Social Strategy
What is one way to show active listening?
Eye contact, nodding, short verbal responses (“yeah,” “I see”)
👉 Must add: why it matters + ask a question
Someone says: “I’m tired of school.” What do you say?
“Yeah, it can get overwhelming—what’s been the hardest part lately?”
Fix: “cool”
“That’s cool—how did that happen?”
Homework should be optional.
Example: “I think it should be optional because it reduces stress—do you think it actually helps learning?”
Topic: Music
Must give comment + ask 1 question
Example: “I’ve been listening to a lot of Drake—what kind of music do you like?”
What makes a comment “relevant” in a conversation?
It connects directly to the topic or what the speaker said
👉 Must give example + ask a follow-up
A classmate says: “This class is useless.”
“I get why it might feel that way—what would make it more useful for you?”
Fix: “ok”
“Okay, I get that—what are you planning to do next?”
School should start later.
“I agree because students need more sleep—how do you think it would affect schedules?”
Topic: Weekend plans
“I usually just relax or hang out—what do you usually do on weekends?”
Why are follow-up questions important?
They show interest and keep the conversation going
👉 Must explain impact + ask one
You’re in a group and no one is talking.
“We should probably get started—what part do you want to work on?”
Fix: “idk”
“I’m not sure, but maybe ___—what do you think?”
Social media is helpful.
“It helps people connect, but it can also be distracting—what do you think is the biggest downside?”
Topic: Future plans
Must give detail + ask 2 questions
Example: “I’m thinking about working after graduation—what are your plans?”
What’s the difference between a comment and a question in conversation?
Comment = adds info/opinion
Question = invites response
👉 Must give both + ask a question
Your friend shares good news about getting accepted somewhere.
“That’s awesome, congrats—what are you most excited about?”
Fix: “whatever”
“I see your point, but I think ___—what’s your take?”
Phones should be banned in class.
Must give balanced view + question
Example: “They can be distracting, but also useful for learning—should there be limits instead of a full ban?”
Topic: Something stressful
“School can get stressful with deadlines—I try to manage my time—what helps you deal with stress?”
How do you keep a conversation going when you disagree with someone?
Acknowledge their view, share your perspective respectfully, ask a question
👉 Must model a full response
Your friend is venting but doesn’t want advice.
“That sounds really frustrating—I’m here to listen. Do you want to talk more about it?”
Fix: “that’s dumb”
“I don’t really agree with that idea—can you explain your perspective?”
College is not necessary for success.
“I think success can happen without college depending on the path—what do you think matters more, skills or degrees?”
Topic: Disagreement (any topic)
Must:
Example:
“I see why you think that, but I feel differently because ___. What makes you see it that way?”