Synthesize and evaluate your thoughts and response. Researching and preparing for a discussion helps to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of a collaborative discussion. To start forming your response, write down your initial thoughts on your chosen topic. Here are some questions you can consider when formulating your thesis:

How did historical events affect American literature? (Sample question: How did the Civil War affect American Literature?)
How did the Civil War transform American literature?
Does literature affect history?
What events were affected by literature?
How does history affect current pieces of writing? Or does it only affect literature from the same period?

Part B: What is your thesis? What statements and evidence will you use to support your thesis?

Part C : Record the names of the discussion participants below. If you organized the discussion, record how you know the other person, and summarize how you chose and invited him or her and how you organized the time and place for the discussion.

Part D: Record the questions asked by your partner as well as your responses to these questions.

Part E :During the discussion, what main points did your partner make supporting or opposing your thesis? What new questions or thoughts were raised about your thesis?

Part F:Describe the discussion of the thesis. How balanced was the participation? What would you change if you could do it again? What insights did you gain about your thesis from discussing it with others? What did you learn from discussing your peer’s thesis?

Part G : Did your partner change your viewpoint on the topic discussed? What was discussed that changed your initial response?