A group discussion (GD) involves participants discussing a topic for a set time, assessing skills such as communication and teamwork. GDs encourage candidates to express their opinions and enhance their knowledge through the exchange of ideas. Guidelines include active participation, proper body language, and maintaining respect, while avoid distractions or aggressive behavior.

1.  What is a Group Discussion?
 A group of participants are given a topic and
are made to speak on it for a particular time.
Thereafter, based on several skills such as,
communication skills, knowledge of the
topic, ability to perform in a team, etc., the
candidates are analysed.

2.  A Group Discussion (GD) provides a chance to
various candidates for being vocal.The
candidates must shed away all the shyness
and put-forth their opinions. Group
discussion helps the participants to expand
their knowledge as there is an exchange of
ideas and opinions.

3. GD – Guidelines
 Active Participation By Everyone.
 Don’t feel scared to speak.
 Two orThree valuable insertions desired.

4.  Look AtThe SpeakerWhile Listening.
 NodWhileYou Are Listening
 Have Eye-ContactWith AllWhile Speaking
 Use Apt Hand MovementsWhile Speaking
 Sit Straight, Involved – with Both Feet
Grounded
 Don’t Get Into Arguments or Debate

5.  Regulations For Conducting GD :-
 Rules Static & Fixed
 Regulations Dynamic & Flexible
 While Speaking AddressGroup MembersAs –
“Fellow-Contestant, Friend, Co-Speaker or
Colleague”.
 In Case of Not UnderstandingTheTopic,Wait For
GroupTo RevealThe Meaning – “Observe & Interpret”
 Don’t Make Extreme Opening Remarks On an
Explicit Stand.
 IfYouWant,You CanTake Neutral Stand, If Its
Possible OnTopic.

6.  PRE
 P Point
 R Rationale {Reason}
 E Example
Thought Generation Method

7.  M-A-S-T-E-R-P-I-E-C-E-S
 M Media
 A Arts
 S Science
 T Technology
 E Education
 R Religion
 P Politics
 I Information
 E Entertainment
 C Culture
 E Economy
 S Sports

8.  Start Strong
 Maintain Interest
 Don’t Be Distracting
 RememberTo Relax
 End Strong

9.  Criticizing
 Cribbing
 Casualness
 Circumventing
 Cheating
 Commenting
 Circling RoundThe Bushes

10.  1. Element of Surprise or Shock
 2. CreatingAwe (Oh/Wow)
 3. Use of Explicators – However,Whatever,
Whenever,Whoever,Whichever

11.  Don’t Make a Feeble First Impression
 StopTouchingYour Face
 Don’t DoThe LegWobble
 Don’t CrossYour Arms
 Don’t Sit-UpToo Straight, But Don’t Slouch
Either
 Props Are For Magicians & Comedians
 Eye Contact Is Good; Staring is Not.
 WatchThose Hands
 Don’t Be a Nodding Dog
 Don’t KeepYour Distance

12.  Don’t CrossYour Arms & Legs
 Maintain Proper Eye-Contact But Don’t Stare.
 Don’t Be AfraidToTake Up Some Space
 Think, Before Nodding In Agreement
 RelaxYour Shoulders- MoveThem Back Slightly
 Lean, But NotToo Much.
 You Can Smile, But Don’t Laugh.
 Don’tTouchYour Face
 Don’t Slouch, Sit Straight & Not Stiff.
 Nod,WhenThey AreTalking- Nod Once In aWhileTo SignalThat,
You Are Listening.
 KeepYour Head – “Up & Still”.
 Slow Down a Bit.
 Don’t Fidget.
 UseYour Hands, More Confidently But Carefully.

13.  Listen to the subject carefully
 Put down your thoughts on a paper
 Initiate the discussion if you know the subject well
 Listen to others if you don’t know the subject
 Support you point with some facts and figures
 Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds 3-4 times
 Give others a chance to speak
 Speak politely and pleasantly. Respect contribution
from other members.
 Disagree politely and agree with what is right.
 Summarize the discussion if the group has not
reached a conclusion.

14.  Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient knowledge
about the given topic.
 Over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to speak.
 Argue and shout during the GD
 Look at the evaluators or a particular group member
 Talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion
 Pose negative body gestures like touching the nose, leaning back
on the chair, knocking the table with a pen etc.
 Mention erratic statistics.
 Display low self confidence with shaky voice and trembling hands.
 Try to dominate the discussion
 Put others in an embarrassing situation by asking them to speak if
they don’t want.

15. THANKYOU
Pratibha Agrawal
SoftskillsTrainer

16.  What is a Group Discussion?
 A group of participants are given a topic and are made to
speak on it for a particular time.Thereafter, based on
several skills such as, communication skills, knowledge of
the topic, ability to perform in a team, etc., the candidates
are analysed.
 How is a GD helpful?
 A Group Discussion (GD) provides a chance to various
candidates for being vocal.The candidates must shed
away all the shyness and put-forth their opinions. Group
discussion helps the participants to expand their
knowledge as there is an exchange of ideas and opinions.