A panel discussion, and a report

A panel discussion is not a debate. Each speaker has a set position, and the aim is to look at a question from several sides, not to win.

The moderator opens the discussion, invites each speaker in turn, keeps it moving, sums up the points at the end and thanks everyone. The moderator does not argue.

Topic: 'Evaluating the Impact of Mobile Phones — Beneficial or Harmful'. Four positions:

• the Principal: against, worried about discipline in school;
• the Parent: against, worried about children's health and social life;
• the Student: in favour, for staying connected and learning;
• the Teacher: partially in favour: for educational use, with limits.

The teacher's 'yes, but…' position is very useful on a panel: it makes everyone else be more specific.

Speak from your role:

• 'As a parent, I'm concerned that mobile phones pose certain risks to children's health and social development…'
• 'From an educator's perspective, I think mobile phones can be valuable, but…'

Writing task: a report for the school magazine on the Zonal Science Exhibition your school hosted, written as student editor.

Three rules: past tense, passive voice, third person (no 'I'). It needs a headline and the reporter's name.

Three paragraphs:

• 1. What, who, when and where: 'A Zonal Science Exhibition was hosted by our school on… Teams from 25 schools participated…'
• 2. The competitions, the models, the details.
• 3. The prizes ('The trophy for the best exhibit was awarded to…'), the Chief Guest's words, and a closing line.