Colon After QUESTION or ANSWER in Transcript Readback

The Colon

Rulebase Summary

When testimony from a transcript is read back on the record, use a colon after the words QUESTION and ANSWER (written in all capitals). The readback is enclosed in quotation marks.

Morson's Rule 37 · p.25

Examples

✗

"QUESTION. What did you observe?"
"ANSWER. I saw the defendant exit through the rear door."

✓

"QUESTION: What did you observe?"
"ANSWER: I saw the defendant exit through the rear door."

Colon after QUESTION and ANSWER in readback format.

✗

READBACK. "Did you sign the contract on that date?"

✓

READBACK: "Did you sign the contract on that date?"

Readback label takes a colon, not a period.

Style Guide References (1)

Morson's

Rule 37 Page 25