Importance of Group Discussions

What is GD in your opinion?

Group Discussion is a modern method of assessing student's personality.

What else you feel about Group Discussion in your opinion? How do you define it?

It is both a technique and an art and a comprehensive tool to judge the worthiness of the student and his appropriateness for the job.

Benefits in Group discussion

Stimulation of thinking in a new way. • Expansion of knowledge • Understanding of your strength and weakness. • Your true personality is revealed and qualities of leadership crystallize

Generally, how many members would be there in a Formal GD? And How do they express their views?

The group will have 8 & 12 members who will express their views freely, frankly in a friendly manner, on a topic of current issue.

What do you feel as a background to Group Discussion? (With reference to its Definition)

The term suggests a discussion among a group of persons.

Can you Guess some of the pre-requisites of GD

Topics given by panellists, Planning and preparation • Knowledge with self-confidence • Communication skills/ power of speech • Presentation • Body Language and personal appearance • Being calm and cool

Generally, how long the GD would be conducted?

Within a time limit of 20 to 30 minutes,the abilities of the members of the group is measured.

Dos in group discussion

• Appropriate to the issue. • Make original points & support them by substantial reasoning. • Listen to the other participants actively &carefully. • Whatever you say must be with a logical flow, & validate it with an example as far as possible. • Make only accurate statements.

Important points in group discussion

• Be assertive: An assertive person is direct, honest careful about not hurting others 'self-respect'. • A patient listener: listening to another person is one way of showing appreciation. • Right language: Words can make friends & right words at the right time make the best results. • Be analytical and fact-oriented: It is necessary to make relevant points which can be supported with facts and analysed logically.

Donts during group discussion

• Being shy /nervous / keeping isolated from G.D • Interrupting another participant before his arguments are over • Speak in favour; example: Establish your position and stand by it stubbornly • Changed opinions • Don't make fun of any participant even if his arguments are funny.

Some more Don`ts during group discussion

• Don't engage yourself in sub-group conversation. • Don't repeat and use irrelevant materials. • Addressing yourself to the examiner. • Worrying about making some grammatical mistakes, for your interest the matter you put across are important.

Accept the contradicts view

• Express your argument with few facts, cases, %, Newspapers publications etc. • Express without hurting others feelings.

Some more Prerequisites of a Group Discussion

• Extensive knowledge base related to state, country and globe. • Areas are politics,sports,science &trade commerce,Industry and Technology,MNC,etc. • Analyze the social,economical issues logistically . • Listening skills • Co-operation.

Accept criticism

• If any member of the group criticizes or disapproves a point, it is unwise to get upset or react sharply. • In case the criticism is flimsy, the same can be pointed out politely. • Maximize participation; one must try to contribute fully, vigorously & steadily throughout the discussion. • Show leadership ability: A group discussion also evaluates your leadership qualities.

Topics of Importance frequently discussed

• Is India Shining • Mobile phones / Internet - a boon or nuisance • Students focusing on software industry-good or bad • Child marriage • India 2020 • Daughters are more caring than sons • Influence of western culture in Indian Universities • Influence of computers in medical sciences

Some more Dos in Group Discussion

• Modulate the volume, pitch and tone. • Be considerate to the feelings of the others. • Try to get your turn. • Be an active and dynamic participant by listening. • Talk with confidence and self-assurance.

Suggestions

• Never try to bluff. • Practice group discussion with friends on different subjects. •Remember! speech is a powerful weapon.

Accept someone's point of view

• Praise the argument Example: Remedial English communication is necessary for college students because they fail in communication skill test. Status of literacy of women, is increased from 30% to 70% when compared to past years, in employment sectors organized, in the IT & ITES field.

Salient features of G.D

• Topic may be given to judge your public speaking talent. • Discussion revolves around a specific subject. • The examiner does not interfere once he announced the topic. • Maintain cordiality and free expression of thought and opinion.

Some more Benefits of group discussion

• provides chance to Expose • Language skills • Academic knowledge • Leadership skills • people handling skills • Team work • General knowledge.