What is a Socratic Seminar?
The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates’ theory that it is more important to enable students to think for themselves than to merely fill their heads with “right” answers. Therefore, he regularly engaged his pupils in dialogues by responding to their questions with questions, instead of answers. Students are given opportunities to “examine” a literary text (a short story, poem, chapters in a novel, an essay, etc.) After “reading” the common text closely and actively, the instructor poses open-ended questions at first, but all participants may pose questions. Open-ended questions allow students to think critically, analyze multiple meanings in text, and express ideas with clarity and confidence. It is expected that students participating in Socratic seminar sessions will 1) demonstrate a knowledge of the text through comments and questions, 2) actively listen to other participants, 3) offer clarification and follow-up that extends the dialogue, and 4) refer often to specific
