While the passages above are great for a single session, you need a constant supply of new material. Here is how to find free content to create your own PDFs:
Before we dive into the resources, let’s understand why the PDF (Portable Document Format) is superior for shorthand dictation practice.
This is where the magic happens. You need two tools:
Paste the text from the PDF into the text reader. Set the speed to your target WPM (e.g., 80 wpm). Now, write your shorthand as the machine reads to you. pdf practice shorthand dictation passages free
A: Absolutely. Copy a BBC News article or a press release into a PDF. However, be aware that modern news lacks the formal sentence structure of traditional dictation passages (which feature lots of "in connection with," "I thank you for your letter of the 15th inst."). Mix both types.
While famous for paid resources, the "Free" section of Teachers Pay Teachers occasionally contains high-quality shorthand dictation worksheets designed by vocational teachers.
Here are reliable sources for free, downloadable shorthand practice passages: While the passages above are great for a
Topic: Office Routine Focus: Common phrases, simple sentence structure, and basic business vocabulary.
Passage Text: The office manager called a brief meeting this morning to discuss the new filing system. It is vital that every member of the staff understands the changes. Please ensure that all old files are placed in the storage room by Friday afternoon. We need to clear the main desks for the new computers that will arrive next week. If you have any questions about the new procedure, please speak to the receptionist immediately. It is important that we maintain a clean and organized workspace for our clients. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Shorthand Study Notes for Passage 1:
Take "Sarah," a legal secretary from Manchester. She struggled to pass her 80 WPM qualification. Her budget was zero. After searching for "pdf practice shorthand dictation passages free," she downloaded 10 vintage Gregg PDFs from Archive.org.
Her method:
Within 3 months, she passed 80 WPM. In 6 months, she reached 110 WPM. Her secret? The free PDFs gave her unlimited, structured content without the pressure of paid courses. Paste the text from the PDF into the text reader