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Discussion Leader Tips
- Prepare ahead of
time, read the book, biographical information about the author and book
reviews. Prepare questions ahead of time or use the questions included
with your Book Club in a Bag.
- Have a comfortable
seating arrangement.
- Begin by introducing
yourself and, if people are not all familiar with each other, have them
go around and introduce themselves.
- Think of yourself
as a facilitator. Try to begin with a provocative question and step
back. Avoid closed-ended questions like " Did you like the book?"
- Your job as a leader
is to maintain the focus and keep the discussion moving.
- Be a good listener
and observer. Listen for quiet members and try to draw them into the
discussion. Watch for someone anxious to get into the conversation and
help them to find a gap in the conversation.
- Respect everyone's
opinion. Not everyone will like the book. When there are differing views
encourage discussion about the reasons for liking or disliking a book.
Let it be known that the group is non-judgmental and everyone's opinion
is valued. Often the best discussions happen when there is less agreement.
- Don't use the discussion
questions as if it were an exam. Rather use them as conversation starters.
- Choose a favorite
passage or two from the book. Reading aloud can bring a new perspective
to the passage.
- Don't worry too
much about short silent periods, but be prepared with your own notes
to get the discussion started again.
- Be sure to end
on time, summarize points made during the session and thank everyone
for their participation.
For more discussion leader tips:
Books
(all are available from the Mid-Hudson
Library System Catalog):
·
The Book Group Book, edited by Ellen Slezak (with a foreword by Margaret
Atwood), Chicago Review Press, 1995
·
The New York Public Library Guide To Reading Groups, by Rollene Saal,
Crown Publishers, 1995.
·
The Reading Group Handbook, by Rachel W. Jacobsohn, Hyperion, 1998
·
The Reading Group Book : The Complete Guide To Starting And Sustaining
A Reading Group, With Annotated Lists Of 250 Titles For Provocative Discussion
by David Laskin, Plume, 1995.
Web
Sites:
· Biographies & Literary Criticism in HomeACCESS (available
through your local library's
web site)
·
Book Discussion:
A Leader's Guide (Warren Newport Public Library, IL)
·
Internet
Resources for Book Discussion Groups (Tempe Public Library, AZ)
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