Speed Development and Accuracy Skills – JSS2 Business Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Speed and accuracy in typewriting are developed through rhythm, which means striking the keys with the same time interval between strokes.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what rhythm means in typewriting;
2. state the advantage of typing by rhythm;
3. type alphabetic, figure and one-line sentence drills using the stated margins and line spacing;
4. list common typing errors;
5. circle and count errors, and decide when an exercise should be repeated.

What is rhythm in typewriting?

Rhythm in typewriting is the striking of keys with the same time interval between strokes.

• Link to skill: speed development and accuracy are only possible through rhythm.
• Greatest advantage: the typist achieves greater accuracy in work.
• Uneven typing: rushing easy letters and pausing at hard ones causes mistakes.

How do you develop rhythm?

1. Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor and your fingers on the home keys.
2. Look at the copy, not at the keys.
3. Strike each key at an even pace, like a steady beat.
4. Do not stop to correct each error while typing.
5. Increase the pace slowly only when your work is steady and accurate.

What are alphabetic sentence drills?

Alphabetic sentence drills are practice lines of letters, figures and sentences typed again and again to build rhythm, speed and accuracy.

Drill 1: keys and figures

• Type the following exercise in double line spacing.

a s d f g j I k h q w e r t p o l u y z x c v b / ; m n 1 2 3 4 5 0 9 8 7 6.

Drill 2: letter groups and figures

• Type the following in double line spacing.

Ask pad jyj lkn dpn dnd sop abc dep figure drill. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1 3 5 7 9 0 8 6 4 2

Drill 3: sentences

• Type each sentence four times using single line spacing.
• If errors are more than ten, type the exercise again for better mastery.

Set the margins as follows:

• Pica: left margin ii, right margin 97.
• Elite: left margin 20, right margin 79.

1. The bag was full of eggs
2. Bintu refused to eat snacks during break.
3. You must plan to succeed
4. Visit a dentist once a year
5. Have your bath twice daily
6. Early to bed, early to rise
7. Look before you leap
8. Make hay when the sun shines
9. Success is a product of good time planning

What are the pica and elite typefaces?

Pica and elite are the two common type sizes on a typewriter, and each needs its own margin settings.

What are one-line sentence drills?

One-line sentence drills are drills in which the typist types a sentence on one line before moving to the next.

• Purpose: to keep the typist moving steadily from one sentence to the next.
• Spacing: single line spacing.
• Repetition: three times for each sentence.

Exercise 1

• Type the following sentences, one on each line, three times using single line spacing.
• Margin, pica: 10 and 70.
• Margin, elite: 12 and 80.

1. You must encourage your family to pray together
2. A stitch in time saves nine
3. Baby is a gift from almighty God.
4. Life requires thorough preparation
5. Success is a product of hard work.
6. Primary health care is good for your village
7. Free Medicare for logicians- congratulations
8. Benin City is the home of culture and heritage
9. Failing to plan is planning to fail
10. Panadol is recommended for body pains.

What are speed and accuracy in typing?

Speed is the number of words a typist can type per minute, and accuracy is typing with few or no errors.

• Speed: shows how many words you type in one minute.
• Accuracy: shows how many errors you make while typing.
• Use: together they let typists identify the words typed per minute and the errors made.

What are the common typing errors?

A typing error is any mistake that makes the typed copy different from the original.

How do you check your errors?

You check your errors by circling and counting them at the end of a page or exercise.

1. Finish the page or the given exercise.
2. Compare your work with the copy.
3. Circle every error.
4. Count the circled errors.
5. If the errors exceed ten, repeat the exercise.
6. If the errors are ten or fewer, move on to the next exercise.

How do you improve speed and accuracy?

You improve speed and accuracy by regular, careful practice with an even rhythm.

• Practise daily: short, regular drills work better than one long session.
• Keep good posture: sit upright and keep your wrists steady.
• Read ahead: look at the copy and keep your eyes off the keys.
• Use all fingers: each finger strikes its own keys from the home row.
• Keep going: do not stop to correct each error, but note it for checking.
• Build speed slowly: raise your pace only when errors stay low.

How do you use the speed practice passage?

The speed practice passage is a short text typed against the clock to test your speed and accuracy.

1. Set your margins for pica or elite.
2. Type the passage at an even rhythm for the time your teacher gives.
3. Count the words you typed and divide by the minutes used.
4. Circle and count your errors.
5. Repeat the passage if the errors exceed ten.

Nnamdi, who is from the eastern part of Nigeria, refused a scholarship to further his education at the university. According to him, it is more profitable to serve as an apprentice under the tutelage of his father for three years and be on his own thereafter.

Evaluation

1. What does rhythm mean in typewriting?
2. State the greatest advantage of typing by rhythm.
3. List four errors that typists commonly make.
4. What should a typist do after finishing a page or exercise?
5. How many errors are allowed before an exercise must be repeated?

Assignment

Type sentences 1 to 5 of Exercise 1 three times each, one sentence on each line, using single line spacing. Circle and count your errors. Repeat the exercise if the errors exceed ten.