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Study Guide & Strategies
Making your voice heard:
Classroom discussions & participation
How to
contribute to the discussion of ideas
At the appropriate time
in classroom discussions, don't be afraid to voice your opinion,
even if you differ from your professor or classmates. Your opinion
can and should be based on the text, other readings, class
discussions, library sources, experts in the topic, as well as
your own experience.
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In class, listen
carefully to what a professor or other students are saying
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Mark or make notes
of the points you wish to answer or
discuss or question
Remember: a question is as valuable as an opinion in the course
of discussion.
It shows that you are trying to understand others, as well as be
understood!
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Introduce your
contribution with a quick summary of the discussion or point...
"As I understand it...."
Restating the discussion/author's main idea also shows that
you are trying to understand,
and shows where you are in understanding
It is very likely that if you have questions or information,
others will share them
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Be certain it is
clear to the class and professor when you are summarizing and
when you are giving your opinion
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Try to keep your
comments to the point and don't hesitate to refer to your notes
Logic is not a speed test...
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In making an
argument, begin with examples from the author or teacher
(imitation can be a form of flattery), but generally use your
own examples to show your agreement with their point of view.
This demonstrates independent thinking which should be valued in
an academic setting
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After you have
spoken, it is appropriate to ask for feedback if
Assumptions:
A sense of competition
underlies the informality of American classrooms
Voicing a well-informed
opinion is important to your overall academic evaluation
First listen and
try to understand others' opinions
Respect theirs, and insist on being
respected for yours
Evaluations are
made by professors throughout the semester;
Final grades are not simply
determined by your score on the final exam.
Focus your contribution
on your analysis of the topic, your reaction, your opinion, and
finally your openness to understand others.
If discussion is based
upon readings:
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Study course
lectures, articles, texts
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Find the author's
thesis and restate it in your own words
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Decide what your
opinion or reaction is to the author's thesis
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