How One Court Reporter Sees Similarity Between Mastering Steno and Chess

\nIt’s interesting how people are able to look at what appears to be two completely different functions and find striking similarities. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a book and a movie, while other times it’s as profound as ancient theories compared to modern science discoveries. Then other times, it’s being able to relate two categories that are seemingly unrelated and being able to match like characteristics. It was this type of article written by Jen Krueger, “Becoming a Steno Master” in January’s Journal of Court Reporting, that made one think a little differently about the court reporting industry and the people who work in it.\n\n\n“Becoming a Steno Master” is about how one learns to play chess is applicable to the way a court reporter learns steno writing. The author points out a series of characteristics that are similar between mastering steno writing and chess to strengthen her comparison.\n

\n •  Both mastering steno writing and chess take time\n\n •  Awards/titles for success in chess can be compared to the acknowledgements and certifications awarded to members of the NCRA\n\n •  Steno writing and chess expertise take practice\n\n •  Moving game pieces on a chess board can be associated with moving keys on a steno machine\n\n •  Rules are very important to tournament chess as well as how court reporters are permitted to taking steno in a court hearing\n\n •  The execution of moving chess pieces in their required patterns relates to how a series of keystrokes on a steno writer create the correct combination needed to generate steno phrases\n\n •  Chess has two players and during a court hearing only one person can speak while the other, the court report, writes\n

\nIn the end, tips and strategy are provided to help budding and experienced court reporters attempt to master court reporting steno writing the same as how a chess pupil commits to trying to master chess. These tips include approaching steno skill-building the same as a person does playing chess, then develop and improve those skills over time. Finally, you must mentally commit to achieving to become a steno master.\n\nTo read the full article, please visit “Becoming a Steno Master”\n

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