Panel discussions are public exchanges of ideas that allow experts and audiences to discuss specific topics. Panel discussions are often held to discuss political situations, issues affecting society, and academic topics. If possible, start by making arrangements a few weeks in advance so you can recruit participants and organize the event.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Assembling the Panel
Step 1. Choose a topic
Ideally, the topic of discussion should be important to enough people so that you can involve people with different backgrounds and interests. However, avoid the pitfalls of making topics so general or vague that the discussion becomes unfocused.
If you have difficulty balancing these goals, remember that the topic doesn't have to be a debate. Some panels are set up to offer advice or information, and these don't necessarily show competitive points
Step 2. Look for diverse participants
Panels of three to five people usually create very interesting discussions. Look for knowledgeable people from a variety of backgrounds. For example, a member of the public who is involved in an issue, someone who has experience working with the issue in a business or nonprofit, and an academic who has studied the issue. The form of a single panel also varies in age, gender, and ethnicity, as a person's personal background can have a significant influence on his or her views.
- Inviting at least four people is probably safest, just in case someone cancels at the last minute.
- Invite these people at least a few weeks in advance, to give them ample time to get ready, and to give you time to look for alternatives if one of them declines the invitation.
Step 3. Invite a moderator
Select one additional person who did not take part in the panel discussion, to act as moderator. Ideally, this person should have experience as a panel moderator. Choose someone who has a good enough understanding of the topic to be able to join the discussion, and has skills in social situations. The moderator's main role is to keep the panelists focused on the audience, keep the discussion running smoothly, and help the panelists when they get stuck.
Step 4. Plan the physical arrangement
Individual seats will make participants appear closer to the audience than full tables, thereby encouraging audience participation. Arranging the chairs in a circle that is still facing the audience can help panelists discuss topics with one another. Include a small table or booth to place notes, and have a glass of water ready for all participants, and a personal microphone for the moderator.
Consider placing a moderator in the middle of the panel to help him appoint and guide the panelists efficiently. Placing the moderators on the podium on separate sides will make the task more difficult
Method 2 of 3: Planning a Panel Discussion
Step 1. Set the panel destination
Make sure all participants know well why the panel was formed well in advance, so that they have time to prepare. Your panel may seek to present a practical solution to a problem, facilitate abstract and complex discussions, or provide information on a topic. Tell the panelists whether the panel is a basic introduction to a topic, or whether they will be facing an audience who has a good insight into the topic and is looking for further advice or a different perspective.
Step 2. Decide how long the panel will last
For most panels, especially those held at conferences or in larger events, the recommended time is 45-60 minutes. If the panel is a stand-alone event, or when it's covering a very important and popular topic, a 90-minute panel might be a good time.
If possible, ask participants to remain in place for some time after the discussion session, so that the audience can speak privately
Step 3. Consider starting the panel with a short lecture (optional)
The main focus of the panel should always be discussion. However, if one of the goals of the panel is to provide information, it is a useful way to start a discussion. Ask each panelist to provide an explanation of the topic, or their argument on the topic, for no more than 10 minutes per person.
This method may require more preparation time for the panelists as a group, because each panelist must move on from the previous argument, and not discuss the same thing
Step 4. Try to avoid visual presentations
Unless it's absolutely necessary on the topic, avoid PowerPoint presentations and slides. Presentations tend to slow down discussion, reduce audience engagement, and often bore listeners. Use few slides, and only when the information or diagrams to be presented are difficult to explain in words.
When a panelist asks permission to make a presentation, suggest that he or she brings items that can be shown and explained to the audience, not just shown throughout the discussion
Step 5. Write questions for the panelists
Try to formulate open-ended questions, where panelists can take the best direction according to the course of the discussion and their area of expertise. Some more specific questions directed at individual panelists are also acceptable, but try to divide these questions among each panelist fairly evenly. Also prepare questions that the audience might want to ask, and add them to your list of questions. Arrange these questions in a rough outline from most important to least important, as you will have to ask more questions than you expect to continue the discussion. But keep each question related to the previous one, to avoid sudden topic changes.
- Ask a moderator or other person who is not a member of the panel to review your question and to suggest corrections or additional questions.
- If you are having trouble creating questions, ask each panelist what they would like to ask the other panelists. Include the best statements on your list.
Step 6. Plan the rest of the panels
Determine how much time you will set aside for questions. Usually, this is half or more of the entire length of the panel. Use 20-10 minutes for the audience to ask questions and discuss, or 15 minutes if time is short or if your panel format is more lecture-focused.
Step 7. Introduce each panelist to each other beforehand
Meet the panelists in person or attend a conference call together, a week or so before the panel. Explain the panel format to them, and give them a chance to have a short talk. They may determine at a glance who should ask questions on which topics, but don't tell them specific questions prematurely. Discussions must be original, not rehearsed.
Method 3 of 3: Moderating Panel Discussion
Step 1. Get people to sit in the front row
The closer the panel is to the audience, the more lively and connected the discussion will feel. Consider offering small "bait" when people move to the front row, such as a snack or candy.
Step 2. Briefly introduce the panel and each participant
Use only one or two sentences to introduce the topic of the panel, as most of the audience present is familiar with the basic ideas. Introduce each participant briefly, mentioning only a few relevant facts about their experience or involvement on the topic. Avoid giving full biographies, the total introduction of all participants should be no more than 10 minutes.
Step 3. Engage the audience early
Invite viewers into the panel by asking for their immediate involvement. A simple and quick way to do this is to ask for a rough poll of their opinions on the topic to be discussed, with a show of hand or a round of applause. Or, conduct a poll based on their level of knowledge on the topic. The results will help you keep the panel focused on the topics that are most relevant to your audience.
Step 4. Ask the panelists the questions that have been prepared
Start with questions in a predetermined order, but feel free to change this order if the discussion moves in a different but interesting direction. Divide the questions among the participants, addressing each question to the panelist who knows the topic best. Give the other panelists some time to respond, then move on to the next question.
Don't arrange for all the panelists to give their opinion on every question. Allow the panelists to respond naturally when they have something to say, or ask someone knowledgeable on the topic if the discussion falters
Step 5. Follow each of your questions as required
You can deviate from the prepared questions whenever you feel they would be useful for discussion. In particular, pressure a panelist with follow-up questions if you think their answers are unsatisfactory. Try repeating the original question, or ideally, ask a slightly different question that relates to the last response of the previous discussion or statement.
Step 6. Have a timer
You can look at the clock on the wall off the stage or on the opposite wall, if you can clearly see it. Or, there's someone standing backstage holding signs that say "10 minutes," "5 minutes," and "1 minute," when you're near the end of each segment.
Step 7. Keep panelists on task
When a panelist talks too long, or gets off topic, politely put the discussion back in the right direction. When he stopped to catch his breath, entered with the same sentence as before. You can choose to in advance tell the panelists what sentence you will use to get them back on track.
- "You have an interesting point, but let's hear about _"
- "Let's see what (other panelists) think on the topic, especially in relation to _."
Step 8. Collect questions from the audience
Tell the audience how you plan to gather questions, for example by raising their hand or asking them to queue for the microphone. Listen to each question in succession, repeating it clearly so everyone in the room can hear, then point it at the panelist who seems interested.
- Have a few spare questions to ask yourself, or arrange for an assistant in the audience to ask, just in case none of the audience is brave enough to ask the first question.
- If a viewer spends too much time asking, politely interrupt with "So your question is _, right?" or "I'm sorry, we have to move on. What's your question?"
- Let me know when you have only enough time for two or three more questions.
Step 9. Thank everyone involved
Thank the panelists, the hosts and organizers of the event, and the audience. Tell the audience the location and topic of the next event, when you are at a symposium or conference.
