What is the process of writing down brief observations or quotes from people involved during an interview called?

• A. Transcription
• B. Note-taking
• C. Recording
• D. Summarizing

Answer: (B)

Note-taking during an interview is the practice of quickly writing down brief observations and exact phrases from what people say, while you’re still listening. It lets you capture key points, quotes, and even nonverbal cues without interrupting the flow of the conversation. This is different from transcription, which is the process of producing a full, word-for-word written record of the entire interview after you’ve recorded it. It’s also distinct from simply recording, which is about capturing the audio or video, and from summarizing, which condenses the content into a concise overview rather than preserving specific quotes or on-the-spot impressions. Effective note-taking uses quick shorthand, identifies who spoke, marks the context or timing, and separates exact quotes from paraphrase, so you have accurate details to reference later.