Study Notes on Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing

Definition of Paraphrasing

• Paraphrasing is defined as the skill of restating what another person (the helpee) has just said in a more concise form.

Example of Paraphrasing

• Helper: "It seems you have many demands on you at the moment, what with the bills, your wife's expectations, and your boss harassing you."
  • Helpee: "My life feels difficult at the moment. The bills are piling up, my wife is expecting me to take her out tonight, and my boss is really on my back right now."
  • In this example, the helper summarizes the helpee's feelings and circumstances without directly repeating them.

Importance of Paraphrasing

• Paraphrasing is a crucial skill for several reasons:
  • Demonstrates Active Listening: It lets the helpee know that the listener has been attentive to their words.
  • Provides Clarification: It helps clarify what has been expressed by the helpee, ensuring mutual understanding.

Cautions in Paraphrasing

• When engaging in paraphrasing, it is essential to avoid 'parroting,' which is the practice of repeating exactly what the helpee has said without any modification or interpretation.

Examples of Paraphrasing Responses

• To effectively paraphrase, one might use phrases such as:
  • "What I seem to be hearing is…"
  • "So what you are saying is…."
  • "So it's as though…"
  • "In other words, what you're saying is…."
  • "What appears to be coming across is…."
  • "From what you have said, it seems as if…."
  • "So, to paraphrase then…"
  • "From listening to you, would it be correct to say that…"
  • "So in effect, what you are saying is…"

Reference

• Sutton, J. & Stewart, W. (2008). Learning to Counsel, 3rd revised edition. Oxford: How To Books.