Refining discussion techniques

group discussion

a group discussion occurs between two or more people. Group discussions are often used to solve a problem, create a plan of action, or exchange thoughts or ideas

preparing for a group discussion

a prepared discussion participant has read and review the materials, has conducted outside research, brings notes from relevant reliable sources to the discussion, and supports his or her viewpoint with evidence.

characteristics of a group discussion

a productive group discussion allows all participants to share their viewpoints, and courage is listening and responding to different perspectives, and discourages one dominant voice.

key Concepts

an effective group participant prepares for the discussion, support opinions with facts, uses more formal language, stays on topic, follows discussion rules, and is an active and respectful listener.

how to determine if a discussion is formal or informal

ask yourself these questions to determine whether our discussion is formal or informal. What is the discussion about? Who was listening to the discussion? Why is the discussion happening?

facts

facts are unchanging, objective, and accurate. facts can change the opinions of discussion participants.

facts and opinion in a discussion

in a formal group discussion, participant sure both facts and opinions to discuss their viewpoints on the topic.

listening and responding in a group discussion

in a group discussion participants listen and respond by paraphrasing information for clarity, making connections with prior knowledge, recognizing when a point is not supported, using body language that shows engagement, asking questions for clarification and elaboration, and taking notes that summarize our highlight a speaker's ideas.

opinions

opinions are changeable, subjective, and personal.

formal discussion

participants in a formal discussion prepare for the discussions, follow procedures to keep the discussion organized and productive, use language that is appropriate for the topic audience and purpose, and you sophisticated vocabulary and standard grammatical conventions.

informal discussion

participants in an informal discussion do not need to prepare in advance, do not need to follow specific procedures or stay focused on a specific topic, they can use casual language that is suitable for everyday conversation, and may use slang idioms or familiar vocabulary.

moderator

prepares the agenda, helps the group stay on task, reminds the group of the rules, and makes time for questions and responses.

participant

shares views / opinions / questions, response thoughtfully to question, takes turns listening and speaking, and is actively considerate of others.

roles in a group discussion

there are different roles in a group discussion

participating in a group discussion

unprepared discussion participant listens and acknowledges the viewpoints of others, responds to questions thoughtfully, uses language that is appropriate to the audience and topic, and understands social cues for entering into a conversation. in a group discussion members must maintain a balance of speaking and listening.