The Shared Inquiry Method

Our cornerstone philosophy is that individuals can arrive at significant insights into a work by building upon each others ' ideas in group discussion. The Shared Inquiry method helps us achieve this by keeping us focused on the text, by exploring together the author’s words for meanings and implications, and by bringing out the many ways readers interpret and react to ideas and issues in a given book. Shared Inquiry is collaborative and question-driven. Group leaders are facilitators, not lecturers: they start the discussion by asking an interpretive question about the text, thereby leading the group into interaction among participants.

A Great Books discussion is meant to flow like a conversation, with participants addressing and questioning each other

directly. When necessary, the leader draws the group back to the text for evidence to support interpretations. This helps keep people focused on the text and free from going off on tangents or inapplicable generalizations.

The Rules of Shared Inquiry are:
• Only those who have read the selection may take part in the discussion.
• Discussion is restricted to the selection that everyone has read.
• All opinions should be supported with evidence from the selection.
• Leaders may only ask questions – they may not answer them.

Click Here to get a printout of the Shared Inquiry method to distribute to each of your participants. It ' s also a good idea to review these rules before each discussion. You’ll be surprised at the deep, thoughtful, civil, rich, interesting, illuminating, entertaining discussions that ensue!