One format for the seminar is as follows: 

Procedure

1. The teacher selects a significant piece of text or collection of short texts related to the current focus of study. This may be an excerpt from a book or an article from a magazine, journal, or newspaper. It might also be a poem, short story, or personal memoir. The text needs to be rich with possibilities for diverse points of view.

2. The teacher or facilitator develops an open-ended, provocative question as the starting point for the seminar discussion. The question should be worded to elicit differing perspectives and complex thinking. Participants may also generate questions to discuss.

3. Participants prepare for the seminar by reading the chosen piece of text in an active manner that helps them build background knowledge for participation in the discussion. The completion of the pre-seminar task is the participant’s “ticket” to participate in the seminar. The pre-seminar assignment could easily incorporate work on reading strategies. For example, participants might be asked to read the article in advance and to “text code” by underlining important information, putting questions marks by segments they wonder about, and exclamation points next to parts that surprise them. 

4. Once the seminar begins, all participants should be involved and should make sure others in the group are drawn into the discussion. 

5. The seminar leader begins the discussion with the open-ended question designed to provoke inquiry and diverse perspectives. Inner circle participants may choose to move to a different question if the group agrees, or the facilitator may pose follow-up questions.

6. The discussion proceeds until the seminar leader calls time. At that time, the group debriefs their process; if using a fishbowl (see below), the outer circle members give their feedback sheets to the inner group participants.

7. If using a fishbowl, the seminar leader may allow participants in the outer circle to add comments or questions they thought of while the discussion was in progress. 

Participants will…

• Respect other participants. Exhibit open-mindedness; value others’ contributions. 

• Are active listeners. Build upon one another’s ideas by referring to them when it is your turn to talk.

• Stay focused on the topic. 

• Make specific references to the text. Use examples from the text to explain your point.

• Give their input. Ensure that you participate.

• Ask questions. As needed, ask clarifying questions to ensure that you understand the points others are trying to make, and ask probing questions, which push the conversation further and deeper when appropriate.