Earlier in this lesson, you learned about the characteristics that make literature great. Because novels are complex works of art, it can be difficult to decide exactly which elements might qualify it for greatness. A novel’s themes are always important, of course, but a strong theme isn’t the only sign of a classic. What about characters, setting, and plot?
![man reading a book](https://s3.amazonaws.com/content.accelerate-ed.com/Secondary/docs/ELA8/course_images/shutterstock_239763235.jpg)
With so many factors to consider, you should not be surprised to find that you and your classmates disagree about what parts of a novel matter most when interpreting a novel’s key scenes and events. If you do disagree, can you still have a productive discussion? Study the tabs below to learn what you can do to make your discussion a success.
When you’re excited to share an idea with someone, do you blurt it out without hearing anything the other person has to say? While enthusiasm is good, it can also make it hard for you to hear and understand others. In a collaborative discussion, your goal is to increase your understanding of a topic. Whether you’re reading participants’ posts or listening to them talk, make sure you really understand their points of view. Then share yours.
To make sure you understand, repeat what you think the other person is saying—using your own words, of course. And then listen as that person corrects or verifies your understanding of his or her ideas. You might use one of these sentence starters to verify someone’s point of view:
I think I understand what you’re saying. You mean . . . |
What I hear you saying is that . . . |
Do you mean . . . ? |
In a discussion group, everyone is likely to have a slightly different opinion about the topic. For this reason, it’s very likely that you will disagree with someone at some point. How do you share opposing views without derailing the discussion or angering your classmates?
One way is to affirm other people’s views. Affirm doesn’t mean that you agree with them; it means that you acknowledge that their points are worthwhile. You can use the following sentence starters to help you do this:
That’s a good point, and here’s another way to look at it . . . |
I hadn’t thought of it like that. Instead, I was thinking that . . . |
You read that passage differently than I did. I thought that . . . |
If you decide that you have nothing left to learn about a topic, you probably won’t learn anything. That kind of close-mindedness is not the goal of a collaborative discussion, and you’re not likely to find the experience fun or valuable if that’s your approach. Collaboration requires an open mind and a willingness to consider new ideas and perspectives.
When you hear or read an idea that differs from your own, stop and think. Ask yourself the following questions:
How does this idea differ from what I already know, think, or believe? |
Why do I disagree with this idea? |
How might I adjust my thinking to include part or all of this new perspective? |
In a collaborative discussion, there are no right or wrong answers. However, other members of the discussion group will expect you to explain why you think what you think—to provide examples or reasons that support your interpretation. Of course, some people are shy about sharing what they think: You may be one of those students who doesn’t like to say much. But successful (and interesting) collaborative discussions depend on everyone contributing.
If you’re hesitant about speaking up, try asking a question first. Besides questions that try to clarify what others think, you can also ask more general questions that encourage other people to give their opinions. For example, you might ask:
What do you think about how the novel ends? |
Who is your favorite character? Why? |
In your opinion, what is the best part of the novel? What do you like about it? |
Question
How can you make sure you’re prepared to support your ideas in a collaborative discussion about Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?