Literature Circles

Roles:

A Reteller: summarizes the novel for the group (a brief retell of most important parts and issues, etc,.) Very much a discussant role. Offers key ideas/questions.

B Connector: finds connections between the ideas in the novel and the real world .... connect to your own experiences, to similar events, to similar topics, to your understandings, etc.

C Questioner: presents puzzling questions raised in the novel for the group to consider, relating to personal response, as well as questions relating to content

D Instigator: raises issues for the group to discuss based on specific aspects of the novel

E Linguist: draws group's attention to interesting words in the story (notes the page number) and discusses their meaning with the group

F Literary Artist: chooses an event or mood conveyed in the reading and illustrates it for the group

G Literary Critic: finds examples of effective literary techniques in passages, finds effective passages, and, conversely, passages that are problematic

H Text Enricher: supports the text by bringing in other related stories or non-fiction articles, books by the same author, or books set in the same place or during the same time

I Recorder: take notes of the most important points and ideas discussed to serve as a recorder of the literature circle meeting (you do not prepare in advance for this role since your responsibility begins at the literature circle meeting) - notes how the process is working.

J Time Keeper: Keeps everyone on track

Note: Role descriptions are based on those in Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in the Student-Centered Classroom by Harvey Daniels, Pembroke Publishers, 1994, and in Guiding the Reading Process, by David Booth. Pembroke Publishers. 1998. pane 54.