This document outlines the procedures and expectations for students participating in Socratic seminars on assigned literary works. It divides students into presenter, inner circle, and outer circle groups, each with different roles and responsibilities. Presenters will lead discussion on their assigned work, asking analytical questions and managing discussion. Inner circle members must actively contribute comments and questions. Outer circle members will participate in a live chat reaction. All students must prepare thoroughly by reading and analyzing works using the guidelines provided. Groups will be evaluated on preparation, participation, and facilitation of thoughtful discussion.

1. Socratic Seminar Regulations
Throughout this unit students will be responsible for leading a discussion on their assigned literary work,
and contribute to a discussion on all literary pieces in the unit. You will be responsible for reading each
of the pieces before the date it is scheduled to be discussed. You will need to critically analyze the text,
prepare a discussion outline that you will turn into the teacher on the day your group is presenting, and
lead an open dialogue with the inner circle members. All presenters must participate. Your group will
be graded on their preparation, analysis, participation, facilitation, and leadership. Remember you must
cover your literary work in a relevant and purposeful manner.
Presenters: 1 group of 6
Responsible for leading a discussion on the assigned work of literature by providing open ended,
thought provoking questions that will engage the class and motivate others to add meaningful ideas to
the discussion. You must also manage the class and keep the discussion moving.
*Lead Discussion * Create a visual aide for discussion * create a presentation outline w/ questions and answers for the discussion
Inner Circle: 2 Groups of 6 (12)
Responsible for discussing the work of literature along with the presenters. You must actively
participate in the discussion by commenting on the questions from the presenters or posing new
questions based on your own observations to earn credit. Any sign of a lack of preparation by a circle
member will result in the loss of points for that day. Scoring guide attached. (Worth 10 points each round)
Outer Circle: Remainder of Class (26)
Responsible for conducting a live chat based on your response and reaction to the discussion that is
taking place concerning the literary work. The outer circle is expected to be attentive and focused. If
you distract from the discussion points will be deducted for the day. (Worth 10 points each round)
Your Discussion Outline and Your Dialogue Should Contain the Following:
1. Importance of the title
2. Relevant plot elements
3. Characterization
4. Important symbols or use of symbolism
5. Major themes
6. Conflict
7. Author’s Purpose
8. A connection to the history or time period the work was written
9. Romantic characteristics of the work
*Your Discussion outline should include the questions you intend to ask on the topics listed above, along
with relevant answers that would apply.

2. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
12 13 14 15 16
Introduction to Finish “The Devil and Meet Together in the Seminar Work Day Writing Test Review
Romanticism Tom Walker” Library
Read “The Devil and What is a Faustian Discuss Seminar
Tom Walker” Bargain? Procedures
Model a Fishbowl Assign Seminar
Socratic Seminar Texts/ Work Day
19 20 21 22 23
FALL BREAK
26 27 28 29 30
Writing Test Review GHSGWT Seminar Work Day Seminar #1
1st and 2nd periods Thanatopsis Reading Day
P: Group 1
IC: Group 2, 3
OC: Group 4,5,6,7,8
Seminar #2
To A Waterfowl
P: Group 2
IC: Group 3, 4
OC: Group 5, 6, 7, 8, 1,
3 4 5 6 7
Seminar #3 Seminar #5 Seminar #7 Unit 3 Lit. Test
Old Ironsides The Raven The Minister’s Unit 3 History Test Will Cover:
P: Group 3 P: Group 5 Black Veil The Devil and Tom
IC: Group 4, 5 IC: Group 6, 7 P: Group 7 Walker
OC: Group 6, 7, 8, 1, OC: Group 8, 1, 2, 3, 4 IC: Group 8, 1 Thanatopsis
2, Seminar #6 OC: Group 2, 3, 4, The Tide Rises, Falls
Seminar #4 The Pit and the 5, 6, Old Ironsides
The Midnight Ride of Pendulum Seminar #8 The Midnight Ride of
Paul Revere P: Group 6 The Tide Rises, The P. R.
P: Group 4 IC: Group 7, 8 Tide Falls The Raven
IC: Group 5, 6 OC: Group 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 P: Group 8 The Pit & The
OC: Group 7, 8,1, 2, 3 IC: Group 1, 2 Pendulum
OC: Group 3, 4, 5, The Minister’s Veil
6, 7 To A Waterfowl

3. Works of Literature Being Discussed
Thursday September 29, 2011
Seminar #1 : Thanatopsis (William Cullen Bryant) Pg. 167-168 In the textbook
Seminar #2 : To A Waterfowl (William Cullen Bryant) Online @
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/Bryant/waterfowl.html
Monday October 3, 2011
Seminar #3 : Old Ironsides (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Online @ http://www.poetry-online.org/holmes_old_ironsides.htm
Seminar #4 : The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) Online @
http://www.legallanguage.com/resources/poems/midnightride/
Tuesday October 4, 2011
Seminar #5: The Raven (Edgar Allan Poe) Pg. 274-277 in the textbook
Seminar #6 : The Pit and the Pendulum (Edgar Allan Poe) Pg. 257-268 in the textbook
Wednesday October 5, 2011
Seminar #7: The Minister’s Black Veil (Nathaniel Hawthorne) Pg. 239-248 in the textbook
Seminar #8: The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) Pg. 172 in the Textbook