Elaboration requests

Definition

Elaboration requests are specific prompts made during a conversation or interview that encourage the speaker to provide more details or expand on their thoughts. These requests serve to deepen understanding and facilitate active listening by signaling to the speaker that their insights are valued and that more information is desired.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Elaboration requests enhance dialogue by encouraging speakers to share their thoughts more fully, which can lead to richer storytelling and insights.
2. Using elaboration requests can help build rapport between the speaker and listener, as it shows genuine interest in the speaker's perspective.
3. They can be phrased in various ways, such as 'Can you tell me more about that?' or 'What did you mean when you said...?'
4. Effective elaboration requests require active listening skills, ensuring that the listener is engaged and responsive to the speaker's narrative.
5. In narrative journalism, elaboration requests are crucial for obtaining detailed accounts that add depth and authenticity to the story being told.

Review Questions

• How do elaboration requests improve the quality of information gathered during an interview?
  • Elaboration requests improve the quality of information by prompting speakers to share more extensive details about their experiences or opinions. This leads to richer narratives and deeper insights, enhancing the overall understanding of the subject matter. By inviting the speaker to elaborate, the interviewer can uncover nuances that might not surface through simple yes/no questions.
• In what ways do elaboration requests differ from clarification requests, and why is this distinction important in interviews?
  • Elaboration requests focus on encouraging a speaker to provide additional details and context about their statements, while clarification requests aim to clear up confusion or ambiguity in what has already been said. This distinction is important because using elaboration requests fosters a more open dialogue and allows for a fuller exploration of topics, whereas clarification requests help ensure that communication is clear and understood. Both are vital for effective interviews but serve different purposes.
• Evaluate how the use of elaboration requests can influence the relationship between a journalist and their source during an interview.
  • The use of elaboration requests can significantly enhance the relationship between a journalist and their source by creating an atmosphere of trust and engagement. When journalists actively encourage sources to elaborate on their thoughts, it signals respect for their expertise and experiences, making them feel valued. This openness can lead to more candid conversations, resulting in richer stories and deeper connections that might not occur with less engaging questioning techniques.

Related terms

Active Listening:

A communication technique that involves fully focusing, understanding, responding, and remembering what the speaker says, ensuring that they feel heard and validated.

Follow-up Questions: Questions posed after an initial response that seek to clarify, deepen, or continue the conversation, often leading to more in-depth discussions.

Clarification Requests: Prompts that ask the speaker to clarify or explain something further, often used when the listener needs more information to understand the message accurately.