Socratic Dialogue Assignment
Purpose:
The purpose of the Socratic dialogue exercise is to construct a dialogue that is in the
form and style of the earlier dialogues written by Plato.
The dialogue consists of Socrates engaged in a discussion surrounding some
educational issue or board/school rule.
Possible topics: literacy test, uniform, buyouts, non-uniform days, new food
regulations,
The author may have Socrates assume whatever role is necessary for the discussion.
(ex. Principal, teacher, student, trustee, etc)
The dialogue should amount to 2-3 pages of typed work that is consistent with the
style and objectives of the questioning by Socrates.
Students are to work individually but are to consult widely with their classmates and
instructor before submitting their work. Class time will be provided for discussions.
Level R
Thinking
-Free of Fallacy
-Main issue
-Underlying
issues/definitions
Each argument is
carried through
to its logical
conclusion
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
/25
The dialogue
demonstrates
little of the
critical analysis
necessary. No
clarification of
the main issues
and supporting
arguments. The
fallacy that is
present corrupts
the core
argument on
which the
dialogue is
based.
The dialogue
demonstrates
some of the
critical analysis
necessary.
There is little
clarification of
the main issues
and supporting
arguments.
There exists
some fallacy
which affects
the nature of
some of the
arguments.
The dialogue
demonstrates
most of the
critical analysis
necessary. No
clarification of
the main issues
and supporting
arguments. The
dialogue is
mostly free
from fallacy.
The dialogue
demonstrates a
high level of
critical analysis.
No clarification
of the main
issues and
supporting
arguments. The
dialogue is
virtually free of
fallacy.
Communication
/25
demonstrates
Written in the
Socratic Style
Conventions:
-Spelling
-Grammar
-syntax