[Maédhros]

I venture to say that the TftE crew is unusually dedicated, though. If the idea here is to involve a broad cross-section of Downers, then a narrower time frame seems more likely to succeed. But hey, if I'm the only one worried, I'm certainly not going to make a federal case out of it. Besides, there's probably not much difference between eight months and a year and change. If pacing it out to cover, say, the summer seems too fast, then you may as well go whole hog and do a chapter per week.

The narrower time frame seems more likely to succeed, but the main difference between here and that other forum is that there are more members in this forum than in that where the Silmarillion Discussion is taking place. There is an advantage in having a more long discussion time is that it gives more people the opportunity to contribute while the discussion is taking place. So there are pros and cons in there.

Topic starting. A couple of things. Do we really need a summary? After all, posters presumably all just read the chapter. That's the point, right? Plus we have detailed chapter summaries available for linking (or even cutting-and-pasting, for that matter) on the Downs proper. As far as preparing an essay-form analysis/introduction of discussion points... I wasn't anticipating anything of this sort. I side with the posters who advocate maximum flexibility in the actual discussion structure. My idea was that the moderator would pretty much create the thread without necessarily creating expansive introductory comments and discussion would simply begin, with posters taking the lead in any given chapter as opportunity and inspiration allowed, rather than as assigned work. This approach also guards against dropout and burnout and missed deadlines. I can be convinced otherwise, though.

I don't see a contradicion with having an analysis/intro with having maximum flexibility in the discussion. The intro is just an intro, anyone can post their questions/ideas. The idea for the intro is to set a base for the discussion, the different posters can provide their own insight in the chapters.
Another point is that having people doing the intros hopefully will make those persons work harder to try and come up with better ideas/thoughts that can deepen the discussion.
As for the deadlines/dropout and missed deadlines, well it might happen but hey, in our works and life we have deadlines that we have to deal with and it is Tolkien and it is supposed to be fun. Any member can take the intro if another doesn't have the time or a problem in making it.