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Note taking can be a useful tool at various stages of the speechmaking process, from writing notes while interviewing an expert during the research phase, to jotting down key ideas when you’re an audience member. However, note taking can become a problem if you engage in unprocessed note taking—copying the speaker’s words verbatim without considering what you’re writing down. Unprocessed note takers physically hear words, but they don’t listen—that is, actively process and retain them. Instead, the words enter their consciousness and just as quickly exit, deposited in their notebooks or on their laptops—sometimes in incomprehensible form. Unprocessed note takers usually have trouble remembering what was said in an interview, a lecture, or a speech. They also miss opportunities to ask clarifying questions or to comment in informed, thoughtful ways. When you’re taking notes, be sure to focus fully on your interviewee or speaker, processing what he or she is saying and writing down the most important points.