Convention

Use

[ text   
[text
Brackets

Indicates the start point of overlapping speech.

=
Equal Sign

Indicates the break and subsequent continuation of a single utterance.

(0.78)

Timed Pause

A number in parentheses indicates the time, in seconds, of a pause in speech.

(.)
Micropause

A brief pause, usually less that 0.2 seconds.

. or ↓
Period or Down Arrow

Indicates falling pitch or intonation.

? or ↑
Question Mark or Up Arrow

Indicates rising pitch or intonation.

,
Comma

Indicates a temporary rise or fall in intonation.

conver-
Hyphen

Indicates an abrupt halt or interruption in utterance.

>text<

Greater than/Less than Symbols

Indicates that the enclosed speech was delivered more rapidly than usual for the speaker.

<text>

Less than/Greater than Symbols

Indicates that the enclosed speech was delivered more slowly than usual for the speaker.

°
Degree Symbol

Indicates whisper, reduced volume, or quiet speech.

ALL CAPS
Capitalized Text

Indicates shouted or increased volume speech.

underline

Underlined Text

Indicates the speaker is emphasizing or stressing the speech.

:::
Colon(s)

Indicates prolongation of a sound.

(hhh)                                              Audible exhalation

•or (.hhh)
High Dot

Audible inhalation

( text )
Parentheses

Speech which is unclear or in doubt in the transcript.

((text ))
Double Parentheses

Annotation of non-verbal activity.