This template serves as a practical guide for creating transcripts for episodes produced by the Queensland Geographical Society.
The Queensland Geographical Society, based in Brisbane, focuses on geography through maps, field trips, and podcasts. Our aim is to provide clarity and insight into geographical topics, inspired by the principles of the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland.
When writing transcripts, consider the following structure:
- Episode Title: Clearly state the title of the episode.
- Episode Number: Include the episode number for easy reference.
- Date of Release: Provide the release date of the episode.
- Host(s): List the names of the host(s) involved in the episode.
- Guest(s): Mention any guests featured in the episode.
- Introduction: Write a brief introduction summarizing the episode's content.
- Transcript: Present the dialogue in a clear, readable format, indicating speakers.
- Conclusion: Summarize key points discussed in the episode.
Using this template will help ensure that your transcripts are consistent and accessible for all readers. For more resources and information, visit the Queensland Geographical Society's website.
Practical Tips for Accurate Geography Transcripts
A transcript is only as useful as it is accurate, and geography episodes bring their own challenges. Place names, Indigenous language terms, scientific vocabulary and map references are easy to mishear, so a little preparation before you start typing saves a lot of correction later.
Check place names and spellings
Queensland is full of names that are spelt differently from how they sound. Before transcribing, list the towns, rivers, ranges and islands mentioned in the episode and confirm each spelling against a reliable gazetteer or official map. Where a guest uses a Traditional Owner name for a place alongside a colonial name, record both as spoken and keep the spelling consistent throughout the document.
Handle technical terms carefully
Episodes on geomorphology, climate or hydrology often include terms such as alluvial fan, catchment or rain shadow. If you are unsure of a word, mark it with a timestamp and a note like [unclear, 12:45] rather than guessing. A host or guest can then confirm it before the transcript is published.
Make transcripts easy to read
- Use the speaker's name or initials at the start of each turn, in bold if your format allows.
- Add timestamps every few minutes so readers can jump to the matching part of the audio.
- Remove filler words such as "um" and false starts unless they change the meaning.
- Describe relevant non-speech sounds briefly, for example [birdsong] or [wind on microphone], especially for recordings made outdoors on field trips.
Accessibility and reuse
Transcripts help listeners who are deaf or hard of hearing, people who prefer reading, and anyone searching for a specific discussion later. Publishing them alongside each episode on the podcasts page makes the audio far more discoverable. Transcripts of field recordings can also become a starting point for written articles, so it is worth keeping a tidy master copy that editors working on publications can draw from.
Finally, ask a second person to proofread against the audio. A fresh pair of ears catches dropped words and misattributed speakers that the original transcriber easily misses.
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