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Phoenix Theory: What Makes Phoenix Theory Unique - 3

Q.  What Makes Phoenix Theory Unique?   
     A. A Thorough and Integrated System of Instruction

The theory textbook starts off with a comprehensive introduction for the new student and includes topics such as:

 What is machine shorthand?
 Understanding the keyboard
 What is a machine shorthand theory?
 I write shorthand strokes: then what?
 Realtime: the Steno-writer and the theory
 Writing by Sound
      Long and short vowels
      Silent letters
 Beginning and final sides
 Setting up the steno machine
 How high?  How close?
 Stroking technique
 Training aids
 Priorities
 Practice Routine
 Home Position
 Conventions used in the theory book
 Correct practice and study routine

Lessons are structured so that students use the READ, READ, WRITE, READ method for all new material in each lesson:

  • READ the explanatory material in the theory book carefully, making certain you understand the theory principle being introduced.
  • READ the steno which accompanies each exercise and familiarize yourself with the strokes included in the exercise.
  • WRITE the exercise.
  • READ the steno notes you have written, circling any fingering errors.

The book also has the following features to facilitate learning:

  • Correlated audio is available for each lesson.
  • Steno outlines accompany each exercise so the student will know exactly what they should be writing for each word.
  • Some exercises are also included in the appendix in plated note form for reading practice.
  • New sounds and principles have correlated reading exercises in the accompanying Reading Exercises book.
  • All exercises have timing markings and a handy timing chart is located on the bottom of each page so the material can easily be dictated for additional practice.
  • The right-hand side of each page has a personal review strip where students can note their own unique writing challenges.  Each lesson directs the student to return to the personal review strip for practice.
  • New fingering positions are shown on keyboard charts.
  • Explanations accompany each new sound or principle introduced.
  • Each lesson begins with a review of previously learned material.
  • Each lesson contains a transcription exercise: English to steno or steno to English.
  • Each lesson ends with sentences or paragraphs that provide a comprehensive review of material learned to that point.  Reinforcement of previously learned material is constant.

Appendices include steno for:

  • United States of America: States and Capital Cities
  • United States of America: Territories and Possessions
  • United States of America: Major Cities
  • Canada: Provinces and Territories
  • Canada: Major Cities
  • World: Major Continents and Countries
  • World: Major Cities
  • Alphabets
  • Numbers: Cardinal, Ordinal, Roman
  • Punctuation and Symbols
  • Function Commands
  • Keyboard Overview
  • Phoenix Theory Principles
  • Mandatories

2nd Edition (2005) also contains:

  • "What's New" - new writing options since the first printing in 1996
  • One-stroke state abbreviations
  • Email/web addresses/computer commands outlines
  • Speaker Identification outlines
  • Captioning adaptation information

Beginning in lesson 10, students are directed to begin using the Fast Track to Machine Shorthand Speed drill book to build accuracy, increase dexterity, and reinforce correct stroking of sounds.

The translation dictionary has over 140,000 entries and will translate nearly the entire Funk & Wagnall's New Collegiate Dictionary plus some!  Students writing realtime against the dictionary have a complete and accurate feedback tool at their disposal.

Phoenix Theory lessons present new material in the first 28 of 32 lessons.  Lessons 29 through 32 explore application of previously learned sounds to additional prefixes, suffixes, and words, plus provide a comprehensive review to ready the student for speedbuilding.

When it's time to transition to speedbuilding, the Speed Plus books follow up not only with a literary-based practice tool but also include theory review and introduction to additional briefs and phrases to complement the theory.