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Expressing an Opinion/ Asking for Clarification	Building on What Others Say	Agreeing/Disagreeing
I think/ believe/ predict/imagine that… In my opinion… It seems to me that… Not everyone will agree with me, but… Can you give me an example? Can you tell me more about…? How did you…? So what you’re saying is…? Where can I find that? Why did you do that?	Another example is… You bring up an interesting point, and I also think… That’s an interesting idea. I wonder,...? I thought about that also, and I’m wondering why...? I hadn’t thought of that before. You make me wonder if…? Do you think…? ____________ said that… I agree and also think… Based on the ideas from__________, ____________, and ____________, it seems like we all think that… That’s an excellent point, and I would add…	I agree with what _______ said because… That’s true. I also think that… That makes sense because… That’s how I see it too, because… I agree with the point that… I disagree because… I don’t think that’s right since… That’s not how I see it. I think… Another way to look at it is… My idea is slightly different from yours. I believe that___________ I think that… I have a different answer than you.

Speaking Like a Scholar

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Gather more information	Clarify your understanding Show that you’re listening	Affirming Feelings
Would/could you tell me a little more? Can you tell me what you need right now? Is there anything else you’d like to share? Would you like my help in figuring this out?	Let me see if I have this right…. I want to make sure I understand what you’re telling me. What I’m hearing is…. What I hear you saying is…. Is that right? Let me see if I have this right…. I want to make sure I understand what you’re telling me. What I’m hearing is…. What I hear you saying is…. Is that right?	Thank you for sharing this with me. I understand you feel that way. That sounds like an [adjective] experience. I hear you. I’m not sure what to say right now, but I’m here to listen.

Speaking With Empathy