NOTES ON BEING
A LEADER/FACILITATOR AND A PARTICIPANT
Based on information
about shared inquiry as set out by The Great Books Foundation www.greatbooks.org
and prepared by Jennifer Peddlesden April 2004
General Rules for Discussion
· Discuss only the selection on the agenda
· Don't introduce outside opinions. Give your opinions with
evidence from the story. Think for yourself! It is so satisfying!
· Only those who have read the selection on the agenda may
take part in the discussion. Others are more than welcome to listen!
· Everyone has the right to speak - the leader/facilitator
likes to hear from everyone at some point, but everyone has the
right to pass
· Side conversations hinder others from hearing
· Respect the ideas of others - you may not agree and that
is ok!
· Leaders/facilitators may ask questions but not answer them
Duties
of Leaders/facilitators
· Leader/facilitators are not experts on the selection being
discussed.
· Leaders/facilitators are in place to help the discussion
run smoothly and to facilitate a shared inquiry.
· Leaders/facilitators often pose direct, or indirect questions
to stimulate discussion.
· Leaders/facilitators make sure that everyone at the table
gets a chance to participate if he/she wishes
The Best Questions
· Questions that interpret the author's message, or bring
insight to the author's meaning
· Questions that CANNOT be answered by a yes or a no.
· Questions that are specific
· Questions that are clear and concise
· Questions that are answerable from the selection being
read
· Questions that you, as the leader/facilitator cannot answer!
· Questions that connect the selections that are being discussed
over the weekend
· Questions that are in the form of an issue, where the answer
may go either way
· Questions that ask about the characters in the story
When the Discussion Stalls…
· Ask a participant to read a passage from the book out loud.
(Many people read the book months ago, this refreshes their memory)
· Discuss the title and its meaning to the story
· Rephrase the initial question ( short questions work best)
· Go over the facts i.e. Names of characters and their part
in the story, summary of the action, the setting, and connections
between parts of the story if applicable. Sometimes this gets the
participants thinking and the discussion moving along.
· Discuss some physical aspects of the book. I.e. Divisions
within the book, chapter headings, format, inscription
· Read and discuss the jacket or cover reviews
