How to encourage discussion

Hi all,

I have to give a 30 minutes presentation in a few weeks and I am fairly confident in my abilities to present having done about 8 this academic year; therefore I am not using any scripting which I hope means my audience will be fairly relaxed.

I am presenting to a bunch of psychology students as part of my degree and the presentation includes a 3 minutes quiz/knowledge test as well as 2 movie clips that last 6 minutes in total.

After the 30 minute presentation I have to chair a discussion for 15 minutes. Having watched three other presentations crash and burn at this stage I would be interested in any tips that encourage participation. Asking questions doesn't work as everyone stares back at the presenter! So question and answer is out and I can't provide incentives such as cookies.....

Any tips?

The obvious solution is to do what many stage shows do is to get a plant in the audience. See if you can get one of the audience to ask a question. However that may be difficult and it may also mean that you have just one question.

Perhaps a better way is to try and encourage a more active participation.

Here is an ideas. After the presentation (and it is rather difficult not knowing the topic) I would try to encourage the audience to write down three ideas related to the topic. For illustration I presume that you have spoken about using neuro-linguistic programming to tackle addictions.

Give them a couple of minutes to write their answers. Then go around the room and get them either in turn, or randomly to call out their answers. You should find that most people would be able to contribute. This may fill up all of the time, or you may be able to develop one of the ideas more fully in open discussion.

I generally like this technique as it brings up two key areas
- It gives people the cue that they are expected to come up with some ideas
- It gives people time to think
- It overcomes most of the anxiety about people having to put up their hand

Would this work for your group?

but things like asking for a show of hands is easier and may well get things going.

Normally we train people not to us closed questions, but for this example it's pretty useful.... "Who hear understood my point about it? Put your hands up. Take your hand down if you won't act upon it..... that leave about five or you: can I ask you why you won't be actin on it?"

Does that help?

Simon