farfel_n01_007_005

Formatting Rules

• Transcribe what you see: Transcribe the text as it appears on the page, including original creative spellings, abbreviations, symbols, capitalization, etc.
• Follow line breaks: The transcript should mimic the original work. Each line of text (in the original and the transcript) should end at the same word. If the page contents are arranged in columns, transcribe them as such, creating a new line for each column as you would read a news article, for example. If columns are not clearly defined, transcribe the text from left to right.
• Spaces and indentation: The transcription software does not support indentation or use of the Tab key. Don’t use multiple spaces to align text in an attempt to match the original. Rather, use two spaces to represent that there is some space between text in a line.
• Blank pages: If a page is blank, delete any text before selecting Mark as blank, then Save Changes.
• Special characters: Avoid using anything other other than standard keyboard characters. Do not transcribe diacritic marks (such as those in ü & é) or symbols such as lines, carets and arrows indicating inserted text. Our convention is to indicate inserted text where it would fall in the original document using bracketed indicators such as: [inserted]...[end inserted] Use this format in place of those symbols.
• Brackets are used for the following:
• Illegible words: Use [illegible] for words you cannot decipher.
• Best guesses: Use [?text?] if you are unsure of the transcription. Ex. [?John Smith?]
• Crossed out words: Use [crossed out] and [end crossed out]. If crossed out words are illegible, then use [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out]
• Inserted words: Use [inserted] and [end inserted]. This only applies when a caret, line or arrow shows that the author intended for the text to be added at a certain point within the work. Don't use it for marginalia or other handwritten notes.
• Use the Notes & Questions section below to share any issues, such as areas of difficult handwritten text.
• In order to better see the page viewer & text editing windows, consider using the Fullscreen button above the viewer in addition to the keyboard controls Ctrl+- or +.
• Contact Digital Initiatives staff at wilsone5@ohio.edu or carleton@ohio.edu if you have questions.