Synthesize and evaluate your thoughts and response. Researching and preparing for a discussion helps to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of a collaborative discussion. To start forming your response, write down your initial thoughts on your chosen topic. Here are some questions you can consider when formulating your thesis: How did historical events affect American literature? (Sample question: How did the Civil War affect American Literature?) How did the Civil War transform American literature? Does literature affect history? What events were affected by literature? How does history affect current pieces of writing? Or does it only affect literature from the same period?