Seminar is a textual genre whose information gathered is mainly presented through oral language.
The presentation of information can be done by one or more people, as a kind of class on a topic previously studied by the communicators for such a presentation.
In Latin, the word seminar means seed.
It is as if through a seminar, speakers could plant the seed of knowledge in the recipients of the message.
What is a seminar for?
The seminar serves to transmit to other people a specific subject (technical or scientific) previously studied by the person presenting it.
The main objective of the seminar is to knowledge propagation, which usually occurs through the dissemination of new information on a certain subject, of the modernization of researched data, contesting through new ideas and exposing data updated.
How to do a seminar
There are a number of factors that must be taken into consideration while organizing a seminar.
Check out the main items below.
Previous study of the subject
The person responsible for ministering the communication must ensure that they have carefully studied the subject that will be presented to the public.
It is important to remember that a seminar, unlike a lecture, implies interactivity between the communicator and the target audience.
Considering this characteristic, it is perfectly natural for the public to intervene with questions and even questions regarding the information received.
Therefore, the communicator must be prepared not only to inform, but also to respond.
Characteristics of the target audience
The person responsible for presenting the information must gather some important information that characterizes its target audience, in order to define the best approach to adopt.
Some important information to collect are:
- Age group;
- Expectations regarding what will be covered within the theme;
- Interest in the topic;
- Prior knowledge of the subject.
Presentation
In preparing for this phase, the communicator already knows who his seminar is aimed at and in this way can decide the best way to approach the topic.
As a general rule, seminars are held in formal language.
It is also important to ensure that communication is done with good articulation of speech and a good tone of voice.
The clarity and height of the voice used during the speech should be enough to reach everyone present in the place.
The communicator must also avoid excessive gestures and facial expressions. The focus of communication must always be information and never the communicator.
Resources used
In addition to the communicator's own intellectual contribution, the seminar can be held with the help of some material resources.
Check out some examples of resources used below:
- posters;
- Books;
- Overhead projector;
- Datashow;
- MIC.
Script for organizing a seminar
Below is an example of how a seminar should be organized:
before the seminar: Distribute a synopsis about the presentation to all participants.
on the day of the seminar: brief introduction to the subject in front of the participants. In case there is more than one communicator, a coordinator must be chosen to perform this function.
Presentation: the presentation by the communicators must be started (not forgetting the importance of carrying out an explanation stage and a reflection synthesis stage).
general discussion: the communicator (or group coordinator, in case there is more than one communicator) opens the discussion to everyone present in the room.
final synthesis: after the general discussion, a final summary of the presentation should be presented.
Types of seminars
Check out the most common types of seminars below.
school seminar
A school seminar is a presentation given by one or more students to their own class.
Generally, the teacher determines a topic that must be carefully studied by whoever is responsible for presenting the information.
It could be said that school seminary is a class given by students to their classmates.
Choosing the seminar for the presentation of themes is an option that many teachers resort to encourage students to develop research, text formulation and presentation skills. oral.
academic seminar
Academic seminars are usually given to the academic community with the aim of present scientific information and discuss about them.
In this type of seminar, research capabilities, systematization of facts, reasoning and conclusion are explored.
As part of the target audience, there are usually not only college students but also university professors.
It is common for participants to study the subject beforehand, so that they can intervene in the discussion in a coherent manner and in accordance with the topic addressed.
professional seminar
The professional seminar consists of a presentation about the professions available in the labor market.
The presentation is usually given by professionals from different areas such as Journalism, Economics, Law, Letters, etc.
The main objective of the professional seminar is to provide information about the labor market in order to assist and guide the public in choosing a profession.
At the time of interaction, the public can clarify doubts together with the professionals who minister the communication.
Religious Seminary (Theological Seminary)
The teaching institution that trains priests is also called a seminary.
Seminaries were created in dioceses from the Council of Trent (1563) and were intended to form the reason and faith of seminarians (future priests).
Those who wish to be seminarians are evaluated and must pass the church's approval regarding the following criteria:
- Age;
- Righteousness;
- Spiritual suitability;
- moral integrity;
- Intellectual suitability;
- Physical health;
- Psychic health.
During the course of their studies, future priests study subjects such as theology, history, philosophy, Latin, etc.
A seminarian's training period lasts at least 12 years.
See too:
- Workshop
- Synopsis