Steno Survival Kit


The subject came up recently about essentials to bring along on internship assignments and/or your first few court reporting jobs, so I've decided to compose a list of things to put in your steno survival kit. Preparation is everything. It really is the little things that count, and you never know what a lawyer or potential employer might remember when scheduling the next deposition or filling a vacancy in a firm. These are my suggestions.


  • A spill-proof bottle of water (I can't stress the spill-proof part enough. A few assignments ago, I accidentally spilled water all over the witness stand on a short recess in court and was frantically wiping up the last few drops when the Judge came back into the courtroom. Talk about mortifying!)
  • An energy bar or bag of almonds, etc., in case you're expected to work through lunch
  • Your steno machine, obvi, cords and charger
  • Laptop if you choose to do RT
  • Extension cord
  • Extra paper, both steno and of the notepad variety
  • A reliable tape or digital recorder, which comes in handy when proofing internship assignments
  • Pens, at least two colors (helps in marking exhibits) and a permanent marker
  • Extra batteries, AA or AAA
  • Mini-stapler/stapler remover combo & paperclips
  • Exhibit stickers, labels, envelopes, invisible tape, etc., for marking exhibits
  • Reporter worksheet such as this one courtesy of Kramm Reporting or your internship worksheet

Multi-Stroke Words and Fruit for Thought

In my quest to finish steno school, I have come to the realization that one of my weaknesses is writing out unfamiliar multi-stroke words. So to nip this in the bud, so to speak, here's the first of a few lists of multi-stroke words, this one being fruits and vegetables that are a mouthful to pronounce and practice, so get your fingers writing according to your theory. Make sure these words are in your dictionary. You never know when they'll come up, be it in a grocery store slip-and-fall case or captioning the Food Network.

bok choy               apricot
cantaloupe             gooseberry
mandarin orange     chanterelle
papaya                  muskmelon
radicchio               zucchini
tomato                  cauliflower
pomelo                  broccoli
celeriac                  pineapple
taro root                guava
collard greens         jalapeno pepper
bergamot               artichoke
banana                   cabbage
durian                     kumquat
mushroom               persimmon
rutabaga                 tangerine
spinach                   pomegranate
boysenberry            cassava
asparagus               sweet potato
romaine lettuce        coconut
pumpkin                  water chestnut
acorn squash           Brussels sprout
kiwifruit                   habanero
kohlrabi                   curly endive
radishes                   cucumber
green onion              turnip
grapefruit                 avocado
nectarine                  Bosc pear
Meyer lemon            watermelon

Am I missing any yummy fruit or vegetable finger fumblers? Add them in the comment section.