Socratic Seminar 3 Levels of Questioning

Level 1: Questions of Fact These are questions that cannot be debated and the answers to which can be found within the text itself.-elements of plot, setting, characterization, conflict, theme. Who, What, Where, When They are essential for identifying evidence to support a position.

Level 2: Questions of Interpretation and Analysis These are debatable questions that are answerable only after analyzing the text closely. The answers, though, are generated through a study of the text. Often begin with “why” or “how” (maybe “what”). Ex. “Which of the two murderers, Dick or Perry, is more evil? Are they both equally base, or does one of them have redeeming qualities?” Ex. “Why does Perry continue to stay with Dick even though he does not approve of most of Dick’s behavior?”

Level 3: Universal Questions While these questions are generated through a consideration of the text, their answers are outside of the text. The evidence for discussion is found in the world, in other texts, in one’s own life, and in the text. These questions could be discussed for hours, even if you hadn’t read the text. Ex. “To what extent does the environment you are raised in affect your adult life?” Ex. “From where do ‘immoral’ tendencies come? How does society both create and regulate ‘immoral tendencies’?”