How to do an Oral History

Step 6 - Transcribing the interview verbatim--exactly word for word.

Transcribing and editing your interview accurately is critical to hold the integrity of an oral history interview. Use the Minnesota Historical Society transcribing and editing guidelines:

http://www.mnhs.org/collections/oralhistory/ohtranscribing.pdf

The initial draft of the oral history should be transcribed verbatim-word for word. It will take a fast accurate typist 3 to 5 hours to transcribe one hour of the recorded interview. It may take a newer typist 6 to 8, or more hours to transcribe one hour of the recorded interview. The quality of your audio will make a difference in the ease in transcribing.

Next step: 7 - Review transcript and lightly edit for clarity

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