Write a first draft by dictation

If getting a thought onto the page takes more effort than explaining it aloud, dictation might be worth trying. It can help with a rough draft; you can still type, rearrange and correct it afterwards.

Start with a short note

Choose a low-pressure task, such as a reminder or a draft email. Use the voice input on your device or a transcription tool you already have permission to use. On a work device, check the organisation’s rules before installing software or sending work material to another service.

Say the idea, then edit it

Explain what happened, what you need and what should happen next. Pause whenever you need to think. You do not have to dictate a finished sentence first time.

Read the result before sending it. Speech recognition can change a name, omit a word or miss a negative such as “not”. Check dates, numbers, acronyms and anything that changes the meaning.

Keep technical details separate

Copy commands, paths and error messages from their source rather than dictating them. Voice input is useful for the explanation around a command, but a plausible-looking transcription is not a safe command to run.

Decide whether it suits the task

Try a few short drafts and compare the effort of speaking and correcting with typing. Background noise, privacy, fatigue and the kind of writing all matter. You may like dictation for notes and prefer a keyboard for everything else.

For a self-hosted option, see Run your own dictation server.