Group Discussion : Strategies and Issues

Dr. Alka Singh,

Assistant Professor
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya , National Law University Lucknow-226012
Email Id: blueeyemini@gmail.com

Abstract

A Group Discussion may be defined as a formal interaction of ideas in a group. It is a method

for the assessment of a candidate’s personality traits and language skills. A good command over
soft skills is required to shine in the act of group discussion. It is a very important practice in
Business communication. At different levels of communication in a Professional scenario, we
use it for different purposes. The present research paper is an outcome of long years of
experience on practicing and teaching it in different situations. It offered a categorical pattern
towards concept formation, objective, categorical activities and do’s and don’ts involved.

Key Words: Moderator, Active Listening ,Preparation , Assessment by Moderator,

Introduction

Group Discussion is an important practice for strengthening the ability of a learner in group
communication. In this activity 3 to 12 candidates sit in a circular or semi-circular setting, and
set a discussion on a topic given by the moderator. They think over it for a few minutes before
starting a categorical and fruitful discourse .Generally, a Group Discussion session lasts for 15-
30 minutes. The participants try to meet the positive end of the discussion which mostly comes
up with a solution. The moderator facilitates a favorable interaction among the participants
where the participants speak naturally. A Group Discussion may be defined as a formal
interaction of ideas in a group.

Analysis

It is a method for the assessment of a candidate’s personality traits and language skills. A good
command over soft skills is required to shine in the act of group discussion. For an authentic
good Group Discussion, the candidate should:

 provide light not heat with his discussion

 to participate well and moderate in case of confusion

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  Change aggressiveness into assertiveness
 keep higher emotional quotient
 be an active listener
 don leadership qualities
 show team spirit
 maintain decorum

In a Group Discussion situation, the moderator plays a significant role. S/he inspires the speakers
to speak out themselves, to the best. A moderator should:

 set clear expectations for student participation in discussion sessions

 create different assessment rubrics for evaluating the participation of a student in
discussion both in terms of the number of times they comment and in the quality of those
comments.
 initiate some informal talk outside of class to make everybody speak.
 manage the classroom space strategically.
 communicate actively because lowering the communication channel decreases the
teacher’s authoritative role
 make appropriate eye contact.

While interacting in a group, everybody wants to be listened to, but to be listened to is more a
skill .There are a number of factors to be taken care of .In the flow of the Group Discussion
many situations emerge, and to handle them properly, the following tips may be taken into
account:

When you disagree, you may use the expressions like:

 Absolutely
 Precisely
 Exactly
 I totally agree
 So do I
 Nor do I
 I can go along with that
 I think you’re right up to a point.

When you disagree you may use the expressions like:

 You seem to be quite wrong there.

 I’m sorry, but I don’t agree.
 That’s quite an exaggeration.
 Do you really think so?

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  Do you agree with that,

When you have to ask for opinion:

 So what do you think …?

 How do you feel about this?
 How do you feel about that?
 What is your view on…?
 What is your position on…?
 Do you agree with that?

When you want to give opinions

 In my opinion …
 In my view…
 As far as I’m concerned…
 I think…
 I feel…
 As I see it…
 To my mind…
 To me…

When you have to make suggestions; you may use the expressions like:

 How about …?
 What about…?
 Why don't you?
 Why don’t we…?
 You should …
 You ought to…
 If I were at your place , I would…
 I suggest …
 I propose …

When you have to react to suggestions, you may use the expressions like :

 That’s a good idea!

 Yes, let’s do that.
 Yes, why not?
 That isn’t possible
 That is not practicable
 That is never feasible.

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When you need to correct the misunderstandings, you may use the following expressions:

 That’s not what I meant by…

 Don’t take me wrong. What I meant was…
 Oh! You have got the wrong end of the stick.
 See, to put it another way,…

When you need to interrupt, you may use the following expressions:

 Sorry to interrupt, but…

 May I interrupt you for a moment?
 May I just make a point?
 Mind if I just say something?

When you feel like dealing with interruptions, you may use the following expressions:

 I haven’t finished, if you don’t mind.

 If I might just finish…
 I haven’t reached my point yet.
 Let me just make my point.

Practising Group Discussion in a class requires proper management of different aspects involved
with it. A plan of action is given here. If followed by the teacher/learner, it can make the
situation authentic and pleasant.

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Topic Preparation for Group Discussion

Student Learning Outcome After engaging in the current Language Lab session the students :
(SLO) i-will learn the concept of Group Discussion
ii-will understand the importance of Group Discussion in their
professional life
iii-will understand the Dos and Don’ts of Group Discussions
Prerequisite knowledge of (a) Fluency in spoken English
students (b) Training in active listening

Materials needed during 1. Note Book

practice 2. Assessment sheet

How to manage the situation of 1. Warming up exercise

Learning? 2. Task
3. Assessment Rubric
4. Homework for next class:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Estimated of time Introduction:
Activity:
Sharing:
Conclusion:

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 ASSESSMENT BY MODERATOR-I

Analysis of Group Discussion

CRITERIA PERFORMANCE
Unsatisfactory Average Good Excellent
CONTENT i-No Greetings i-Greets i-Greets i-appropriate
ii-Little or No ii-Begins with ii-appropriate greetings
Eye Contact little or no eye- eye-contact ii-appropriate eye-
contact contact
iii-appropriate body
language
BODY i-Not dressed up i-Appropriately i-Appropriately i-Appropriately
LANGUAGE suitably dressed up dressed up dressed up
ii-Inappropriate ii-Inappropriate ii-a little ii-Pleasant manners
body language body language inappropriate iii-appropriate body
body language language
CONFIDENCE i-Inappropriate i-too soft i-Appropriate i-Excellent and
vocabulary speech volume appropriate
ii-Grammar ii-sometimes ii-State-of-the grammar
difficult to mumbles vocabulary and ii-Requisite
understand iii-poor good grammar vocabulary
grammar used iii-Spoken with a
determined
confidence
INTERPERSONAL i-Week posture Any two of the Any one of the Confident posture
SKILLS ii-Less eye following: i- following: i- Ii Good eye contact
contact Week posture Week posture iii- No uneasy
iii-Uneasy ii-Less eye ii-Less eye behaviour and
behaviour contact contact nervousness
iii-Uneasy iii-Uneasy
behaviour behaviour
PREPARATION Performance Performance Performance Performance shows
shows no shows some shows above great preparation
preparation preparation average
preparation

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 ASSESSMENT BY MODERATOR -II

Rubric on the Analysis of Group Discussion

CRITERIA PERFORMANCE
Unsatisfactory Average Good Excellent

CONTENT i-No Greetings i-Greets i-Greets i-appropriate

ii-Little or No ii-Begins with ii-appropriate greetings
Eye Contact little or no eye- eye-contact ii-appropriate eye-
contact contact
iii-appropriate body
language
BODY i-Not dressed up i-Appropriately i-Appropriately i-Appropriately
LANGUAGE suitably dressed up dressed up dressed up
ii-Inappropriate ii-Inappropriate ii-a little ii-Pleasant manners
body language body language inappropriate iii-appropriate body
body language language
CONFIDENCE i-Inappropriate i-too soft speech i-Appropriate i-Excellent and
vocabulary ii-sometimes volume appropriate
ii-Grammar mumbles ii-State-of-the grammar
difficult to iii-poor vocabulary and ii-Requisite
understand grammar good grammar vocabulary
used iii-Spoken with a
determined
confidence
INTERPERSON i-Week posture Any two of the Any one of the Confident posture
AL SKILLS ii-Less eye following: i- following: i- Ii Good eye contact
contact Week posture Week posture iii- No uneasy
iii-Uneasy ii-Less eye ii-Less eye behaviour and
behaviour contact contact nervousness
iii-Uneasy iii-Uneasy
behaviour behaviour
PREPARATION Performance Performance Performance Performance shows
shows no shows some shows above great preparation
preparation preparation average
preparation

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 Conclusion

The act of group discussion requires a careful and keen observation, and a quick management of
facts and circumstances. The role of moderator is equally important as that of the partakers. If we
follow the patterns as mentioned above, it will prove an authentic and live activity, and we will
reach towards certain creative solution to the given problem by producing light in place of heat.
The aforesaid discussion in the paper is a record of my practical experience with the students of
Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow.

References

The following works have been consulted towards idea formulation:

McLean, S. The basics of speech communication. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.2003.

McLean, S. The basics of interpersonal communication. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.2005.

Singh R.P. Professional Communication, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2002.

--- --- --- Functional Skills in Language and Literature, Oxford University Press, New Delhi,

2004.

--- --- --- Communication: Theory and Praxis ,Delhi: Book Shelf,2011,Revised Edition in 2013.