We Need to Talk: Tips for Participating in Class Discussions

Before Class: Prepare to contribute

• Do the readings
• Write down any questions you have as well as what you find interesting. 
• Make notes about the author's point. 
• Consider making notes about how the reading applies to this course, other courses, and your experiences.
• It's hard to read an article on your phone - try printing it out or saving it to your laptop so you can easily refer to it during class.

During class: Be aware of the different ways you can participate

• Have your readings and the notes you made before class in front of you for easy reference. 
• Ask questions - check out the conversation starters side bar for ideas.  
• Disagree with others in a respectful way. 
• Relax. Try not to worry about what others think. Lots of people are nervous about participating. It's a great chance to learn and grow.
• Speaking up in class isn't the only way to show that you can be part of the conversation; making eye contact, nodding in agreement, and actively listening keep you connected.

After class: Reflect on your experience

• Be proud of yourself for speaking up, and think about how you might change things up next time.
• Meet with you professor or TA if you're having difficulties or want feedback. 
• Look for outside resources to get tips on public speaking. 

Conversation starters

• "I really liked ... about the reading."
• "The part that resonated most with me was..."
• "It's interesting that you interpreted that point as... I actually interpreted it as... What do others think?"
• "This idea made me thing of..."
• "I agree with that point because..."
• "I also thought (regarding a classmate's idea) because..."  
• "I am not very clear on... Did anyone else understand it better than I did?"
• "I felt the general idea of the article was... To me, that makes me think about..."
• "I don't necessarily feel like the results support the author's conclusion because..."