Conversational Moves for Questioning, Listening, and Responding

Here are some "conversational" moves to help you make the most of your discussion assignments.

1. Ask a question or make comment that shows you are interested in what another person has said.
2. Ask a question or make a comment that encourages someone else to elaborate on something that person has said.
3. Make a comment that underscores the link between two people’s contributions. Make this link explicit in your comment.
4. Make a comment indicating that you found another person’s ideas interesting or useful. Be specific as to why this was the case.
5. Contribute to something that builds on or springs from what someone else has said. Be explicit about the ways you are building on the other person’s thoughts.
6. Make a comment that at least partly paraphrases a point someone has already made.
7. Make a summary observation that takes into account several people’s contributions and that touches on a recurring theme in discussion.
8. Ask a cause-and-effect question – for example, “Can you explain why you think it’s true that if these things are in place, such and such a thing will occur?”
9. Find a way to express appreciation for the enlightenment you have gained from the discussion. Try to be specific about what it was that helped you understand something better.
10. Disagree with someone in a respectful and constructive way.