How to Train on Your Own to Become a Court Reporter
Court reporters transcribe the words spoken in legal proceedings, business meetings and other events in which an accurate written transcription of verbal speech is deemed necessary. These reporters often also are responsible for organizing and searching for information in this record. While there is formal training available to court reporters, you can learn many of the skills and much of the knowledge necessary for the position on your own.
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Instructions
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Study legal and business protocol. A court reporter needs to be familiar with the procedures of trials and hearings, while a reporter wishing to break into the corporate world should study the structure of business meetings. Robert's Rules of Order is the recognized guide to running meeting and conferences; a link to the book's website is in Resources.
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Learn to write properly. Lacking the time to consult a dictionary or grammar manual while on the job, court reporters must perfect their technical writing skills beforehand. While corrections and revisions can usually be made after a first draft has been written, a good court reporter should be able to write down all essential information on the fly.
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Become a faster typist; a good court reporter can type at 220 words per minute. However, most transcribers use a special stenotype machine, which spells out entire syllables, words and phrases when the typist presses multiple keys simultaneously, in a processing called "chording." Stenotype machines are often available for rental or purchase from business-supply companies.
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Improve your hearing. Rarely is it acceptable for a court reporter to ask a person to repeat what he has just said, even if the person has whispered or mumbled. To improve your hearing, watch television at progressively lower volumes and learn to make out the words even when the characters are barely audible.
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Learn to speak and listen at the same time. Some court reporters, rather than typing, listen to what is being said and repeat the words into a specially designed machine that writes them down. While in many case a time-saver, this method requires that court reporters be able to listen and speak at the same time.
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Tips & Warnings
When you feel that you have trained enough, consider becoming certified with the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers. To receive certification, you must pass a written and practical exam.
References
Resources
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