Style Guide for Transcription
(Unless discussed otherwise)
Format:
-
- 12pt font Times New Roman
- Page number in top right hand corner Ex: 2 of 16
-
- Details of the file are recorded at the beginning and end of the file in all caps (as follows):
PROJECT:
DESCRIPTION:
FILE NAME:
DATE COMPLETED:
TRANSCRIBED BY:
END OF AUDIO:
END OF FILE:
-
- Timestamps are included at intervals of approximately 30 seconds. Other options to consider 15 seconds, 45 seconds, 1 minute, or by speaker.
- Each speaker is labeled by names or labels provided, or by speaker number, such as Speaker1, Speaker2.
Transcription Language:
Ellipses ( … ): An ellipses is explanation used when a speaker diverts from their thought, but the information is necessary to continue the thought or flow. The sentence following the ellipses will start with a lowercase word if the sentence is continued, and it will begin with an uppercase word if an entirely new sentence begins.
Dashes ( – ): A dash in the middle or at the end of a word is used when a speaker is abruptly cut off by another speaker or some other external event.
[inaudible timestamp] ex. [inaudible 00:05:47] – Used when a word or phrase simply cannot be deciphered. Used only for extreme cases.
[crosstalk timestamp] ex. [crosstalk 0:24:30] – Used when speakers are talking over one another, and there is audio that can no longer be deciphered.
[name/word timestamp] ex. [Sara 00:02:11]- Used for unknown spelling of words or names that are not provided.
McNitt Freelance 