In Shared Inquiry discussion, participants help one another search for answers to fundamental questions raised by a text. Participants come to the discussion each with their own unique way of viewing the selection and then build on their personal views through a sharing of ideas.

The leader's role in this process is to provide direction and guidance for the discussion by asking questions for which they genuinely do not know the answer. Note that the leader is not an expert; the group should not look to the leader for answers. The leader assumes the role of co-learner and helps the group by asking interpretive questions that have more than one possible answer based on the text. The leader also assists the group by asking follow-up questions that encourage participants to clarify comments, support ideas with evidence from the reading, and comment on proposed interpretations.

The Four Rules of Shared Inquiry Discussion

1. Only those who have read the selection may take part in discussion.

Participants who have not read the selection cannot support their opinions with evidence from the text, nor can they bring knowledge of the text to bear on the opinions of others.

2. Discussion is restricted to the selection that everyone has read.

This rule gives everyone an equal chance to contribute because it limits discussion to a selection that all participants are familiar with and have before them. When the selection is the sole focus of discussion, it provides a base for all present to judge whether facts are accurately recalled and opinions can be supported by the reading.

3. All opinions should be supported with evidence from the selection.

Participants may introduce outside opinions only if they can restate those opinions in their own words and support the ideas with evidence from the reading.

4. Leaders may only ask questions-they may not answer them

The goal of a Shared Inquiry discussion is interpretation. As a participant in the discussion, you will gain more if you remember to:

• reserve judgment until you can claim understanding

• temper your urge to speak with the discipline to listen

• substitute your impulse to teach with a passion to learn

• hear what is said and listen for what is meant

• marry your certainties with others' possibilities

from The Great Books Foundation

. Leaders help participants and themselves to arrive at an understanding of the text by asking questions that prompt thoughtful inquiry.