Socratic Seminar
What is a Socratic Seminar?
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Originated with a man named
Socrates, who was a Greek
philosopher.
He developed a method of
discussion that encourages a
dialogue by asking questions about
a text.
• There are no “wrong” answers.
Information comes in the form of
thoughtful questions that lead to
other thoughtful questions.
Why?
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Socratic seminars are an excellent way of
discovering more about a text together,
without a teacher telling you what is wrong or
right.
Students get the chance to debate about
issues and characters in the book without a
teacher’s influence
Humans learn more
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A. When they are questioning
B. When they are teaching or sharing
knowledge with others
One main goal:
Enlarged
understanding of
the text
 In
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this case, Fahrenheit 451
Also, your test is Friday, so this is a great way to
review! 
What will be the procedure?
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I will be just a facilitator – someone who keeps
the group focused on the question being
discussed.
This will be a student run- student based
discussion.
You will have a student leader to keep the
discussion relevant and moving.
The goal is to make three to five insightful
comments each on questions that are being
discussed.
You will keep track of your participation with
tallies on the homework you prepared for the
seminar
Your leader will keep the discussion going and
call on people for new questions as time
allows or if needed
Pre-Seminar Preparation
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You will be given a question to think about
and come prepared to discuss as a group.
You will also come with your own questions
that you prepared ahead of time :
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Two “close – ended” questions (clarification)
Two “open – ended” questions (thought)
We may not get to all the questions.
You will be graded on your thoughtful
preparation and participation.
The Seminar Guidelines:
Come prepared to participate:
- You have done the reading
- Answer your entry question, thoughtfully,
before class (it should be typed!)
- Prepare and bring to class your other four
questions (also typed and on the same page)
2. Don’t raise your hand – if you have a comment to
make, wait your turn.
3. Listen carefully- so you can make appropriate and
focused comments.
1.
Guidelines cont.
4. Do not stay confused – ask for
clarification.
5. Speak up so all can hear you.
6. Talk to the group – not just the leader.
7. Invite others into the discussion.
8. Discuss ideas that relate to the
question being discussed and relate
discussion to the book.
9. You are responsible for the seminar.
Expectations of Participants:
I will consider did they…
1. Speak loudly and clearly?
2. Cite reasons and evidence for their statements?
3. Use the text to find support?
4. Stick with the subject?
5. Talk to each other, not just the leader?
6. Summarize ideas accurately?
7. Ask for help to clear up confusion?
8. Seem prepared?
9. Act polite and supportive to others?
Homework to prepare:
 Answer
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the focus question:
Which is a more powerful motivation: hope
or fear? Explain your answer using examples
from F451 in a well written, typed
paragraph.
 Prepare
4 questions (on the same page),
2 that are open-ended (thought
questions), 2 that are closed-ended
(clarification questions)
 Bring your copy of F451 to refer to during
discussion
Warning/word to the wise:
I
will check your work when we arrive
tomorrow. Those who aren’t prepared
WILL NOT PARTICIPATE and therefore will
earn a 0 out of 15 points.
 EVERYONE is expected to participate,
which means no one is allowed to
dominate or hog the conversation.
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Your grade will be penalized if you
overshare (red card).