Which of the following is a technique that involves summarizing someone else's message in your own words?

Paraphrasing is a technique where you summarize someone else's message using your own words, which demonstrates understanding and allows the original speaker to see that their thoughts have been accurately captured. This approach not only fosters effective communication but also encourages the speaker to continue sharing their ideas, knowing they have been heard and understood. By capturing the essence of what someone has said while putting it into different wording, paraphrasing helps clarify any ambiguities and ensures that both parties are on the same page, thereby enhancing overall dialogue and connection.

The other techniques mentioned, like reflecting, validating, and restating, have distinct purposes. Reflecting focuses more on mirroring emotional content rather than summarizing, while validating emphasizes acknowledging feelings without changing the message's wording or structure. Restating is closely related but often implies repeating the message more directly rather than rephrasing it in a new way. These nuances distinguish paraphrasing from the other options, underscoring why it is the correct choice for summarizing someone's message in your own words.