory of this method can be mastered in only a few hours. However, speed writing, or
shorthand, is a writing skill and students need frequent writing practice; this enables familiarity
with the few abbreviation rules and note-taking becomes easier and faster.
This method is based on the writer’s own familiar handwriting and the rules of word abbreviation
are largely intuitive and follow common usage. There is one fundamental principle and two
primary abbreviation devices (quick ways to indicate the sounds of R and L).
A particular feature which contributes to fast writing is the use of the core consonants, D, T, N,
and S. These letters are contracted from familiar Roman script letters to simple one-stroke letter
forms; they are the forms used at both levels of Troab Shorthand (Basic and Professional levels).
Each letter also represents a frequently occurring word. Because they occur in every written and
spoken sentence they very soon become familiar friends which are easily and quickly written and
read.
Because the few abbreviation rules are common throughout the system it is easy to progress from
Basic to Professional level. Basic level writers may use their own hybrid version merging
elements from the Professional level.
Shorthand is an important skill not only as an aid to memory, but the act of writing notes involves
the writer, whether at meetings or at classes, in ways which help to clarify and strengthen
understanding of what is being said. Taking notes in shorthand, or speed writing, has a potential
impact for the writer far beyond “just making a note of things”.
“If deliberations are to be remembered, revised or acted upon, they must first be recorded”.
The ancient Chinese proverb is also particularly relevant to the shorthand note-taker;
“Tell me, I forget;
Show me, I remember;
Involve me, and I understand”
Once learned, shorthand is a valuable skill for life.
What you are recording are the sounds of speech. Each word is recorded on paper by writing its
basic sound structure. There are just two fundamental principles to follow.
Words are written according to the way they sound.
You hear a word and you write down the letters representing the sounds of that word. Thus the
words ‘way’ or ‘weigh’ are both written as ‘w+a’, and ‘knew’ is written as ‘n+u’ ; the sound of ‘f’
is always written as an ‘f ’ whether it occurs as f, gh, or ph, in such words as face, stuff, tough or
photograph. By leaving out silent or unstressed sounds you can represent most words by a very
short “outline” of consonants and significant vowels.
Each word ‘outline’ is formed using the significant consonants and vowels. Mostly your notes will consist of sentences. The context of a sentence is an excellent guide to the
meaning of individual words and this fact will allow you to write quite short word outlines which
can be read back easily. By way of demonstration, can you read the following sentence?
o e o o o e, a i e eio
Probably not! But, if we write it as, ‘t b r nt t b, tht s e qstn,’ you will easily read it as “To be or
not to be, that is the question”.
This illustrates the principle that it is the consonant structure of a word which gives us the word
‘picture’ or ‘outline’.
In shorthand the principal sounded consonants are written to represent a word.
Most vowels in the body of the word can be omitted but a significant vowel may sometimes be
added for clarity.
Initial vowels and final sounded vowels are written.
These sentences further demonstrate this point.
cn u rd ths sntns ?
wn u gt t e tp o e ldr, stp clmg.
u tk e hmr , il hld e pst, wn i nd m hd , u ht t.
e lgst jrne bgns w a sgl stp.
A simple and consistent method of vowel indicators is used at both levels.
MORE
But merely leaving out a few vowels and silent letters does not by itself make a useful
abbreviation system. We need to follow a set of consistent rules whereby we can write any word
quickly in a shortened form and one which can always be easily recognized.
Clearly the consonant ‘outline’ is very important, but we also need a simple way to indicate the
particular vowels in any word to enable fast and accurate reading of what has been written.
Writing words
Fundamental principle
Words are written according to their sound.
way, weigh w + a knew, new n + u
Initial and final sounded vowels are included using the simple vowel indicators.
aim egg issue gay so buy
aim egg issue gay so buy
In this method of note-taking we like to keep everything simple. There are very few rules to
follow and these are based on common writing practice and usage. Essentially you will be
abbreviating words by writing their principal sounded consonants. This gives you the ‘sound
picture’ of a word.
The method is based on a single fundamental principle with two primary abbreviation rules (the
sound of R and the sound of L). This makes it easier to learn and faster to write than methods that
require learning a host of special abbreviations for specific syllables based on the way they are
spelled.
(Return to CONTENTS page)
2. Writing consonants
2.1 Basic level (Alpha-Script) At Basic level normal script consonant letters are written, the letters which you use everyday. You
should write these in their simplest forms avoiding large letters or flourishes.
The core consonants, D, T, N and S, are always written in their contracted forms.
(see below, 2.2 Professional level )
Students should write out the following table in their notebook to create a personal check-list of
the script letters they will be using.
Keep these letters simple and consistent.
Lower case letters
b c f g h j k l m
....................................................................................................………...........
p q r s v w x y z
…....…………………………………..................................................……………
Upper case letters
B C F G H J K L M
…………………………………………………………………………….……..
P Q R S V W X Y
……………………………………………………………………….
2.1.2 The paired consonants.
The paired consonants are represented by single letters with an associated sound.
CH SH QU TH
which she quick that
( TH – T written on a slant. QU – modified ‘q’)
( These can be distinguished if needed, by writing the paired consonants with a looped ‘tail’.)
z
J CH Z SH T TH QU
j mj zc fz s m
chat much shock fish them south
Distinguishing between writing a ‘print form’ J and conventional handwritten j, usually with a
looped tail, is a matter of personal preference. It can be noted that the combination CH occurs
more frequently than J. The chosen distinctive form should be followed consistently.
Similarly, Z and SH can be distinguished using a ‘print’ form and a hand-script (longhand) letter.
SH occurs more frequently than does Z. A print form letter Z can be written with three pen-
movements; the initial horizontal stroke is written left to right with the end stroke ending similarly.
[This suggests that a print form ‘z’ might be a preferred choice to represent the paired consonants
SH.
As such it can be considered to be used for SH at both Basic and Professional levels.
z zc zf cz pz wz
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. [ Prof level sh. words ]
she shake shift cash push wash
compare (S + H ) ……..,
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
she shake shift cash push wash ]
Important note on writing consonants
The example words in the text and the Keys to the practice sentences should be adapted to use the
writer’s own letter forms. Some differences between the letter forms will emerge inevitably, most
probably with the letters ‘b’, ‘f’ and ‘s’.
As far as possible keep to the forms the student is used to writing as these will be quicker to write;
always aim for simple letter forms.
The core letters, D, T, N, are always written in their contracted forms as used at T-Script
Professional level. They are also used to represent frequently occurring words (Quick Forms).
D T N
do it, to no, not
[ see Basic Course for D T N + S ]
debt to-do note noted done tune
2.2 Professional level
At Professional level Consonants are written in the form of contracted Roman script letters, the
first letter of a word normally rests on the line.
B C D F G H J L M
N P Q R S T V W Z
The core consonants (common to both levels) are
D T N S
do it, to no, not is
The S-circle is used in combination with other core consonants, but a script letter ‘s’ is written
when it is the initial letter of the word.
2.3 The paired consonants.
The paired consonants are;
CH SH TH QU
which she that quick
( CH – H written on a slant, SH – S + H, TH – T written on a slant. QU – modified ‘q’)
CH – alternative, C + H
TH is represented by T written on a downward slant.
CH j SH z T TH
which she to, it that, thing
Because T is a core consonant at both levels it follows that the contracted form is written at Basic
level to represent ‘to’ and ‘it’ and TH words.
Writing Professional level consonants
Encourage students to write all consonants with pen control; not too firm a grip on the pen nor too
loose. Aim for consistency of stroke to ensure easy and accurate reading back of notes.
Downward strokes should be a consistent length; distinguish between P and the A-vowel indicator.
Horizontal letters should be clearly parallel with the line of writing, not slanted.
Initial R-position letters are raised above the line but not excessively.
M and W are best written upright without excessive curve.
Similarly, L should curve up more than slanted along the line.
Developing good habits of writing will be rewarded with fast writing and clarity in reading back.
2.4 The sound of consonants
Some consonants have hard and soft forms.
The letter ‘c’ is used consistently for the hard ‘k’ sound which occurs in the words, cup, cat, act,
luck, back, kick, kitchen and book
(The letter ‘k’ is used only for writing initials.)
We write ‘f’ consistently whenever this sound occurs.
Note that the sound of ‘f ’ may occur in different spellings as in the words, fun, cliff, cough and
photograph.
The letter ‘g’ is used for the hard sound which occurs in the words, go, gun, game, pig, log and
dig.
The letter ‘j ’ is used for the soft ‘g’ sound which occurs in the words, gin, jam, badge, dodge,
wedge, page, jacket, gem and adjourn.
The letter ‘q’ is used for the combination sound, ‘qu’ (pronounced as ‘kw’).
When writing ‘x’ start with the downward stroke, left-to-right and finish with the upward stroke;
this makes an easier join with a following letter.
2.5 The fundamental principle of abbreviation
Write the significant sounded consonants to form the word outline (in the body of a word
vowels may often be omitted).
At Basic level the writer’s own familiar script letters are used except D, T, N, which are
always written in their contracted forms.
‘c’ represents the hard sound of K,
‘g’ represents the hard sound of G
‘j ’ the soft sound of G and J.
back bc cough cf give gv gem jm job jb
2.6 Blended NT and ND
After N, T is modified to an anti-clockwise hook, and D is written as a clock-wise hook;
sent want send wind note did died
sent want send wind
[ The S-circle balances the position of the T or D hook ]
Note the distinction made between a consonant and a syllable T or D.
Where there is no intervening vowel the T or D is blended with the preceding letter (consonant T
or D), usually in a hook form (a full T is blended with C in act, fact, tact).
A sounded vowel is indicated by writing the full form for T or D (syllable T or D) without a blend.
bent bonnet end nod send synod
tact ticket duct docket sent Senate
bent bonnet end nod send synod
tact ticket duct docket sent Senate
2.7 Writing ‘s’ [see also Basic Course ]
At Basic level a normal script letter, in its familiar print form, ‘s’, is written at the beginning of a
word.
said sit son sudden sick safe soft some
At Basic level the Quick Form for ‘is’ may be written as a print form ‘s’ or as the S-circle.
Plural S may be indicated by the S-dot, books bc.
(This is a contraction of the S-circle as used at Professional level.)
(The S-circle occurs in the Roman hand-script script letter ‘S’ )
bc. rsc. lm. lg. mv. sc. wc.
books risks limbs legs moves socks weeks
The S-dot is used as convenient, to indicate a final ‘s’ sound in verbs (present tense);
beats fights dates gives meets packs sits
The S-dot is used particularly with Quick Forms and contracted (abbreviated) words.
things accidents .
At Basic level a normal script letter ‘s’ may be written at any time; this is familiar and quick to
write.
However, the S-circle is preferred with the core letters, D, T, Th, N, in the middle or at the end of a
word.
debts sets sense dance dances
At Professional level the S-circle is used generally.
does gives meets seems tests wastes
beats fights dates gains meets packs sits
2.8 The double ‘ses’ sound is indicated by writing a disjoined S,
system consist resist basis bases crisis crises
assist assisted associated cessation sister systemic
system consist resist basis bases crisis crises
The disjoined ‘s’ may be written with an initial letter or combined with a following letter.
………… [as T rs TD cs TD ]
assist assisted resisted consisted
The S-circle is written inside the curve of an adjacent letter.
When written outside a curve it indicates a separate word, ‘is’.
sit it-is it-is-not is-it
Writing PT
When writing P with a full T, indicating an intervening long vowel, a slight pressure on the
downward P followed with a lighter T can make an easy join.
This can also be used with upward R + N.
(Return to CONTENTS page)
3. Vowels
3.1 Indicating vowels
Most often vowels are omitted in the body of a word where the context of the sentence provides
the meaning.
When needed a simple system of vowel indicators is used; these are common to both levels.
Each indicator also represents a very frequently occurring word (Quick Forms).
This is a particular feature of Troab which contributes to fast writing speeds.
The vowel indicators are;
a e i o oo u
and, at the I, in of on you
These are used as follows;
To indicate an initial or final vowel; the indicator may be joined or disjoined as convenient.
A final sounded vowel indicator is written on the line and close to the final consonant of the
word.
age egg open pay see go guy
Medial vowels
To clarify a vowel within the body of the word:
Short vowels – indicator is written ABOVE the outline,
Long vowels – indicator is written BELOW the outline,
man men bet beat whip wipe rot wrote
din dine man main men mean win wine
A long vowel may also be indicated by writing an omissible letter, L or R, or writing a
vowel indicator.
… f … fl C ca ´fer
fill fail car care inferior
feel fail car care inferior
When used in the body of a word the indicators are written,
ABOVE the word to indicate a SHORT vowel sound,
BELOW the word to indicate a LONG vowel sound.
3.2 The double ‘OO’ is also used as an alternative form for ‘O’, particularly with N;
When written sideways it represents ‘who, whom’. The context provides the meaning.
own know who, whom
Writing a vowel followed by ‘S’
Although most medial vowels are omitted in words written in the context of a sentence it is
sometimes useful to insert a vowel indicator to aid reading.
case these those nice fuse
There is a simple way to do this with a following ‘S-circle’.
Write the S on to the consonant and follow through the S-circle by the relevant vowel indicator.
This is only used for a long vowel; it is fast to write and can be a distinctive help in reading back.
case these those nice fuse
3.3 The sound of AW Double vowels
AW is represented by a modified letter ‘o’ (combination of the vowel indicators OO + U).
This is a combination of the vowel indicators for O and U.
This vowel indicator is written within the body of a word, but it is usually omitted in words that
are written in the context of a sentence.
ought bought caught taught
saw * awesome awful jaw law paw
* The S-dot is normally written but a joined S-circle may be used if preferred to avoid a pen-lift.
The AW indicator may be omitted in familiar words when written
in the context of a sentence.
bought caught saw taught awesome awful
daughter bought * caught taught
* The full T, not the T-hook is used here to indicate the long vowel.
In familiar words the A-indicator may be written to indicate initial AW when written
in the context of a sentence; it may be disjoined.
August audit awful awesome
3.4 The diphthongs are,
OI y OW o
OI OW o
OI is written as ‘y’ at Basic level,
boy toy foyer annoy destroy destroyer
At Professional level OI is written as a combined AW + E,
OI
coin boy annoy noise oil
employ employment employee employer unemployed
Very often the OI indicator may be omitted in frequently occurring words written in the
context of a sentence.
j– ( jy– ) c– (cy– ) –s ( –ys )
join coin noise
join noise foil boil choice poise soil
3.5 The Diphthong OW
The sound of OW is indicated by using the script vowel letter ‘o’.
cow now out outcome outfit outline output
out about allow bow cow frown
doubt down now round town
outfit outcome output outline outlet
about allow round out outline outlet
The S-circle needs to be distinguished from the script letter ‘o’.
is best has nice decent dust
our, hour power flower, flour tower showered
At Basic level OW may be doubled in size to indicate a following R.
O pO f O
O zO
our, hour power flower, flour tower showered
3.6 Indicating double vowels
OW is not doubled in size at Professional level, so a following sound of R
is indicated by writing R.
The S-circle is written rather less than half the size of a script letter ‘o’.
Double vowels
Occasionally two vowels follow each other and are sounded separately without forming a
diphthong, e.g. radio, create.
When two sounded vowels follow each other without forming a diphthong,
the stressed vowel can be written and the unstressed vowel omitted.
diet poem riot science
diet poem riot science
When it is helpful to indicate a double vowel specifically, a combination vowel
indicator is used (EI written in the form of a small ‘v’)
area idea create diet
area idea create ruin
[
area idea create appreciate ]
This may be inverted where it may be more appropriate or makes an easier join.
Often a single vowel indicator is sufficient;
deviate diet ruin science séance
3.7 Double vowel with R. When R follows a double vowel the ‘r is written following common abbreviation practice and the
double vowel indicator is omitted.
senior (snr) junior (jnr) superior inferior
senior (snr) junior (jnr) superior inferior
You will find that diphthongs can often be omitted in the body of a word written in the context
of a sentence.
hs ms sps Bs
house mouse spouse browse
join coin noise choice
point appointed counted discounted
browse found house loud mouse spouse
choice coin join noise point appointed
count counted discounted mounted
Do not make so much noise. Come and join the crowd.
The little boy made a loud noise.
3.8 Double vowel with ‘S’
Where a double vowel sound is followed by S, as in ‘-ious’, ‘uous’, it is contracted to writing only
the ‘s’ (Say the word when writing it.).
cus fus ses vas
curious furious serious various
devious impervious impetuous previous
curious devious furious serious various
impervious impetuous previous
The ‘shus’ ending – ‘ious’
In some words the vowel combination ‘-ious’ is pronounced as ‘shus’; this may be spelled
variously as ‘-cious’, ‘-tious’ or ‘-xious’; this occurs in such words as delicious, ambitious and
anxious.
The syllable ‘-ious’ pronounced as ‘shus’, is written as it sounds – ‘zs’ (SHs).
anxious conscious gracious precious
At Professional level ‘shus’ is represented as SHS but this is contracted to writing HS.
anxious conscious delicious fictitious officious precious
This may be used by advanced writers of Basic level,
anxious conscious delicious fictitious officious precious
(Return to CONTENTS page)
4. Abbreviation of words
4.1 Writing words and sentences
The first letter of a word is written generally on the line as in normal script writing
At Basic level, when a core letter is included in an outline any following adjacent letter may be
written on to the core letter. Because this method of shorthand is based on normal hand-writing
style it can be adapted to a way of writing that is natural and comfortable to the writer.
bank fence sink sense
At Professional level consonants are joined within words unless a rule requires a disjoin, e.g. the
L-position or ‘double-ses’.
4.2 Familiar words Many words that form everyday speech can be abbreviated simply and intuitively; the following
abbreviations will be recognized as ‘natural’, the sort of short forms that are used when writing
quick notes. All these ‘natural’ abbreviations follow the principles outlined above.
You would have no difficulty reading these short forms when they occur in the context of a
sentence. e.g.
‘Go bc to the beginning’.
‘You have made a bg mistake’.
‘Can you fl the heat’?
‘This hs nothing to do with hs mother’.
‘Do you really lv him’?
‘Why do you always pc on her’?
‘It can be done wl you wait’.
‘The car was a complete rc’.
4.3 Troab Shorthand – Basic principles of abbreviation
The following principles apply at both Basic and Professional levels.
Words are written as they sound applying the following principles.
Use these principles to form words not included in the Word List.
4.3.1 Write the significant sounded letters of a word.
Medial vowels may often be omitted, but include a vowel if needed for clarity.
e.g. wreck r + c ( …… ) cough c + f ( …… )
4.3.2 Write the initial letter of a word (consonant or vowel).
e.g. and a ( …… ) he h ( …… ) ache a + c ( …… )
4.3.3 Write a final sounded vowel.
e.g. say s + a ( ….. s ) party PR + t + e ( …… P )
4.4 Words may be abbreviated to a significant core of letters.
4.4.1 Write the initial stressed syllable of the word.
e.g. possible p + s ( …… ) urgent u + r + j ( …… )
4.4.2 A final letter / syllable / sounded vowel may be added for specificity.
e.g. satisfactory sts + e ( …… ) significantly sgnf + e ( …….. )
4.4.3 ND and NT consonants are blended (without an intervening vowel).
D is blended after N as a clock-wise hook (mend ……. )
T is similarly blended as an anti-clockwise hook (meant …….. )
CT may also be blended ( act …….. )
Writing these combinations without blending indicates an intervening vowel (acute …….)
4.4.4 Write a prefix, or first letter(s) of a root word, or a suffix,
e.g. compromise c (com-) + pr + m ( …… cPms)
administrator a (ad-) + mn + r ( ……. amnr )
contentment c (con-) + tn + -ment ( …….. ctnm )
4.4.5 The R- and L- positions may be combined; the R-rule takes precedence over the L-rule.
e.g. inaugural in- + a + GRL ( ……. G )
agricultural a + GR + c + TRL ( ………. Gc )
4.4.6 Some of the most frequently occurring words (which form almost half of all written
and spoken matter) have special short forms (Quick Forms) following common usage.
and be, by can do for go he, him have
The vowel indicators are also used as Quick Forms,
and the I, in of on you
(Return to CONTENTS page)
5. Quick Forms
Quick Forms are special short contractions based on common usage in abbreviating words much
as you abbreviate such words as –
road rd, amount amt, and avenue ave, in normal writing.
Quick Forms are not arbitrary signs, they are words abbreviated following the general rules of the
Troab method.
Throughout this Tutorial ‘Quick Form’ words are shown in italics and high-lighted in colour.
These most frequently occurring words (Quick Forms) comprise almost half of all written and
spoken matter. These special abbreviations are based on common abbreviation usage using the
first letter of the word or the dominant sound of the letter / word.
c f g h m q w v can, come for go, good he, him me, my quick we, with very
r b x s are be except is
can, come for go, good he, him me, my quick we, with very
are be except is
The vowel indicators are also used as Quick Forms,
a, and (at) the I, in of on you
Such letters can be used for different words where they are different parts of speech; the context of
the sentence will indicate the appropriate meaning.
e.g. ‘She can come with me’, ‘he is with him’, ‘what is that thing’, ‘bigger than’
Some Quick Forms can be written together in frequently occurring groups. Make sure such groups
are distinctive in the writer’s own style of handwriting!
and the of the in the do not I do not it is
(Return to CONTENTS page)
6. The sound of R
The letter R / may be written upwards or downwards; the upward form is most used but
occasionally the downward form can be convenient, e.g. to indicate a preceding long vowel.
The general rule for indicating the sound of R applies at both Basic and Professional levels.
The sound of R is read after a consonant written double-size or in the R-position.
6.1 Indicating R.
At Basic level the sound of R is read after a consonant doubled in size.
Script consonants are written as a capital or upper case letter and the core consonants ( D, T, Th, N)
are doubled in length.
brick, bark crack, cork part dirt train
At Professional level R is read after a consonant doubled in size.
dark dirt north nurse nervous
No distinction is made between consonant and syllable R. The context of the sentence will
indicate which is intended.
6.2 Because a vowel indicator cannot be doubled in size; when R follows a vowel, a normal
(script) lower case letter is written; a following ‘r’ is written (or indicated by a capital letter).
a e ca car (cA) fe pu pur (pU)
air ear care carer fear pure purer
At Professional level the ‘R’ is written with an initial vowel indicator..
air ear ore
A long vowel followed by ‘R’ is indicated by writing the ‘R’ (the general usage is that a long
vowel sound is read after writing an omissible letter).
car care her hire more mere poor pair
THR may be written at a shallow angle to avoid the pen going too far below the line.
mother rather weather there, their thrill threat
The R-position
Downward stroke consonants when doubled are started high to rest on the line,
this is the R-position.
A normal size consonant may be written in the R-position to indicate a following R sound; this
applies to the first consonant of the word except ‘S’.
car card court part far turn
board bread brother car card court dirt
far fork garden grant harder margin more
park part sure turn, train war, were worse
The R-position rule applies to the first sounded consonant of the root word except S.
abort accord accrue afford agree apart assert
Writing SR and VR
At Basic level initial SR is written as a capital letter ‘S’.
Sj Sf S Sl surge surf sorry serial
certain sort surmise sword
And a capital letter ‘V’ is written for ‘v + r’.
ever every verdict virus vary have, very
At Professional level initial SR is written with the S-circle + R; the S may be written clockwise or
counter-clockwise as convenient.
surge certain sort sorry circle serial aerial
VR is always written as ‘v + R’.
vary various verse verdict verge virgin virus
have, very ever every
ever every day everyone everything every time everywhere
everybody
Blended ND and R
Writing the R is preferred after a blended D-hook rather than writing a double-length D.
This is easy and quick to write.
wander sender binder finder thunder
lender tender slander leader
At Basic level the contracted R may be introduced and used at the discretion of the teacher.
wander sender binder finder thunder
lender tender slander leader border
Otherwise a double-size D is written; this may be deepened to make a distinct join with the N.
finder lender sender
A Basic writer aiming for higher speeds my consider using the contracted R ( / ) as a disjoined
‘re-’ prefix,
e.g. re-consider, re-direct, reform, return
Writing PR + V
When PR is followed by V, the double-length P is written on a slant and merged with the V.
prove prevent preview private provide province
approve approval disprove pervade pervasive perversion
provision provisional provoke provocation
At Basic level a capital letter P is written for PR, pre-, pro- .
Pv Pv Pv Pf Pv Pv Pv prevent preview private proof prove provide province
Pvc Pvsv PV PV
provoke pervasive perversion pervert
(Return to CONTENTS page)
7. The sound of L
At Professional level ‘L’ is written in two forms, both are written upwards; these forms are seen
in the familiar script letter L.
L
These curves are derived from the loop of the script letter ‘l’.
The anti-clockwise curve is most frequently used but you may use the form most suitable to your
handwriting style. A more upright curve will avoid any possible confusion with a letter T which is
distinctively written as an horizontal stroke.
land laser last lead less letter
listen live level lunar
Initial SL is always written as SL, not as a subscript S (which would be ‘self- ‘ )
At Basic level the script letter ‘s’ is used at the beginning of a word and also to represent the affix
‘-self’.
said set sun sister myself herself selfish
7.1 Indicating the sound of ‘L’
The sound of L is read after a letter written in a subscript position (the L-position).
bill fill tell couple metal middle trouble
battle canal final legal local tackle
build colder deal field real value well, while
A long vowel L-syllable may be written specifically with a subscript vowel indicator but this
would rarely be necessary for words written in context. Transliteration when reading back notes
will point to the intended meaning.
fail feel file foal fool
… f … read as ‘fl’.
“I fail to see your point”.
“How does she feel now?”
“His record is on file”.
“The mare has a new foal”.
“I feel such a fool now”.
When writing on unlined paper the syllable following the L is written in a superscript position;
this follows the rule and maintains the subscript relationship to indicate the L.
The raised position should not be exaggerated, sufficient to recognize as written above the line.
delicate filter glitter milk novelty skeleton
collaborate delicate milk police silver
It may sometimes be convenient to write the L and avoid a pen-lift; the choice may relate to the
vocabulary of the writer and word frequency.
analysis disallow dismal femoral final normal
Note: The L-rule is applied to the first letter of the root of the word, and a prefix or an initial
vowel indicator is disregarded.
(This is consistent with the practice of using the R-position.)
complacent complaint complicated explain inflation inflict
apply application effluent include preclude
deflect derelict display familiar
satellite turbulent
7.2 The ‘l’ may be written to indicate an intervening long vowel.
(This is the consistent practice of writing an omissible letter, R or L, to indicate a preceding long
vowel.)
cl fl ml rl sl wl hl
coal feel mile rule seal while whole
coal feel mile rule seal while whole
Similar outlines can be distinguished by inserting a vowel indicator, but when written in the
context of a sentence this would rarely be necessary.
settle still stale steel stole
well wheel while
An initial LR is indicated by writing a double-length ‘L’. This may be used as convenient at the
end of a word or the ‘L-position + R’ may be used; a significant vowel indicator may be included.
colour clear failure floor large learn lord, lurid
cellar, seller whaler
taller tailor failure
trail trillion
When writing an initial letter in the L-position a following LR is indicated by ‘R’ (the subscript
position indicates the sound of ‘L’).
colour clear failure floor gallery hilarious pillar
The R-rule takes precedence over L; note these examples.
pearl parlour Parliament peril poorly preliminary prelude
pearl parlour Parliament peril poorly preliminary prelude
(Return to CONTENTS page)
8. Prefixes
8.1 Common prefixes are given distinctive short forms;
These are intuitive forms and relate to common usage.
The prefixes ‘con-’, ‘com-’ and ‘can-’, ‘coun-’
‘con-’, ‘com-’; these are both represented by the letter ‘c’
concern concert comfort combine
concern concert comfort combine
‘can-‘ ‘coun-’ written as cN,
cancer candid counter counterfeit country
cancer candid candidate
The prefixes ‘en-’, ‘in-’, ‘-un-’.
The prefix ‘en-‘ is indicated by ‘N’ (Say it, write it.)
The prefix ‘in-’ is contracted to ‘i’ (the Quick Form for ‘in’)
The prefix ‘un-’ may be written in full as ‘UN’ or abbreviated to ‘u’.
enough end enemy enquiry enter enable
‘en-’ contracted N;
end energy engage entail enter
end energy engage entail enter
‘in-’ represented by the I-indicator (in),
incident inform incapable include incoming incorrect innovate
The I-indicator may be written upwards or downwards as convenient.
Before D or N it is written downwards.
indeed indecent index indict industry induce indoors
indicate indirect indignant indefinite indiscretion indulge
The I-indicator is written as the Quick Form for ‘in’; it is also used as
the prefix ‘in-‘.
inaccurate inadequate inept initial initiative inoculate
inadvisable inappropriate inundate
Before T, the I-indicator representing ‘in’ is written upwards.
intend intent interest internal intake
interrogate interpret introduction interval
interview internal interfere intruder
Quick Forms
individual information inconvenient
The prefix ‘un-’
unpaid unpack unrest unreal
unlike unnecessary unsafe unsure
unable unconscious uncover unearth uneconomic
unofficial unusual unbeaten unjust unless
The prefix ‘un-’ is usually written in full but may be contracted to the U-indicator.
unknown unpaid unpack unrest unreal
untrue unwanted unwell unlike unnecessary
undecided unfair unfit ungrateful
unmask unqualified unsafe unsure
unit unison universe university union
Quick Forms
indifferent industry industrial
The prefix ‘ex-’
‘ex-’ at Basic level this prefix is written as ‘x’.
at Professional level it is written as ES ; this is a contraction of ECS, (pronounced as ‘ecks’).
The script letter ‘x’ is formed by an initial downward stroke followed by the upward stroke.
When written as a superscript it indicates ‘extra-’ ;
examine expert, export express external exercise * exempt
excel excellent executive excuse exist exact explosion
expect excited expense explanation explosion
But when the U-vowel sound is LONG the full UN is always written.
* If this word is used frequently it may be written as a Quick Form.
exercise
Quick Forms
extra extraordinary
‘extra’ is written as a superscript ‘x’ or a capital letter ‘X’.
extra extra time extra value
These phrases may be written in full or as Quick Forms.
extra time extra value extra-time extra-value
Prefixes ‘imm-’, ‘em-’.
The E-indicator may be added for clarity if required to indicate ‘em-’ specifically.
immense import imagination imitate immerse empty
embarrass embassy emblem emergency emigration
Useful Prefixes
antibiotic anti-social anti-abortion anti-freeze
‘anti-’ is expressed by AN joined to the following letter.
The prefixes ‘imm-’ and ‘em-’ are both represented by M.
ante-natal antecedent ante-dated ante-room
circumference circumspect circumvent circumnavigate
But note how the Quick Form ‘circumstance’ and its derivatives are written.
circumstance circumstances circumstantial
At Basic level ‘SR’ is written as a capital letter ‘S’.
circumstance circumstances circumstantial
electric electrical electricity electromagnetic
At Basic level ‘electric’ is written as a superscript ‘Ec’
‘ante-’ is expressed specifically by a disjoined AN.
‘circum-’ is expressed as a disjoined SR.
‘electr-’ is expressed by a superscript L.
This is used in the related combination words.
electric electrical electricity electromagnetic
grandstand grandson grandmother granddaughter
grandstand grandson grandmother granddaughter
Writing this prefix in the R-position may be preferred.
grandstand grandson grandmother granddaughter
multi-lateral multi-purpose multi-storey
multi-lateral multi-purpose multi-storey
polyester polygamy polygon polymer polyunsaturated
'grand-' is expressed by writing GRN.
Because the final D is only lightly sounded it may be omitted.
‘multi-’ is expressed as a disjoined subscript M written through the line.
‘poly-’ is expressed as a disjoined subscript P.
polyester polygamy polygon polymer polyunsaturated
semi-final semi-darkness semi-detached semi-circle
semi-final semi-darkness semi-detached semi-circle
submit subdue subtract subvert
submit subdue subtract subvert
super, superintendent superintend* supermarket superficial
super, superintendent superintend* supermarket superficial
* In the context of a sentence the short form ‘SU’ can represent ‘super, superintend,
superintendent’.
‘semi-’ in compound words is written as a disjoined SM.
‘super-’ is indicated by writing a disjoined SU.
‘sub-’ is normally written in full.
( it may also be indicated by writing a disjoined S-dot.)
transaction transfer translation transmit transport
transaction transfer translation transmit transport
(Return to CONTENTS page)
9. Suffixes
Commonly occurring suffixes are treated similarly at Basic and Professional levels.
9.1 Frequent word endings have distinctive short forms.
(At Basic level these may be written in their Professional level forms if preferred.)
‘-ly’ is indicated by a disjoined E-vowel indicator using the L-principle;
barely mainly poorly fairly quickly sadly timely
barely mainly poorly fairly quickly sadly timely
‘-ment’ is represented by m (usually disjoined and may be written slightly smaller);
comment compliment detriment document experiment
comment compliment document experiment implement statement
‘-mental’ , the ‘m’ is written in the L-position.
detrimental experimental regimental sentimental
‘trans-’ is indicated by writing TRS.
detrimental experimental regimental sentimental
‘-ng’, is indicated by a small g ;
among belong hang rang, wrong single song thong
among belong hang rang, wrong single song thong
‘-ing’ is indicated specifically by a disjoined I-indicator ;
being caring coming doing going meeting waiting
being caring coming doing going meeting waiting
‘-less’ is indicated by a superscript s (Circle-S may be used at Basic level.)
ca fe hm r s [ S-circle]
careless fearless homeless ruthless senseless thoughtless
careless fearless homeless ruthless senseless thoughtless
The ‘shun’ ending
The word ending pronounced as ‘shun’ is spelled variously as ‘-tion’, ‘-sion’, ‘-cian’.
The ‘shun’ ending is indicated by writing a disjoined N (shun-N).
action affection condition animation edition destruction
fashion mention mission motion section sensation vision
fiction friction mention nation passion session
musician ocean oceanic optician physician
fiction friction mention nation passion session tension
musician ocean oceanic optician physician
Sometimes it can be helpful to insert a vowel in order to differentiate between similar ‘shun’
endings; when written in the context of a sentence this is rarely necessary.
The indicator may be written on to the preceding consonant or on to the ‘shun-N’ as convenient.
addition commission demolition desolation fusion motion
munitions rendition solution
addition commission collusion desolation formation fusion
motion munitions rendition solution
mention motion mission edition quotation fashion nation
action vision faction section affection sensation volition
animation rendition condition destruction demolition sedition
Double ‘ses’ with ‘shun’
When a double ‘ses’ is followed by ‘-sion’, the ‘disjoined S’ is blended with the shun-N.
accession concession obsession possession procession recession
accession concession obsession possession procession recession
But otherwise ‘-sion’ is indicated normally by a disjoined Shun-N.
depression digression compression session
When L follows the ‘shun’ ending the shun-N is written in the L-position below the line.
conditional congressional national occasional operational rational
conditional congressional national occasional operational rational
In the adverbial forms of these words the E-indicator, representing ‘–ly’, is written on to a
subscript Shun-N.
nationally rationally occasionally conditionally traditionally
nationally rationally occasionally conditionally traditionally
The shun-N is doubled in the usual way to indicate a following sound of R.
pensioner petitioner practitioner
pensioner petitioner practitioner questioner
‘shunt’ (-cient) is written as the shun-N + T-hook ;
ancient deficient efficient impatient patient sufficient
ancient deficient efficient impatient patient sufficient
‘shul’ (-cial) is written as SH (z) through the line ;
essential financial martial official partial social special
At Professional level SH may be written in its contracted form, H, in the L-position. The full
form S + H may be written but the shorter form is simple, fast and distinctive.
essential financial martial official partial social special
‘shus’ ( -ious) is written as SH (z+S) (S-circle may be used) ;
anxious conscious delicious fictitious officious precious
The contracted form, H + S-circle, may be used.
anxious conscious delicious fictitious officious precious
anxious conscious delicious fictitious officious precious
(An alternative is to write the ‘shus’ syllable as U + S-circle.
anxious conscious delicious gracious precious
‘-tive’ is represented by v ;
active festive motive native negative positive relative
active festive motive native negative positive relative
9.2 Additional optional suffixes may be used;
‘-ality, -ility’ - disjoined TE using the L-position ;
finality mentality personality quality senility
Some writers prefer to write a small ‘l’ to represent this suffix.
finality mentality mobility personality quality senility
‘-bility’ - disjoined subscript bE ;
ability capability credibility disability reliability sensibility
ability capability credibility disability reliability sensibility
‘-ology’ - disjoined superscript j ;
‘-ology’ is indicated by a disjoined J
‘-ologist’ by JS
‘-ological’, by JC written as a subscript (through the line).
apology archeology biology chronology cosmology
apology archaeology biology chronology cosmology neurology
meteorology palaeontology speleology vinology vulcanology
geologist zoologist biologist pathologist
geologist zoologist biologist pathologist
biological pathological psychological
biological pathological psychological
‘-ship’, disjoined SH
championship flagship hardship membership partnership censorship
championship flagship hardship membership partnership censorship
‘-ward’, ‘-word’, ‘-wide’, are all indicated by writing a small disjoined ‘w’.
awkward backward downward forward inward outward upward
backward downward forward inward outward upward
‘graph’, is indicated by a disjoined ‘g’; associated word endings add an indicative final letter.
monograph paragraph photograph polygraph
monograph paragraph photograph polygraph
autograph holograph lithograph calligraphy telegraph
‘-graphy’, by GE
geography calligraphy photography
geography calligraphy photography
‘-graphic’, by GC , ‘-graphical’ by GC written as a subscript (through the line) and
‘-gram’, is indicated by GR.
geographic biographical geographical
geographic biographical geographical telegram
‘hood’, is expressed as a disjoined H.
adulthood childhood brotherhood fatherhood motherhood
adulthood childhood brotherhood fatherhood motherhood
‘-ification’, is indicated by writing a disjoined F.
classification specification modification notification qualification
classification specification modification notification qualification
(Return to CONTENTS page)
10. Writing faster
At completion of a Basic level course, if all the practice work has been done, most writers will
have more than doubled their normal hand-writing speed and this will be adequate for general
note-taking use.
Increased writing speed may be achieved,
by incorporating some of the elements of the Professional level, or
by moving fully to the Professional level.
Progression either way is easy as the abbreviation rules are common and only the Professional
level consonant letters need be adopted.
As familiarity increases with use the student’s vocabulary may be extended; long words may be
abbreviated when written in context following common writing usage.
impos(sible) unan(imous) certif(icate) approx(imate) partic(ular)
Adopting selected consonants
W and M are most likely to be used first as they can be simply modified into single curves.
The S-circle may already be in use with the core consonants and this can be extended for use with
contracted M and W.
For general note-taking it is recommended that a normal script ‘s’ continues to be used at the
beginning of a word at Alpha-level; this comes readily to mind.
A contracted letter H may be used for writing the Quick Forms for ‘he’ and ‘him’, and as a double-
size letter for ‘her’.
This may also be used to indicate the ‘shul’ word ending.
h HR m MR w WR s
dense dust was has, his miss master
artificial credential essential financial influential initial official
partial potential social substantial residential unofficial
Higher writing speeds can be achieved by moving on to the full T-Script Professional level.
The same abbreviation rules apply but all consonants are written in their contracted forms.
[ Examples of combined levels ] casual content [tn] climate
(Return to CONTENTS page)
11. Teaching Troab Basic (Alpha) level
Why take notes?
In education the act of making notes is itself part of the learning and understanding process.
In the office and every-day life we make notes as a record and basis for future action.
Professional note-takers write a verbatim record to edit for further
action.
The skills of note-taking are valuable in all learning and communication.
Basic level Troab is suitable for self-study from the available courses or textbooks.
A teacher can make learning exciting and more effective; always giving example words that are
relevant to the students.
Once the students have mastered the few abbreviation rules they will be ready to use some of the
contracted consonants, such as H, W and M. The Troab teacher can advise and guide the student’s
writing development.
By judicious combination of consonants and vowel indicators higher speeds can be achieved (more
than doubling the normal hand-writing speed).
Purpose of note-taking
High writing speeds are not a primary objective for many Basic level students; for many it will be
sufficient to double their normal writing speed in order to make occasional notes in class or the
office.
“Tell me, I forget,
Show me, I remember,
Involve me and I understand”.
Writing notes from speech involves you in what is being said.
The emphasis is on making quick notes that are instantly and easily readable and using the four
basic core consonants in their contracted forms will be adequate.
One relevant factor to consider will be the writer’s own hand-writing and ways of writing specific
letters, e.g. ‘f’, ‘h’ and ‘r’. The Troab teacher can give advice on simplifying letter formation.
The fundamental issue in learning and writing Basic level notes may be the ease of learning and
the amount of time the student is prepared to devote to acquiring a new skill. There is also the
factor of the student’s facility in hand-writing; the ubiquitous use of electronic writing devices
detracts from conventional writing with pen and paper.
Hand-writing notes is a valuable and effective skill for learning and assimilating new information
and using the Troab method is a particularly simple way of ‘data intake’.
[example sentences]
Alpha Keyboard
Some note-takers may be attracted to the use of Alpha-Keyboard, perhaps as a step-up from
texting on a mobile phone, but the advantages also bring some disadvantages.
Writing with pen on paper is the most versatile and productive way of learning with note-taking.
All learning requires motivation and effort; using the pen-paper method is particularly effective.
Basic shorthand, Alpha script speedwriting, is written using pen or pencil, but it can also be
written on a QWERTY keyboard using the Alpha Keyboard version.
The abbreviation rules are common throughout and using them consistently avoids ‘on-the-fly’
shortcuts which can present difficulties when reading back notes.
Normal letters are keyed instead of the contracted letters. The principal amendments will be;
Instead of using upper case letters ‘r’ is keyed; prefer prfr drug-dealer drg dlr
The letter ‘l’ is keyed; fill fl killer clr deliberate dlbrt
A vowel letter is keyed instead of an indicator, usually for long vowels, meet met
Prefixes and suffixes may be identified by inserting a hyphen;
concert c-srt apology ap-j
Summary of differences
The differences in Alpha Keyboard are that all letters, consonants and vowels, are created by a
single key-stroke;
debt dt done dn tide td tent tnt need nd nest nst
aim am pay pa east est see se know no knew nu
check jc cheap jp catch cj much mj shop zp wish wz
TH is keyed in full,
that, than th this ths them thm both bth north nrth south sth
The R rule
The sound of R is indicated by keying ‘r’; this is faster that using the shift key to key a capital
letter.
dirt drt turn trn certain srtn arm arm earth erth
report rprt certain srtn conservation csrv-n prepare prpa carer car dearer der
Writing L
The letter ‘l’ is always keyed.
ball bl kill cl file fl mail ml female fml colour clr learn lrn (len) large lrj
film flm flare fla clear cle field fld metal mtl explanation xpln-n delicate dlct
Double vowels
Double vowels are usually keyed in full.
area area idea idea riot riot
Prefixes and Suffixes
Generally the rules of Alpha level apply to writing prefixes and suffixes but an optional hyphen
may be added as a specific indicator of a prefix or suffix.
classification cls-f quality q-l apology ap-j himself h-s herself hr-s itself t-s
ourselves or-s mention mn-n nation n-n action ac-n condition cd-n over there o-thr
under-the u-e under this u-ths electrical el-cl counter cn-tr
element el-m detriment dtr-m detrimental dtr-ml preview prvu
But for the common affixes this is not necessary.
special spzl precious przs positive psv negative ngv
transform trsfm transmit trsmt excellent xlnt
Quick Forms
The Quick Forms follow the Alpha level rules.
are r be b the e do d can c no, not n that th
he, him h she z it, to t we, with w without wo
‘Pen Keyboard’
The ‘Keyboard’ approach may be applied to writing notes with pen and paper. Familiar script
letters are used instead of the contracted forms of the core consonants.
Because the few simple rules of Basic Shorthand are common throughout the T-Script system,
personal notes can be written as ‘Pen Keyboard’ using a pen instead of a keyboard. This eliminates
the need to learn the contracted core letters, D, T, N, TH and the vowel indicators; familiar script
letters are used instead.
However, writing the core letters will greatly increase writing speed; in particular, using them and
the vowel indicators as Quick Forms.
The following ‘Keyboard’ sentences are written as illustrations; you will find they are easily read.
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party.
no s e ti f al gd mn t c t e ad o e prte.
I would like to apply for the post of club secretary.
i wd li t apli f e pst o clb scrtry
It is a political issue which must be resolved quickly.
t s a pltcl isu j mst b rslvd qe.
It is not possible to tell one from the other.
t s n psbl t tl wn fm e othr.
There is no possibility at this moment that any other reason should be considered.
thr s n psbe a ths mm th ane othr rsn zd be csdrd.
Every time you say that sort of thing I begin to worry.
evr tim u sa tht srt o thg I bgn to wre.
We were not certain that you had read the letter which was sent to you yesterday.
w wr n srtn tht u hd rd e ltr wj ws snt t u ysd.
Someday, someone, somewhere will discover the truth of what happened here.
smd, smn, sma, l dscvr e trth o wt hpnd he.
What is your position on the issue of global warming?
wt s ur psn on glbl wrmg ?
(Return to CONTENTS page)
12. Teaching Troab Professional level
Shorthand with a difference
Troab is uniquely different from other methods of shorthand in its two level approach.
However, Troab Professional level may be compared with other shorthand systems, e.g. Teeline,
Gregg and Pitman. The differences are that Troab is simpler with fewer rules and can be learned in
less time.
The simplicity in its design has resulted in a smaller shorthand word footprint; this is a measure of
writing speed illustrating that Troab is faster to write.
This difference has been explored and demonstrated in several presentations;
Salient features of Troab and Teeline compared,
A comparison of the Troab and Teeline shorthand methods.
An overview of Troab shorthand presents a summary of the rules of the system.
The simplicity and high writing speed potential makes Troab particularly attractive to a range of
professional note-takers;
In the world of business and management notes are taken at meetings at all levels for decision-
making and action.
Wherever decisions are being made they need to be recorded; writing with pen and paper is the
most versatile and effective method of note-taking.
Throughout the office and in the Board-Room note-taking is needed.
[Quote:] “The higher you go in an organization the more shorthand is needed”.
Professional note-takers include journalists, reporters and professional personal assistants at
senior level in all subject fields including medicine and the law.
Teaching Troab
Seminar-workshops introducing Basic Troab can be effective and profitable. These may be held
in-house with an organisation or company or as independent presentations.
Promotional sessions may address medium sized groups but teaching sessions are best taught with
small groups of around 10-12 participants; this enables maximum participation of all present.
Short introductory sessions can be held as single-day workshops but a full teaching course may
require up to twenty hours presented in 90 minute sessions.
These teaching sessions may be based on the printed textbook, “Simply Fast” or one of the courses
available as a digital download may be used. Each teacher can use these as a foundation on which
to build their own personalised presentation.
This Teacher’s Tutorial can then provide a reference guide to the abbreviation and writing rules
when preparing the lessons.
The sequence of teaching the elements of Troab is a tried and tested basis upon which to build.
(Return to CONTENTS page, Teacher’s Tutorial)
--------------------
Summary of salient features compared, Troab & Teeline
Troab (T-Script) Teeline
1. Consonant design; T and D
2. Writing TH
3. Writing N
4. Indicating R
5. Writing L
6. Short forms for common words
7. The Word Footprint; average number of pen-strokes to form a shorthand word outline;
Troab 2.0 Teeline 2.6
e.g. 400 word text, Troab, 400 x 2.0 = 800 pen strokes.
Teeline, 400 x 2.6 = 1040
(the difference of 240 pen strokes approximates to writing 100 words)
bill
tell
kill
policy
global
bar
writer
there
prove
proof
the
thing, everything
is
little
N
win
when
T, D
to-do
TH
that
this, this is
--------------------
Comparisons, Troab shorthand and Teeline
The Troab (T-Script) Professional level shorthand method may be compared with Teeline.
Comparative features may be summarized as,
Troab is simpler than Teeline, and has fewer rules. This makes it easier to learn in less
time.
Troab has a smaller shorthand-word footprint and is faster to write than Teeline.
The following sentences illustrate such differences. When written in Troab fewer pen movements
are needed than in the Teeline version.
“I do not need to tell you that this is a matter of national security”.
“You will have to do better than that if you want the public to believe in you again”.
1. Principles of word abbreviation
The fundamental principles of abbreviation are different; Troab writes words as they sound
(phonographic), and Teeline abbreviates words by their spelling (orthographic).
Troab writes the dominant sound of the word using the ‘OO’ vowel indicator (written on its side).
Teeline follows the spelling of the word, WHO.
Troab writes the sounds N + U. Teeline follows the full spelling of the word, NEW.
Troab writes the E-vowel indicator (the dominant sound). Teeline follows the spelling of the word.
(The definite article ‘the’ is the most frequently occurring word in the English language.)
2. Consonant design
Both systems derive their consonant symbols from familiar Roman script letters.
Teeline follows conventional handwriting style by writing G, J, P and Q through the line.
G, J, P, Q
‘who’
‘new’
24 pen
movements
31 pen
movements
25 pen
movements
40 pen
movements
‘the’
T-Script
Teeline
2.1 The Core Consonants, D, T, N. Troab recognises the most frequently occurring letter sounds as R and L, D and T, S and N (based
on the findings of Dutton (1916) that these are the most significant letters for shorthand systems
design). Troab regards D, T and N as ‘core letters’ and gives special attention to the sounds of R
and L. Teeline does not distinguish specific ‘core letters’ as such.
Troab writes the related consonants D, T, as distinctive complementary curves; D, the heavier
sound curves down and T, the lighter sound, curves upwards.
Teeline uses the same sign for both D and T, differentiating them only by position of writing; D is
written on the line and T is written above the line.
Troab writes N as a progressive horizontal stroke.
Teeline writes a distinctive truncated script letter ‘n’. This two-directional letter often needs to be
modified to join with other consonants, e.g. CN, DN, ON, TN, TCN, WN, NTh, NV, NW, and
NCh.
Troab writes N consistently without distortion.
2.2 TH
Troab represents ‘TH’ by writing ‘T’ obliquely downwards as a single stroke. (CH is similarly
formed with a slanted H.) Teeline writes T and H with separate strokes; the T is written in the T-
position and the H rests on the line.
Troab writes the frequently occurring word ‘that’ as a Quick Form.
Teeline follows the spelling of the word, THT.
2.3 CH
Troab represents CH by writing H slanted obliquely (echoing TH).
Teeline writes CH in full as C + H. (For some words in Teeline the H is omitted and the C is
suspended to indicate the missing H.)
3. The sound of R
Troab indicates the sound of R by writing a double-size consonant or one written in the raised R-
position. Teeline indicates R variously as a double-size letter, intersection, juxtaposition and a
blended THR (but not initially).
4. The sound of L
Troab writes L upwards (the initial stroke of a script letter L); the sound of L is read consistently
after a letter written in a subscript position – the L-position.
Teeline writes a letter L downwards, sometimes modified but also with an alternative upward form
(there is an additional advanced technique for writing PL)
L
listen place
5. Special or Quick Forms
Troab Quick Forms are created using the dominant sound or the first letter of the word; they may
be combined in compound words or word groups.
Frequently occurring phrases
6. The Word Footprint.
Shorter word outlines in Troab result in a smaller word footprint; this term indicates the number of
pen movements required to write an average shorthand word outline (a measurement of writing
effort).
The word footprint is calculated by counting the number of pen movements required to write each
shorthand word in a text passage and then dividing this total by the number of words in the
passage.
The word footprint figure for Teeline is calculated at 2.6, and for Troab (T-Script), 2.0.
(A large number of varied texts was used to arrive at these footprint figures.)
The difference between these two quotients is due partly to the design of the consonants and partly
to the different principles of abbreviation. These differences are illustrated in the example words
given above.
Thus a 400 word text passage written in Teeline requires 1040 pen movements (400 x 2.6).
The same passage written in Troab will require 800 pen movements (400 x 2.0).
The difference of 240 pen movements equates to some 100 words.
The simpler forms and rules applied in Troab result in a shorthand method that is simpler than
Teeline and is also faster to write.
(A dictation passage written by a Teeline writer at 100 words a minute would be written in
Troab effectively at an equivalent rate of 75 words a minute.)
7. The multi-level method.
Troab is more than a professional shorthand system and has a wide application in note-taking. The
Troab integrated shorthand method can be written at two levels to meet different user needs –
Professional level for verbatim reporting and Alpha (or Basic) level for general note-taking. The
differences illustrated above compare Teeline shorthand with the Troab Professional level; the
following examples include Alpha (Basic) level sentences for comparison.
The Troab Alpha level is a method of speed-writing; it is written using familiar script letters
except for the core letters, D, T, N, S, which are always written in the forms used at Professional
level. These core letters occur so frequently that writing speed is significantly increased. The six
vowel indicators are common to both levels and are used for clarification when needed; they are
also used as Quick Forms and contribute to high writing speed with a minimum of learning. The
few abbreviation rules are common to both levels.
The Alpha-Keyboard version is written using a standard QWERTY keyboard.
The two-level approach is a significant difference of usage to Teeline and extends the potential use
of the Troab shorthand method to a wide range of general note-takers in the office or classroom.
Alpha level is ‘basic shorthand’ and the simple theory can be acquired in a few hours. Writers can
easily move on to the Professional level shorthand if they have the need to write verbatim
shorthand at speeds faster than 100 words a minute.
The two levels of Troab (T-Script) are compared with Teeline in the following sentences.
The number of pen strokes used in each sentence are shown.
Note, at Alpha level the writer’s own familiar script letters are used together with the contracted
forms of D, T and N and the vowel indicators.
“I do not need to tell you that this is a matter of national security”.
“You will have to do better than that if you want the public to believe in you again”.
“We did not know about the terrorist threat until we heard the news bulletin”.
“I can do nothing about these things you have mentioned until we get verification of the facts”.
“The new guidelines will be presented to the committee at their next meeting”.
Summary.
The differences illustrated above between Teeline and Troab Professional may be summarized as,
Troab has a simpler structure than Teeline resulting in shorter and distinctive word
outlines.
Troab has fewer rules than Teeline and these are consistently applied.
Troab is faster to write than Teeline.
Troab words are particularly easy and fast to read.
Troab was designed as a shorthand system building on many years of early shorthand system
design. Teeline was created as a method of fast writing using an alphabet of streamlined script
letters and later ‘discovered’ to be a shorthand method. ( I.C.Hill, ‘How Teeline began’, in
Handbook for Teeline Teachers, p.1 (1983).)
This sentence encapsulates the principal features of the Troab shorthand method;
(24 pen movements)
(32)
(32)
(25 pen movements)
(40)
(39)
(29 pen movements)
(43)
(38)
(35 pen movements)
(52)
(45)
(30 pen
movements)
(38)
(39)
T-Script
Teeline
T-Script
Teeline
Alpha
T-Script
Teeline
Alpha
T-Script
Teeline
Alpha
T-Script
Teeline
Alpha
“It is said everyone knows that the car can kill”.
Troab
Teeline
----------------
Troab Script Shorthand – an overview
Troab-Script shorthand is a simple, integrated method of shorthand that can be written at two
levels,
Professional level, for high speed verbatim note-taking (over 100 words a minute),
Alpha level, for general note-taking.
A common core of abbreviation rules applies at both levels, enabling easy progression from Alpha
to Professional level if note-taking needs change.
1. Professional level
Consonants are written in the form of contracted Roman script letters the first letter of a word
rests on the line.
B C D F G H J L M
N P Q R S T V W Z
The core consonants (common to both levels) are
D T N
do it, to no, not
The paired consonants are;
CH SH TH QU which she that quick
( CH - H written on a slant, SH - S + H, TH - T written on a slant. )
Vowel indicators, (diacritics used as needed)
A E I O OO U
Vowel indicators are used to specify a vowel within the body of the word when needed.
(Rarely needed for words written in the context of a sentence.)
Short vowels – indicators are written ABOVE the outline,
Long vowels – indicators are written BELOW the outline,
15 pen movements
28 pen
movements
The vowel indicators are also used as Quick Forms,
and the I of on you
The vowel indicators are common to both levels.
2. Basic (Alpha) level
The writer’s own familiar script letters are used, (b, c, f, g, h, j, l, m, p, q, r, s, v, w, x, y, z),
but the core consonants are always written in their contracted forms,
D T N
do it, to no, not
The paired consonants used at Basic level are,
j z q
CH SH QU TH (‘T’ written obliquely downwards)
The contracted circle-S may be used at Basic level with the core consonants, D, T, N, Th.
The vowel indicators are common to both levels.
3. Primary abbreviation rules (both levels).
1. Write the significant sounded consonants of a word.
2. The sound of R is read after a consonant written double size.
3. The sound of L is read after a letter written in the subscript position.
General guidance
1. Frequently occurring Prefixes and Suffixes are represented by the dominant letter.
2. ND and NT consonant blends (without an intervening vowel),
D is blended after N as a clock-wise hook,
T is blended after N as an anti-clock-wise hook.
The D-hook may be used with other consonants.
3. A double-S sound, ‘ses’, is indicated by writing a disjoined S.
4. The sound of AW (ought, law) is represented by the combined vowel indicators, O + U.
5. The diphthong OW is represented by the script letter ‘o’.
OI is a combination of the AW + E indicators.
6. Some most frequently occurring words have special short forms (Quick Forms) following
common usage.
7. The plural of Quick Forms and abbreviated words are indicated by the ‘S-dot’ (familiar
period point) as needed.
Shortcuts in note-taking
[ see “Take Note” note-taking skills book ]
Speed writing is all about abbreviation. The few simple rules of Troab enable you to write any
word in a short word outline. However, when writing notes at meetings or in the classroom there
are a number of common usage abbreviations which can be used. These are all likely to be familiar
to you and if they come easily to mind then you can use them in your notes.
Use common usage abbreviations. Vowel indicators may be used as appropriate.
eg. 'for example' cf 'compare' esp ‘especially’
Instead of writing a lengthy sentence, often relationships can be indicated using standard
symbols;
> < =
therefore because more than less than the same as
[ shorthand expressions, therefore because more-than less-than ]
cause and effect (or, act and consequences / results)
Arrow lines, both straight and curved, can be powerful ‘shorthand’ devices in ‘spider’
diagrams. This is a pictorial or visual technique which can save writing words.
? Questions to follow up, ?? a doubtful point.
(In your developed notes from a meeting or classroom notes, these will indicate ‘for
action’, so these can be marked in red.)
If you are using the W5H checklist technique these will be your headings.
! Surprise or ‘May need checking’, so add ?
Curved and square brackets can be used to distinguish between
‘fact’ or ‘certain’ data ( … ), and
‘uncertain’ data or ‘ a fact not established’ [ … ]
This device can be used particularly for dates.
Significant and frequently occurring words (names) may be shortened to a temporary
abbreviation. Sometimes a single letter may suffice. Include a specific marker to identify it as a
special abbreviation, e.g. a short upward slash. This functions like an abbreviation point in
ordinary longhand writing. These will be your personal abbreviations within a particular subject
vocabulary; they should be familiar and make sense to you.
History Government G/ Parliament P/ Henry VIII H8/ Queen Victoria QV/
Geography England E/ Scotland Sc/ Wales W/
Economics Bank of England BE/ Stock Exchange SE/
Medical Diagnosis D/ Prognosis P/ Treatment T/
4. Frequently occurring phrases may be shortened to the first letter of each word. An
abbreviation marker can be added. Point of sale pos/ Where are you? ?ru Over my dead body! omdb/
5. Temporary abbreviations may be used in the course of a particular lecture.
Use a single letter to represent the main topic(s) of the lecture when it re-occurs, e.g. ‘rice’ r/ . If
you are not using speed writing then a normal abbreviation point may be used. Capital letters may
be preferred although lower case letters are usually faster to write.
Resources for Teaching
1. Simply Fast Printed textbook, Professional level
2. Basic Shorthand
3. Courses (digital)
3.1 Professional level (Overview / Synopsis / Courses
3.2 Basic Shorthand (Overview / Synopsis / Courses
3.4 Keyboard (Overview / Synopsis / Courses
4. Word List (15,000 words)
5. Medical (Troab Professional level)
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