Salt Lake Community College Interpersonal Communication Exercise Paper

Complete an interpersonal communication exercise with someone you care about (a close friend, family member, spouse, significant other, etc.)

While following COVID-19 guidelines, have a 30 minutes to one hour conversation. This can be done over the phone, a video chat, or in person. If you are using an electronic device, turn off all others besides the one you are using.  Arrange the space so that you and the individual are facing each other and can see each other’s face, hands and body position.

Takes turns reading a question or statement and then answering the question. Talk to the person, not about them. Tell them how you feel. Avoid the word “you” when discussing negative matters, instead use “I” and feeling descriptors.

While Person A is talking, Person B should listen attentively until A is done. Then B should paraphrase back to A what they heard. This should not be a recitation of A’s comments, but a paraphrase of what they understood was being said. If there is clarification needed, the other should respond, “That is not exactly what I meant…let me try again.” Once the message is given and received in a mutually understood way, the other person should take a turn.

After both individuals have acted as receiver and sender, go to the next question or statement.

Here are the questions/statements:

1. “Your greatest attribute is…” (Then explain why.)
2. “If I could be more like you in one way, it would be…”
3. Describe one characteristic or behavior about the other person that troubles you.
4. “One thing I really enjoy doing with you and wish we could do more together more is…”
5. “If I could influence the world, I would…”
6. “My greatest hopes and dreams are to…” (Why?)
7. “My greatest fears are…”
8. (This is a little different. You are asking for feedback on this instead of being the sender.) “How can I be a better communicator with you?”
9. “If you could see yourself the way I see you, you would realize…”
10. “You make me feel _______ when you…” (a positive feeling)

Step 2

Write a 1-page paper about your experience completing this activity. It should exhibit that you have learned something in communication strategies. Do not give details about the answers to the questions. This should be a reflection paper about what you learned about communication as a result of this exercise.