Copy typists learn to
touch type at a high speed, which means they can look at the
copy they are typing instead of the
keyboard they are typing on. The source, or original document is called the copy. They have the
document to be typed in front of them and the copy is often held in a
copyholder. The adjustable arm on the copyholder aids
legibility and maximizes the typing speed. There could also be an adjustable ruler and marker to help the typist keep their position when they are interrupted, clips to hold the pages in place, and a light. Elaborate varieties can even be adjusted by height or angle and some come with rulers and guides that appear over the front of the page. The copy can be hand written notes perhaps from an
author of a book, a play, or a TV show. It might be their own notes in
shorthand — perhaps
minutes from a meeting or notes from a talk,
lecture, or
presentation. In the past when
word processors were not available and few people could type they would have typed up
dissertations,
research papers, and
letters that had been hand written by the authors. An urgent letter which was typed up was often signed by the
secretary with a
pp or was otherwise given back to the sender to sign before dispatch. A copy typist or a secretary with this skill will quote their speed in
words per minute (abbreviated to wpm) on their
curriculum vitae and may be asked to demonstrate their speed and accuracy of this skill as part of the
interview or application process. ==See also==