Question

Which of these options is the most correct, according to our Style Guide?


A: I asked him, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Then he said, "To get to the other side." [laughter]

B: I asked him, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Then he said, "To get to the other side [laughter]."

C: I asked him, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Then he said, "To get to the other side [laughing]."

D: I asked him, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Then he said, "To get to the other side." [laughs]

Answer 1

D is the best option according to me because B and C are incorrect as couts are included for laughter and laughing respectively and option A is not suitable.

Answer 2

Best option is (d). Because in option (a) and (c) ‘’laughter’’ which is a background sound is closed with inverted comma with a following sentence.

It is incorrect because it should not be included with sentence because according to audio transcription rules background sound can be with a written speech but not with an inverted comma.

In option (a) which is also not suitable because in this [laughter] is used instead of [laugh]. Therefore option (d) is correct.