Avoid 'Interrupting,' 'Continuing,' and 'Reading' in Parentheticals
Parentheses
Rulebase Summary
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.
Examples
Q. (interrupting) Wait — when did this happen?
Q. Wait — when did this happen?
Dash already shows the interruption — no parenthetical needed.
A. (reading) The contract states the following terms.
A. 'The contract states the following terms.'
Quotation marks indicate readback — no parenthetical.
Transcript Notes
Each punctuation mark has its job. Dashes show interruption — let them do their work. Quotation marks show readback — let them do their work. Parentheticals are for things the punctuation marks alone cannot communicate.
Style Guide References (1)
Morson's