Read the scenario of a formal discussion. Evan and Ben are discussing a short story.EVAN: On page 7, the text says, "the old man quickly changed his frown to a smile when he noticed his daughter had come to visit.” This shows that the man is hiding his true feelings of pain to protect his daughter’s feelings.[Ben interrupts Evan.]BEN: Yes. Evan, I can see how you would think that. But, later on page 7, the text says, "the old man’s best memories were of spending time with his daughter.” Do you think this indicates that the daughter’s presence actually changes the old man’s mood?
Read the scenario of a formal one-on-one discussion. Sarah and Aidan are discussing fundraising for a school club.SARAH: In the past, we have successfully held different types of fundraisers. From bake sales, we raised about $1,000. From car washes, we raised about $1,500.AIDAN: Is there a cost difference in having either kind of fundraiser?SARAH: Oh, that’s a good question. I had not thought of analyzing the cost difference. I’m sorry about that.AIDAN: You have nothing to be sorry about. The information you have here is great. We can make a note to analyze the cost difference the next time we meet.
Facts are different from opinions because facts are
Read the scenario of a formal discussion. Martin and Savannah are analyzing a poem.MARTIN: This poem is about hope. In the first line, the poet describes the rising sun as a "beacon of hope.” This imagery sets a positive mood to match the idea that the speaker is emerging from a time of struggle in his life.SAVANNAH: I believe the poem has a darker theme. In line 6, the rising sun fades behind some thick, dark clouds. While I agree that the rising sun does symbolize hope, that hope quickly fades.MARTIN: Yes, the sun does fade, but a glimpse of the sun was enough to spark new hope in the speaker. Line 7 explains how the speaker emerges from his house to venture out into the world again. He is doing this despite the sun fading behind the clouds.
Which topic lends itself to a formal discussion?
How is the moderator’s role typically shared in a one-on-one formal discussion?
Read the scenario of a formal discussion. Evan, Ben, and Violet are discussing a short story.[Ben sits up straight at his desk.]EVAN: On page 7, the text says, "the old man quickly changed his frown to a smile when he noticed his daughter had come to visit.” This shows that the man is hiding his true feelings of pain to protect his daughter’s feelings.[Ben raises his hand.]VIOLET: Ben, do you have a question for Evan?BEN: Yes. Evan, I can see how you would think that. But, later on page 7, the text says, "the old man’s best memories were of spending time with his daughter.” Do you think this indicates that the daughter’s presence actually changes the old man’s mood?EVAN: No. That’s a dumb idea. On page 8, the text describes how the old man continues to have negative thoughts even with his daughter there.
Read the scenario.A group of four friends are in class together. They are all members of the school band. After class, one member of the group asks the others if they want to discuss where to have their next practice. All four members decide this is a good idea. Two of the friends suggest their houses for the practice. All members of the group vote on where to have the practice.
How does a formal discussion differ from an informal discussion?
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