Reading for leading a discussion: Make notes as you go Ask questions of yourself Jot down questions as you read Do not ask yes or no questions Take advantage of the Discussion Questions provided on the Read website, but also prepare 7 - 10 of your own questions Try to keep the discussion on track. Don’t let your personal “hot buttons” reflect your handling of the discussion Differentiate intellectual and emotional responses Rephrase the dialogue to make the topic less sensitive Ground rules for discussion: be kind, listen, take turns, do not interrupt, share Reroute the speaker from a specific issue to a broader issue “Let’s move back to the question at hand” Some times one person may dominate the discussion. Take advantage of pauses to move on to another speaker Cut eye contact when they have paused, call on someone who is waiting or ask if someone would like to add something Try phrases such as “we haven’t heard from the back of the room” It is OK if the discussion continues and your guidance is not needed. Sometimes the opposite happens and no one has a comment or a question. Wait a few moments before posing a new question Don’t be afraid of silence-though 3 or 4 seconds may seem like a long time in a quiet room, the break sometimes elicits thoughtful comments To prevent the discussion from totally drying up: You might ask people, in advance, to bring three questions of their own Or, ask the group to break up into small sections of 2 - 4 people and ask them to come up with a question together Pass out index cards and ask people to anonymously write down questions Ask how we might view these issues 5 or 10 years in the future Concluding the discussion: Since this may be a one-time event, be prepared with a question to think about or a comment that will conclude the discussion gracefully and firmly Show Menu Menu About the Reads Book Discussions Suggest a Title Reads Events How to Participate Special Thanks Resources Past Reads Feedback