What does paraphrasing involve in communication?

Paraphrasing involves restating the speaker's message in your own words while retaining the original meaning. This technique demonstrates active listening, allows the listener to clarify understanding, and ensures that the essence of the message is captured without simply repeating the words verbatim. By putting the speaker's ideas into your own words, it enables effective communication and shows that you are engaged in the conversation.

In contrast, ignoring the speaker's message would hinder communication, as it does not acknowledge or respond to the ideas being expressed. Summarizing without context can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretation, as it might omit important details or nuances that are essential to the full understanding of the original message. Asking many questions may be beneficial in some contexts, but it does not equate to paraphrasing; rather, it could indicate confusion or a lack of clarity about the message being communicated. Overall, paraphrasing is a crucial skill in communication that facilitates clarity and confirms comprehension.