There are four types of conversations: debate, discourse, dialogue, and diatribe. Just as the Hebrew Bible tells us that God spoke the world into being, our world gets brought into being when we talk about it using one of these styles of conversation. Discourse demonstrates the way we think about and construct the world in which we live. Our ideas are made meaningful by the way we converse about it.

Discourse creates certain realities with certain identities, which will generate possibilities for action. For example, if we talk about the flood with religious discourse, we talk about God destroying the world through flood because of evil. This creates possibilities for actions: pray, repent, convert. If we discuss the flood with scientific discourse, we discuss the climatic conditions that result in flooding. This creates possible actions of getting to safe places or evacuation.

As you can see, connecting with other human beings require conversations. Without the ability to read each other’s minds, it becomes clear that discourse and discussion is necessary to share our thoughts and ideas with other people.

Discussion Participation

Discussion Forums are classrooms in the online environment. It’s where students meet and interact with one another. In a face-to-face classroom, your silent attendance can be tracked by your very presence. In the online classroom, your silence means you are absent. Only through participation will anyone know you are there. Participation is optional.

These conversations are important to learning because they help you process information rather than simply receive it. The goal of a written discussion is to get practice thinking about the course material. You will then be able to communicate your knowledge and influence the people in your real world discussions.

Advantages:

• Discussion helps you form your own opinion on the topic.

• Get different perspectives on the topic.

• Good questions and answers get you to think deeply and make connections.

To apply this new knowledge, share your thoughts in the discussion forum with other book club members. Although participation is optional, writing a written response to the questions will require organizing your thoughts and making meaning of how the book’s content impacts your life.

Your journaled responses will sharpen your analytical skills and enrich mental reflection. As you research, gather, sort, and organize information, your understanding improves. Improved comprehension enables you to begin formulating your identity and actions towards the concepts.