Guide for Discussion Leaders This is a good type of presentation
when an individual who is an “expert” and a strong public
speaker can be secured for the meeting. If a series of such
forums are to be planned, it will be necessary in all
probability to call upon a different speaker for each occasion.
Sometimes it may be possible to invite such speakers from nearby
universities or professional and other local associations. Often
competent specialists may be found among the officers and men of
the command. The single-speaker forum has the disadvantage of
presenting for consideration only one point of view-that of the
speaker. An occasional speaker may try to explain various
positions that may be taken on the basis of the known facts
which he outlines. It is nevertheless difficult for him, in
spite of the most conscientious effort, to avoid stressing his
own point of view more than others. If the audience or any
sizable fraction of it fails to agree with him, what follows the
speech is apt to be a battle of wits.