The goal of a good class discussion is to help you gain a deeper understanding of the material.  Talking about the material can help to solidify your understanding of the reading, help you to store information in your long-term memory, and gain new insights as your peers and teacher share their perspectives.  There are, however, many skills you can develop through speaking and listening that are vital in helping you become an analytical thinker.  

Ask Yourself:

1. What is the purpose of this discussion?  (e.g. to share opinions? to critique? to review?)

2. What is my role in class discussion?

3. How can I tell which parts of this discussion are important for me?

Consider:

1. What are the most important ideas from the discussion?

2. How are participants supporting their ideas with evidence?

3. How can I connect the content of this discussion to other concepts?

A good discussion participant:

1.  Comes prepared to discuss the material (make sure you have done the reading and have taken notes on points you think are important to discuss).

2.  Listens attentively to other students’ responses and understandings

3.  Verbally engages other students’ ideas by asking questions that relate to other students’ observations

4.   Uses text or data to support claims, interpretations, and opinions of the topic

5.   Uses discussion as an opportunity to practice constructing arguments

6.   Appropriately monitors his or her own contributions to discussion

7.   Works to ensure each perspective is respected while not verbally attacking those whose ideas/opinions differ from yours