Chapter 3 of 4
Joining a Discussion
Contribution is a technique, not a personality trait.
5 min read
The problem is entry, not ideas
Most quiet students in a seminar have something to say and no method for getting into the flow of talk. Confidence advice does not help. Four entry moves do.
Four ways in
- Build: "Adding to what Ana said — the same thing happens in..."
- Contrast: "That holds for the first case, but not the second, because..."
- Ask: "Can I check what you mean by fair here?"
- Summarise: "So we have two positions on the table..."
Summarising is the most underrated. It requires no new idea, is always welcome, and puts you in the middle of the conversation.
Prepare two contributions before class
Write two sentences you intend to say, based on the reading. Having them ready removes the improvisation, which is the part that stalls.
On being interrupted
Say "let me finish the point" once, calmly, and continue. It works far more often than people expect, and each time it works it gets easier.
Practice exercises
0 of 3 complete1.Which entry move needs no new idea of your own?
2.What most often stops a quiet student contributing?
3.Write the two contributions you will make in your next class, using two different entry moves.