Parentheses
9 rules
Parentheses for Explanatory Notations from the Reporter
Use parentheses to enclose explanatory notations that are not spoken but are included by the reporter as necessary for the record. These are the reporter's interpolations into the transcript — recess notations, off-the-record discussions, witness actions, exhibit markings, and similar procedural notes.
Complete Sentences Within Parentheses: Capitalize and Punctuate Inside
Use complete sentences within parentheses for reporter notations. Capitalize the first word, use appropriate punctuation within the sentence, and enclose the end mark of punctuation within the closing parenthesis. Do not use introductory words or phrases such as 'whereupon,' 'at this point in time,' or 'at this time.'
Parenthetical Sentence for a Witness's Wordless Gesture
Use a parenthetical sentence when a witness responds to a question with a gesture and does not accompany the gesture with words. The parenthetical states what the witness physically did — pointed, indicated, wrote, nodded — without describing what the gesture meant.
No Qualifying Details in 'The Witness Indicated' Parentheticals
When using expressions such as 'the witness responded,' 'the witness demonstrated,' or 'the witness pointed,' do not add any qualifying remarks related to what, when, how, or why. Do not indicate size, weight, distance, or position. Reporters are not to testify to any of these details — they observe and record, they do not interpret.
Avoid 'Interrupting,' 'Continuing,' and 'Reading' in Parentheticals
Avoid using parenthetical expressions such as '(interrupting)' or '(continuing)' because dashes are used to indicate interruptions in speech. Avoid the parenthetical '(reading)' because quotation marks are used to set off material that is being read aloud.
Summary Parenthetical for Read-Backs
When a court reporter is asked to read back testimony, a summary parenthetical may be used if the material is easily located: '(The last question was read by the reporter.)' or '(The last question and answer before the noon recess were read by the reporter.)'. If the material to be read cannot be easily located, the court reporter may include the actual readback within the parenthetical, using quotation marks for the quoted Q&A.
Parentheses Around Numbers or Letters for Short Enumerated Items in Text
In running text, use parentheses to enclose numbers or letters for short enumerated items. The parentheses surround the enumeration marker — both the opening and closing parenthesis — to set it off clearly from the surrounding text.
Court Reporters Use Commas or Dashes Instead of Literary Parentheses
Beyond reporter notations and enumerated items, other rules for parentheses exist in literary style — but court documents seldom use them. In most of these instances, the court reporter would use commas or dashes instead. Save parentheses for the reporter's own interpolations into the transcript.
Using [sic] in Brackets to Flag Errors in the Record
Use the word sic in brackets [sic] after an element in the transcript that is blatantly and factually incorrect — such as a wrong date, a wrong place name, or a misspelled word in a document being read into the record. Do not use [sic] for simple mispronunciations or made-up words; instead, transcribe the correct word or use quotation marks around the unusual word. Do not use [sic] when the error is immediately corrected by another speaker in the proceedings. Use [sic] sparingly — overuse reduces readability. Some reporters use [verbatim] as a softer alternative to flag speaker errors in grammar or word choice.