Group discussion

Group discussion

1. GROUP DISCUSSIONGROUP DISCUSSION

AAC-307
Communication Skills for Agricultural
Development
Dr. Arpita Sharma
Assistant professor,
Dept. of Agricultural Communication, College of
Agriculture
GBPUA&T, Pantnagar

2. Group
A collection of individuals who have regular
contact and frequent interaction , mutual
influence, common feeling of camaraderie,
and who work together to achieve a common
set of goals.

3. TYPE OF DISCUSSION
Group Discussion
Focused group
discussion
Panel Discussion

4. 
A GD is a methodology.
 It is a systematic and purposeful interactive
oral process.
Here the exchange of ideas, thoughts and
feelings take place through oral communication
In this methodology, the group of candidates is
given a topic or a situation , given a few
minutes to think about the same, and then asked
to discuss it among themselves for 15-20
minutes.

5. IMPORTANCE OF GROUP
DISCUSSION
It is an effective tool in problem solving,
decision making and personality assessment.
GD skills may ensure academic success,
popularity and good admission or job offer.
Participants should know how to speak with
confidence, how to exhibit leadership skills
and how to make the group achieve the
goals.

6. TYPES OF TOPICS
1. Factual Topics: Factual topics are about practical
things, which an ordinary person is aware in his day-
to-day life. Typically these are about socio-economic
topics. e.g. The education policy of India, Tourism in India
2. Controversial Topics: Controversial topics are the
ones that are argumentative in nature. They are meant
to generate controversy. e.g. Reservations should be
removed, Women make better managers.
3. Abstract Topics: Abstract topics are about
intangible things. These topics are not given often for
discussion, but their possibility cannot be ruled out. These
topics test your lateral thinking and creativity. e.g. A is an
alphabet, The number 10

7. FOUR MAJOR AREAS OF
EVALUATION IN
SELECTION GDS
[1] Subject knowledge: Participants must possess a
thorough understanding of the topic on which they are
supposed to speak.
[2] Oral communication skills: communication skills is
more important as without expression, the knowledge
is of no use.
[i] Listening skills: unless you listen, you cannot
contribute to the stated purpose of communication.
[ii] Clarity of thought and expression: Clarity is the art
of making yourself clear to the audience.
[iii] Apt Language: The flow of language must be smooth.
[iv] Proper non verbal clues: Non verbal clues include eye
contact, body movements, gestures and facial
expressions.

8. [3] Team management success in a GD depends
on how well you play the role of initiator,
information seeker, information giver,
procedure facilitator, opinion seeker,
opinion giver, clarifier, summarizer, social-
supporter, tension reliever, compromiser,
attacker, humorist and dominator.
[4] Leadership Skills: The success of any team
depends to a larger extent on its leader. The
panel evaluates a candidate’s personal skills
which allow him to prove himself as a natural
leader in the GD.

9. ROLE DURING GD
Initiator
Information seeker and giver
Procedure facilitator
Opinion seeker/giver
Clarifier
Summarizer
Social supporter
Harmonizer
Tension reliever
Energizer
Attacker
Dominator

10. PHASES IN A GD:
Initiation/introduction
The central group discussion
Summarization/conclusion

11. It helps you to understand a subject more
deeply.
It improves your ability to think critically.
It helps in solving a particular problem.
It helps the group to make a particular decision.
It improves your listening skills.
It increases your confidence in speaking.
It can change your attitudes.

12.  Speak pleasantly and politely to the group.
Respect the contribution of every speaker.
Think about your contribution before you
speak.
Try to stick to the discussion topic.
Don't introduce irrelevant information.
Be aware of your body language when you are
speaking.

13. DONT’S
Don’t lose your temper.
Don’t Shout. Use a moderate tone and
medium pitch.
Don’t use too many gestures when you speak.
Gestures like finger pointing and table
thumping can appear aggressive.
Don’t dominate the discussion.
Don’t interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish
what they are saying before you speak. 

14. Communication Skills.
Knowledge and ideas regarding a given
subject .
Capability to co-ordinate and lead.
Exchange of thoughts.
Addressing the group as a whole.
Thorough preparations.

15. Thanks