top abbreviations: practice sentences for "quantity" adjectives

Review the shortcut abbreviations . . . then do some practice!

Here are some practice sentences for the "quantity" adjectives discussed in this post.  You can have a friend read the sentences aloud while you practice using the shortest abbreviations for the adjectives and compound words underlined below.  Note that all of the words in bold have been discussed in previous "top abbreviations" posts, so they all have shortcuts!

Every time you save more than two dollars, I'll give you some more chocolate. 

Everyone goes everywhere downtown.  

Give him some attention, in any amount. 

Many transcribers save time with every word. 

That amounts to many saved keystrokes!

How many different answers do you have? 

Some people are good. 

Remember to bring some paper. 

How many more did he eat? 

Can he remember more answers? 

Learn more from her. 

For more shortcuts and practice sentences, you can search for "top abbreviations" in the Kyp's Tips search bar, or click on the tag for "abbreviations" in the right-hand column.  Have fun!

Kate

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quick transcript review – step 2: read the transcript deeply

This is the fun part!!

Once you have a printed copy of an appropriate transcript and, preferably, recorded the class and taken notes, you are ready for Step 2 of the Quick Review Method: reading the transcript deeply.

Plan at least 30 - 45 minutes to do this step.  That may seem lengthy considering your busy schedule, but there's no shortcut.  To really judge the quality of the transcript, you have to read deeply and understand what the transcript says and implies. So, shut your office door; turn off your phone and pager; and get ready to read!

Start reading at the beginning of the transcript, and think hard about the meaning of what you read.  Look specifically for the problems listed below, and mark any that you see.

A.  Unclearly worded sentences


B.  Gaps or jumps in the information flow

C.  Wrong facts

D.  Hard-to-read sections, due to typos, very long paragraphs or unrelated text jammed together. 

Here's an example of problems B and D:

If the thermal energy is a lot less than the cohesive forces, you have a
    There is only one class of liquids, but there are two classes of solids: crystalline and amorphous.

That unfinished thought at the end of the first line is problem B, a gap in the information flow.  The text is also hard to read (problem D) because there is no blank line between the first topic and the second one, to put the new topic into a new paragraph.

For examples and practice identifying each type of problem above, click here.  In my next post, I'll cover when and how to get help from "context experts" to check fact accuracy about an unfamiliar topic, and to determine the cause of any information gaps in the transcript. 

    -- Judy

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POLL RESULTS: do you know of any untrained individuals providing speech-to-text services?

9 people voted, and they all said "No."  GOOD!!

Only people who have taken and passed our course can use the TypeWell software to provide any kind of services.

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signs of a good transcript: no jumbled sentences

No excuses for jumbled sentences!!

Jumbled sentences, run-on sentences, and fragments are usually the result of a transcriber not using enough lag time.  Sometimes transcribers use the excuse, "That's the way the professor talks!"  That's a less-than-optimal strategy for handling unclear speakers, because it can harm the reader's understanding of the information being presented.  

To provide excellent communication access, a transcriber must capture the full meaning of what is spoken, accurately and clearly.  Jumbled sentences and fragments are often confusing for the reader, and thus don't effectively convey the speaker's intended message.  Remember: our top goal is the reader's quick understanding of the material. 

So, be sure to always lag behind the speaker by a clause or two.  That allows you time to process the speaker's message.  Then, PLAN each complete sentence, and know how each sentence will end before you begin typing it.

Kate

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use "reverse colors" when lights are dim

A TypeWell feature that's easy on the eyes!!

The "reverse colors" feature is built in to the TypeWell Transcriber and Reader software.  To enable it, click on the View menu, and then Reverse Colors.  While that color display feature is designed for readers who are visually challenged, some transcribers prefer to use it all the time.  It's also a good feature to turn on when the lights are dimmed for a PowerPoint show or video, because it makes the glow from the laptop screen less noticeable.

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POLL RESULTS: how do you usually travel to work?

Survey says . . .I'll ask again in the summertime!

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quick transcript review: arrange to record class or meeting

Plan ahead!!

Having a record of what was actually said is very helpful when reviewing transcripts.  Arrange to make an audio recording and take notes. 

• Record the class/meeting:
  • To get a good-quality audio recording of the class/meeting, ask the instructor to wear a lapel microphone and small MP3 recorder.  Or, if you have only a larger, non-wearable recorder, arrange to put it very close to the person who will be speaking the most.
  • Be sure to listen to a test recording to be sure there is no noise from clothing brushing the mic, papers rustling nearby, or noise from the instructor pounding the lectern to emphasize his/her points!
• Make notes about the class context:
  • Sit in during the class/meeting and take notes on what the instructor writes on the board, demonstrations, etc.  The class context information will supplement the recorded audio information, and thus add necessary information for interpreting the meaning-for-meaning transcript (in Steps 2 and 3). 
  • If you can't sit in during the class yourself, arrange for someone to do that for you.

   --Judy

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