The panel

Public speaking is not limited to being the space where a person presents a series of ideas and transmits a message of interest to a specific audience. Sometimes, we find modalities where more than one speaker converge and they exchange on equal terms. This modality is called panel presentation.

It has its own characteristics that distinguish it from the rest of the communicative acts. During a panel presentation, there does not have to be a shared criterion or a single message: each speaker defends the central idea from his or her perspective and experience.

Speaking on a panel requires advanced communication skills and a strong discipline to exchange and listen to the other speakers. Taking into account the complexity involved in this type of presentation, we will be developing this session in order to get a closer look at this topic.

Panel objective: The fundamental objective of a panel is to approach a given topic from different perspectives. This does not mean that the speakers present must have conflicting opinions, but rather that the analysis is promoted from different points of view and taking into account the personal experience of each of the participants. The speakers assembled for the event are usually specialists in the topic to be discussed. The audience can enjoy the development of a topic of interest to them, where different positions are debated without giving preference to a specific criterion.

In some topics, where popular opinion is divided, it is useful to have panelists who defend both extremes. This helps us to have a more impartial view and to listen to opposing arguments in order to question our own. The panel is also often used to communicate a message from different professional perspectives. An example could be climate change, addressing its impact through the experience of scientists, social workers, people living in maritime areas, members of international organizations, among others. In this way, each one can offer his or her experience on how he or she perceives the negative effects of this phenomenon on society.

Exchange with the audience: Another of the panel's outstanding advantages is the ease with which it is possible to introduce spaces for exchange with the audience. During this type of presentation, we can provide the opportunity for those present to share their concerns with the panelists. This allows us to develop a message that satisfies the interests of the audience and contributes to the democratization of knowledge.

Among the existing types of communicative acts, the panel is one of those that most promotes genuine exchange with the audience. Likewise, the speakers present have the task of debating points of general interest, so that if any questions arise, they can also be answered from different perspectives. It is undeniable that within the fields of informative debate, the panel offers advantages far superior to the rest.

Specialization as a requirement: As we mentioned at the beginning of this session, one of the distinctive characteristics of the panel is the specialization of the panelists. The fact that the speakers must be experts in the topic to be discussed, allows us to develop a communicative act where the information transmitted is filtered and contributes to the personal and intellectual formation of those present.

As we can see, the debate generated during these presentations is usually enriching from a scientific point of view. The presence of a plurality of opinions coming from people qualified to address these issues, leaves as a result a well-structured and enriched message from the multidisciplinary and variety of perspectives and criteria.