Socratic Seminar Guidelines

Be prepared to participate

Don’t raise hands

Invite others into the

discussion

Refer to the text

Comments must be

appropriate/respectful/focused

Listen to and build on one

another’s comments

“The Sniper” Socratic Seminar Topics to Answer

Please read the following questions or statements below. Answer five of these ideas as completely as you can in preparation for your Socratic Seminar. Remember to link all of your responses to “The Sniper.”

Agree or disagree: war is a problem humans will never be able to solve.

What did the author mean at the end of the story when he said “he looked into his brother’s eyes?”

Agree or disagree: countries need military forces in order to be truly safe.

Why is the age of the sniper such an important detail in the story?

Agree or disagree: humans should act however they need to in order to survive.

What do you think of the sniper’s decision to shoot the old lady?

Agree or disagree: the sniper’s ability to overcome pain and figure out a plan to kill the second sniper is truly amazing.

How does the setting of the story create a sense of suspense for the reader?

Agree or disagree: at some point every country needs to use force.

Which part of the story most captured your attention?

Agree or disagree: the militaries of the world should keep using people between the ages of 18-25 as their main soldiers.

What is the author’s main point about war?

Agree or disagree: the ending of the story forces the reader to think about life in a different way.

How does the author’s use of imagery make the story better?

You will need to compose one question of your own about the story. Please use the following stem to help create your own question-

How can we…

Please use the following stems when responding or questioning your classmates-

I agree/disagree with ______because…

I need you to clarify what you mean when you said…

What I hear you saying is ______. Is this correct?

My main point is that ______

I would like to expand on to what ______said…

I have a question for the group…

Please record your questions and responses in the spaces below (10 points each)