What Makes You Say That?
This routine encourages participants to move beyond surface-level observations and delve into deeper interpretations. It fosters evidence-based reasoning and thoughtful discussion by prompting individuals to connect their observations to their inferences.
Use this method when you want to encourage deeper analysis of a text, image, data set, or situation. It's particularly useful when exploring complex topics or when you want to foster a culture of evidence-based reasoning within a group.
Solves: Superficial analysis, jumping to conclusions without evidence, lack of critical thinking.
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Step 1: Present the stimulus (image, text, data) to the group. (2 minutes)
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Step 2: Ask participants to individually observe and note down what they see. (5 minutes)
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Step 3: In small groups or as a whole group, have participants share their observations. (5 minutes)
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Step 4: For each observation, ask 'What makes you say that?' to prompt interpretation and reasoning. Record these interpretations alongside the observations. (8 minutes)
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Step 5: Facilitate a discussion to synthesize the observations and interpretations. (5 minutes)
- Encourage participants to be specific in their observations.
- Remind participants that there are no right or wrong answers, only different interpretations.
- Use different types of stimuli (audio, video, physical objects).
- Have participants write down their interpretations before sharing them verbally.