LITERATURE CIRCLE
Roles Descriptions
ALL MEMBERS
• You are each responsible for the role you are assigned for
each rotation.
• Remember that you are a team and are only as strong as
your weakest member. Try to help each other and be sure
to get contact information (cell numbers, email addresses,
etc.), so you can communicate and get completed work to
each other if you are going to be absent.
• You will be responsible for not only the documentation for
your role but also for quizzes/tests, other discussions, and
various activities that come up during your reading. Don’t
get behind.
• Neatness and accuracy does count. You are to prepare the
chart for your role as indicated in this document. Be
thorough, thoughtful, and accurate in your responses. All
documents prepared must have complete headings (not
MLA), be neat, and show pride in work ethic.
ALL MEMBERS
• Divide up the vocabulary list equitably and do the
following:
Make a chart with the following parts – Include the
underlined words in column headings, but include in
your analysis what the other words are telling you to
consider!
Word/ Part of Text Quote/chapter/pg # Meaning
Sentence
Speech
(keep it brief but quote
(you write
in
Context
must imply context of
word)
your own
sentence
using the
word
correctly
ALL MEMBERS - Word Watcher cont.
• While reading, keep an eye out for words you
have been assigned. Record the information
for each word that is indicated above in
preparation for the meeting.
• During the meeting, read the word you
focused on, the text quote/pg #, and quiz
members on what they thought the word
meant before sharing your interpretation.
ROLE #1 Discussion Director
• Your role is to keep the discussion going and to
evaluate how well each member was prepared to
answer comprehension questions you propose. This
is a BIG leadership job. If you are going to absent, you
MUST
• get your documents to another member in your group
to share on your behalf.
• You have TWO CHARTS to prepare for the meeting
(see next slide).
Role #1 Discussion Director Chart 1
1. Chart 1 - As you read, prepare three questions YOU
come up with that will create active conversation
within the group. Prepare a chart for these
questions, similar to “SSR” –
CHART ONE
Chapter/Pg # Text Quote
Notice and Note
Details
Question
Answer to Question
Discussion Director – Chart 2
Chart 2 -Also as you read, choose five questions from
comprehension list for chapter span assigned. Write
question and prepare answers on the back of the chart
above. Use this format for those questions:
Chapter/Pg Question
#
Response/Text Quote
(to support answer)
Discussion Director continued
• During group meeting, read each quote from chart 1
above and offer question to group. Get a few
responses before sharing yours. Also during
meeting, read each comprehension question and ask
members to answer before sharing your responses
and quotes to support..
• After you complete these two tasks during the
meeting, write a summary that reflects an evaluation
of how each group member did during the meeting.
How prepared was each member? Write your
summary on the bottom or back of your chart
document. You also evaluate each member on the
evaluation chart.
Role #2 Literary Devices Hunter
Find passages that contain literary devices, including
text passages that use figurative language. All
documents prepared must have complete headings
(not MLA required), be neat, and show pride in work
ethic.
• Make a chart with the following parts – Include the
underlined words in column headings, but include in
your analysis what the other words are telling you to
consider!
Chapter/Pg #
Text Quote/Literary
Device (Label which
literary device following
quote.)
Interpretation (Of
Implied or Connotative
Meaning and How This
Affects Understanding)
Literary Devices Hunter continued…
• While reading find no less than FOUR literary devices
per chapter span. Try to not repeat the same ones
(find a variety). Prepare the chart above.
• During the meeting, share the text quotes and inform
your group what literary device you felt was used in
that passage. Ask members to share their thoughts
on the possible implied meaning before sharing your
interpretation.
• Prepare a summary of the meeting for your role.
Write it on the bottom or back of your chart
document. Evaluate how well you think members
were prepared to interpret the literary devices you
shared.
Literary Devices Hunter continued…
• If Discussion Director is absent for meeting, you take
over that role. Be sure you have his/her contact info.
You will evaluate the Discussion Director during the
meeting.
• Some possible literary devices to consider:
Simile
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Personification
Symbolism Verbal Irony
Mood Allusion
Dramatic Irony Situational Irony Idiom Dialect
Internal Conflict External Conflict Tone
Role #3 Big Idea Master
• Your role is to look for the “big ideas” within the
chapter. These interpretations usually center on
either:
• Themes – fundamental and often universal ideas
explored in a literary work
• Motifs – recurring structures, contrasts, and literary
devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s
major themes
• Symbols – objects, characters, figures, and colors
used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
Big Idea Master continued…
• Big Idea” Master requirements:
Make a chart with the following parts – Include the
underlined words in column headings, but include in
your analysis what the other words are telling you to
consider!
Chapter Big Idea (Label
/Pg #
what you found –
theme, motif, or
symbol)
Text
Quote
Interpretation (Analyze
how big idea was
used, connotative
meaning, how it affects
story, characters, etc.)
Big Idea Master, continued…
• While reading, find no less than FOUR big ideas for
that chapter span, and use the above chart to record
your analysis. Be complete and thoughtful in your
notes. Don’t assume anyone knows your analysis
unless you write it down!
• During the meeting, read each text quote, quiz the
members on what big idea might be implied, and ask
for their interpretations before sharing your own.
• Prepare a summary of the meeting for your role.
Write it on the bottom or back of your chart
document. Evaluate how well you think members
were prepared to interpret the big ideas you shared.
Role #4 Signpost Sentinel
Your job is to keep an eye out for Notice and
Note Signposts to help yourself and your
group to have deeper analysis of the text. The
Signposts and chart analysis is as follows, and
you need to set up your paper with these
columns for the signposts you find. You need
to find at least three signposts per each
rotation (not per chapter).
Contrasts and Contradictions Signpost
Contrasts and Contradictions
(When character acts in an unexpected or opposite
way)
“Text Entry” &
Pg #
Why was it
unexpected?
Why did
What author was
character act this showing reader…
way?
Tough Questions Signpost
Tough Questions
(When character faced with difficult decision or inner
conflict)
“Text Entry” & Pg#
Why is it tough “?”
What do I now
wonder about?
Importance in
story? In LIFE?
Memory Moment Signpost
Memory Moment
(aka – “Flashback” – When author stops flow of story
so character can remember something)
“Text Entry” & Pg# Importance in
Memory/
story?
Flashback
Meaning in LIFE?
Again and Again Signpost
Again and Again
(When the author keeps bringing up the same image,
phrase, or reference)
“Text Entry” &
Pg# of
Repeated part
Meaning within
story?
Importance in
story relating to
LIFE?
Words of the Wiser Signpost
Words of the Wiser
(When older/wiser character gives advice or an insight
to main character)
“Text Entry”
& Pg#
Who is giving
advice to whom?
What is the
advice?
Importance in
story?
Importance in
story and in LIFE?
AHA Moment Signpost
Aha Moment
(When character realizes or starts to realize something
that changes course of action or thinking)
“Text Entry” &
Pg#
of when the Aha
Moment
happened
What will
character do or
think now?
Importance in
story and in
LIFE?
Signpost Sentinel – How to Focus
• While you’re reading, you will be on the look-out for these
signposts. When they come up, you need to recognize
them and record them, using the appropriate column
headings for the ones you find. You need at least one per
chapter.
• During the meeting you will show your group the
signposts you found in the chapter span and discuss your
thinking strategies based on your chart notes.
• You will also summarize how the meeting went and how
others discussed your signpost findings.
For Groups of Five –
Role #5 The Connector
• Your job is to make connections with what you are
reading to other elements and experiences outside the
novel itself. You must connect the story to either:
• (text to self) events in your own life
• (text to world) news events, political events, or
historical events
• (text to text) books you’ve read, movies or other
visuals you have seen, etc.
• The connections should be meaningful to you so that
significance is communicated to your group. Try to
think beyond the obvious and be detailed in your
explanation of the connections.
Connector, continued…
Prepare a chart with the following parts – Include the
underlined words in column headings, but include in
your analysis what the other words are telling you to
consider!
Chapter/Pg # Text Quote/
Interpretation (of
what was
happening during
the story)
Connection/
Explanation (what type
of connection and full
explanation of how
and why you made the
connection)
Connector, continued…
1. During your reading, make at least FOUR meaningful
connections for that chapter span rotation (not per
chapter) and LABEL the type you’re making. Record
detailed thoughts according to the chart above.
2. During the meeting, read each text quote, giving the
page # so others can read along. Ask what
connections others made to those passages before
sharing your own thoughts about your connections.
3. Prepare a summary of the meeting for your role.
Write it on the bottom or back of your chart
document. Evaluate how well you think members
were prepared to make connections to the text
quotes you shared.