Socratic questioning

Socratic questioning (a.k.a. Socratic method, Guided questions,Structured questioning, Building from what is known, Socratic dialogue) is asking open questions, for example “why do you think ...?” which challenge students to articulate their previous experience, current knowledge and to challenge assumptions.

It is possible to use Socratic questioning to identify existing misconceptions (for example “why did you select the wrong answer on an MCQ test?”) and to explore new topics, through a series of carefully planned logical questions. Through structured questioning students respond and explore a new topic to gain a more detailed understanding. The questions chosen by the educator, the order, and the nature of the questions require students to use their existing knowledge on related and unrelated topics together with logic and critical thinking to engage with a topic. Using this approach, the educator needs to ensure the students stay on topic, and will need to support students in developing their individual understanding through rephrasing questions, seeking clarification for answers provided and drawing links (however long) between a student’s response and the topic at hand.

Socratic questioning is

effective for:

best to pair with:

  • Collaboration and cooperation
  • Critical thinking
  • Identifying misconception
  • Brainstorming
  • Clarification pause
  • Jigsaw
  • Large groups discussion
  • Limited resource problem solving
  • Think-pair-share
  • Trivia

Example 1

To explore a general aspect of course material: “Describe different types of tectonic movement along plate boundaries.”

Example 2

To encourage creativity and brainstorming: “Think of as many causes as possible for the origin of a large boulder found perched upon a nearly flat plain that is underlain by a rock type different from that of the boulder.”

Example 3

To focus attention on a specific problem: “Compare the evidence used by scientists to support the idea of biological evolution (or modern global warming) with that used by others who reject the possibility of evolution (or global warming).”