After years of creating and reviewing panel discussion questions, there are essentially 17 different types of questions panel moderators ask a panel:
- The most simple and most used type of question is theย Statement Plus a Question that starts with a statement (or two) that provides context for the question.ย
- A type of SPQ is aย Statement Plus a Quote from one of the panelists or someone else who is not on the panel.
- Another type of SPQ is a Statement Plus aย Statisticย followed up with a relevant question.ย
- The Summary Plus Request for Explanation is when the moderator prepares a brief summary of a position followed by a request for a panelist to explain their position โ usually to compare and contrast from the other panelists.
- The Flip-Flop Question can be posed when a position or trend has changed over time. For example, “In 2015, you were quoted as [holding this opinion.] Do you still believe [the opinion] or has it changed and why or why not?”
- Speaking of positions, sometimes the panelist is asked aย Comment Question where they are asked to comment on another panelist’s position. “What do you think about [Panelist A]’s statement?”
- A slight variation to commenting on a fellow panelistโs position is a simple Agree/Disagree Question: โDo youย Agree with [Panelist B]?โย
- Or go for a more controversial stance and use a Polarizing Question that allows the panelists to share their unique point of view. “An expert says [this] about [the topic].ย ย Do you agree or disagree and why?โย
- A Statement Plusย Details explores how might an idea be achieved and the ability to make it work.ย “You’ve mentioned this idea; tell us how you see that working?”
- Sometimes, the question needs no embellishment.ย No statements, no quotes, no statistics.ย The moderator asks aย Direct Question.ย ย
- Perhaps, the question is so darn good, theย moderator will Repeat and Redirect the Question to another panelist.ย ย I call this the โhot potatoโ and suggest using it sparingly.
- Theย Hypothetical Questionย โ is also called the โwhat ifโ question.ย “What would you do if/when….?โ
- Every once in a while, the moderator needs to Test the Unsaid to bring out an unspoken issue. “I am wondering if the real issue is….โ
- Theย Human Interestย question enables the audience to understand the panelists as everyday people.ย ย โEvery leader confronts crises, defeats, and mistakesโฆWhatโs the most significant professional setback youโve had to face? How did you recover and what did you learn?โ
- The Story Question is when the moderator asks the panelist(s) to provide a real-world story that provides more insight into the topic. “Tell us about a time when youโฆ.โ or โGive us an example when youโฆ.โ
- Poll the Panel by asking a closed question and all visibly share their position. โThis is going to be a show of hands question. Who here would [take one action] in favor of a [different action]?โ
- Lightning Roundย where each panelist provides a one-word/short answer. โWhat is ONE THING you hope the audience takes away as a result of this session? Iโm going to go down the line, and weโll start with [Panelist A]โ
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KRISTIN ARNOLD, MBA, CSP, CPF | Master, professional panel moderator, and high stakes meeting facilitator is on a quest to make all panel discussions lively and informative. Check out her free 7-part video series on how to moderate a panel and other resources to help you organize, moderate, or be a panel member.
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