Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion

A panel consists of a small group of six or eight persons, who carry on a guided and informal discussion before an audience as if the panel were meeting alone. The proceedings of the panel should include: volunteering of facts, asking questions, stating opinions-all expressed with geniality, with respect for the contributions of other members, without long speech making, and without making invidious personal references.

The secondary function of the panel is to answer questions from the audience. This discussion method is suitable for use when a relatively large audience is anticipated. The audience listens and is given a chance to ask questions, but for the most part is passive and receptive.

Roles: 1 Leader: 5-8 Panelists

The leader opens the discussion with a brief 3minute statement of the question and some basic salient facts related to it. Each Panelist presents a 1 minute introduction to their perspective on the issue and their personal goals for the discussion. The leader then begins the discussion with a pointed question to the panelists. Panelists should voluntarily respond to the question and to the other panelist’s points of view. Panelists are encouraged to offer anecdotal and statistical information for consideration.

If the discussion falters, the leader summarizes points made or issues considered and by asking a question that redirects the talk.At the end the leader summarizes all major points that have been considered without making a ruling or judgment on any of them.This last point is important. The leader must avoid the temptation to clinch the discussion with some stated conclusion.

The leader must learn in advance the interests and points of view of the individuals in the group. They can talk informally before the discussion or communicate via email.The leader should learn the general point of view of each member;the leaderdoesn’t need to be an expert but they should know enough about the important issues to enable a successful train of talk. The leader should prepare an outline of the course of the discussion as they foresee it. The actual discussion can be expected to follow a different course from the one planned in advance, but an outline will assist the leader in personal preparation.

How is Panel Discussion Judged? Critics must assess the degree to which panelists engaged in the conversation and the extent to which they where able to introduce their ideas into the conversation. A successful panelist responds to others while infusing their own research and point of view throughout the discussion.