Mock Site

How it all works

• Submitting your transcripts
• How I proofread
  • Court Reporter's Preferences worksheet
  • My reference library
• Viewing your corrections
• Installing CutePDF Writer

Submitting your transcripts

Please submit your transcripts in PDF only. To convert ASCII, text, and other file types to PDF, see the instructions for installing CutePDF Writer at the bottom of this page. As a last resort, I can convert your files on my end, but the transcripts convert more cleanly if you do it within your own software. ⤴

How I proofread

I use an application called iAnnotate to proofread transcripts. iAnnotate allows me to highlight, draw, mark, and take notes on PDF files. The bulk of what I look for in transcripts is the usual context, spelling, punctuation, and grammar issues. Beyond that, I try to verify names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and referenced court cases. I do light research for legal, medical, military, and other technical terms. I also check for some formatting errors, such as spacing. ⤴

I understand that each state, agency, and individual court reporter has different requirements and preferences for creating transcripts. Feel free to send me copies of any formatting guidelines or manuals that would help me spot issues relevant to your transcripts. I also require each court reporter to fill out a Court Reporter's Preferences worksheet. I maintain and update this document because it helps me get to know you and your style, and to tailor my annotations to your individual needs and preferences. ⤴

I have a robust grammar and punctuation reference library for everything not covered in your preferences worksheet. Some of my resources include:

• Morson's English Guide for Court Reporters, Second Edition
• Court Reporting: Bad Grammar/Good Punctuation
• The Proofreading Manual: A Guide for Court Reporters, Scopists and Proofreaders
• Glossaries for Court Reporters
• A Court Reporter's Guide to Medical Terminology
• The Gregg Reference Manual, Tenth Edition
• The Chicago Manual of Style
• One Word, Two Words, Hyphenated?
• 8,000 Soundalikes, Look-Alikes, and Other Words Often Confused
• Comma Sense: a Fun-damental Guide to Punctuation
• Various online dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster
• Several online legal, medical, and technical dictionaries

If you would like me to use any of these references (or something not listed) as a standard when proofreading your transcripts, please let me know. ⤴

Viewing your corrections

Corrections are returned via email in an annotated PDF. You must open the file in the latest version of Adobe Reader to view the corrections. Only pages with annotations are returned, so you should see red text and/or yellow highlights on every page of your annotated PDF. ⤴

Installing CutePDF Writer

I really like this little gadget and I hope you'll like it too. Outside of work, I use it for school and personal projects, too. Here's how to install it:

• Go to the CutePDF Writer download page.
• Click on the "Free Download" link to the right.
• Follow the install prompts. *Uncheck any prompts to install third party apps.*
• You may or may not need to restart your computer.
• Inside your software, open your transcript and go to "Print".
• Where you would normally select a printer, scroll and click on CutePDF Writer.
• Click "Print". *This will not cause anything to actually print.*
• Now CutePDF Writer will convert your file to a PDF. It may ask you to save it first, or it may open as a PDF and you can save it from there.
• Once it's saved, send me a copy via email.

You can also watch the short video below for a full explanation of how to install and use CutePDF Writer. ⤴