A step-by-step guide: How to write a transcript?
With an emerging and evolving technological idea and its immense benefits captivating our attention is giving solutions to various sectors and platforms. We can now think of anything that has never existed earlier. New technology usually comes with a motive to either support a specific community by setting up the target audience or to make the new invention a brand to achieve the expectational goals.
Where creating the target audience is the major role, transcription is another technical term popping up from the planet of advanced technology. And here in this write-up, we’ll help you know about what is transcription, and how to write a transcript? So, let’s get-go;
What is Transcription?
Transcription is basically used for audio and video files. It is a type of document that is generated by typing the text or using a technology called automatic speech recognition, and even sometimes using both of them from the audiovisual file. It is the process of writing the text which we hear in the audio or video file except using the terms such as “oh”, “umm”, and “ah”. These terms are not considered appropriate to get mentioned in the document.
Why is it needed?
Transcription is done for several reasons and one of the most important reasons is to provide the information to the deaf. Providing the text below the audio or video file can help them to connect with the video as well as the concept.
Other reasons include:
- providing the subtitles or captions,
- for voiceovers to sync the content with the video,
- and for the translation purpose to make everyone understand what’s actually been said in the video. Also, it may be in different languages.
- And can be used as a reference.
Now, let’s see what is the procedure to write the transcript.
How to write a transcript?
Transcribing the videos or audios need a few mandatory steps that will lead you to achieve the expected task. The process is listed below:
- Gather your tools to stay comfy: Transcribing is a time taking process that can exhaust you after a while. But there is no chance of leaving the work in-between. So, it becomes better if you take all the necessary things in prior to avoid distractions. Things like noise cancellation headphones, a comfy yet disciplined chair, and a foot pedal make your experience smooth and effortless. And you can even go for transcription software to save your time.
- Select what kind of transcription you want to write: There are three different types in which you can write your transcription and these are; Full Verbatim which tells you to include every bit of what you hear. The second one is Clean Verbatim which asks you to write the text without using unnecessary terms such as “umm”, “like”, “oh”, etc. And the third one is detailed notes where you are supposed to mention the highlights of the audiovisual files.
- Listen carefully before transcribing: Listening is indeed a great practice and it needs to be in flow when you are doing a task related to transcribing the audiovisuals. You first need to listen to the speaker, understand the flow, and mark the terms that are unfamiliar to you. Know about the terms and clarify the doubts.
- Preparing the first draft: Here comes the second step which is more of a rescue stage for those who don’t have much speed in typing or writing. The first draft can be in a short form, can include abbreviations, or can be written using shortcut techniques. You get the chance to edit things in the second draft.
- Editing for the second draft: Now as you have a rough draft with you, it will get easy for you to edit the statements that require polishing. You just need to continue listening to the video and keep on changing the necessary things that need to be done. Mention the missed words, remove the shortcuts, and get to the correct abbreviations. Here, you don’t need to check the grammar, as you are transcribing the exact words of the speaker. All you need to do is to provide accuracy to the first draft.
- The format is needed: Formatting the second draft is as necessary as putting the icing on the cake. Once, you are done with the second draft, you are now supposed to format the entire document. Titles, page numbers, and para distinction need to be done to format the transcription. You don’t need to write a big paragraph for your transcriptions. Create a fresh para with a new speaker or a new topic. Also mark the time, when there’s the new speaker. Also, using brackets can help to give clarity to the viewer. Using (sic) tells that there is a grammatical error from the speaker’s end. Use nonverbal communication terms such as describing emotion in a bracket for a better understanding.
- The final step: Once you are done with the formatting, play the video, listen to the audio and read the text at the same time to make sure everything is correct. You are done with the task if it is accurate.
This was all you need to know about the process of the transcription of the audiovisual files.
