Lesson 0: New to Gregg Shorthand? - START HERE

Welcome to the LEARN GREGG SHORTHAND project

If you’re reading this, you’ve taken the first step into an exciting and rewarding journey—learning Gregg Shorthand using the Functional Method. Whether you're here out of curiosity, necessity, or a desire to unlock a powerful skill, I’m thrilled to have you join me on this adventure.

What We’ll Be Learning

These Lessons are based on the Functional Method, as taught in Gregg Shorthand: Manual for the Functional Method by Louis A. Leslie. We’ll follow this method because it has a proven step-by-step approach designed to ease beginners into shorthand without overwhelming them with rules upfront.

We’ll be learning the Anniversary Edition (1929) of Gregg Shorthand. Here’s why:

• It is the most versatile version, allowing you to read almost any Gregg text.

• It strikes a balance between speed and readability—perfect for note-taking, journaling, and professional use.

• It provides a strong foundation for transitioning into any later editions (Simplified, Diamond Jubilee, etc.).

• The Functional Method Manual (FMM) provides structured lessons in small, digestible assignments, making learning intuitive and engaging.

A Brief History of Gregg Shorthand

• Gregg Shorthand has evolved through multiple editions since its creation in 1888:

  • 1888 (Liverpool Edition) – The original system by John Robert Gregg.

  • 1893-1916 Editions – Gradual refinements for faster verbatim speech recording.

  • 1929 (Anniversary Edition) – The version we are learning, designed for speed and efficiency.

  • 1949 (Simplified Edition) – A reduced, easier version, designed for business dictation rather than verbatim recording.

  • 1963 (Diamond Jubilee), 1978 (Series 90), 1988 (Centennial Edition) – Further simplifications aimed at making shorthand easier to learn but at the cost of speed.

  • Other Variants (Greghand, Notehand) – Even more simplified versions designed purely for note-taking rather than speedwriting.

  The Anniversary Edition is widely considered the best version for achieving true shorthand fluency, and because of its availability of resources, it remains the most practical choice for serious learners.

How to Succeed in Learning Gregg Shorthand

Mastering shorthand—like any new skill—depends on consistent effort and practice. Think of this journey like learning a new language; the more time you spend immersing yourself in it, the faster you'll improve. I’m here to give you the information, but your progress will come from daily practice and applying what you learn. Below are some key strategies to help you get the most out of this challenge.

The First 21 Lessons: Focus on Reading

For the first 21 lessons, your only task is to read shorthand—no writing yet! Each lesson starts with word and phrase lists that you'll practice reading, followed by shorthand letters and articles. Your goal is to train your brain to recognize shorthand patterns before you start writing them.

Each lesson will have an accompanying transcript for the shorthand passages sent out the next day. If you ever get stuck, refer to the transcript immediately to reinforce the correct outlines. Keep rereading each passage until you can read it fluently without checking the key. The more comfortable you get with reading shorthand now, the easier and faster your writing will be later.

Starting Writing in Lesson 22

Once you reach Lesson 22, you’ll start writing shorthand. Your practice routine will include:
1️⃣ Rereading the word and phrase lists from the beginning of each lesson.
2️⃣ Reading the connected shorthand passages.
3️⃣ Copying those passages into shorthand in your notebook.

Before writing, always read through the entire passage first. Never copy outlines blindly—make sure you understand them first. As you write, aim for accuracy over speed. Don’t draw the characters—write them smoothly and naturally, keeping your hand relaxed. Use the Gregg-Ruled practice sheet for best results.

Building Speed and Fluency

As your writing skills develop, gradually increase your speed while maintaining accuracy. The key to fast shorthand is writing with fluid, continuous strokes—avoid unnecessary movements and always transition smoothly from one stroke to the next.

Each lesson in this challenge is designed to take around 40 minutes to complete. If it’s taking much longer, you might be relying too little on the printed transcript. Spending extra time on fluency and comprehension now will pay off with higher speed and greater accuracy later.

Make Learning Shorthand Fun

Your success in shorthand depends largely on your mindset. Approach it with curiosity and excitement—not just as a tool, but as an art. Shorthand is a powerful skill that has been used by some of history’s greatest thinkers. Take pride in learning it!

Think of shorthand as the highest form of writing—graceful, efficient, and artistic. If you cultivate a love for it, it will become a joyful and rewarding skill, not just a study requirement. With daily practice, patience, and persistence, you’ll master shorthand faster than you think!

What You Can Expect

Over the next 40 lessons we will work through the 5 chapters of the Functional Method Manual, broken down into 40 assignments. Each newsletter will contain:

• A new lesson with examples

• A shorthand passage to read

• Practice exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned

With each publication, you’ll receive a new lesson in your morning inbox with explanations, examples, and a shorthand passage to read. In the evening, you'll get a follow-up email with solutions and insights to reinforce your learning. This way, you can practice independently before checking your work—just like having a built-in study guide!

What You Need

• Gregg-Ruled paper for exercises (you won’t need this until after Lesson 21!). You can use your own Gregg-Ruled notebook, or you can purchase the one on my Shopify store.

• A commitment to practice a little every day.

Why This Project? Why Me?

I never expected this to happen. When I first started learning Gregg Shorthand, it was just a personal project. Then, I built a social media community around it, and—before I knew it—thousands of people became interested. That momentum motivated me to take my own studies more seriously, and now, I want to take you along with me.

Think of me not as an expert, but as that helpful guy in class—the one who’s just 10% ahead of you on the journey. Sometimes, we learn more from a peer who’s just figured things out than from an expert who’s been doing it for decades. I’m here to make things easier, break down the difficult parts, and keep you engaged every step of the way.

Free Subscribers will get all the info they need, but there are a lot perks for becoming a paid subscriber!

I believe knowledge should be free, so I’m sharing it with you for free. With self-study and the right resources, you can absolutely become fluent. I recommend checking out Carlo’s website, where a community of shorthand experts and learners share tips. You can also visit Andrew’s website, which has Gregg manuals, shorthand history, and everything you need to get started.

However, knowing shorthand is only half the battle. The real challenge? Practice. You can’t just read about shorthand—you have to drill it, write it, and actually use it to improve. That’s why I created this newsletter.

I’ve spent a ton of time making shorthand easier to learn. Modernizing and organizing materials into clear, easy-to-follow resources. The free content gives you the fundamentals, but a paid subscription helps you put shorthand into action—faster and with fewer roadblocks.

✅ Free Subscriber Benefits (What you’re getting now)

• Educational posts on shorthand techniques

• Occasional public content and updates

🔓Paid Subscriber Benefits (For those who want to level up)

• Unlock Subscriber-Only Posts – Get solutions, translations & full archive access

• Exclusive Practice Resources – Printable drills, reading materials, and worksheets

• Community Access – Request translations, join discussions, and find a letter-writing partner

🏅 Founding Member Benefits (For the real Gregg-Heads)

• Priority Translation & Request Handling

Special Recognition & Early Access to New Resources

Now, here’s my favor to ask… Over the next 40 days and beyond, if you ever buy something on Amazon¹, consider using my affiliate link before you check out. I get a small kickback—not just on the shorthand materials I recommend, but on everything in your cart! Once you click my link, as long as you complete your order within 24 hours, it counts. So if you’re planning to buy in bulk, save up your orders and make sure to click through my link first. It’s a super easy way to support the project at no extra cost to you. 🙏🏽

If buying on Amazon grosses you out, an alternative way to support this project is by purchasing the Gregg-Ruled Drill sheet on my Shopify Store.

Let’s Begin!

I’m excited to have you on board for this challenge. By the end of these 40 lesson, you’ll have a strong foundation in Gregg Shorthand, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering a powerful and unique skill.

Be sure to share this newsletter with a friend to help keep you accountable! Learning is always more fun (and effective) when you have someone to practice with. Plus, a little accountability goes a long way!

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P.S. If you’re serious about shorthand, print out your materials.

While it’s tempting to study on a phone or tablet, shorthand is meant to be written by hand. Having a physical book and a notebook will make your learning more effective and immersive. Get ready to transform the way you take notes forever!

1. Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking—Amazon is big and evil. But I am small and broke, and let’s be honest... it’s just too darn convenient. And I know you use it too. So, let’s stick it to Amazon by using it to support us little guys. If we have to shop there anyway, might as well make it work in our favor!