First Seminar Presentation (5%) - March 11th and 14th

 A seminar is a discussion that is organized around certain prompts or

questions. Your participation in that discussion should show a good
understanding of the text and your ability to express your ideas clearly.

 Preparing for a seminar involves reading the text, thinking about the prompts
and questions, writing some notes, and choosing specific quotes.

 You may use typed or handwritten notes (no page limit) and/or your annotated
copy of the book, but you may not use a device (laptop, cell phone, tablet, etc.)
during the seminar.

Task: Consider the following prompts and questions after reading chapters 1-6 in
Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing. They will form the basis of the discussion
during the seminar.

1. Notice the personalities, character traits, and relationships between the

characters. Consider what motivates the characters in this novel. What is
significant?
2. According to the author, what seems natural and unnatural in this novel?
What/who is sick and what/who is healthy? What could this suggest? Do
the characters recognize these differences? Why or why not?
3. How important is the past in this novel? What role does it play in the
characters’ lives?
4. Consider the ghosts in the novel. What is their purpose?
5. How do the different narrative points of view function in the novel? What is
the effect of having different narrators in the book?
6. What factors (racial, social, cultural, historical, etc.) in this novel create
conflict or unity between characters and between characters and their
society? What internal conflicts exist?
Here are a few suggestions:
 Arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled time. Your seminar will not
be delayed if you are running late. If the classroom door is closed, don’t
knock. Wait until the teacher lets you in.
 Glance at your notes but don’t read them. You should be able to share your
answers without reading a script. Naturally, you can read your quotes–and
mention page numbers so others can follow along!
 Listen carefully to the other members in your group, make eye contact with
them, and feel free to jot down notes during the seminar.
 You can refer to what others have said by agreeing with them and adding to
their point, presenting a different idea, or disagreeing with someone while
providing proof and/or a quote.
 Don’t monopolize the conversation. Add one idea and support it with the
text, but then leave room for others to speak. You will often have time to
add a second point later.
 You may come up with new ideas during the seminar. That’s one of the
benefits of having a discussion! Don’t be afraid to share these ideas.
 Preparation can help someone feel more confident and less nervous.
 Don’t go off-topic. Even if you notice a connection between the topic and
your own life or the movie you saw last week, this is not the time to discuss
it. The discussion should stay focused on the text.
 Present interpretations and analysis, not opinions or judgements.
 Always have proof! Refer to specific scenes or details in the book. Using
tabs or noting page numbers can help you refer to quotes quickly. Points
that are too general or lack development are not effective in a seminar.
 Avoid repeating what others have said. It may happen that someone shares
the exact idea and quote that you have prepared. You can agree with them,
but don’t repeat it. To limit the chance of this happening again, try to speak
first for a different question.
 You do not need to respond to every question or prompt if the group needs
to move on, but you should be an active participant in the discussion. If you
are not prepared to answer a question or prompt, you will lose marks.
 Jump in! You will be evaluated on your contributions. If you prepare for the
seminar but do not say anything, you will get a zero for this assignment.
 Grading Criteria
Content /6 Quality of contributions: shows a good and accurate
understanding of the text, refers to specific detail, provides
sufficient evidence to support claims, refers to relevant quotes in
the novel, and correctly identifies patterns and literary devices in
the novel
Organizatio Contributions are on-topic, logical, and easy to follow and
n& understand; language is clear and appropriate; does not
Clarity /2 significantly delay the progression of the discussion or repeat
what has already been shared
Participation Participates actively and regularly in the discussion, is fully
/2 prepared to address every question, listens actively to others, and
does not limit the participation of others in the discussion