Socratic Seminar Scoring Rubric

Name of Participant: __________________________________ Grade for the Seminar: _____

Subject: _______________________________ Preparation Notes: ___ Complete ___ Incomplete ___ Missing

Advanced (A Range):
The student demonstrates preparedness by coming to the discussion with the assigned text; it is thoroughly
annotated and/or there are comprehensive accompanying notes. The student consistently actively engages in the
conversation by doing most of the following:
□ using body language and eye contact to indicate active listening for the duration of the seminar.
□ posing and/or responding to questions.
□ building on the thoughts of others.
□ asking clarifying questions.
□ making new connections considering the evidence and reasoning presented.
□ referencing/quoting the text to support a point.
□ challenging ideas and conclusions in a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.
□ summarizing points of agreement and/or disagreement.
□ qualifying or justifying perspectives and understandings.
□ using language of recognition and appreciation to promote collaborative, collegial discussions (actively
incorporates others into the discussion).
□ demonstrating analysis beyond basic comprehension (understanding of sub-textual meaning). *The implicit
or metaphorical meaning

Proficient (B Range):
The student demonstrates preparedness by coming to the discussion with the assigned text; it is sufficiently
annotated and/or there are accompanying notes. The student engages in the conversation by doing most of the
following:
□ using body language and eye contact to indicate active listening for the duration of the seminar.
□ posing and/or responding to questions.
□ building on the thoughts of others.
□ asking clarifying questions.
□ making new connections considering the evidence and reasoning presented.
□ referencing/quoting the text to support a point.
□ demonstrating comprehension.

Basic (C Range):
The student demonstrates a lack of preparedness by coming to the discussion without the assigned text and/or it is
poorly annotated and/or there are no accompanying notes or the notes are incomplete. The student minimally
engages in the conversation by doing one or two of the following:
□ using body language and eye contact to indicate active listening for the duration of the seminar.
□ posing and/or responding to questions.
□ building on the thoughts of others.
□ asking clarifying questions.
□ referencing/quoting the text to support a point.
□ demonstrating comprehension.

Below Basic (D Range): The student demonstrates a lack of preparedness by coming to the discussion without the
assigned text and/or it is poorly annotated and/or there are no accompanying notes or the notes are incomplete The
student is present and uses body language and eye contact to indicate active listening for the duration of the seminar
but does not participate in the conversation.