Which skill is essential for a student to clarify a message in a discussion?

The essential skill for a student to clarify a message in a discussion is grounded in pragmatic competence and social skills. Pragmatic competence refers to the ability to use language effectively in social contexts, understanding the nuances of meaning and the appropriate ways to convey messages. This includes recognizing non-verbal cues, understanding listener feedback, and adapting language based on the audience and context.

Social skills complement pragmatic competence, as they involve the ability to interact effectively with others, which further facilitates meaningful communication. A student with strong pragmatic competence and social skills can navigate conversations, respond appropriately to questions or comments, and ask for clarification when needed, thereby enhancing the clarity of their messages.

In contrast, while the other options involve important skills, they do not focus specifically on the interplay between language use and social interaction that is crucial for message clarification in discussions.