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A Socratic seminar is a form of discussion
created by Socrates in fifth century B.C.
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He believed that the best way for students
to learn was by developing and pursuing
insightful questions.
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The teacher acts as a guide/facilitator while
the students are required to take
responsibility for their learning.
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Many college classes
use the Socratic
Seminar format.
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Teaches you how to
use literary terminology
in conversation.
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You are in charge and
get to discuss what
interests you!
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Teaches organization
and note taking skills.
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“It is the mark of an
educated mind to
entertain an idea
without accepting it.” SOCRATES
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You learn how to listen
and speak respectfully
in a group discussion.
Read assigned story/play BEFORE coming
to class.
 Take notes over assigned reading before
S.S.
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› Including the page number of key passages
and writing down important quotes you want
to discuss is helpful during discussion and
when it comes to writing your paper.
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I will give you a list of things to pay
attention to while reading. These should be
covered in your notes.
› These are usually centered around skills that I
want you to apply to the text such as:
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Inferring why or how
Use of literary devices
Author’s choices and influences
Context
Elements of the genre
Include things you
noticed, found interesting
and want to discuss!
 You should also prepare 3
of the following: a.k.a.
your key 3

› Connection statements or
questions (4types)
› Open ended questions
› Blooms Taxonomy
question/statement level
3 or higher
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The goal of the key 3:
Think of these as
helpful go-to questions
and statements that
can help move the
discussion along if your
circle gets stuck.
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The day before:
› I will put a list of categories on the board
that I would like you to include in your notes
and discuss during the S.S.
› Feel free to include other notes, thoughts,
questions.
› Don’t forget the key 3
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The day of S.S.
› I will check notes before the Socratic Seminar
has started.
› I will divide the class into two groups.
 Inner circle and outer circle
› You will discuss for 20-30 min. and then switch
› Everyone must use all of their talking chips
(initials on back)
› Peer score sheet is due at end of class.
› Paper and notes due next day.
Treat one another respectfully
The outer circle is ALWAYS SILENT!!!!
This is a shared inquiry. Not a debate.
Everyone needs to talk AND listen.
Wait your turn to talk. Do not talk over one
another.
 Everyone must use their talking chips to
earn full points.
 Notes and required reading must be
brought to class.
 No foul language may be used. You’re
smart. Be tactful as well.
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If you do not come to class prepared the
following steps will occur.
› You will lose all points for your notes
› You will lose all talking chip points and will only sit
in the outer circle taking notes.
› Said notes must be attached to your paper,
include the required categories I posted the
previous day and turned in on time.
› In the “Inner Circle” category of your paper,
you must explain why you were not prepared
and what steps you will take to make sure you
are prepared for future Socratic Seminars.
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Categories I list on
board
Key three
Literary terms:
onomatopoeia, theme,
foils, allusion, etc.
Context
Author influences
Things that you thought
about while reading
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NOTE:
We will ALWAYS discuss
the things that I listed on
the board.
Discussion can go “off
notes”. If you think of
something interesting in
the middle of discussion
feel free to bring it up!
Writing down things in your
notes during discussion is
allowed and encouraged.
•
Good discussion occurs.
•
Students have studied the text
closely in advance.
•
Students have taken detailed
notes before and during
discussion.
•
Notes and Papers contain the
required content, are well
written, and turned in on time.
•
Students have actively
listened to the ideas of
their peers.
•
Students have shared
their ideas and
questions in response to
the ideas and questions
of others.
•
Students use evidence
from the text to support
their ideas.
Don’t panic! I will explain it to you step by
step!
 MLA format
 Look at handout that explains how to write
S.S. paper
 Don’t forget to use headings for each
section
 Proofread, proofread, proofread,
proofread, proofread, proofread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Each Socratic Seminar is worth a total of
70 points.
10 points for having notes prepared
BEFORE Socratic Seminar
 25 points for discussion
 5 points for using all of your talking chips
 25 points for paper
 5 points for completing peer evaluation
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