Presentations and talks
Prepare questions for a panel discussion
Start from what each panelist has said they can speak to. Give every topic one opening question and one follow-up, and order the topics so each answer builds on the last. Keep a few spare questions for the audience, and drop any that two speakers would answer the same way.
A text to start with
I am moderating a panel on [topic] lasting [minutes]. The panelists are [names, each with the expertise they stated] and the audience is [who attends]. Draft a question sequence with an opening question, one follow-up and the speaker best placed to answer for each topic. Do not write questions that suggest an answer. Flag any topic a panelist has not said they cover.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Panel question sequence
Panel title and length: [ ] Audience: [ ] Moderator opening line: [ ] Topic 1: [ ] Opening question: [ ] Follow-up: [ ] Best-placed speaker: [ ] Stated expertise that supports this: [ ] Topic 2: [ ] Opening question: [ ] Follow-up: [ ] Best-placed speaker: [ ] Stated expertise that supports this: [ ] Topic 3: [ ] Opening question: [ ] Follow-up: [ ] Best-placed speaker: [ ] Stated expertise that supports this: [ ] Questions to cut first if time is short: [ ] Spare audience question starters: [ ] Closing question: [ ]
Check the question list
Read each question aloud and ask whether it already contains the answer you hope to hear. "Wouldn't you agree" is a common giveaway. Look for two questions that are the same idea in different words, since panelists will repeat themselves. Compare every topic with what the speaker said they can discuss. A question outside that range invites a guess or a deflection. Confirm the total time holds your questions with minutes left for discussion and audience questions.
Ask another agent to check the result
Read my panel questions. Flag each one that suggests its own answer, repeats an earlier question in different words, or asks a panelist about a topic outside the expertise listed for them. Quote each problem question, say why it fails, and propose a neutral replacement.
Share the plan and test the timing
Decide which questions go to panelists in advance and which you keep back. Ask each panelist whether any assigned topic is outside what they want to discuss, and revise the plan with their answers. Time a read-through of the questions alone to see how much room is left for answers. Mark the two questions you would cut first if the session runs behind.