PANEL CONSTRUCTION

How To Create and Present A Panel

S. J. Dudley & R.E. Churchfield for NorWesCon NeoFan 1995 used by permission

Although all the educational programming at a convention is called Panels, actually there are several different types of panels presented. In brief they are:

• Lectures: A prewritten or scripted talk given by a single speaker.
• Demonstrations or Demos: A display given by one or more people of created works or skills. These generally say "Demo" in the title.
• Workshops: A hands on class where the 'audience' participates to learn a skill. These generally say Workshop in the title and sometimes charge a "lab fee".
• Discussions: An open forum where a subject is brought up for discussion by the audience and the speakers.
• Scripted Panel: A panel of experts each gives a short lecture on a particular topic in turn, with an Audience Question and Answer period following.
• Expert Commentaries: A particular subject is discussed by a panel of experts and the audience is allowed/invited to ask questions relating to the topic. (From which the term "panel" is derived.)

The latter is the most common type of panel at a convention, although the program is liberally laced with the other types as well.

Below is a guideline for creating a Scripted, Lecture or Expert Commentary style of panel.

1. Decide on the Topic you wish to cover.
2. Create a title that catches attention, and tells what the panel is about.
3. Select someone to act as moderator for the panel. (You can designate yourself) The moderator introduces the panel, the guests, keeps the discussion going, fields questions and keeps the panelists from talking over one another.
4. Decide what type of speakers you want to actually talk on the panel. (What experts do you need? Do you want particular personality types? What areas of experience are needed?) These are the Panelists.
5. Write down the subjects you wish them to cover in the panel. Use one sentence for each subject. These are your Speakers Notes.
6. Move the subjects around so that one idea leads into the next.
7. Write a brief (one minute/one paragraph) introduction: What is the panel about? (This will probably be used as the panel description in the program book) Include the name and topic of the panel.
8. Write an introduction for each of the panelists if you want the moderator to introduce them rather than have them tell about themselves. This is especially important if they are experts in more than one area and you want to stress a particular one.
9. Have copies of the Speakers Notes available for the panelists.
10. Have copies of the schedules for all your panelists and arrange for them to have a few minutes before the panel to meet with one another and look over their notes.

Remember, a panel is in reality a kind of class. People come to learn more about a particular subject.

Panel Structure should include the following elements:

1. Introductions: Give Name and title of panel and a touch of humor (use a light joke or comment). This helps people relax and settle in.
2. Establish your/panelists credibility. Tell who the panelists are and their areas of expertise.
3. Give overview of what the panel will cover, using the main points in order.
4. Actual class, or main body of Panel.

   Break up material into two or more subjects and include Question and Answer or audience comments after each.

   Subject A then "Any Questions?"

   Subject B Then "Any Questions?"

   Allow each of your experts time to talk so that different perspectives are presented.

   If the talk strays off topic, it is the moderator's job to bring it back by stating that the current subject is off topic, and restating the current subject. "We're discussing..." and/or "We haven't time to deal with that subject in depth, lets move on," and/or "We will be covering that aspect later."
   
   

5. End panel with a brief recap of what has been covered.
6. Open floor to more questions
7. Begin comments and discussion if time allows.
8. Officially close panel. "Thank you for coming, etc.
9. Give resource information. "There is more material available in the following publications, films etc." or, "There is a related panel about ____ being given at... etc."

Courtesy of the Klingon Diplomatic Corps - I.C.B.