Writing helps you become more precise. Word selection is important. You can really develop a concept through writing notes about it. You can reflect back on those notes too.
You may want to adjust, amend or add to those notes. By dating the notes you can see what you thought at a given point in time.
Writing also requires thought so you are more likely to remember the key points when you write them down. Then when you review those written points they will enter your mind once again, helping to cement their place in your memory.