Seminar

 SEMINAR

Even if, seminar talks might look like speeches, but there is a marked difference between the two. While speeches are made to celebrate or marks an occasion, happy or sad to felicitate someone, to bid someone farewell or welcome someone, they do not raise a particular issue for discussion. In a seminar talk, the speaker, who has made a special study of the subject, gives his exposition of it  presents his views on it.

A seminar is a meeting for exchanging information and holding discussion on somewhat smaller scale than a conference. Conferences and seminars help to bring experts in a particular subject together to present their experiences and views . Every participant in a seminar is supposed to present a paper after the  reading of which all the participants are supposed to discuss it. There is a meaningful discussion on the papers that are read and summaries of these papers and the recommendations, if any, are published in the form of a report for wider circulation.

Thus a seminar may be held on any important aspect of national life like pollution of the environment or the declining state of education.

Inauguration of the Seminar

The seminar and workshops are usually opened by a distinguish person invited by the organisers of the seminar

A specimen inaugural speech is given below :

"I welcome you all to this seminar on 'The problems of pollution in the Cities in India'. Your expertise in the field of environmental studies will contribute to the finding of a solution to the great problem which threatens city life today. The keynote address, I notice, is to be given by Dr. N. Kumara Swamy, who has been associated with environmental studies in our country for the last four decades. His studies in recycling of chemical waste in urban industries has earned him a name all over the world."

A number of distinguished scholars and experts are going to take part in the seminar. I have great pleasure in inaugurating this seminar and wish you success in your deliberations.

How a Seminar is Conducted

A seminar may continue for two or three days, and be divided into number of different sessions. Each session covers a broad aspect of the topic and related papers are presented at the same session. Each session is presided over by someone distinguished in the field. He invites the participants to present their papers. After each paper he invites questions and comments and thus a discussion follows. He also moderates the discussion and prevents it from becoming a mere verbal duel or heated argument.

If you are giving a seminar talk or reading a paper, you must think of your main points, the order in which you will present them and the time at your disposal. You must avoid being monotonous and tiresome. You may, if you like, project the main points of your paper onto a screen by using an overhead projector, if one is available. Use charts or diagrams where needed. Use any audio-visual aids that you consider useful.