Manuscript – JSS3 Business Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

A manuscript is a handwritten (longhand) document prepared by an author so that a typist can type it.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. explain what a manuscript is;
2. write the meaning of common longhand abbreviations;
3. state the meaning of typist correction signs;
4. describe how main headings, paragraph headings and shoulder headings are typed.

What is a manuscript?

A manuscript is a handwritten draft that is given to a typist to be typed in a neat, final form.

• Handwritten: it is written in longhand, so some parts may be hard for another person to read.
• Abbreviations: the writer may shorten words to save time, for example Exam. for Examination.
• Correction signs: the writer marks changes with signs that the typist understands, for example NP for new paragraph.
• Headings: the writer shows which parts are headings so the typist can display them correctly.

What are longhand abbreviations?

A longhand abbreviation is a shortened form of a word used in handwriting to save time and space.

• Typist’s duty: the typist types the full word, not the abbreviation, unless told otherwise.

What are typist correction signs?

Typist correction signs are marks and short codes written on a manuscript to tell the typist what to change or how to type a word.

• NP or //: new paragraph.
• Sp Caps: spaced capitals, so the word is typed in capital letters with a space between the letters.
• LC: lower case, so the letters are typed as small letters.
• CAP or UC: capital letter or upper case.
• Trs: transpose, so the order of the letters or words is changed.
• Delete: do not type the marked word or words, and ignore them.
• L: insert letters.

What is a heading?

A heading is a short phrase that tells the reader what the section after it is about.

What are the types of display headings?

There are three commonly used types of display heading: the main heading, the paragraph heading and the shoulder heading.

What is a main heading?

A main heading is the title of a whole piece of work, typed at the centre of the typing line.

• Style: typed in full capitals.
• Position: centred on the typing line.
• Spacing: followed by two blank lines.
• Lowercase option: a heading typed in lowercase with initial capitals is underscored.
• Full stop: not used at the end, unless the last word is abbreviated.

What is a paragraph heading?

A paragraph heading is a heading that introduces one paragraph.

• Style: typed with an initial capital letter and then lowercase letters.
• Underscoring: it must be underscored.
• Position: it may stand on its own line or run into the paragraph.

What is a shoulder heading?

A shoulder heading is a heading typed at the left-hand margin above a section of text.

• Style: always typed in full capitals.
• Position: at the left-hand margin.
• Spacing: preceded and followed by one blank line.
• Full stop: never used, unless the last word is abbreviated.

How do the three headings compare?

Evaluation

1. What is a manuscript?
2. Write the full meaning of these abbreviations: A/C, Ans., Arr., Exam., Ltd.
3. State the meaning of these correction signs: NP, Trs, CAP.
4. How is a main heading typed?
5. When may a full stop be used at the end of a heading?

Assignment

Do both parts of this task:

1. List five longhand abbreviations and write their meanings.
2. State two differences between a paragraph heading and a shoulder heading.