26 Participating in a Group Discussion

What is a group discussion?

Group discussion (GD) refers the communication within a

to
group of candidates who share their views with
one another given topic, problem,
on a issue or situation and come up with ideas, solve
comments. A GD group usually has 8 to 12 members who problems or simply give
speak for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. GD is now a
key
component in recruitment processes in addition to written tests and interviews. It is a
students' personality and judging their worthiness for modern of
way assessing
based is that of elimination rather than evaluation.
jobs. The principle on which the
assessment in a GD is

What does a GD test?

A GD tests the following things:
.bodylanguage
Communication skills
self confidence
team skills

listening ability
ability to present your views logically
time management

116
 important points to remember
Some
m e points that.
that one must
points
Hereare
sOme
remember while
preparing for and during a GD
base.
Build your knowledge
nalyse an 1ssuc om various angles.
Anal
Maintain a positive attitude.
otivated andiexcited about the
Stay
upcoming challenge.
Stav focused
and competitive
things from the other pCTsOns viewpoint and respect it even if you strongly disagree.

Types of group discussions

Topic-based discussion:

Controversial topic: While discussing controversial topics such as 'Ts privatisation good for the economy?
Should developing countries invest in space programmes?, 'Which diet is better vegetarian or
non-vegetarian: et cetera take a stand on the given topic and support your stand with suitable
argumet
examples and facts and figures.
Descriptive topic: A descriptive topic such as 'India's relations with its neighbours, 'Poverty in India,
Causes of intiation et cetera tests ones knowledge of the subject. One has to be well-versed with the
details of the topic including the facts and figures in order to do well in the discussion.
Abstract topic: Abstract topics have become popular in the recent years. A few examples ot abstract
topics are Zero, Black, 'Gold, etc. In such topics, the speaker has to be creative to think of the issues that
can relate to the given phrase for discussion.
2 A case study: GDs sometimes involve a discussion of case scenario, real or imaginary. You are required to
present your opinion and find solutions in collaboration with your group members.

Stages of a group discussion

Agroup discussion moves through the following stages:

Initiation or introduction ofthe topic

Discussion of the main points
Summarising or concluding the discussion

few tips to start a discussion

ne beginning stage ofa GD is the most important part of the discussion as it is during this stage that the speaker

an
impression on the examiner. Hence, here are a few tips on beginning a discussion.

uotes: It is impressive to begin a discussion

with a quote as
tone ot discussion and gives it
it sets the an

is on the topic, Challenges of choosing a career, vou can

nteresting start. For example, if the discussion

in a wood, and I I took the
poem, "Two roads diverged
-

one
Frost's
Degin with a famous quote from Robert difference.
ess travelled
by, And that has made all the
is advisable to start
a discussion with dehning topic phrase in it. Definition
the
or a
Deinition: Sometimes, it
to the topic but
also expresses the speakers understanding topic. A definition of the
only brings clarity
also sets, in concrete terms, the expanse of the topic which ieans the doundaries within which a discussion

discussion on a topic such as Gender bias in advertisements can begin with

dn happen. For example, a
discusSion will i n e u d e the topic ot representation
of all genders.
uchining what gender means and whether the
 example, il the topic is 'Shoula
d
question. For
war do?' any
uestion A disuSsION with a
nto a war with another?, oualso
anbegin
begin by asking thequestion, Whal good does a war.
cOuntry ge
can

or
achieve b awar? By asking this question, the speaker does not expcct ananswerfrom the What
other participantdeo e
this note.
himselt herselt and begins thediscussion
on
T
t t A shok statement immediately theother speakers: a the exarminer
grabs the
attention of

discussion.
shoking revelation of facts and figures on topic to begin the
a
a
e
Facts figures and nd figures.
the facts and
to be statistics You can begin a discussion by stating
cautious of whether these facts and figures that you are presenting
are rrect. If you
correct you However,
pres. nee
ntormation. it will cast a negative impression on the examiner and the Eroup members.

o r t story A discussion can begin with a small anecdote, "Once there Was a ..
incorrect
General statement: You can the GD into a
begin by using a general statement putbe
to
it should be perspective fror
legalised in India?, you cahi
discused. For example,ifthetopic is 'Should euthanasia
saving. Before jumping to conclusions and saying either a 'yes' or a 'no, we mustunderstand whaten
Is and
when it is
pertormed. nasia
Roles you can
play in a GD
As a
speaker in a GD, vou can play many roles. Here are the various perspectives from which you can speak:
Initiator
Elaborator Energiser
Info-seeker
Opinion giver Summariser
Coordinator Critic

The dos and don'ts of a

GD

Dos
Talk what is relevant to the Don'ts
issue. Do not feel shy or nervous. Sit
Make original points and
support them by comfortably and
confidently. Do not interrupt another
reasoning and facts. substantial he has finished his participant before
turn. It might give an
Listen to the other
participants that you are dominant. impression
actively and carefully
Whatever you say must be Do not
change opinions.
f possible, logical and coherent and,
validated with proper Do not make
accurate statements example. Make only fun of any participant even if his
.Be assertive. Establish
arguments are wrong or ridiculous.
your position and stand byit. Do not address
the
the fellow group
examiner while speaking. Speak
members only.
A few useful expressions one can use in a GD
I. Starting the discussion
.rd like to raise the
subject of ...

What I think is ..
. I think it is
important to consider the
Icould say a word about ..
question of...
MayI make a point about ..
2 To port whatsome other participant has said

rd like to
Natasha's point of
support Miss
view abou.
T d

That is just what I also think..

I agree fully
with what Mr Richard
has just said .

. Iam in complete greement with fee slashing .

T o support disagreement
of using curt ressions such as
'you are
wrong, you can say
Instead

Please allow me
to differ... I would like
to differ.
I think differently on this issue
. 1do not agree. In my opinion
To express strong views on something
. I am convinced that...
. You can't deny that ..
. Anybody can see that...

.Itis quite clear to me that...

5. To bring a discussion back to the point
That's very interesting. but I don't think it is indeed to the point.
Perhaps, we could go back to the point.
.Could we stickto the subject, please?
. I am afraid we are drifting from the point.

Asample GD
Here is a sample of a group discussion on pollution caused by plastic.

is.
Arnika: Let us begin by understanding what plastic pollution
which is adversely affecting the
Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic on earth
that plastic is a non-biodegradable substance, and
environment and living things. The problem is situation has turned grim today because of the use,
The
takes around 500 to 1000 years to decompose.
or rather abuse, of plastic.
taking
We are not sufticient efforts to control
situation indeed is grim.
Ashish: I agree with your point. The are inhaling and literally eating plastic.
be to say that today we
wrong
with the air and the land and hence, we are
the use of plastic. It will not
waste gets mixed
We are so dependent on it. The plastic from the land along with nutrients. The
that absorbed plastic
the plants
inhaling plastic and eating that 21% of the plastic
was recycled that year and all the remaining

2017 environment report says only

and the water bodies.
left to pollute the air, the land
Plastic garbage was
increased so much. First, there are no
chean
the usage of plastie has
how
Abhay: Here, the point is why and
and other plastic products.
Plastic is inexpensive
and convenient to use.

alternatives to plastic bags

an thing is that there is a lack af
mportant
feel. However,
besides this plastic is banned, are
Vinay: That is just what I also
about the
ill-effects of plastic. Plus, though
Deople re

awareness among the public

to it.
not aware of the alternatives result is: the production of plastic isstil
manufacturers
of plastic. Ihe is wrapped in rnlacetic
Arnika: Also, there is no check on the
and vegetables
to c l o t h e s
and cosmetics

Evervthing from fruits

really high.
which is just thrown away.
 with garbage and releasa.
Gaurav: Ce, the
problem that if plastic is thrown away,
is
it is burncd ases poSonous
e e a l s into the air which causes severe
health problcis.

Versha: And it it kills lot of marine

crcalures. nc Cports of fish
smal plastic particles pul
is thrown in the river it a
are
which
reducing becaus of polystyrene, the
ne wate
se of the high eontent
dying because
the co
of the
bodies. Not only
plastic
sea creatures but animals on land are also
consumption o

ot rain water into h .

Sanjay: well and impeding the penetration
astic is
poluting the ground as
learnt the lesson the hard way and 8oy
ound.
Moreover plastic clogs drains as well. Bangladesh has
use of pla had witnessed floods due to plastic waste and hence, Imposed a ban " dthe
plastic. It worse

inay be taken to alleviate plastic pollution.

The first step the.
usnOw think what steps can
take is to plastic bags and covers. It shOula
run
campaigns and r
must provide alternatives to
make people aware of the danger of using plastic.
Gaurav Besdes, 1 think. plastic waste should be effectively by constructing and
recycled roads houses.
with plastic waste. In fact, we should give manufacturers the responsibility to think of wavs. cetera
of
plastic. Imposing fines on manufacturers will force them to look for alternang
alternatives to ativest
pack their goods. An effect of this is that now various products are packed in paper bags insto
stead of
plastic.
Ashish: Let us now think what we as individuals can do. At an individuallevel, we should reduce plastic u
asmuch as possible in our homes. For example, we must carry cloth or paper bags to the marketisage
use steel water bottles.
and

Versha: To concude this discussion, it wouldn't be wrong to say that we as individuals must shun plasti
People should feel responsible for the plastic waste they are generating. To make everyone fed
responsible, extensive awareness programmes are needed. The most important step is to eliminate the
need of plastic goods and find ways to recycle and upcycle plastic waste.

Exercise 1 Have a group discussion with your classmates on the following topics.
1. MeToo campaign
2. Should the practice of yoga be made compulsory in schools?
3. Globalisation - an opportunity or a threat?

4. How safe are kids in Indian schools?

5. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao will it
-

change the orthodox mindset?

6. Beauty contestants and women empowerment
7. Movies encourage social evils.
8. Gender bias in advertisements
9. Hard work vs. smart work
10. Is e-learning a substitute for classroom
learning?
11. Western culture is more
progresSive as
compared to Indian culture.