What characterizes "literature circles" in reading activities?

Literature circles are distinguished by the use of small groups where participants take on specific roles to facilitate discussion about their reading. This structure encourages collaboration, deeper comprehension, and engagement with the text among peers. Each member of the group contributes unique insights based on their assigned role, which may include discussion leader, summarizer, connector, or questioner, among others. This approach emphasizes cooperative learning and allows participants to explore different perspectives, making reading a more interactive and enriching experience.

In contrast, other options focus on more traditional or individual methods of learning, such as lectures, assessments, or public speaking, which do not foster the same collaborative environment integral to literature circles.