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Some Formatting Suggestions
Parentheticals
These are descriptive words enclosed in parentheses to inform the reader
what is happening during the proceedings. Many states and/or court-
reporting firms have their own guidelines which have to be followed. Most
reporters will have a preferred formatting for where they want their
parentheticals. Those are usually included within the reporter’s settings that
come with the transcripts.
Some good examples of parentheticals are:
(Discussion held off record) – Note that since this is only a phrase and not a
complete sentence, it does not have to have a period before the close of the
parentheses.
(The witness read as directed.)
(Requested portion was read.)
(A recess was taken.)
(The jury left the courtroom.)
Parentheticals must always be followed with a By-line before Q & A
begins.
If there are periods outside of a parenthetical which often occurs, remove
them.
For example:
(The witness complied with the request.).
This should be written like so: (The witness complied with the request.)
Indicating is used when the speaker (regardless of who it is) is pointing to
something. When it happens in the middle of a sentence it is written like so:
(indicating) For example: This is where my leg
When it is written following the sentence it is written this way: (Indicating.)
Phonetic is used when a speaker says something that does not exist or is
simply misspoken but that is how they said it. It is written next to the word
like so: (phonetic).
Parentheticals
These are descriptive words enclosed in parentheses to inform the reader
what is happening during the proceedings. Many states and/or court-
reporting firms have their own guidelines which have to be followed. Most
reporters will have a preferred formatting for where they want their
parentheticals. Those are usually included within the reporter’s settings that
come with the transcripts.
Some good examples of parentheticals are:
(Discussion held off record) – Note that since this is only a phrase and not a
complete sentence, it does not have to have a period before the close of the
parentheses.
(The witness read as directed.)
(Requested portion was read.)
(A recess was taken.)
(The jury left the courtroom.)
Parentheticals must always be followed with a By-line before Q & A
begins.
If there are periods outside of a parenthetical which often occurs, remove
them.
For example:
(The witness complied with the request.).
This should be written like so: (The witness complied with the request.)
Indicating is used when the speaker (regardless of who it is) is pointing to
something. When it happens in the middle of a sentence it is written like so:
(indicating) For example: This is where my leg
When it is written following the sentence it is written this way: (Indicating.)
Phonetic is used when a speaker says something that does not exist or is
simply misspoken but that is how they said it. It is written next to the word
like so: (phonetic).
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| Last updated Friday, August 28, 2008 |
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