CSR Certified Shorthand Reporter flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Literary dictation

Dictation of continuous narrative prose such as essays, speeches, or fiction, containing no questions or answers; the reporter must supply paragraphing, punctuation, and capitalization from meaning and syntax.

Homophones in dictation

Word pairs that sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning, such as principal and principle or their and there; the reporter selects the correct form from grammatical and factual context.

Paragraph break instruction

A spoken cue from the reader, such as 'new paragraph,' or a marked pause, that directs the reporter to begin a new indented paragraph in the literary transcript.

Em dash in transcription

A punctuation mark used for abrupt breaks, interrupted speech, and parenthetical asides; it is written closed up with no space before or after it.

Jury charge

The judge's formal instructions to the jury on the law applicable to the case, including the burden of proof, the elements of each claim or offense, and the rules governing deliberation.

Pattern jury instructions

Model charges drafted by bar committees or courts and adopted by a jurisdiction; read aloud with case-specific insertions, they contain citations, defined terms, and numbered paragraphs reproduced exactly.

Defined term capitalization

When a charge states that a word means or is defined as something, that word is capitalized consistently wherever it recurs, signaling its technical legal meaning to the jury.

Charge objections on record

Objections and requests to charge made outside the jury's presence are separately dictated and transcribed so the appellate record shows the exact instruction requested, given, or refused.

Question and answer format

Each speaker's utterance starts a new paragraph, with questions designated Q. and answers A.; the exchange is transcribed in the order spoken, including false starts and repetitions.

Colloquy designation

Speech by the judge, attorneys, or others in the proceeding is identified by a capitalized speaker label such as THE COURT: or MR. REYES: rather than by Q or A.

Inaudible notation

A bracketed insertion such as [inaudible] used when words cannot be heard; it never replaces guessing at or inventing testimony that was not clearly discernible.

Parenthetical indication

A description of nonverbal conduct or an on-record event, placed in parentheses, as in (Witness nods.) or (Exhibit 3 marked), so the transcript reflects events without adding spoken words.

Interrupted speech punctuation

When a speaker is cut off mid-sentence, the break is shown with a dash rather than a period, and the interrupting speaker's words begin a new paragraph under a new designation.

Who versus whom

Use who for the subject of a clause and whom for an object or after a preposition; a reliable test is substituting he or she for who and him or her for whom.

Semicolon joining clauses

A semicolon may join two independent clauses not linked by a coordinating conjunction, and it also separates series items that already contain internal commas.

Affect versus effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence, while effect is usually a noun meaning result; effect can also be a verb meaning to bring about a change.

Plural possessive apostrophe

For a plural noun ending in s, add only an apostrophe after the s, as in the witnesses' statements; irregular plurals such as children add apostrophe plus s.

Introductory comma rule

A comma normally follows an introductory subordinate clause or a long introductory phrase, but is usually omitted after a short adverb or brief transitional phrase.

Voir dire

The examination of prospective jurors by the court and counsel to determine qualification, impartiality, and hardship, occurring before challenges are exercised and the jury is sworn.

Peremptory challenge

A challenge removing a prospective juror without stating a cause; the number is limited by statute or rule and may not be used to strike jurors on a prohibited discriminatory basis.

Motion in limine

A pretrial motion asking the judge to exclude or limit evidence before it is offered, keeping inadmissible material from the jury and preserving the objection for review.

Leading question

A question phrased to suggest the desired answer, usually calling for yes or no; it is generally allowed on cross-examination but restricted on direct except for foundational matters.

Res ipsa loquitur

Latin for 'the thing speaks for itself'; a doctrine allowing an inference of negligence when the injury-causing instrument was in the defendant's exclusive control and the event would not ordinarily occur without negligence.

Nolo contendere

A plea by which the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts conviction and punishment; in most jurisdictions it may not be used as an admission in a later civil action.

Title page contents

The caption page states the court, parties, cause or case number, title of the proceeding, date and place, appearances of counsel, and the reporter's name and license number.

Transcript line numbering

Body text is set on consecutively numbered lines within a uniform margin, commonly twenty-five per page, so any line can be cited precisely on appeal or for readback.

Reporter's certificate

A signed and dated statement at the end of the transcript attesting that the preceding pages are a true and correct record of the proceedings and that the reporter was duly authorized.

Exhibit marking notation

A parenthetical or italicized note placed where the event occurred, recording that an item was marked for identification, offered, admitted, or refused.

Grand jury secrecy

Grand jury proceedings are confidential by statute or rule; the reporter may not disclose testimony or the substance of deliberations except as authorized by court order or law.

Reporter impartiality duty

The reporter records all proceedings alike and takes no side; the record must include unfavorable testimony and every party's objections without bias or favor.

Conflict of interest disclosure

A reporter related to a party or attorney, holding a financial stake in the outcome, or otherwise personally involved discloses the conflict on the record so the parties may waive or object.

Retention of stenographic notes

Statutes and rules set a minimum period for keeping notes, tapes, or electronic files, commonly several years, after which they may be destroyed only as the governing rule allows.