This document provides information about group discussions, including definitions, benefits, prerequisites, components, roles, and dos and don'ts. It defines a group discussion as a method used to assess students' personalities through discussion among 8-12 members on a given topic within 20-30 minutes. Benefits include stimulating thinking, expanding knowledge, and revealing leadership qualities. Prerequisites include a strong knowledge base, listening skills, and the ability to analyze issues logically. Positive components are communication skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities while negative traits include arrogance and lack of cooperation. The roles of participants are initiator, illustrator, informer, coordinator, and orienteer. Dos include making original, logical points while don'ts are interrup
3. CONTENTS
Definition of Group Discussion
Group Discussion
Prerequisites of a Group Discussion
Benefits in Group Discussion
Salient features
Do’s and Don’ts in Group Discussion
Important points in Group Discussion
Accept criticism
Suggestion
Topics of importance frequently discussed
4. 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
5. Group Discussion
The term suggests a discussion among a group of persons.
The group will have 8 & 12 members who will express their views freely,
frankly in a friendly manner, on a topic of current issue.
Within a time limit of 20 to 30 minutes,the abilities of the members of the
group is measured.
6. Definition of Group Discussion
Group Discussion is a modern method of assessing
students personality.
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.
7. Benefits of group discussion
provides chance to Expose
Language skills
Academic knowledge
Leadership skills
people handling skills
Team work
General knowledge.
8. 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.
9. 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,ect.
Analyze the social,economical issues logistically .
Listening skills
Co-operation.
10. Prerequisites of a Group Discussion
Topics given by panelists
Planning and preparation
Knowledge with self-confidence
Communication skills/ power of speech
Presentation
Body Language and personal appearance
Being calm and cool
11. COMPONENTS
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Communication skill : Effective
communication is a salient feature of a
group discussion. An idea can be
appreciated only when it is expressed
eloquently and effectively. A leader, an
administrator, a manager or an erudite
scholar must possess the skills to put
across an idea in the clearest manner.
12. COMPONENTS
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge : In a GD, knowledge of the
subject concerned , backed by common sense
will help you deal with any situation and win
laurels.The greater your knowledge of the
subjects, the more interested, enthusiastic,
and confident will you be and the more fluent
and forceful would be your speech and
contribution to the discussion.
13. COMPONENTS : LEADERSHIP
Man is gregarious by
nature; he cannot,
normally, live alone.
He lives in a group
whatever its size
and name. The
success of the group
depends, to a large
extent, on its
leader.
14. CONCEPT : LEADER
1.The great man approach: Effective leadership can be learnt by
making a study of the lives of great persons.
2.Personality trait approach : There are certain personality
characteristics essential in a person in order to become a
leader. These traits are supposed to differentiate leaders from
non- leaders.Important traits are: Courage, Integrity, Loyalty,
Charisma, Ambition, Intelligence, Honesty, Persistence,
Arrogance, Good health, Political skill, Confidence& Vision.
3.The leader behaviour approach: The main emphasis is not on
who is the leader is but on what a leader does.”Leadership
behaviour” includes making decisions, giving directions,
showing identity with the group and loyalty to the
organization.
15. LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
Functional Ability : means an ability to work in an
exemplary
manner.
- Knowledge
- Energy
- Emotional Ability
- Empathy
- Communication Skill
- Integrity
- Moral Courage
Coordinating Ability: able to motivate and influence
others.It
is not inborn trait but can be acquired and developed.
- Social Adaptability
- Motivation
18. THE ROLE PLAYERS
1. Initiator : A good candidate should be able to
initiate the process of discussion.He can guide the
group in the way to begin and complete the
discussion process.
2. Illustrator : A good participant must be able to
elaborate or clarify points made by others, make
them relevant to the given topic, and develop his
own opinion
3. Informer : A good participant must have sound
general knowledge.Only then can he provide the
required information on any given topic to the
group.
19. 4. Coordinator : A good participant must be able to bring
the dissenting members of the group to some kind of
agreement and be able to make them participate in the
discussion in a disciplined manner.He must also gather
the divergent points raised by different participants and
relate them to the given topic.
5. Orienter : A candidate who possesses good leadership
attributes keeps the group directed towards the
goal.He displays his skills of organisation through this
role.Such a candidate has the potential for helping to
run an organisation.
20. Do`s 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.
21. Do`s 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.
22. Don’ts 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.
23. 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.
24. 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 analyzed logically.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. Accept the contradicts view
Express your argument with few facts, cases, %,
Newspapers publications etc.
Express without hurting others feelings.
28. Suggestions
Never try to bluff.
Practice group discussion with friends on
different subjects.
Remember !speech is a powerful weapon.
