Sample Seminar Questions
Table of Contents
1. “The Devil and Tom Walker” – Washington Irving
2. “The Gettysburg Address” – Abraham Lincoln
3. “The Body Ritual of the Nacierma” – Horace Miner
4. “He” – Katherine Anne Porter
5. “Love” – Jesse Stuart
6. From Tao Te Ching – Lao Tzu
7. From To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
8. “How Robin Hood Became an Outlaw” – Edward Dolch
9. “The Scarlet Ibis” – James Hurst
10. “Little Boxes” – Malvina Reynolds
“The Devil and Tom Walker” Seminar
Pre-seminar:
1) Puritanism
2) What do we want to achieve in this seminar today?
3) Who are some characters in films that learn that some agreements come with an unexpectedly high price?
Opening:
1) What quotation or excerpt best defines who Tom is? (his character)
Core: (Choose one)
1) In what ways are Tom and his wife alike? Different?
2) Does the text agree or disagree with this statement: Money is the root of all evil?
3) Does Tom deserve his fate? Why or why not?
Closing: (Choose one)
1) How do the ideas presented in this text relate to today?
2) Do you know a Tom Walker?
The Gettysburg Address Seminar
Pre-Seminar:
1. What relevant information is important for us to know about this speech before we discuss it?
2. What should we work on as a class, as individuals, to make this a good seminar?
Opening:
1. What is the most important phrase in this speech and why?
Core: (Choose one)
1. According to the speech, what does Lincoln mean when he says, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.”
2. In what ways are Lincoln’s speech and Lee’s letter alike?
Closing: (Choose one)
1. How do the ideas presented in Lincoln’s speech relate to today?
2. What might make a good title for this speech?
“The Body Ritual of the Nacirema” Seminar
Pre-Seminar
1. Handout Text
2. Ask: What is a “ritual”?
3. What do you think this text is going to be about?
4. Number each paragraph (minus the intro.)
5. Read and Discuss the introduction
6. Read the text silently, mark any passages you think are significant or important. Underline any words you don’t know.
Opening Question (Choose one)
1. Who are the Nacirema? (round robin)
Follow Up: Find hints in the text as to who the Nacirema really are.
2. Choose a passage you felt like was significant in the text and explain why it was important? OR Choose a passage from the text that you don’t understand or find confusing to share with the class.
Core Question (Choose one)
1. How does this article make you feel? Explain.
2. Do you agree with Miner’s depiction of Americans in paragraph one when he says, “…the magical beliefs and practices of the Nacierma present such unusual aspects that it seems desirable to describe them as an example of the extremes to which human behavior can go.” Explain.
3. Why do you think Miner chose to depict Americans in this manner?
4. Based on the article, what is one adjective you can think of to describe Americans? Why?
Closing Question (Choose one)
1. How do you feel about being an American after reading the passage?
2. Does this reading help you understand how culture works? our attitudes towards diversity?
3. How accurate are these visions?
“He” by Katherine Anne Porter
Opening Question:
1. What is the most important passage in this text? (Explain)
Core Question: (Choose one)
1. How are Mr. and Mrs. Whipple alike/different? Use the text to support your response.
2. Why does “He” have no given name?
Closing: (Choose one)
1. Reflect on the Mrs. Whipple’s sentiment that she felt there was nothing she could do to make up to him for his life. Do you agree with this statement?
2. How is “He” like “Doodle” or another character you have read about?
3. Does this text have a message to convey?
Seminar Questions: “Love” by Jesse Stuart
Opening Question:
What would be another good title for this story?
Core Question:
Why is this story called “love”?
Closing:
What is love – in terms of this text?
Optional Seminar Questions:
1. Do you think your definition of love matches the definition you found in the text?
2. What is valuable? Who is to choose?
3. Why did Stuart choose the snake for the animal in this story?
Follow Up: What is the symbolic meaning of the snake in our society?
What is ironic about choosing the snake?
4. What is the theme of this short story?
5. What do we take away from this story?
Tao Te Ching – Seminar Questions
Pre-Seminar Questions:
1. Look at the title and author. What can you tell me about the piece you are about to read?
· Lao Tzu was born between 600-300 B.C.
· Not a real name but an honorary title meaning “Old Master”
· Believed a person’s conduct should be governed by instinct and conscience
· Recorded his beliefs in the 81 section Tao Te Ching – Buddhist and Asian roots
· Taoism – one universal truth at the center of the universe
o Tao – the way of all life (The Way)
o Te – fit use of life by men (The Power)
o Ching – text (The Scripture)
2. Read the piece silently, and underline any unfamiliar words. (Partner up and discuss what you think the words mean.) -- Group discussion on vocab.
Seminar Questions
Opening Question: Underline or highlight a phrase or sentence that you think is most important. Explain why you think it is the most important phrase or sentence. (Round robin).
Core Questions: (Choose one)
· Reread lines 5-6. How doe these lines relate to the overall meaning of the poem.
· What would Lao Tzu say is an appropriate model for behavior?
· In line 22, what does Lao Tzu mean by the word “this”?
Closing Questions: (Choose one)
1. How do the ideas in the text relate to your life today? (to starting high school?)
2. Why is being tactful important?
3. Where do we see tact employed in To Kill a Mockingbird? Great Expectations?
To Kill a Mockingbird Seminar Chapters 17-19
Opening: Which character in the novel is most victimized?
Follow-up: Explain
Core: Why do you think Mayella made the choice to lie in court?
Follow-up: Why didn’t Atticus push her any further?
Closing Question: Who are the mockingbirds in this excerpt?
“How Robin Hood Became an Outlaw” Seminar
Pre-Seminar: Who has any special knowledge about Robin Hood?
Forget everything you know and focus on the text.
Opening: What kind of person is Robin Hood?
Follow Up: How do you know?
Core: Find references to the word “good” in the text. What does “good” mean in terms of this text?
Closing: What does the word “good” mean to you?
Follow Up: How is this discussion relative to something going on either in the world, in our community, in our school, or in your own life today.
Post-Seminar: Importance of Point-of-View
“The Scarlet Ibis” Seminar Questions
Pre-Reading: Write a narrative about either the best or worst experience you ever had with a sibling. If you are an only child, write about an experience you had with either a relative or someone who you feel is as close as a brother or sister.
Pre-Seminar: Complete a F-I-T sheet.
Opening: Take out your F-I-T sheet. What did you say was a passage that was significant, interesting, or confusing?
Core: Who is responsible for Doodle’s death?
Closing: What is the most important concept in this text? – this leads to theme – Hopefully they will get to pride…
Post-Seminar: R-A-F-T Writing Assignment from Brother’s POV
“Little Boxes” Seminar
Pre-Seminar: Listen to the recording of “Little Boxes” by Malvina Reynolds
Opening: What are the “little boxes?”
Follow-Up: What makes you think that?
Core: What message does this song convey to us?
Closing: Are you a little box? Explain.
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