Name:

_____________________
Socratic Seminar
The goal of a Socratic seminar is for students to help one another
understand the ideas and issues reflected in a specific text. You are
responsible for facilitating a discussion, clarifying meanings, and creating a
deeper understanding of the ideas.
Below are the expectations for a Socratic Seminar:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Face each other, not just to the facilitator or teacher.

Refer to the readings, notes, or worksheets to support your ideas.
Dont feel pressured to answer everything perfectly. Silence is fine.
Dont interrupt. Dont make judgments.
Use sentence starters and questions during a Socratic Seminar.

Sentence Starters

In my opinion (I think that)

_________.
I agree with _______ because

__________.
I disagree with ____ because

__________.
My idea is related to ______s

idea.
What do you mean by

Questions

Could you repeat that please?

What do you think the author is

trying to say?
What does this word/phrase

mean?
Do you have the evidence to
support your idea?

_______________?

You will be graded on the following criteria:

Did you participate both as a speaker and listener?

Did you use evidence to support your idea?
Were you respectful to others point of view?
1

Did you demonstrate confidence as a speaker? (eye contact,

enunciation, voice)
Did you provide thorough reflection after a Socratic Seminar?