Group leaders are facilitators, not lecturers: they start the discussion by asking an interpretive question about the text, thereby leading the group into interaction among participants. A Great Books discussion is meant to flow like a conversation, with participants addressing and questioning each other directly. When necessary, the leader draws the group back to the text for evidence to support interpretations. This helps keep people focused on the text and free from going off on tangents or inapplicable generalizations. You’ll be surprised at the deep, thoughtful, civil, rich, interesting, illuminating, entertaining discussions that ensue!