Which skill exemplifies active listening?

Active listening is a communication skill that involves fully concentrating on, understanding, responding to, and remembering what is being said. Paraphrasing what has been said exemplifies active listening because it demonstrates that the listener is truly engaged with the speaker's message. By restating the speaker's words in their own terms, the listener confirms their understanding and encourages further dialogue. This technique not only shows attentiveness but also fosters clarity and reinforces the connection between the speaker and the listener, making it an essential component of effective communication.

While ignoring distractions and nodding silently can also be aspects of being an attentive listener, they do not engage with the content of the speech in the same meaningful way as paraphrasing does. Interrupting the speaker, on the other hand, directly undermines the principles of active listening by disrupting the flow of communication.