What common function do annotations serve for a transcriber?

Annotations are a crucial tool for transcribers as they play a significant role in preparing a verbatim transcript. This process involves capturing spoken dialogue and conversations as accurately as possible, including any nuances or specific phrases used by the speakers. Annotations can help transcribers identify important segments of the audio, indicate different speakers, or note particular details that may need emphasis in the final transcript.

By providing additional context or clarifying ambiguities, annotations ensure that the resulting transcript is a faithful and comprehensive depiction of the audio material. This meticulous approach is essential in legal settings, where precision is vital for the integrity of the records being created. Other functions like summarizing content quickly or assisting with casual notes do not contribute directly to the goal of a verbatim transcript, and highlighting courtroom issues, while important in its own right, focuses more on thematic elements rather than the detailed accuracy that annotations are intended to facilitate in the transcription process.