Group discussion, importance of Group discussion

Group Discussion (GD) is a structured method of communication where participants share their views on a specific topic within a group. It is a tool used to assess communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills in academic and professional settings. The purpose of a GD is to evaluate how well individuals express their ideas, interact with others, and contribute constructively to a group conversation. Key components include topic understanding, verbal and non-verbal communication, and active collaboration with the team. A GD typically progresses through stages: initiation, where someone opens the discussion; the main discussion, involving logical arguments and counterpoints; and conclusion, where the group summarizes the key takeaways. Participants are evaluated on criteria like content knowledge, articulation, logical reasoning, and teamwork. To succeed, it is essential to prepare thoroughly, communicate clearly, and respect others’ opinions. GDs are invaluable for identifying leadership and problem-solving abilities while fostering collaboration and decision-making skills.

1. EXTEMPORE, IMPROMPTU AND PREPARED PRESENTATIONS, PUBLIC SPEAKING AND GROUP DISCUSSION-ORGANIZING SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES   PUBLIC SPEAKING   Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively .“ - Gerald R. Ford

2. Personal benefits of public speaking include : 1. Increased self-confidence 2. Improved communication skills 3. Increased organizational skills 4. Greater social influence 5. Enhanced ability to listen 6. Greater possibility of meeting new people 7. Lesser anxiety and fear when speaking in front of others 8. Improved memory 9. Enhanced persuasion ability 10 Greater control over emotions and body language

3. Key elements of public speaking 1. A speaker should possess a certain level of authority and knowledge about the chosen topic (ethos). 2. It has to be conveyed in a clear, informative and logical manner (logos).. 3. The speaker must first establish an emotional connection with the listeners. (Pathos)

4. Five main steps of preparation for public speaking: Invention development and refinement of the argument Arrangement creation of the structure of a coherent argument Style the process of determining how to present an argument using rhetorical techniques and choosing the words that have the greatest impact on the audience Memory - the process of learning and memorizing the speech while making it sound natural Delivery - the process of making effective use of voice and body language

5. Three Styles of Speech Impromptu speech Impromptu speech is prompted by the occasion rather than being planned in advance   Manuscript speech   This type of speech is written like a manuscript and is meant to be delivered word for word   Extemporaneous speech   It is built around key points, but the material can be presented freely, allowing the speaker to make changes in their speech based on the listeners' reaction.

6. EXTEMPORE SPEAKING Extempore speech is a speech or spoken anything without preparation. It is also known as spontaneous speaking or impromptu speech. The topic is given on the spot at the time of speech. That's why people become nervous when it comes to situation speaking (extempore speech). Evaluation of Extempore Speech 1 Presence of Mind : 2 Beginning/opening and ending: 3 . Thoughts : 4. Last but not least "confidence".  

7. Some Advice On How To Give A Good Extempore Speech: 1 . Know your direction. 2. Prepare some backup 3 . Plot a course 4 . Keep it short and sweet 5 . Watch your words

8. IMPROMPTU SPEAKING   Impromptu speaking is a speech and debate individual event that involves a five to eight-minute speech with a characteristically short preparation time of one to seven minutes. Three tips for effective Impromptu speech   1. Stick to the truth. No need to embellish, exaggerate or stretch the truth.   2. Share from personal experience . When you speak from personal experience, then you are referring to things that you intimately know. 3 . Practice out loud. Thinking on your feet is like dancing, you can't learn it by thinking about it.

9. Here are 10 top tips for performing and presenting under unexpected pressure. 1. Be confident 2. Focus on the audience 3 . Less is more 4 . Have a structure Tell them what you are going to tell them 5 . Primacy and recency 6 . Talk conversationally 7. Personalize your speech & have a relevant story-Share from personal experience. 8 . Demonstrate powerful body language 9 . Use a credible voice tone . Take your time. Breathe deeply. Deliver your words slowly and use pauses. 10. Tum your impromptu session Into a Q&A session For lengthier impromptu

10. GROUP DISCUSSION Group discussion is defined as form of group communication in which the participants share ideas and exchange information on a common topic Evaluating components Knowledge : This refers to the depth and range of knowledge as well as your analytical and organizational abilities. Communication Skills a ) Active listening b) Clarity of thought and expression c) Apt language d) Appropriateness of body langua ge   3. Group behavior You have to understand the view points of others while making your view points and ensure that your team as a whole reaches a solution 4. Leadership Potential: The success of any team depends, to a larger extent, on its leader A group cannot carry out assigned work effectively without leader.

11. Brainstorming Brainstorming is a method for generating a variety of idea and perspectives. It is as uncritical as possible because criticism inhibits the free flow of ideas. Nominal Group In other words though the group members are physically present as in a traditional committee meeting, they operate independently. Delphi Technique   The Delphi technique is a more complex and time consuming alternative in a group decision making. The problem is identified and the members are asked to provide potential solutions through a series of carefully designed questionnaires

12. A conference is a formal meeting organized by members of an organization. group or people to discuss a topic that members have a common interest. A conference is typically a consultative forum where participants give their opinion on the subject. ORGANIZING SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES Seminar A seminar is a formal academic forum that brings together a small group of participants who are taught about a specific subject. In a seminar, experts provide knowledge and training to the participants.

13. Organizing a Successful Conference/Seminar: Step 1: Establish your seminar's objectives What do you want to achieve through it? Once you have figured this out, you can now determine the topics that will be discussed. Step 2: Identify your target audience In order to have a successful event you have to know your target audience, a perfect event for you might not be perfect for them Step 3: Identify your roster of speakers select thespeakers for your event. Check their track records and speaking engagement fees. Step 4: Plan out the event details Plan out the details of your event according to your needs, and be as specific as possible. Step 5: Project your costs and budget Attention to detail will save you from financial setbacks, so it is imperative that you don't underestimate or overestimate costs. These are some of the items that you can include in your costs: Step 6: Invite your speakers your speakers should have confirmed their attendance at least one month before the event date.

14. Step 7: Market your event This is ideally done when you already have confirmed speakers. When I market my event, I make sure to highlight its benefits to attract my target audience Step 8: Prepare the materials needed for seminar Step 9: Finalize the event logistics To minimize the risk of technical difficulties during the event. Step 10: Execute a production meeting and run-through Take this time to reiterate the delegation of tasks for accountability, check the program flow, and test all the technical requirements Step 11: Host the conference Step 12: Follow up after the conference 1. Say "Thank you": 2. Collect feedback: