Actions That Promote Effective Seminars*

Actions that Promote Effective Seminars*

I. PREPARE

·  Read material fully and actively—highlighting, underlining, making marginal comments, identifying key passages.

·  Formulate specific arguments, insights, problems, and questions the text raises for you.

·  Look for connections with class discussions and other class readings.

·  Compose your seminar ticket, explaining your ideas clearly and including specific textual evidence.

II. PARTICIPATE

·  Contribute your ideas.

·  Stay focused on the text—citing the page and paragraph, allowing others time to find the place, and reading the passage aloud.

·  Listen carefully and actively, keeping your eyes on the speaker and respectfully questioning him or her so that you fully understand the point being made.

·  Allow quiet time for reflection, even as much as a few minutes.

·  Be on time.

·  Venture to ask “stupid questions”; you’re probably not the only one wondering the same thing.

·  Move eye contact around the group, speaking to the whole group.

·  Stay focused on one idea long enough to explore it thoroughly, then allow transition to new ideas.

III. USE YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

·  Don’t interrupt.

·  Reinforce others’ ideas.

·  Be sensitive and polite

·  Use “I” statements (“I interpreted the passage this way” rather than “The right way to interpret the passage is this way”).

·  Take care about negative non-verbal signals (the rolling eyeballs of disdain).

·  Encourage the quiet, reticent folks.

·  Don’t talk too much or attempt to dominate the conversation.

·  Be open to new ideas and to ideas you don’t agree with.

·  Use inclusive language.

·  Help your group resolve conflict by verbalizing any problems.

IV. USE YOUR PERSONAL SKILLS

·  Ask for help from peers and/or faculty.

·  Take responsibility for your development and intellectual growth.

·  Be spontaneous, involved, interested.

V. WATCH OUT FOR COMMON PITFALLS

·  Avoid flitting from topic to topic.

·  Stay away from lots of talk about books, films, etc. that other group members aren’t familiar with.

·  Avoid put downs.

·  Beware of too much personalizing.

·  Don’t monopolize the discussion—or allow other group members to do so.

·  Avoid vague generalizations and extraneous comments.

·  Refrain from side comments and private conversations.

·  Take care not to cut off or interrupt other group members.

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*This text is a modified version of material I shamelessly purloined from my colleague Barbara Williamson, who previously lifted it (adding her own modifications) from the North Seattle Community College Coordinated Studies Program.