Friday, 22 July 2011

Students Further Their Knowledge Of Literature By Forming Book Clubs


Some college students are amazed at how much they enjoy an English literature course. It can be an exhilarating and rewarding subject. Literature is essential because it educates the imagination. It also allows the reader to intellectually navigate into an entirely different direction and experience a whole new way of thinking. An effective way to explore literature is by participating in a book club.

Every student is unique. Each student participates and experiences an activity in a dissimilar way; this includes reading. The experience one student has when reading a story, poem, or play will not be the same as another classmate. That is what makes discussing literature so fascinating. There will be a variety of interpretations, viewpoints, and analysis.

A book club, or literature group, is the formation of a small group of students who read literature independently but gather together to exchange insights, interpretations, and questions about literature. The members might discuss a selection and work towards understanding it collectively. Or, the group may choose to read different literary works and unite to compare themes, writing styles, or authors. The group chooses how to utilize its discussion time. The following guidelines can help you coordinate a book club for you and your peers.

When you have selected your membership, encourage the members to keep a reader's journal before the first meet. The journal can help the reader get the most out of his or her reading experience. The log should include the title and author of the literary work you are reading. After reading select chapters, the reader can write a brief commentary as well as questions he or she may want to share with the group.

Stress the importance of being prepared by reading the assignment in its entirety. Instruct readers to mark passages that they do not comprehend or places in the reading that they want to discuss with the group. This can be passages that they find especially worth remembering and want to expound on. Or, it might be text that they don't agree with at all and would like another member's viewpoint.

In your role as the leader, your job would be to help keep the group on track and focused. You can model expected interaction by starting the conversation. Speak clearly, loudly, and slowly. Make eye contact, and share your ideas. Ask questions to encourage others to talk, and listen politely and ask follow-up questions that help to clarify questions other people may have. Try not to disagree; however, if you do, disagree respectfully.

Before the session ends, solicit and try to carry out other member's suggestions for the group. Afterwards, as group leader, reflect on the outcome of the dialogue and communication exchange. Assess your contribution to the group. Objectively evaluate the overall success of the meeting; document ideas for improving the next encounter.




Book clubs are a great way to learn about literature. They provide an opportunity for students to discover new ideas and share personal insights about literary works and authors. Books clubs are also essential for helping students gain a deeper understanding of literature for academic purposes. They may even lead to a student pursuing a degree in English. You don't have to wait for your instructor to coordinate a book club; create one on your own! Students who are in college online can form virtual book clubs where they can discuss their readings in a chat room or via video.





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