Summary Parenthetical for Read-Backs
Parentheses
Rulebase Summary
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.
Examples
THE COURT: Read the last question back.
THE REPORTER: Question repeated.
THE COURT: Read the last question back.
(The last question was read by the reporter.)
Summary parenthetical for an easily located read-back.
Transcript Notes
Both forms are valid. Use the summary form when context makes the readback obvious from what came just before in the transcript. Use the inclusive form (with the quoted material) when the read-back is from earlier testimony that would not be easily located by anyone reading the transcript later.
Style Guide References (1)
Morson's