Listening to others and building on arguments
Listen carefully when other people are speaking. For example, if someone is delivering a speech or making a point in a group discussion or debate, you need to pay close attention to the points they are making.
It can help to take notes as you listen - write a few words or images down to trigger your memory when it’s your own turn to talk.
You can show that you have been listening by building on people’s arguments. Mention a point someone has made and then add your own experience or ideas. Here are some sentence starters to help you with this:
- I agree with your point about…. however…
- I’d like to add to what you said…
- When you talked about… it made me think…
- In addition to your comments about…
Remember, you don’t have to agree with everything a speaker says but conversation of any kind is a co-operative activity and it starts to fall down when it becomes confrontational or competitive. The purpose of a discussion is to open up an issue and invite a range of opinions and interpretations. In this case you can challenge a speaker. The following sentence starters should be useful:
- I understand what you said about… but I think…
- I disagree with your point about…
- I don’t think what you said about… is valid. I would suggest…
- When you said… I wonder whether you had considered…
Listening is as important as speaking, so avoid dominating a discussion, even if you have lots to say, and encourage others to share their views too.
