GD

GROUP DISCUSSION
 A GD is a methodology
used by an organization to
gauge whether the candidate
has certain personality traits
and skills that is desired in
its members. In this
methodology, the group of
candidates is given a topic or
a situation, given a few
minutes to think about the
same, and then asked to
discuss it among themselves
for 15-20 minutes.
What is G.D.?
“It is the process of

incorporating views of team
members to reach a common
goal”
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
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.
TYPES OF GD
FACTUAL TOPICS
Factual topics are about practical things, which
an ordinary person is aware in his day-to-day life.
Typically these are about socio-economic topics.
E.g. The education policy of India, Tourism in
India
CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS
Controversial topics are the ones that are
argumentative in nature. They are meant to
generate controversy.
E.g. Reservations should be removed, Women
make better managers
ABSTRACT TOPICS:
 Abstract topics are about intangible

things. These topics are not given often
for discussion, but their possibility
cannot be ruled out. These topics test
your lateral thinking and creativity.
 E.g. A is an alphabet, The number 10

 It helps you to understand a subject
more deeply.
 It improves your ability to think
critically.
 It helps in solving a particular problem.
 It helps the group to make a particular
decision.
 It gives you the chance to hear other
student’s ideas.
 It improves your listening skills.
 It increases your confidence in speaking.

 Communication Skills
 Knowledge and ideas regarding a
given subject
 Capability to co-ordinate and lead
 Exchange of thoughts
 Addressing the group as a whole
 Thorough preparations
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.
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. Organiser/Orienter : A candidate who
possesses good leadership attributes
keeps the group directed towards the
goal. He displays his skills of organization
through this role. Such a candidate has
the potential for helping to run an
organization.
SUCCESS IN A GD
1. Be Assertive: An assertive person is direct and
honest and careful about not hurting other’s
self respect.Eye contact is a means of
expressing sincerity , while an erect posture
and direct body position may increase the
impact of the message.
2. A Patient Listener :Listening to another
person is one way of showing appreciation.
3. Right Language : Words can make friends and
foes of men. It is possible to disagree without
sounding rude or losing one’s temper.
4. Be Analytical and Fact –Oriented : It is
necessary to make relevant points which can
be supported with facts and analysed logically.
Vague arguments do not hold good in GD.
5. Accept Criticism : The criticism must be
viewed positively and if it carries weight,
the person making the point must be
appreciated and thanked. In case the
criticism is flimsy, the same can be
pointed out politely.
6. Maximize Participation : Thus one must
try to contribute fully ,vigorously, and
steadily throughout the discussion.
Silence may indicate lack of initiative,
information, and communication skill.
7. Respect other speakers : It is impolite to
laugh at other participants and comment
on their ignorance or inability. A good
candidate always encourages the other
members of his group without making
fun of their feelings.
8. Show Leadership Ability :Leadership
is the ability to persuade others to
seek defined objectives
enthusiastically. It is the human factor
that binds a group together and
motivates it towards a goal.
Leadership transforms the potential
into real.
9. Be Precise : It is important to express
yourself precisely and exactly without
beating about the bush or being
verbose as a GD takes place in a given
time.
Benefits of 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
Benefits of group discussion
 provides chance to Expose
 Language skills
 Academic knowledge
 Leadership skills
 people handling skills
 Team work
 General knowledge.
 Speak pleasantly and politely to the group.
 Respect the contribution of every speaker.
 Remember that a discussion is not an
argument. Learn to disagree politely.

 Think about your contribution before you
speak.
 Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don't
introduce irrelevant information.

 Be aware of your body language when you
are speaking.
 Agree with and acknowledge what you find
interesting.
DONT’S
 Lose your temper. A discussion is not an argument.
 Shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch.
 Use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures
like finger pointing and table thumping can appear
aggressive.
 Dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should
allow quieter students a chance to contribute.
 Draw too much on personal experience or anecdote.
Although some tutors encourage students to reflect
on their own experience, remember not to
generalize too much.
 Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are
saying before you speak.
Suggestion
 Never try to bluff.
 Practice group discussion with friends

on different subjects.
 Remember! Speech is a powerful

weapon.
Topics of Importance frequently
discussed
 Is India Shining
 Mobile phones / Internet – a boon or nuisance
 Students focusing on software industry-good or
bad
 Gay marriage
 India 2047
 Is India an intolerant country?
 Daughters are more caring than sons
 Influence of western culture in Indian
Universities
 Influence of computers in medical sciences

GD

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GD

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

GD

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GROUP DISCUSSION

“It is the process of

 Abstract topics are about intangible

 E.g. A is an alphabet, The number 10

 It helps the group to make a particular

 It increases your confidence in speaking.

 Addressing the group as a whole

 Remember that a discussion is not an

argument. Learn to disagree politely.

introduce irrelevant information.

 Never try to bluff.

 Practice group discussion with friends

 Remember! Speech is a powerful

You might also like