 |
Prepare for your discussion by reading the book critically and looking for parts in it which could be deemed controversial. You will want to refer to these sections in the discussion and ask participants how they responded to them. Identify strengths and weaknesses in the book -- inconsistencies, unresolved themes, irrelevant sequences; these all deserve comment, and if group members don't bring them up, you should -- and ask how people felt about them.
Clip pages of the book you wish to refer to in the discussion -- or if it's your own copy, you may wish to underline significant passages. You will need these markers for quick and easy access during the discussion. People will lose interest if you are constantly thumbing through the book searching for a paragraph you want to highlight. If you read the book some time ago, you may wish to re-read it or skim it right before the discussion, to increase your familiarity with the content and presentation.
Read reviews of the book and articles about the author. You may wish to take notes from these or bring copies to the discussion. If you can find a photograph of the author in a magazine or a reference book, you will want to share it with the group to heighten their interest about the creator of the work. Book Review Digest, Contemporary Authors, Contemporary Literary Criticism and Current Biography are the best sources for this kind of background information.
Try to anticipate questions that group members may ask about the book or the author. Know something about the author's other works. A good way to begin the discussion is to provide biographical information about the author and information about the critical response to the book.
Arrange chairs in a circle or around a large table in the room where the discussion will be held. Use your own judgement about whether to offer refreshments (depending on your budget or the composition of the group) -- but keep in mind that a trip to the refreshment table can break the flow of the discussion and also, difficulties may arise when a person wants to look up something in his book and he is trying to juggle a cup of coffee, a cookie and a napkin, all at the same time. Also, to avoid a clash of personalities, it's probably best to prohibit smoking during the discussion.
Start out by introducing yourself and asking participants to introduce themselves. This is important to do each time, but especially when you have a new person join the group. If someone speaks in a low tone, repeat the name or ask the person to repeat -- more audibly.
Get the discussion underway by asking a leading question about the book, such as "Did you feel the main character was sympathetic? Did you love him or hate him?" or "If you had to describe this book in just one word, what would it be?" You may want to ask: "What do you think the author was trying to accomplish -- provide entertainment for the reader, deliver a message, or both?" Or you may begin: "Did this book shock you? Disturb you? Why?" Perhaps you will want to quote a flamboyant statement which a critic has made about the book and ask participants if they agree or disagree with it. Or you may wish to read a paragraph from the book to illustrate the author's style or his special use of language. You could encourage others in the group to do this, too.
Involve everyone in the group. If a person appears to be shy or hesitant, try to draw him out. You may have to call on people to get them started. You can do this easily by saying their name, and asking if they agree with the last remark made. If they say no, ask them to explain why. If they say yes, ask them to talk about another sequence or character in the book that they especially liked (or disliked).
Ask people to elaborate on comments they make which seem obscure to you. Remember that others in the group may be confused by the remark, but not feel willing to ask for more information. If the statement, when clarified, seems inappropriate, you may wish to ask the group: "Does everyone agree?" This will usually lead to further discussion, which is, after all, what you want.
Try not to take sides when a controversy occurs. As a leader, you should remain as neutral as possible. Look for the particle of truth or relevance in each person's comment and emphasize it whenever you can.
Remember that you are trying to develop a discussion -- a sharing or responses and opinions -- not necessarily trying to cover all the possible points which could relate to the book. If people talk, and talk to each other, then you have succeeded; that's what they came for. You may wish to have a list of points or questions to fall back on when the discussion lags -- if it lags. It may not -- but sometimes, group members may get off the topic of the book, and as the leader, it's your responsibility to gently steer them back on course; the others in the group really expect you to do this, so don't let them down.
Bring in your own opinions last. You don't want to risk imposing them on the group as "gospel" -- thus effectively killing the discussion. You may want to summarize points which participants have made as time for the discussion draws to an end. Always wear a watch or have a clock within view so that you know when that time is coming. You want the discussion to be brought to a graceful conclusion, not halted abruptly.
Ted Balcom
Villa Park Public Library
|
|
