Hatful of Quotes

In discussions based on previously assigned reading material—say the draft of an organizational strategic plan or an academic text reviewing theory or new content—people are often reluctant to contribute. They don't want to show themselves up by responding in the wrong way, highlighting irrelevant points, or demonstrating fundamental misunderstandings. Hatful of Quotes is designed to ease the anxiety of having to sound smart while ensuring that discussion is grounded in the text.

Purposes

• To keep participants focused on discussing the actual text that has been assigned
• To ease the pressure of impromptu discussion or calling on people for a response
• To allow time for those who need to think before speaking
• To remove the performance anxiety of having to demonstrate full and accurate command of the text

How It Works

• Prior to a discussion of a text, the facilitator types out key sentences, recommendations, or contentious assertions from the document studied. Each quote is typed multiple times onto separate slips of paper.
• These quotes are placed in a hat or bowl and in the meeting, workshop, or class the facilitator asks participants to draw out one of the slips of paper.
• People take up to a minute to think about the quote they've picked and then everyone is asked to read out their quote and comment on it. The order of contribution is up to the participants.
• Those who feel more fearful about speaking typically go last. Because the same five or six quotes are used, those who go later will have heard their quote read out and commented on by those who spoke earlier, so even if they have little to say about their own interpretation of the quote, they can affirm, build on, or contradict a comment a peer has already made on that quote.
• When everyone has responded the group moves into open discussion.

When and Where It Works Well

1. Text-based discussions. This technique is obviously meant for situations in which participants have been assigned prereading and the discussion is intended to explore reactions to the assigned text.
2. When focusing on contentious ideas. Sometimes people wish to avoid controversial or difficult parts of a text. Selecting certain quotes ensures that people don't duck contentious issues or complex ideas.

What Users Appreciate

1. The time to think. Shy, introverted, or ESL speakers can think about what they wish to say or write it down before speaking.
2. The focus on a specific excerpt from the text. Being asked to respond to a specific quote focuses attention in a more helpful way than asking, “What strikes you most about the text?” For some this question is too obtuse and confusing.
3. The scaffolding provided by earlier responses. For those unable to respond initially to a quote it's helpful to hear other people's responses. These often trigger a reaction, question, or additional thought about the original comment.
4. How participation is democratized. Everyone gets to speak but in a way that is safer than in many open discussions.

What to Watch Out For

1. Ditto. The most diffident or reluctant students will often say, “I agree with Lyron or Eva” when their turn arrives. Let people know you might ask follow-up questions to elaborate on their responses so this doesn't take them by surprise.
2. The usual suspects. The most voluble and confident usually go first, which tends to reinforce the pecking order already established in the group. If this keeps happening you can choose the first two or three people to respond.

Questions Suited to This Technique

Because this technique involves the facilitator choosing the quotes and excerpts, the use of specific questions is not really applicable.