Socratic Seminar: The "N-Word"

Through a Socratic Seminar, students in Esther Wu's 11th grade ELA class evaluate arguments about the use of the n-word in literature. As part of their study of Huckleberry Finn, students read articles that examine the use of the "n-word" in literature. Students participate in a Socratic Seminar by taking on the roles of speakers, listeners, and evaluators. During the discussion students use textual evidence and academic transitions. In the middle of the seminar students break to reflect on their performance and set goals for the second half of the discussion.