This presentation is about the Group Discussion activity which is very widely used by various colleges and recruiters for testing the knowledge and personality traits of students. It describes the various intricacies of this activity.

1. GROUP
DISCUSSION

2. INDEX
Definition of Group Discussion
Types of Group Discussion
Personality traits
Benefits in Group Discussion
Salient features
Do’s and Don’ts in Group Discussion
Important points in Group Discussion
Accept criticism
Suggestion
Tips

3. DEFINITION OF GROUP
DISCUSSION
 A GD is a methodology used by an organization
to gauge whether the candidate has certain
personality, traits or skills that it desires in its
members.
 In this methodology the group of candidates is
given a topic or a situation and are given a few
minutes to think about the same and are then
asked to discuss the same among themselves for
15-20 minutes.
 A GD usually consists of a group of 8-12 persons.

4. TYPE OF GROUP DISCUSSION
GD can be topic based or case based.
Topic based:
1.Factual topics:
 Practical things which an ordinary person is aware of in
his day to day life.
 It gives the candidate a chance to prove that he is aware of
and sensitive to his environment.
 Ex: Education policy of India, tourism in India

5. 2. Controversial topics:
 Argumentative in nature
 They are meant to generate controversy
 The idea behind this is to check the maturity
of the candidate in keeping his temper under
control
 Ex: reservation should be removed, women
make better managers
3. Abstract topics:
 They are about intangible things.
 These topics test the lateral thinking and
creativity.
 Ex: A is an alphabet, the number 10

6. Case based:
 Case is discussed instead of a topic.
 It tries to stimulate a real life situation.
 The objective is to test the thoughts of a person
about various situations from different angles.

7. PERSONALITY TRAITS
 Ability to work in a team
 Communication skills
 Reasoning ability
 Leadership skills
 Initiative
 Assertiveness
 Flexibility
 Creativity
 Ability to think on one’s feet

8. 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
 Provides chance to Expose
 Language skills
 Academic knowledge
 Leadership skills
 People handling skills
 Team work
 General knowledge.

9. 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.

10. 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.
 Respect the contribution of every speaker

11.  Make only accurate statements.
 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.

12. DONT’S 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
 Make fun of any participant even if his arguments are
funny.
 Discussion is not an argument. Don’t lose your temper.

13.  Use too many gestures when you speak.
 Dominate the discussion.
 Draw too much on personal experience.
 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.

14. 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.
 Express without hurting others feelings.

15.  Be analytical and fact-oriented : It is
necessary to make relevant points which can be
supported with facts and analyzed logically.
 Accept someone's point of view
 Praise the argument
 Accept the contradicts view
 Express your argument with few facts, cases, %,
newspapers publications etc.

16. 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.

17. ADVANTAGES
 Helps in understanding a subject more deeply.
 Improves your ability to think critically.
 Helps in solving a particular problem.
 Helps the group to make a particular decision.
 Improves listening skills.
 Increases confidence in speaking.
 It can change your attitude.

18. SUGGESTIONS
 Never try to bluff.
 Practice group discussion with friends on different
subjects.
 Remember speech is a powerful weapon.

19. GD MISTAKES
 Emotional outburst
 No eye contact
 Quality vs quantity
 Bad communication skills
 Addressing one or two persons
 Interrupting when session is on
 Bad initiation

20. GROUP DISCUSSION TIPS
 Initiation technique -It is a high profit high
loss strategy. When you initiate a GD, you not
only grab the opportunity to speak, you also grab
the attention of the examiner and fellow
candidates.
 Body of group discussion- Different
techniques to initiate a GD and make a first
impression- quotes, definition, question, shock
statement, facts, figures and statistics, short
story, general statement.

21.  Summarization/conclusion-
Every discussion doesn’t have a conclusion but it
can be summarized. Only state your own view
points. Avoid raising new points. Keep it brief
and concise. Do not add anything when the GD is
summarized.