“Realtime Reporting and Captioning Theory”
The following video shows how the Realtime Reporting and Captioning Theory is the fastest way for students to start their Reporting and Captioning careers!
Court Reporting and Captioning at Home Program 877-253-0200

This theory was developed so it could be SIMPLIFIED for online students, containing only 20 theory lessons, while still meeting the requirements for captioning, CART providing, and court reporting. The CRAH theory manual is printed in color, allowing the student to recognize immediately new material introduced in each lesson printed in red, important notes to the student printed in blue, and other colors designating different information.

The CRAH theory contains a reasonable number of brief forms, also referred to as arbitraries in the CRAH theory, which are shortcuts for writing the most commonly heard words and phrases. There are literally thousands of brief forms/arbitraries that could be introduced, but one can only remember a reasonable number of them. Based upon the theory developer’s 30 years of reporting experience and realtime writing, she included the most important ones. The CRAH theory allows individuals to add brief forms/arbitraries to their theory if they choose, so long as they do not conflict with any other steno outline. However, for purposes of realtime writing and captioning, realtime writing concepts are the foundation for this theory. “Realtime Writing and Captioning Theory” offers the student optional methods of writing in steno in many cases, allowing them to utilize the method of writing that is easiest for them to remember and write. No two students learn realtime writing the same. Therefore, offering students a theory that allows them options may ensure a student will complete his training.
Support Materials for Students
The “Realtime Reporting and Captioning Theory” is a simplified theory containing 20 theory lessons in hard copy in the Theory Manual. A Practice and Reference Manual is coordinated with the 20 theory lessons and contains answers to the review quiz presented for each prior lesson, lists of brief forms/arbitraries presented lesson by lesson as well as alphabetically, a Weekly Planner to monitor the student’s progress, and a steno machine keyboard chart.

If the student requires any assistance with any lesson, CRAH has a Support Department comprised of professional, credentialed professionals to assist the student with each lesson. The CRAH theory is also accompanied with a free, prebuilt steno dictionary containing 75,000+ entries which will translate approximately 100,000 words and which may be utilized in conjunction with any computer aided transcription (CAT) software.
For further information regarding the “Realtime Reporting and Captioning Theory,” contact
Court Reporting and Captioning at Home
Toll Free 1-877-253-0200
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I completed my theory in 5-1/2 weeks and passed my 60s through 140s in 3-1/2 months! I love the CRAH program! Britney G. |
- It is the only theory correlated with online video tutorials, like having a reporter/mentor sitting beside you while you learn. With the online tutorials and professional Support Department, the student is never alone. The student never has to wonder if he is learning the lesson correctly.
- It connects the student with the best technology available to capture the
spoken word.
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The theory lessons were so simple and put together so well, I was able to complete theory in 2-1/2 months while working full time! Stephanie D. |
- It is as simplified as a theory can be, and still be on the cutting edge of computer aided transcription technology.
- Other theories read like technical manuals and do not hold the student’s interest. The Realtime Reporting and Captioning Theory is motivational, fun and students make progress in every practice session!
I am so happy to have found CRAH! I was at my wits end. I was going to the only court reporting school in my state, and the theory was new to the school and delivered so poorly that in the two semesters that I attended, I didn’t even learn the whole alphabet. This theory was all briefs (memorization), and it looked like rocket science. There wasn’t even any audio practice dictation! Some of the students had been there for seven years or longer with huge student loan debt, and the drop- out rate was very high! I didn’t want to be that student. I began searching for an alternative. Next, I purchased a theory that had CDs and a book to practice. This theory was long and convoluted, and there was no one to ask or answer my many questions. It had no support.
I looked again and found CRAH. I spoke with Linda at least three times before I finally bought this system. I had to unlearn everything that I was “taught,” and then CRAH began to make sense, and then it really started to click! My family and I are so happy with my progress, and we now look forward to the future. I can actually see myself doing this job and enjoying every minute of it. CRAH believes that I can do it also. My Support Department answers every question in a timely manner, and the materials are full of encouragement. The online video tutorials shows everything they should have taught me in the traditional school that I attended. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in training for court reporting, captioning, or CART providing. If you have the discipline and work hard, you will succeed. I know I will, and CRAH will be there for me every step of the way.
Tracey K.
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I was amazed how simplistic the lessons were and how quickly I was learning and progressing. I completed theory in roughly four months and passed the first four speed levels (60-120 wpm) in the next four months all while still in high school. Chris R.
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- LIFETIME Internet support from credentialed court reporters, captioners, or CART Providers ensures you make progress each time you practice.
- CRAH theory is color-coded for ease of practice and has a unique concept developed specifically for online training. Many of our students who have not had prior training have learned the entire theory in 5-6 weeks to 2-3 months, allowing them to begin speed building in a matter of weeks or a few short months!
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The CRAH “Realtime Reporting and Captioning Theory” has been thoroughly thought out and is very easily understood. I had no trouble getting through it in 2-1/2 months. Tracy H. |
Realtime Reporting and Captioning Theory
The majority of theories were developed to be taught in a traditional school setting and were not developed for online training.
If you’re interested in a career in realtime court reporting, closed captioning, also known as broadcast captioning, and/or CART Providing, one of the most important considerations in deciding how you are going to train for these careers is choosing the theory you will learn. The REALTIME COURT REPORTING AND CAPTIONING THEORY is the FOUNDATION FOR ALL YOUR TRAINING. Theory is the method in which students are taught to write on the steno machine. Theory means learning where all the keys are located on the steno machine, learning combinations of keys that, when depressed simultaneously, denote a letter of the alphabet.
The differences in theories arise in the number of shortcuts for writing words and phrases (known in the industry as briefs, brief forms, or arbitraries) incorporated in each theory, how the theories teach you to write punctuation, numbers and spell utilizing individual letters. Below is the steno machine keyboard. We write both phonetically as well as the way the word is spelled when possible.
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CRAH theory is presented in such an efficient and organized manner that it is extremely easy to learn. The video tutorials on the student platform illustrate everything from how to set up your steno machine to how to write each of the 20 theory lessons! Tracy O. |
What other CRAH students have to say about the theory…
That’s incredible. And I will have no problem building my speed. Television Captioning career and a lucrative income for my family here I come. Delightful. Thank you,
Suzan B.
Martha B.
Nicole L.
Testimonials by Professional Court Reporters Regarding Theory
Steve K., CSR, RPR
Carrie D., RPR, CCR, CSR
Sharron A., RPR
More Student Testimonials Regarding Theory…
Edie S.
the machine, all of it!!”
Jill S.
Krista D.
Pam D.
Melanie R.
Robin B.
Robin Q.
Richelle D.
Trisha H.
Katherine C.
“I wanted to thank you for the information and all the wonderful material you sent! Everything is so helpful and I couldn’t be more pleased! I, also, wanted to tell you, that I watched the new “set up” video that Linda added for students just starting out. I picked up a great tip on the “finger placement” tape that has helped me reach the number bar more comfortably! Sometimes, it pays to go back and have a review! They are excellent! I love this new “Platform” program…I can, easily, go right down the line and pick and choose what I want to practice to everyday. You have made a wonderful program even more simple to navigate and get the work done! I am amazed at the amount of support I have been given in so many ways to help me complete the program! I will be in touch with you and Linda when I pass my 225 wpm, but until then, this has been so encouraging and I am really enjoying my practice time!”
Thank you again,
Karen
For further information regarding the “Realtime Reporting and Captioning Theory,” contact:
Court Reporting and Captioning at Home
Toll Free 1-877-253-0200
The SSD Enterprises, LLC Court Reporting and Captioning at Home Program License Agreement is copyright protected and licensed only to the original purchaser or student for whom the License Agreement is purchased and may not be sold, given, shared, or in any manner transferred to a third party or reproduced in any manner. Due to the nature of these programs, once they are shipped, they cannot be returned for credit or refund. The student owns the steno machine in Options 1 and 2. SSD Enterprises, LLC (Court Reporting and Captioning at Home – License Agreement) reserves the right to modify, add to, or delete any component of the program at any time without notice.