Tips for leading a book discussion

How to start a book club that doesnt suck book riot. Prompts, icebreakers, handouts and basic web research make leading book discussions easy and fun. Keep the discussion focused, starting with some general reflections on how people found the book or film or whatever you are discussing, moving on to explore the ideas within it in some detail, and not forgetting to reflect on how it relate to a christian worldview. Timemanagement tips for bookgroup discussion leaders. These will comprise one of the biggest areas of discussion at any bookclub meeting.

When youre starting a digital book club, all the standard book club rules apply. Ten tips ideassuggestions for facilitating discussion. Through those relationships and the studying of gods word, lives are affirmed, sustained, and changed. Tips and ideas to improve your facilitation skills. Here are some tips and insights about what has worked well for me.

Quick start guide book discussion groups libguides at. Good bookdiscussion books present the authors view of an important truth and sometimes send a message to the reader. If there are new members, make sure they are introduced. When you are ready to lead your first discussion, heed the following tips to get the most rewarding experience out of your club meeting. A good bookdiscussion book often stays in the readers mind long after the book is finished and the discussion is over. Adult programs will be starting up again soon, and. Ive been in a lot of book clubs, and i know its not always easy to get a conversation going on a book. Tips for leading a book club discussion reading groups. The big list of class discussion strategies cult of pedagogy. Tips for leading a discussion rutgers universitycamden.

There are lots of book club ideas and resources that can make the whole process less painful in fact, you can actually come to enjoy taking the lead. How to lead a book club discussion 7 great discussion tips. The first time i set out to choose a book, i knew i had many choices but i was nervous. We build customer support software here at groove we provide an inbox for customer service email collaboration, a knowledge base for selfservice and training guides, and a reporting dashboard. Leading a good discussion is not as easy as it looks. Litcourse 3 has a good discussion of close reading. Our ideas can help you lead a discussion, find helpful resources, and be a smart participant. Today, were sharing our favorite zoom tips and tricks to help newlyremote teams get up to speed on video conferencing. Are you hosting an online event using zoom webinars or zoom meetings. This helpful guide provides stimulating reading lists and practical tips for organizing and leading your own successful bookdiscussion group. Effective facilitation of a discussion involves the recognition and employment of different perspectives and different skills to create an inclusive environment. Because of that, leading a small group bible study is one of the most rewarding places of service within the church.

It is a good idea to plan on finishing the book a little earlier than you might otherwise so that you have time to think about it and prepare before your book club meets. Gather a group of friends, choose a book and start reading. If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction. If the discussion has strayed too far afield or if you need to move on due to time constraints, simply interrupt the discussion, acknowledge the current focus. Let your group members have a say in what they read. How to start a book discussion group get together a core group it is much easier to start a book club with two or three people who already have some connection. Try to avoid words like awful or idioticeven like and dislike. You may be in a seminar group that requires you to lead a group discussion, or lead a discussion after an oral presentation. Whether you are an outgoing extrovert or the shy one in the group, you can lead your book club in an engaging discussion by following these few simple steps. Be clear up front about expectations and intentions amongst participants and the facilitator. How to conduct a great book club discussion youtube.

The book club gives employees the opportunity to step up and practice leadership roles such as leading a group discussion or presenting to provide an overview of a chapter. It requires quite a bit of planning and an understanding of group dynamics. Its your turn to moderatelead your book clubs discussion. Ten tips ideassuggestions for facilitating discussion based on my observations as a teaching assistant, teaching fellow, and assistant professor at boston college, 2000present. Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions.

How to lead a bible study 8 tips for leading a healthy, multiplying small group bible study duration. How to begin and lead a book discussion group iowa. How to lead a book club discussion pen and the pad. Allow participants to introduce themselves you can even set up an ice breaker to have pairs of students introduce each. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Your pantry is stocked with snacks for the big night, the wine has chilled, and the house is tidied. How to lead a successful discussiondriven bible study.

The first article in this series explained how to plan a group discussion in this article, we describe best practices when leading a group discussion theres much more involved than simply getting people in a room, waving a magic wand, and declaring discuss now. You can help your organization become a learning organization in which people continuously grow and develop. Tips for facilitating a group discussion small groups. By continuing to use this site, you are accepting the use of these cookies. Spend a few minutes looking at some of these suggestions. How to lead a successful book club discussion bookbrowse. These books usually present the authors view of an important truth and not infrequently send a message to the reader.

If you disagree with someone else, dont refer to her as an ignoramus. Choose one question at a time and toss it out to the group. This stepbystep guide will help you start a book club that can last for years. Some of them have been connected to bookstores or libraries, while others have been individuals meeting in one anothers homes. Meeting and webinar best practices and resources zoom.

This may seem obvious, but it is the most important step, so it is worth stating. Tips for book discussions from washington center for the book at seattle public library reading critically books that make excellent choices for discussion groups have a good plot, welldrawn characters, and a polished style. Need to lead your book club and want tips on how to promote a lively conversation. As a leader, you will get the best of both worldsthe opportunity to. So if you find yourself needing to lead a class in college or high school, or if you are simply interested in alternative ways of learning, practice these skills and make them your own. Consider specific points in the story that lead the reader to think a certain way about each character.

Analysis, synthesis, and evaluation questions generally lend themselves to more indepth discussion of the topic. These 7 suggestions can help you become an excellent discussion leader and even enjoy the process. You dont have to be in an english class to analyze books as a group. Brainstorm ideas that spring from your interests in the book and ask fellow club members to send their questions to you before the meeting. Book group howtos from the seattle public library guide to leading, coming up with good discussion questions, drawing conclusions and more. Leading a book club discussion can be a source of dread.

Your group probably has a fixed day and time to meet but the location might change. Meeting and webinar best practices and resources follow. As a 100% remote company, we rely on zoom to communicate with our global team. Ask for clarification if unclear about a participants. Leading a book discussion doesnt have to feel like a root canal. Very few of us feel like well have all the right answers, or that we can handle whatever curve balls will be thrown our way and there will be some. These steps advise you on every aspect of leading a good discussion, from keeping everyone engaged, to managing strong personalities, to wrapping up the discussion. Two mini book clubs meeting at the same time might make people happy. Tips for students leading a journal club discussion. It always helps when discussion leaders do a bit of research before the meeting. For many smallgroup leaders, one of the more intimidating things we do is facilitating a group discussion. How to lead a book discussion skokie public library. These books can be read more than once, and each time the reader learns something new. Ask yourself if they were realistic, likable or emblematic of a greater idea.

Take notes or mark passages that strike youpassages you find significant, funny, or insightful. Select a number of questions, write each on an index card, and distribute. Follow this guide to leading a successful and fun discussion. Even with a fixed day, a reminder a few days ahead can be. Use specific passages from the book as evidence for your ideas. In order to do so, it is important to consider the features of effective discussions, and conditions that promote small group. Youre loving your new book club and cant wait for the upcoming discussion on the book youve chosen. Adult programs will be starting up again soon, and this year will be my third year leading our small but dedicated book discussion group. Select a number of questions, write each on an index card, and pass them out.