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Kogan
SEMINAR QUESTION INTRODUCTION:
Opening, Core and Closing Questions
Seminar questions are written questions centered on a specific reading, group of readings or
topic. The purpose of seminar questions is to make students THINK critically about what the
read. With the development of seminar questions, students will learn to think
globally, in a cross-disciplinary fashion, and will better understand the need
to place content (specific text) in context (larger themes and trends).
Seminar questions are divided into three categories: opening questions, core
questions, and closing questions. Understanding the purpose and
construction of each type of question is vital to the success of a
seminar discussion.
CORE QUESTIONS: 3 to 5 questions with answers
- Content specific
- Examine central points of the text
- Can be an interpretation or analysis of a passage or assertion
- Can explore a quotation
- Must be a question that begins with “How” or “Why” – no “yes or no” questions.
- Core questions must be answered with textual evidence from the selection
- Correct MLA parenthetical citations must be used to cite the source in the answer
(unless otherwise specified)
CLOSING QUESTIONS : 1 question
- Establishes relevance
- Connection of content of the text to the real world
- Permits reflection
Writing Seminar Questions:
1. Literature should be written about in the present tense; historical documents should be written about in the
past tense
World History Honors Name: ______________________________
Kogan
2. Seminar questions never begin with a verb; otherwise, questions can be answered in either the affirmative
or negative with no requirement for substantiation
3. Opening questions are most effective when they link to transhistorical and transdisciplinary themes
4. Opening and closing questions are never responded to in writing. Instead, the questions serve as a
launching point for contemplation and/or reflection
5. A core questions is comparable to a body paragraph from an essay—having a topic sentence (potentially
derived from the question), and defending that assertion with textual evidence and explanatory commentary
6. Core question responses must contain textual references
7. Questions (all types) never use personal pronouns—I, you, he, she, we, they or us