Information on Socratic Seminars

1. Socratic Seminars
ENG3/4U

2. What is a Socratic Seminar?
• A socratic seminar is a genuine discussion that
allows us to ask and consider questions and
explore each others’ answers.
• This is so we can learn more about an idea or
text, and HOW to discuss it.

3. Bene
fi
ts of Socratic
Discussion:
• gain practice in leading discussions
• practice listening for insights in the comments of others
• insures that the quiet voices are heard
• it is how to help talk move beyond the super
fi
cial into
thought-provoking dialogue
• It gives us a chance to explore the meaning of the work
being discussed. The aim is that everyone understands
through speaking, idea testing, listening, and re
fl
ection.

4. Important Points to Remember
in a Socratic Seminar
• We need to not only share our ideas politely and effectively, but
LISTEN to others, thinking through their ideas and being able to
build on them.
• A socratic seminar is NOT to sit and passively await instruction or
answers, or say whatever pops into our heads. You need to have
prepared what ideas you want to discuss ahead of the seminar
• It is also not an argument between members of the discussion;
you can disagree with someone but must do so politely and
explain why you disagree
• You are not only marked as a participant, but as an audience. You
need to pay attention and take notes on what is said.

5. • Things like body language for are important.
• You need to be facing who is speaking.
• There needs to be only one person
speaking at a time.
• You need to address each other by name.
• You need to be polite.
• You can disagree with a person’s viewpoint
but you must remain respectful.

6. • You need to make reference to the novel as
proof, but you need to expand on this piece of
evidence for your points.
• You need to understand that these seminars are
only effective and engaging when we all put
effort into the process. This means that you
need to come prepared to the seminar day with
notes that back up your view point.

7. Practice Topics
1. Which is more important: talent or hard work?
2. Should 5th graders have social media
accounts?
3. Should students in grade school have a cell
phone? At what age should they have a cell
phone?