Socratic Seminar Rubric
4
Behavior
* The student is respectful of
others’ opinions and is
willing to consider other
viewpoints
* Asks others to join the
conversation
3
2
* Participates but may
become impatient with
others’ opinions
* Participates but may be
too opinioned or shy to
clearly convey ideas
* Comments, but does not
encourage others to
participate
* Does not contribute to the
discussion moving forward
1
* Little respect shown
* May be argumentative
or inappropriate
* Unprepared
* Debates
* Speaks to all participants
* Does not dominate the
discussion
* Responds and has complete
understanding of questions.
Speaking
&
Thoughtfulness
Attention
* Makes connections
between text, ideas and
concepts.
* Makes connections
between own and others’
viewpoints.
* Takes notes of questions
and responses of others
during the seminar.
* Respectfully is attentive to
others.
Text
* Not distracted.
* Thoroughly knows the text
* Does not directly address
the other participants
* Responds to questions
* Comments show an
understanding of text
* Comments are logical.
* Has a surface level
understanding of ideas
presented in text.
* Others respond to
presented viewpoints.
* Responses may be hard
for others to follow.
* Pays attention during the
seminar.
* May find others’
viewpoints unimportant.
* May take some notes.
* Inattentive.
* May be focused on own
ideas and not listen to other
viewpoints.
* Evidence that text
previously has been read.
* Has taken notes in the text.
* Highlighted or indicated
important parts of the text.
* Text is consistently
referenced in the seminar
* Responds, but may wait
until called upon.
* Some note taking may be
evident.
* Text is referenced in the
seminar.
* Evidence the text has
been skimmed, but not read
thoroughly.
* Misunderstanding of
concepts.
* Sometimes the text is
referenced in the seminar.
* Reluctant to respond.
* Incomplete thoughts or
ideas.
* Does not consider
other’s viewpoints when
responding.
* Uninvolved in seminar.
* Misinterprets due to
lack of attention.
* Text is unfamiliar.
* Confusion of ideas and
concepts presented in the
text
* Text not referenced in
the seminar.