Non-Strict and Strict Verbatim

Non-Strict Verbatim (Non-Verbatim)

Non-strict verbatim, also referred to as non-verbatim, means that certain elements of speech are omitted to enhance readability while preserving the speaker’s intent and meaning.

Key Rules:

• Assume non-strict verbatim for all transcripts unless otherwise instructed.
• Remove unnecessary filler words such as um, uh, mm, hmm, false starts, stutters, and repeated words in succession—only when they do not alter the meaning of the sentence.
• Common filler phrases (kind of, sort of, you know, I mean, like) should be omitted unless they contribute to the meaning or tone of the statement.
• Affirmations must be retained. Words like great, okay, I know, exactly, right, and similar responses that confirm understanding or agreement must not be removed, as they contribute to the speaker’s intent and interaction.
• Repetitions for emphasis must be retained. If a word is repeated to add emphasis (e.g., That was very, very important), keep it. If it’s a false start or accidental stutter, remove it.
• False Starts:
• If a speaker begins a thought and stops within one to three words, omit those words.
• If the false start consists of four or more words, transcribe it exactly as spoken.
• Never remove words that change the sentence’s meaning.
• Conversational Backchanneling: If a speaker habitually responds with uh-huh, mm-hmm, okay, yeah, yes, right, etc. while another speaker is talking, these can be omitted unless they contribute to the conversation.
• Do not paraphrase. Every sentence must be transcribed exactly as spoken, just with cleaned-up filler words.
• Sentence Starters: Avoid starting sentences with and, but, or so when possible. If a speaker frequently starts sentences this way, consider restructuring by using the surrounding words while maintaining the original intent. However, if removing them changes the meaning, keep them.
• The word "like" should only be removed if used as a filler. It must remain in the transcript when used as a noun, verb, preposition, or conjunction,
• The word "then" is not a filler word and must always be retained in the transcript, as it typically conveys sequence or logical progression.

Strict Verbatim (Full Verbatim)

Strict verbatim, also known as full verbatim, requires capturing every single utterance, including all filler words, stutters, false starts, and partial words.

Key Rules:

• Include all utterances such as um, uh, mm, hmm, false starts, repeated words, stutters, and filler words, regardless of readability.
• Punctuation Guidelines:
• Use a comma after every um, uh, hmm, etc.
• Use an em dash (—) for interruptions, self-corrections, or abruptly cut-off words.
• Example: I thought—I believed something—that I wou—wait, what?
• Use a hyphen (-) (without spaces) for repeated words and stutters.
• Example: And if you're-if you're able to value a business, you know, the shares are just bas-basically, uh, a currency you're gonna trade in, and that's a-all it is. I'm not-not-not sure about this.

Handling Interruptions and Resuming After an Interruption:

• If a speaker is interrupted by another speaker, mark the cutoff with an em dash (—).
• If the original speaker continues speaking after the interruption, start their resumed sentence with a hyphen (-) without spaces to indicate continuity.

Example:

Interviewee: So when we analyzed the—

Interviewer: Sorry to interrupt, but did you mean last quarter’s report?

Interviewee: -yes, the last quarter’s report shows a 10% increase.

This ensures clarity while accurately capturing the natural flow of conversation.

• Do not clean up the transcript in any way. Everything must be transcribed exactly as spoken, including all speech patterns and hesitations.

By following these guidelines, we ensure that transcripts meet the specific needs of each project while maintaining clarity and accuracy.

If you are unsure of the correct spelling of a word, please follow the rules of 📠Spelling.

Example: Non-Verbatim vs. Strict Verbatim

Format examples: