RPR Grammar, Punctuation, and Transcript Formatting 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a court transcript, how should a verbatim interjection such as 'uh-huh' be rendered?
- Exactly as spoken: 'Uh-huh.' (Correct answer)
- As 'Yes' to clarify meaning
- Omitted as it is non-substantive
- As '[affirmative]' in brackets
Correct answer: Exactly as spoken: 'Uh-huh.'
Court reporters must transcribe verbatim affirmative sounds exactly as spoken unless instructed otherwise.
Question 2: When should a reporter use a colon versus a semicolon in a transcript?
- A colon introduces a list or elaboration; a semicolon joins related independent clauses (Correct answer)
- A colon ends a sentence; a semicolon introduces a list
- They are interchangeable in transcript formatting
- A colon is used before direct quotes; a semicolon before indirect quotes
Correct answer: A colon introduces a list or elaboration; a semicolon joins related independent clauses
A colon introduces explanatory or listed material, while a semicolon connects related complete thoughts.
Question 3: How should a proper noun that is a compound title — such as 'Assistant District Attorney' — be capitalized in a transcript?
- Capitalize all principal words when used as a formal title before a name (Correct answer)
- Lowercase all words unless at the start of a sentence
- Capitalize only the first word of the compound title
- Use all capitals for any professional title
Correct answer: Capitalize all principal words when used as a formal title before a name
Formal titles are capitalized when they precede a person's name as part of the title.
Question 4: In transcript formatting, what is the standard way to indicate a question was not completed?
- Use a dash to show an interruption: 'Did you ever see the —' (Correct answer)
- Use ellipses: 'Did you ever see the ...'
- Write [INCOMPLETE] in brackets
- Leave a blank line after the partial question
Correct answer: Use a dash to show an interruption: 'Did you ever see the —'
An em dash indicates an abrupt interruption or incomplete utterance in transcript formatting.
Question 5: Which sentence is punctuated correctly for a court transcript?
- Q. Did you see the defendant? A. Yes, I did. (Correct answer)
- Q. Did you see the defendant? A. Yes I did.
- Q Did you see the defendant. A Yes, I did.
- Q: Did you see the defendant? A: Yes, I did.
Correct answer: Q. Did you see the defendant? A. Yes, I did.
Standard transcript format uses 'Q.' and 'A.' followed by a space, with a comma after 'Yes' in the answer.
Question 6: When a witness spells out a word during testimony, how should it appear in a transcript?
- Exactly as spelled, with hyphens between each letter: T-H-O-M-A-S (Correct answer)
- Written out as 'He spelled the name Thomas'
- In brackets: [Thomas, spelled]
- In all capitals: THOMAS
Correct answer: Exactly as spelled, with hyphens between each letter: T-H-O-M-A-S
When a witness spells aloud, each letter is transcribed separated by hyphens to reflect exactly what was said.
RPR Grammar, Punctuation, and Transcript Formatting 1
In a court transcript, how should a verbatim interjection such as 'uh-huh' be rendered?