Group communication is defined as the exchange of information, opinions, views, and perspectives about a topic among group members. The purposes of group communication include exchanging information, solving problems, persuading others, making decisions, and assessing personality traits. For group communication to be successful, members should organize their ideas before speaking, use tact, humor, and wit, maintain eye contact, keep an open mind, and analyze topics thoroughly. Characteristics of effective group communication include avoiding personalization, establishing few rules, allowing free interaction, fostering interdependence among members, and having no single named leader.