The Discus Thrower by Richard Selzer Guided Reading

“The Discus Thrower” by Richard Selzer Guided Reading Spring 2005 Presented by Daphne Lin

Listening ¨ Let’s listen to Dr. Ray Schulte read the essay. When you are listening, try to listen for the tone of the essay (emotions and attitudes implied in a text). – – – – – Clip 1 Clip 2 Clip 3 Clip 4 Clip 5 Clip 6 Clip 7 Clip 8 Clip 9

Discussion – Initial Impression ¨ Now, what do you think the tone of the essay is? (Did Dr. Schulte’s reading shape your understanding of the tone? How? )

Raising Questions ¨ Discuss with your group members to raise comprehension questions and discussion questions. ¨ Comprehension questions are questions about expressions or passages that you don’t understand. Discussion questions are questions about some points of the essay you think worthwhile discussing.

Comprehension Questions ¨ What is a bonsai? What does “the dwarfed facsimile of a great tree” mean? What emotion does this figure of speech evoke in you? ¨ Paraphrase “In spite of everything, he remains impressive, as though he were a sailor standing athwart a slanting deck. ” – Although he is mute, legless, and terminally ill, he gives people a strong impression that he looks as if he were huge enough to block the whole deck which is sloping in one direction.

Discussion Questions ¨ Recall your emotional responses to the essay while you were reading it and share your responses with your group members. Did you feel the same as you felt after listening to Dr. Schulte’s reading? ¨ What do you think of the patient? The doctor? The nurse? And the hospital staff?

Sharing ¨ Now we’re going to make a double-ring circle. ¨ Groups 1 to 4, please sit on the outside circle. ¨ Groups 5 to 8, please sit on the inner circle. ¨ Each one on the outer circle should sit face to face with another one on the inner circle. ¨ Now share your groups’ questions and answers with your new partner.

Homework ¨ Organize the discussion notes and do further research if need be. ¨ Write up a song lyric to express your responses to the essay by using the melody of any one song of your choice.