Another Great List of Literature Discussion Guidelines from Linda Dorn

The goal of literature discussion groups is to promote deeper comprehension through interactive dialogue and conversational moves to keep the discussion in motion.  In the past, before we knew better, teachers  lead literature discussions and asked all the questions.  Now, because of research, we know it's best for students to actively participate in discussions, ask questions, make inferences, provide evidence from the text, offer opinions, and more.  When students discuss a book or piece of text in depth, the gain a deeper understanding of the text.

Remember literature discussion guidelines will start small.  Focus on a few behaviors at the beginning and add more guidelines as the school year progresses.

LITERATURE DISCUSSION GUIDELINES
by Linda Dorn

Be prepared:

• Bring your book and other needed materials to the discussion.
• Your book is flagged with places you want to talk about.

Actively participates:

• Look at the person who is talking.
• Listen to the person who is talking.
• Find the page someone is talking about.

Gives evidence from the text:

• Using events, characters, phrases, etc. in your log entry to support your thinking.

Stay on topic:

• Talk about the book - don't start talking about things that are not related to the book.

Listens carefully:

• Show that you are listening by looking at the person and expressing your interest in what they are saying.
• Show respect.

Offers opinion or builds on others' thinking:

• When someone talks, you build on what they are saying.

Uses response language:

• You say something to add your thinking to others.

Asks questions for clarification:

• You ask questions if you don't understand what someone has said.