Use of "so" as end of answer. I know there was a blog or discussion on here but I can't find it now.

[Thomas Herman]

Sorry in advance, as I know this was already discussed on here, but I can't find the discussion. I'm proofing a Q & A and almost every other answer ends with and unneeded "so" which my CR currently has as ending with a period. I know she doesn't like -- and ... isn't really correct as she isn't trailing off, she'll give a complete answer and ad (so) to the end for God knows what reason. This is a bad habit, I guess, that she ends sentences with "so". I'm thinking the . would be correct. "I had neck and back pain and then I saw Dr. Doe so." I'm looking through Morson's now, but if anyone knows where the old thread is that would be great! :-)

[C Cipolla]

I would put a period after 'so', because that's how the person ended their sentence. Having elipses looks like there's more inaudible stuff that they mumbled. Just my personal preference on it.

[Thomas Herman]

Monette, thank you! I'm going to foward that to my CR for her review. Also, thanks everyone else for the tips!

[Freddie Reppond]

Thomas, I am in agreement with your last comment. Sometimes the speaker says "so" very strongly at the end of a sentence and that is clearly the end of the statement, with no trailing off. In such a case I would put a period after the "so." Or even set the "so" apart as its own sentence, period included.

[Jennie Ann]

Monette, that is a very good link you shared. THANKS!

[Jennie Ann]

It would have helped if I posted the link in my previous post. LOL Here it is, Thomas:

http://www.csrnation.com/forum/topics/1736041:Topic:1117290

[Jennie Ann]

Thomas, here is the "So" thread: The So Thread

There are different schools of thought when handling "so" at the end of a sentence. Some people agree that the ellipsis should be used, whether it be three periods in a row -- "..." -- or three periods with spaces between each period -- ". . ." -- or just a double hyphen -- "--" -- at the end of the sentence. Even with the hyphens, some people put a space before and after the double hyphen, and some people do not. These TRULY are style likes and dislikes. The main thing is to be CONSISTENT throughout the transcript.

That said, me personally, I never use an ellipsis unless it is within quoted material and the speaker left something out, but there are others who believe that the usage of ellipsis for trailing off is the right thing to do. I can see the reasoning why to use the ellipsis at the end of a sentence after "so."

That said, when I went to court reporting school for two long years in the '70s era, we were instructed to NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use an ellipsis unless it is for quoted material. I am not saying my school is right or wrong; that's just how we were trained. Maybe my line of thinking is "old school," and I need to change, but right now I am consistent in all my transcripts when it comes to the usage of ellipses.

When push comes to shove, it all comes down to who you're doing the job for and what their style preferences are. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Ask the person you are working for their style preferences. If the person you are working for likes ellipses, then, by George, sprinkle 'em throughout the transcript every single time that "so" comes at the end of a sentence.

Again, it is style preference. Pick one style your reporter likes and stick with her style, even if it looks strange to your eye.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

I always do s.....


That is how it is done. You do the dots because they are trailing off, they are not interrupted. There is a huge difference. Also the same way when the say but.... and then they don't say anything else.

When they are cut off after the but, then you put a dash.

[Thomas Herman]

I think you are right Rosalie, I'll leave a note for my CR.

[Thomas Herman]

Thanks Rosalie, I understand that logic. I'm just wondering if the fact she completed her answer would negate the trailing off.. I know that sounds odd, but she made a strong, definite answer, then added so. Maybe I'm just doubting myself due to the fact the reporter had it as . vs ... Thanks.

[Rosalie DeLeonardis]

When they end their answers with so, I always put ... I would not put the dash because the dash, as I was trained, means being interrupted. So... is a trailing off.