Proper Blurbs

[Erin Murray]

I have a couple of scenarios that require blurbs, and was wondering if anyone out there had some proper ones. Any help would be much appreciated!

1. A blurb for an attorney's cell phone ringing and he answered and proceeded to have a conversation (on the record.)
2. When an attorney and his client are conversing (on the record) in Spanish.

Thank you!

[Janet]

LOL, Phil! Don't forget the chuck.

[Veronica Kubat]

But don't you swear the interpreter in with the stated language in the admonition?

[Erica Abbott]

This is kind of a side to this conversation, but should all blurbs be in present tense or past tense? I have been really wondering this lately, but haven't gotten a straight answer yet.

For my cell phone, mine just says: (Whereupon there was a cellphone interruption, and a brief recess was taken.) I have that built into mine, because more than not (if I can ever remember a not) the attorney takes the call and then walks out of the room and all of the proceedings stop:)

[Jennie Ann]

Erica, that is a GREAT question, one which I will be interested in hearing the replies.

Example A. [Witness perusing the document.]
Example B. [Witness peruses the document.]
Example C. [Witness perused the document.]

Some of the folks in my area are getting away from that "Whereupon" word usage in the parentheticals, coming up with one-liner parentheticals. Most times, though, I have seen a comma placed after "Whereupon."

[Veronica Kubat]

I make it present tense: (There was an interruption in the proceedings.)


I don't usually state in the blurb the reason for the interruption. If they want it noted, they'll
state something on the record.

[Erica Abbott]

Veronica, you mean past tense; right? Present tense to me would mean (There is an interruption in the proceedings.)

Jennie, I, too, have seen a comma after "Whereupon," but then I have also seen it without. *Weird* I am hoping to obtain a Morson's guide for Christmas, so maybe that will answer the comma question. As for the past vs. present blurbs, I doubt that will be in there. I, personally, would make them present if I had my own way. I am thinking this because everything else is present because you are writing in real time. The past tense blurbs make it seem like they were an afterthought in editing. But whatever it was really happened at the moment you recorded it in real time; and, therefore, anything to portray that should be present tense. Am I making sense? lol.

Also, I only have very few actual blurbs. I actually really like your examples. I only have (The witness complies.) and (Witness gestures negatively.) or (Witness gestures affirmatively.) The only reason I have those though are because I was directed to use those specifically when I first started for the first company I worked for. I don't really like them though. lol. I find the need for ones that show that there is a discussion that I can't hear but no one actually says, "Off the record." Also, it would be nice to put something in for when the witness is reading and when a witness is mumbling.

[Judy]

I'd get rid of the negatively/affirmatively comment. I use (Nods head.) for up and down or (Shakes head.) for side to side. I was taught in the beginning (a loooong time ago) that using negative/affirmative is interpreting the intent, and that's not our job.

And I do wish there was a blurb book. Maybe somebody -- Veronica, I nominate you! -- to start a blurb section on CSRnation. That way people can look it up, see if somebody posted something that fits their needs, or as a question and get a response.

[Jennie Ann]

That is a wonderful idea, Judy, to start a blurb section. It would be a great resource to all.

[Judy]

Then I nominate you!

[Jennie Ann]

LOL! I better take that foot out of my mouth -- QUICK! ;-)

[Judy]

I'm sure some ambitious person will come along and help you.