Transcription Templates

Here are some suggestions for standard templates for transcripts. When you request a transcription, you can mix and match these to suit your purposes. For exampe, if you like the layout of the Standard Single, but prefer double line spacing, you can specify this with your booking.  Alternatively, you can contact us to discuss your template requirements or how to upload/design your own sample if you have one you would like us to use.

Standard single template

This template uses basic single line spacing with the speaker in bold and is widely used for HR meetings. This is because HR records are generally kept for many years on file, so the text should be as condensed as possible to take up less storage room, either digitally or on paper, whilst still being easily readable.

Standard double template

This format works on double line spacing and a hanging indent. These options provide that bit of extra space to make it ideal for annotating with notes/thoughts about the person or what was said.

Line numbering template

This template displays line numbers down the page margin and uses spaced text. This layout is often used by courts since it facilitates precise direction to parts of the document when reviewing transcribed records from previous hearings.

Section lettering template

Section Lettering is similar to the Line Numbering template above, but uses letters at regular intervals as a more general reference tool, ie directing to a section rather than a specific line.

TV production template

This format gives speaker, time code, and can include crew chatter and narration.  All this makes individual dialogue easy to identify and to edit if required.

Transcription Styles

Once you have chosen your template, you will also need to specify how verbatim you would like your transcript to be. A full description of each style is provided below.

  • Full verbatim: includes every um, er, false start, repetition and every word said.
  • Standard verbatim: excludes ums, ers and repetition. False starts are left in for the interviewee only to help with context.
  • Edited verbatim: excludes ums, ers, repetition and false starts. It stays to the original words said, but is edited to make the document more readable.
  • Polished verbatim: is far removed from verbatim.  This will be a very easily readable document with grammar more accurate to written text than spoken.
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