Three Prompts for a Deepening Circle (With Journalism/Language Arts Application)

Trust among participants is a basic requirement for authentic communication in circle. How can a circle keeper support the group in going deeper? Read more as Amos Clifford describes a "Deepening Circle" that can be adapted to almost any group process, with children or adults, especially in the delicate stages of building trust.

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In a deepening circle a series of prompts are given, with each prompt building on its predecessor. The prompts are structured to encourage progressively deeper reflection. They invite, but do not require, self-disclosure of inner thoughts. Circle participants can choose how much to reveal or withhold, depending upon how much trust they feel toward others in the circle.  

"Headlines" Circle Activity for Deepening
The “Headlines” circle activity creates an opportunity for participants to choose an appropriate level of intimacy in their sharing, perhaps exploring the edges of the trustworthiness of the circle.

This circle can also be used to support language arts projects, and is perhaps particularly well-suited to journalism classes. The prompts can be called upon again and again as a tool for deepening reflection or analysis of almost academic topic or social experience.

It may be helpful to scaffold this circle by first displaying some headlines from newspapers. Wacky headlines from sources such as National Enquirer will set a tone of fun and creativity. Sober headlines from the New York Times or similar sources will tend to nudge the group in a different direction. Use your judgement to choose examples that best serve the group.

For many groups there is no need to do a separate check-in or connection prompt, because the first prompt in the sequence serves that purpose.

1. First Round Prompt: Imagine that a front-page news article has been published about what has been happening in your life. What does the headline say, in three to five words?
2. Second Round Prompt: What are one or two of the key facts shared in the article?
3. Third Round Prompt: What is something you shared with the reporter that you asked to be kept “off the record,” so it does not appear in the article?

Modified version for reflecting on academic content:

1. Imagine a news article about what we have studied. What is your version of the headline for the article, the main take-away?
2. What are two or three facts that are given in the article?
3. What are some off-the-record thoughts you have about the subject covered… for example, questions, reflections, doubts, speculations?

Modified version to use in training and retreats or other situations where people have been involved in sustained learning processes:

1. What is your take-away headline for the day?
2. What are one to three points that should definitely be included in the news article under that headline?
3. What is your off-the-record comment about the day?

This sequence of prompts can be modified in many ways, and reused again and again to support reflection and learning.

Give it a try and let us know how it goes.