Week 13 Question 1: Forum Panel Colloquium Symposium

Chapter 11 talked in great detail about different presentation techniques. When preparing for a public presentation, there are several different formats to choose from. The four types that Harris focused on were: the forum, the panel, the colloquium, and lastly the symposium. I will now define and distinguish each of these types of techniques, and choose the one that I would prefer.

“The forum provides a small group presentational format in which the group can speak and listen to a larger audience.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 218) The whole audience is involved a public discussion after the small group gives a brief presentation. “A panel is a public format in which a group of four to eight experts discusses a problem or decision in front of an audience.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 220) However unlike the forum, the audience does not engage and participate in discussion in a panel. “The colloquium is a form of public discussion in which a group of three to six experts, usually chosen for their divergent views, discuss a problem, following the problem-solving format, in front of an audience with a moderator facilitating their interaction.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 220) Although a panel similarly has a moderator facilitating, the colloquium only has 3-6 experts versus a panels 4-8 experts. Also the audience is more interactive. “The symposium provides a format for a series of two to six brief speeches made on different aspects of a complex and difficult problem.” (Harris, 2008, pg 221) This format is very precise, has experts, and still leaves a significant amount of time for audience questions and concerns.

If I had to choose between the four I would probably choose the forum format. I think that this method will help the small group improve and learn a lot because they speak briefly and can than listen to all the feedback. This feedback could more than likely help the groups overall performance next time.