Paraphrasing in Listening Skills: An Example
Imagine you're having a conversation with a friend about their recent job interview. They're feeling anxious about the outcome and express their concerns about the interview questions:
Friend: "I'm really worried about that interview. I felt like I stumbled over my answers to some of those questions about my strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure I made a good impression."
You: "So you're feeling nervous because you're unsure if you effectively conveyed your strengths and weaknesses during the interview? It sounds like you're worried about the impact of your responses."
In this example:
* Original statement: The friend expresses their anxiety about the interview and specifically mentions struggling with questions about their strengths and weaknesses.
* Paraphrased statement: You summarize their concerns by stating that they're feeling anxious about not effectively communicating their strengths and weaknesses. You also acknowledge the potential impact of their answers on the interview outcome.
Key elements of paraphrasing here:
* Focus on the meaning: You capture the essence of the friend's feelings and the reason behind their anxiety.
* Use different words: You rephrase the friend's statement using your own vocabulary.
* Confirm understanding: Your paraphrase helps ensure that you understand their perspective correctly.
By paraphrasing, you show your friend that you're actively listening and trying to understand their concerns. This can build trust and encourage them to continue sharing their thoughts and feelings.