This exercise is designed to help you apply and practice active listening. Divide into groups of five or six members. Select a controversial topic and practice active listening as you discuss the topic. Remember that paraphrasing is not simply restating the previous speaker’s words. Each group should use the following rules:

a. A discussant may not have the floor or add anything to the conversation until she or he paraphrases what the previous speaker said to that speaker’s satisfaction.

b. If the paraphrase is not accepted, the discussant may try again until the speaker accepts the paraphrase.

c. One member of the group should keep track of the number of times paraphrases were accepted or rejected. Each attempt should be recorded.

After the activity, discuss the difficulties encountered in active listening. Look for the benefits of paraphrasing and the problems that may be encountered. Discuss why it may be so hard for group members to understand others before contributing to the discussion.