Fact · Transcription
The Minnesota Historical Society guide says to delete a false start when the narrator reorganizes their thoughts and resumes.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“False starts: If the narrator begins with several words and then reorganizes his or her thoughts and resumes, delete the false start.”
Transcribing, Editing and Processing Guidelines, Minnesota Historical Society, Oral History Office, Minnesota Historical Society, 2001, Editing guidelines.
Open the original- What it measures
- The rule applies at the editing stage, after the near-verbatim draft is made.
- What it does not show
- Editing rule for a publication-oriented oral history transcript. It is not a rule for legal or research transcripts.