Socratic Seminar

English 11

Mrs. Munkwitz

“ A Socratic discussion is a text-based discussion in

which an individual sets their own interpretations of the text alongside those of other participants. The aim is a mutual search for a clearer, wider, and deeper (‘enlarged’) understanding of the ideas, issues, and values in the text at hand. It is shared inquiry, not debate; there is no opponent save the perplexity all persons face when they try to understand something that is both difficult and important.”

-Walter Parker, PhD, University of Washington

What is a Socratic Seminar?• A method of teaching developed by the

philosopher Socrates.• He engaged his students in intellectual

discussion by responding to questions with questions.– Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking

• Socrates believed it was more important to enable students to think for themselves than to merely fill their heads with “right” answers.

– Divergent – different– Convergent – the same

Purposes• To achieve deeper understanding about the ideas

and values in a text.

• To systematically question and examine issues and principles related to a particular content.

• To articulate different points of view.

• To construct meaning through disciplined analysis, interpretation, listening, and participation.

Our Socratic Seminar• We will be conducting Socratic Seminars based on

your reading of The Great Gatsby.• But…in order to do our seminar, we need to

understand the process of conducting one!

Procedure – Before the Seminar

1. Prepare for the Seminar– Read the Text

• You’ve done this already – Examine the Text

• Think about your prompt in relation to the text.

– Prepare for the Seminar• Prepare for the seminar by filling out the “Posits & Questions”

worksheet• Pull quotes from the text to reference during the seminar

Procedure – During the Seminar

2. Participate in the Seminar– Pose Questions

• Ask questions which lead to rich discussion and deeper group understanding

– Address Others’ Questions• Give evidence from the text with a page number to support your

thoughts• Make inferences• Build on others’ ideas

– Listen Actively• Listen to the discussion and be prepared to participate at any

given moment.• Be an active listener!

Procedure – After the Seminar

3. Debrief the Seminar– Reflect on the Seminar

• Do you feel like you understand the text at a deeper level?• How was the process for us as a class? Did we adhere to our

norms?• Did you achieve your goals to participate?• What was one thing you noticed about the seminar?

– Next Time• As a class, what could we do differently to make the next

seminar run more smoothly?• As an individual, what could you do to make the next seminar

run more smoothly?

Seminar Norms• Don’t raise hands• Listen carefully• Address one another respectfully• Base any opinions you share during the seminar on the

text itself• Address comments to the group (no side conversations)• Use sensitivity to take turns and not interrupt others• Monitor your “air time”• Be courageous in presenting your own thoughts and

reasoning, but be flexible and willing to change your mind in the face of new and compelling evidence

Posing Questions in the Seminar• Literal Questions*

– Questions that ask the reader to comprehend the text (answers can be found directly in the text).• Examples: What is the name of the herald?

• Interpretive Questions**– Questions that ask the reader to interpret the text.

• Examples: What is the main idea or underlying value in the text? What is the author’s purpose or perspective?

• Evaluative Questions***– Questions that ask the reader to form a position or

opinion. • Examples: Do you agree with what the author is saying?

Fishbowl• Inner Group

– Conducts the discussion

• Outer Group– Listens and

evaluates their partner during the inner group’s discussion