Analytic Circles
Analytic Circles are based on an activity called Quote/Question/Response or 2QR
Although this is a group activity, you will be graded only on what you submit.
You must change roles whenever this activity is repeated.
Role 1: Discussion Director
The discussion director is responsible for formulating the questions. Begin by asking the evidence researcher to provide you with at least three key quotations from the chapter. Lead the group in a discussion of these three quotations until you’ve formulated at least three questions, and then narrow it down to one.
Turn in your notes, including all three questions and the gist of the discussion.
Role 2: Evidence Researcher
The evidence researcher is responsible for carefully selecting quotations which capture the main points of the chapter. You may photo copy or type out the quotes. Your job is to introduce and explain how the quotes illustrate the main idea of the chapter.
Turn in the photocopies or typed quotes along with your introduction and explanations. Be sure to use the author’s last name and a signal verb. Include MLA citations.
Role 3: Key Word Indexer
The key word indexer chooses at least five key words and provided an extended definition of each key word. Use the author’s definition whenever possible. Provide denotations and examine connotations. Explain how you would create search terms to continue your research.
Turn in the list of five words and their definitions along with an explanation of what denotations and connotations apply. Include your explanation of search terms.
Role 4: Comparer/Contraster
Find and select passages from related works or different sections of the same work and explain the relationships. Do the selected passages support or challenge the ideas of the original. Photocopy or type out passages and explain your comparisons/contrasts.
Turn in the copied passages and your explanations of the comparisons and contrasts. Be sure to use signal verbs to introduce each author and identify each author.
Role 5 Summarizer
The summarizer works with Key Word Indexer to identify the “characters” or key nouns in the passage. Based on these words, creates a one sentence summary of the chapter. Who does what to whom or what? Where? When? How? (by means of) Why? (because) Discuss the accuracy of your summary with your group until you reach consensus.
Turn in the final one sentence summary achieved by consensus and all drafts that you and the group work through.
When the group is finished with the process, each person in the group writes a response to the question. Turn in all responses and all of the work resulting from individual roles. Write at least one long paragraph explaining any moments of difficulty you experienced.
Part 1: 2QR
Sample Assignment.
Question
What are “unalienable rights”?
Quote
“life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
Discuss (This is a short example. 2QRs should be one and a half handwritten pages, or one double spaced word processed page.)
The writers of the Declaration chose three ideas, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” as the key to human existence, rights which are so essential to people that they should never be violated. . “Life” seems obvious. The state should not have the right to arbitrarily take the lives of its citizens as the Nazis did to the Jews. “Liberty” is a little tougher. Is liberty an exact synonym for “freedom,” or does it bring with it the ideas of rights and responsibilities? Finally, “happiness” in itself is not a right, but we must be give the right to chase after it. There is no guarantee that we will ever get there.
Part II: Moment of Difficulty
Explain any moments of difficulty or frustration that you felt in completing this assignment. What is your strategy for working through it?