This is the first step in the transition period - the training of the students to apply the principles promptly in new and unusual words. In our judgment, the next step should be to establish the habit of phrase writing at the very beginning of speed practice by drilling on the simple, everyday phrases used in all kinds of stenographic work, but especially in business correspondence. If the student is permitted to proceed with miscellaneous dictation practice at this stage, it is inevitable that - in the effort " to get it down somehow " - he will form the habit of writing words separately. If that habit is acquired in the beginning of speed practice, his progress afterwards will be greatly retarded.

If an attempt is made to master phrase writing by practice on separate phrases, the work is monotonous and the result disappointing. When given in the form of letters, it is easy to maintain interest in the subject and to secure satisfactory results. The student, through repetition practice, acquires the habit of joining all the common phrases in an easy, effortless way, and, furthermore, learns the correct principles of phrase building in its broader aspects. It has been our custom to drill students on a series of letters composed with the object of bringing into use the phrases of frequent occurrence in business correspondence; and these letters are given in the next section of GREGG SPEED PRACTICE. They are written in shorthand in order that the student, having a good model to follow, may acquire neatness, accuracy, and fluency in writing. A certain number of letters should be assigned to the students to read back in class and to be written from dictation afterwards. This may be supplemented at the discretion of the teacher, by the copying of the short-hand plates.

If the student has thoroughly and systematically drilled on the " Principle Letters" and the " Phrase Letters," he will have little difficulty in dealing with the miscellaneous graded dictation matter which forms the next section of the book.