Secondly, when you ask questions, the information becomes more comprehensible to you, thus easier to store and retrieve. Avoid interrupting to make your own point. Your conversation partner has the floor. An informative conversation should not be a forum for debate or cruel comments. Encourage the speaker.
Body language encourages the speaker to continue.
Nod your head or lean closer to show that the information is being received. Maintain eye contact. Looking at a person during a conversation is both respectful to the speaker, and also holds the listener as an honest and open person. Below is a listening quiz printed in the Arizona Republic. I take the time to find out how the other person wants me to listen.