High Quality Discussions - Stems

 The Discussion Project

Helpful Language for High Quality Discussion  https://tinyurl.com/n2t2a5c

These are useful for BOTH instructors and students. 

Clarify

• I have a question about ______

• Are you saying that_____?

• Could you clarify _______?

• Can you point me to that in the text?

• I want to understand what you’re saying. Can you explain________?

Seek elaboration or evidence

• Could you say more about that?

• Tell us more….

• Why is __________important?

• What makes you say that?

• Could you explain what _______ means?

• Could you give me an example of that?

• How do you know that?

• Where in the text is there support for that idea? 

• How does _______ connect to_____?

• Is there a way to read this differently?

Confirm

• If I’m understanding correctly, you’re saying ______________ [then paraphrase]

• What I hear you saying is ______________ [then paraphrase]

Build on others’ thoughts

• I want to build off what _______ said.

• I appreciate what ______ pointed out and now want to ask________

• _________[person]’s idea made me wonder about __________

• How does what you just said compare with what (a previous student) just said?

Invite others to speak

• Does anyone want to add on?

• We haven’t heard from ______ yet. What are you thinking?

Agree

• I agree with _____ because _____.

• I like what _____ said because _____.

• I agree and I would add __________.

Disagree

• I’m wondering about _______

• I’m not sure I agree with __________ because of _________

• I hear what __________ is saying, yet I think_________

Agree & Disagree

• I agree that _______ but I disagree about ________ because

• I agree with that point and would like to add my thoughts to it. 

Extend

• Does anyone see this differently?

• Can you tell us a bit more how what you just said connects to what others have been saying?

• I was thinking ______ but now I’m wondering______

• I’m curious about that, too. It makes me think____________

• What would happen if_________?

• How does ________ connect to_____?

• Is it possible that?_________

• How are your thoughts now different from your initial assumptions?