their construction, the illustrative lessons should be repeatedly written, and compared with the copy given, to see that the correct signs and best word forms are used, after which the student will find great assistance in the use of the Reporter's Classic Practice Tablets, which are prepared by the author especially for students of shorthand. In all practice let each character be formed as quickly as possible to the writer's natural power of movement, never dragging the pen, but, having clearly conceived the best word form, let it then be quickly written. Having written and re-written as many of the tablets as the student thinks best, let him then procure the service of some one to read for him, who shall regulate his reading to the ability of the writer, slowly and distinctly at first, increasing in speed as the learner acquires power, until he is able to keep pace with the most rapid reading of various kinds of discourse. Everything written should be read to acquire ability in reading the short-hand characters, which is as essential as rapid writing. The rate of speed requisite to reporting varies with the utterance of the speaker from eighty to two hundred words a minute, the average rate being about one hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty. The writer should frequently time himself, to note his progress in rapidity. Having prepared himself thus, he should try notes of speeches, sermons, etc., as they are uttered, until he finally finds himself capable of legibly recording the thoughts of the most vehement utterer. Dropping into all kinds of assemblies, taking notes of all kinds of discourse, to familiarize himself with reporting in general, the writer will render himself capable for any emergency. Verbatim Reporting.-Accuracy in reporting speeches, lectures, sermons, etc., is essential, but in important cases courtesy demands that the report, if possible, be submitted to the speaker for his corrections or revision, as, in extemporary discourse especially, it often occurs that the speaker would prefer to modify many things before submitting his words to the press. The reporter should be skilled in the use of language, that he may correct inaccuracies of speech which are so likely to occur in such discourse. However, such corrections cannot waive the propriety of submitting the report to the revision of the speaker when it is practicable to do so. In Legal reporting the writer should be conversant with the legal forms and expressions in use, as the more he understands of these the better will he be able to report. Much depends on mere form. There is always much talking done by counsel, often long arguments, the verbatim reporting of which would subject the parties to much needless expense, besides rendering the reports tediously voluminous. The proper writing of objections, motions and rulings can be done only by the exercise of good judgment, based on a knowledge of the requirements of a correct report of such matter. Often an objection by counsel is couched in a long argument, which the reporter of good judgment and acquaintance with legal phraseology puts in its proper form by a few words. The author has frequently heard legal gentlemen complain of phonographic reports, on the assumption that it is impossible for the short-hand reporter to write without giving every word uttered. The objection to the voluminous report is of course often just, but it does not lie in the use of phonography or short-hand notes so much as in the inability and inexperience of the reporter, who, if he could but condense the counsel's argument, would be able, because of his skill in writing, the better to make a clear presentation of it. In such cases the writer should attend closely to what is said and done, and having clearly comprehended an idea, couch it, as directly and briefly as possible, in legal phrase. Unless required, no report need be made of the opening remarks of counsel, who generally dictate to the writer those points which need not be written. In ordinary civil cases the reporter has usually nothing to do with the impaneling of the jury, but in criminal cases it should be fully reported. In the examination of witnesses, every word, both of questions and answers, should be exactly written. The summing up of counsel need not be reported unless ordered by the same. The judge's charge, except when it is written, when of course reporting is unnecessary, must be written with the utmost fidelity. A short experience will inform the reporter fully as to what need, and what need not, be written, while the inexperienced reporter will rely mainly upon the dictation of counsel, who will suggest at the proper time what need not be taken. Legal reports are usually written on legal cap, writ ing on both sides of the leaf, unless counsel prefer it otherwise. Each page is numbered as it is written, at the lower left corner. The paper for reports should be fastened by means of clasps, or of tape, passed through holes punched near the edge of the upper margin, and tied. The first page of the report should be used as a title-page, and upon it, written in legible long-hand, the name of the court, title of suit, name of judge before whom the case is tried, and if before a jury, date of trial, names of counsel, with parties for whom they appear, with an index to the evidence. A new title-page should be made for each day of the trial. The following seven different forms, adapted to the courts of Illinois and to the United States courts, will be a sufficiently suggestive guide to the courts of the different states, the forms being common, varying only in the names of the courts, or of the terms applied to the principal parties involved. Following these seven forms is a brief outline of the beginning of a trial, which is written, except the letters distinguishing the questions and answers and the examinations, with the first letter of other important words beginning sentences, on the right of the marginal line, the before-mentioned letters being written at its left. The object of this distinction is simply to facilitate the reference to the notes. The form of reporting any case will depend entirely on the matter to be written, and must be left to the experience and judgment of the reporter. |