How do I politely get somebody to shut up?

well if you are giving everyone time to speak, after she is done making a statement just say something like " ok very interesting

well what do you think so and so"

i am 13 years old i no these things

Get a game of Scrabble. Take out the hourglass timer and hand it to the person. They'll get the idea.

The talking stick idea is always good because it is a constrant reminder to everyone that each person deserves talking time uninterupted.

The 13 year old has a point. Try to agree with the talker in the basic points and then go on. If you agree with them, they won't be so offended by quickly turning the conversation.

Perhaps bring the person aside and suggest that, while you value their opinion and vast knowledge on the topics discussed, some others in the group who are a bit timid need to come out of their shell and won't do so as long as others do the talking for them. Ask them to pull back a little for the benefit of others who need to learn to speak up.

You set ground rules and practice your discussion facilitation skills. Don't be afraid to set very specific rules up front and do not be afraid to interrupt and say something like, "I can see you're very passionate about this topic, and I bet others are too, so I want to make sure everyone has a chance to speak." And then you turn to someone else (making eye contact with another person).

Sometimes, as the facilitator, you HAVE to be a bit firm/rude with people who are clueless about dominating the discussion. Remember -- your other participants are relying on YOU to help control this person who wont shut up. It's your role to be the "bad cop" sometimes.

Also -- try a "talking stick" -- this can be any fun item that indicates who has the floor. The rule is that you respect whoever has the stick, and whoever has the stick MUST pass it on to whomever asks for it when they ask for it. It serves as a visual reminder for the person talking...they become much more aware that they have the floor, and they're more likely to "pass the stick" more often.

There's a lot more to facilitation, but I hope those things helped give you some ideas.

I was in a meeting recently and there was a woman who monopolized a lot of the time. Then we had a break and when we came back from break, as soon as we sat down, she started again. But there was a Senior administrator there and he stopped her right away. He just said, very plainly, "You talked a lot in the earlier part of the meeting and now it's important that I hear what these other people have to say, so I have to ask you to be quiet now." That was that. It was really slick. There was no hesitation and no argument.

Before you start the meeting, identify some rules. Each person can only have "n" minutes so that others get a chance to talk.

Run a stop timer especially for the one who you want to shut up.

Use "talking chips" (pieces of paper) each person only has a certain amount and must relinquish one each time they speak. When they are out of chips, they can no longer make comments. It is a tool used in education to limit people who participate too much and encourage others to participate because one person is not dominating. Additionally, you get better responses because people do not want to waste their chips.

You can always say at the beginning that this is a discussion group and you would like to let all parties participate so please keep your comments to a minimum of two Min's something along this line. When they get to going on and on say excuse me a minute would anybody else like to comment here?

ask every one to speak on the topics in theire given time and fix timing for every one

Take some really good treats with Peanut Butter in them...and don't take milk...His mouth will glue shut.

Just ask them to stay on topic.