A symposium is a discussion method where different viewpoints on a single aspect of a topic are presented. It differs from a seminar in that it focuses on a single controversial issue rather than multiple aspects of a topic. The purposes of a symposium include identifying various aspects of a theme, developing the ability to make judgments, and enabling listeners to form policies. Key characteristics include providing a broad understanding of a topic and developing feelings of cooperation. Effective symposiums have speeches that are persuasive, argumentative, or informative without interruptions, followed by questions from the audience.

1. DR. MAHESWARI JAIKUMAR.
maheswarijaikumar2103@gmail.com

2. SYMPOSIUM

4. DEFINITION
• Symposium is defined as a teaching
technique that serves as an
excellent method for informing the
audience, crystallizing their opinion
and preparing them for arriving at
decision regarding a particular issue
or a topic.

5. DEFINITION
• Symposium is a discussion
method in which different view
points on a single aspect of a
topic is discussed.
• Symposium is a series of
speeches on single aspect of a
topic.

6. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
SEMINAR & SYMPOSIUM
SEMINAR SYMPOSIUM
Topics are related to
recent trends and
developments in a
discipline
Topics are related to
controversial issues in a
discipline
Multiple aspects of the
topic under
consideration is
discussed
Single aspect of the
topic is discussed

7. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
SEMINAR & SYMPOSIUM
SEMINAR SYMPOSIUM
Chairperson has to
exert less control
Chairperson has to
exert more control
Less time for discussion
involving participants
More time for
discussion involving
participants

8. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
SEMINAR & SYMPOSIUM
SEMINAR SYMPOSIUM
Comparitively less
preparation from the
sides of participants
Demand more
preparation from the
side of participants

9. PURPOSES
• To identify and understand
various aspects of a theme.
• To develop the ability arrive a
decision and provide
judgement for a problem.

10. • To develop values and feelings
regarding a problem.
• To provide understanding to
the students or listerners on a
theme or problem to
specifically develop certain
values and feelings.

11. • To enable the listeners form
policies regarding a theme or a
problem.
• To investigate a problem from
several points of view.

12. • To boost students' abilities to
speak in the group.
• To encourage the students to
study independently.

13. CHARACTERISTICS
• Symposium provides a broad
understanding of a topic or
problem.
• The listener is provided with an
opportunity to take decisions
about a problem.

14. • This method is used in higher
classes for specific theme or a
problem.
• It develops a feelings of
cooperation and adjustment.

15. • Symposium technique helps in
acheiving the objectives of
synthesis and evaluation.
• It provides different views on
the topic of the symposuim.

16. PRINCIPLES
• The speeches may be
persuasive, argumentative and
informative.
• Original presentation is
objective and accurate.

17. INFORMATIVE SPEECH

18. PERSUASIVE SPEECH

19. ARGUMENTATIVE SPEECH

20. • The method always includes a
summary at conclusion.
• Each speech proceeds without
interruption.

21. • Each
speech
proceeds
without
interruption
.

22. • The chairman
of the
symposium
introduces the
topic, suggests
its importance
and sometimes
indicates the
general
approaches.

23. • All members of
the syposium
performing group
can sit in a
straight line
behind the table;
or in adjoining
chairs with the
chairman in the
middle or to one
side of the
speakers.

24. • The symposium
presents two
conflicting points of
view, the reading
arrangement can
seperate the
speakers on the
platform to indicate
differences in opinin
or to preserve
peace.

25. GUIDELINES
• The chairman of the
symposium introduces the
topic and suggests something
of its importance.
• Two or more speakers talk from
10 to 20 minutes.

26. • The speech may be persuasive,
argumentative, informative or
evocative. Each speech
proceeds without interruption.
• The speeches are followed by
questions or comments from
the audience as in the panel
form.

27. • The
speeches are
followed by
questions or
comments
from the
audience as
in the panel
form.

29. ADVANTAGES
• Symposium can be used to
address a large group or class.
• This method can be frequently
used to present broad topics
for discussion at conventions
and organization of meetings.

30. • In symposium, the principle of
organization is high as the
speeches are prepared
beforehand.
• It gives a deeper insight into a
topic.

31. • It directs the students to
continuous independent study.
• This method can be used in
political meetings.

32. DISADVANTAGES
• Symposium does not provide
adequate opportunity for all the
students to participate actively.It
has limited audience
participation.
• The speech is limited to 10 to 20
minutes.

33. • Questions
and Answer
session is
limited to 3 to
4 minutes.

34. • It has
possibility of
overlapping of
subjects.

35. • The chairman has no control
over the speakers as they have
full freedom to prepare the
theme for discussion. They can
present any aspect of the
theme or problem.

36. • There is a
possibility of
repetition of
content. The
different aspects of
the theme are not
prepared
separately. It
creates difficulty of
understanding for

37. • The different aspects of the
theme are not presented
simultaneously. Therefore the
listeners are not able to
understand the theme
correctly.

38. • The listeners remain passive in
the symposium because they
are not given an opportunity to
seek clarification and question
in between the symposium.