Debate
Once the
speech has finished you can organize a debate between the audience
to analyze the topic.
Whilst
in the question and answer session the speaker replies, whislt in
the debate everyone can participate and give their points of view.
For the
debate to develop efficiently you need to have a reduced number of
attendees (no more than 20/25 people).
The public
should be seated in a way that allows everyone to participate.
Around
a table (if the number is reduced) or in a semi-circle (if the number
is greater).
Before
you start the debate, the moderator should introduce the people present
or ask them to introduce themselves.
Everyone
should give information that is relevant (academic history, experience,
etc) so as to give the rest of the people an idea about that person.
The moderator
can start the debate by asking a generic question or asking those
attending to give their opinion on the topic which has just been talked
about.
The moderator
should control the speed of the debate, bearing in mind that in the
time that they have they can tackle the majority of the relevant points
(therefore it is important to have a outline with the points that
you want to talk about).
You should
also be concerned with its intensity intervening if it is necessary
(moving on to new topics, asking questions, etc).
In your
role as the moderaton, the speaker should correct where necessary
and be polite, but acting with firmness if it is necessary (redirecting
the debate if it starts to go off course, correcting someone if they
use an inappropriate tone, requesting moderation if the debate starts
getting heated, etc).
Try to
share the time equally between all of those present, avoiding that
only a few monopolize the debate.
When there
is five minutes left for the conclusion, you should advise the participants.
Ask each
one of them to briefly summarize their point of view.
The moderaton
will conclude making a brief summary of the topics which have been
talked about and the the points of view which have been expressed.
You will
finish by concluding the session and thanking the public for attending.
