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Ground Rules for Conversation
Ground Rules for Conversation
The overall point of discussion in this course -- other than getting immediate help for your studies -- is that it provides a space for you to engage publicly in conversation and debate with others over contemporary ideas and issues. In this way, we may come to a more sophisticated understanding of an issue or topic, or cultivate a deeper understanding of what we believe and think, or we may wholly re-evaluate our judgments on a particular topic.
The following are a few ground rules for discussion:
- Although I will facilitate some of our discussions, our conversation should encompass all of the class. Try to orient your speech towards others.
- Please respond to comments from other classmates without my permission. This means that you do not have to raise your hand and that you do not need to direct your comments to me or to the person facilitating discussion for the day. Instead, try to question and respond to each other directly.
- Comments should not be directed at your classmates or their beliefs, only their argument and the texts. Disagreement with ideas is fine, but we should learn to separate spoken discourse from individuals.
Participating in Discussion
Participating in Discussion
We will use our class time to discuss the assigned texts either as a class or in smaller breakout groups. Read the assigned texts with the aim of contributing to class discussions -- insights, questions, confusions, etc. Utilize the skills you learn in our Meta-Reading texts to help you prepare for discussion. Furthermore, your Reading Journal entries will provide the raw material for discussion.
1. Get involved in class discussion. Get involved when:
- Someone asks a question that you think you can answer. Or you can pose a question that someone else may be able to answer.
"I’m not sure I understand what _______ says when s/he argues ______________. Is anyone else having difficulty with this? Can anyone help explain this argument?"
"Why does the author focus on _____ ?"
"If we following what the author says, what will be the consequence?"
- You can provide a comment on what has already been said. Extend, elaborate, or question.
"I like the argument that ___________. I think this is important because ____________."
"I agree with what _________ said before when they commented/said that _____________."
"Your claim concerning _________ is interesting (fascinating/etc.). At the same time, I think _____________."
- You can provide information to clarify the article/theme, or correct an error.
"Are you sure that the text supports your claim about __________? It seems to me that it was really suggesting __________."
"Your reasoning is based on ___________ assumption. I’m not so sure that this is correct. Doesn't the author argue ___________?"
"Your analysis of ____________ is interesting, but I think it may be missing the point because______." "I don’t understand your point about ___________ . Can you please explain?"
"It's not clear what you mean when you say ________." "What were you trying to argue when you said ________?"
"When _________ writes __________, I think they mean ____________. You seem to understand this differently. Can you explain why?"
"If you conclude X, I really think that it is going to take you in Y direction. Do you want to do this? What will the implications be?"
- You can ask a thought-provoking question that extends the conversation.
"I agree when the author argues _________ , but I still don’t agree with their conclusion ______________. This is because ___________."
"X seems to contradict himself when they state _____________. On the one hand they want to say _____________. On the other hand, they say ______________."
2. Tips for further involvement:
- If you are reluctant to speak before the class, try to say something early in the discussion. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes. Also, if you wait too long, someone else may ask your question or make the comment you intended to make.
- Make comments concise and to the point.
- Always direct your comments to the class, or the group as a whole. Avoid getting involved in arguments with individual class members.
- Jot down ideas as you think of them during the discussion so that you will have notes to refer to when you get a chance to speak.
- Organize your comments. Relate what you say with what has already been said.
Source: McWhorter, K. T. College Reading and Study Skills. Pearson
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