Socratic Seminars

A Socratic seminar aims to promote a balanced and open-minded consideration of ideas, values and issues. A good seminar is one in which the members work together to help each other understand. In order to participate effectively you need to keep in mind the following:

• Be prepared as you will need to support your interpretations with textual evidence.


• Understand that you are a vital element to the seminar.


• Come to the seminar with questions, thoughts, feelings and points you want to make.


• Do not let others answer all the questions.


• Take risks.


• Be an active listener.


• Realize that your feelings are just as important as your thoughts