1. Associate Professor and Head Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Satara
GROUP DISCUSSION
Presented By
Dr. Mrs. Anisa G. Mujawar
Associate Professor and Head
Department of English
Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Satara

2. Why GD Communication skills Reasoning ability Leadership skills
Ability to work in a team
Initiative
Assertiveness
Flexibility
Creativity Ability to think independently
Out of the box thinking
Ability to think independently

3. Types of GDs 
1.Topic-based
2.Case-based. 
Factual Topics,   Current, socio-economic topics, hot topics of discussion.  
E.g. The education policy of India, Tourism in India, State of the aged in the nation, Live in relations, Are we loosing our Indian culture?, Should we continue “Best five for the std x?”
The candidate has to prove that he is aware of and sensitive to his environment.

4. usually high, there may be tempers flying.
Controversial Topics :  Argumentative in nature, the noise level is
usually high, there may be tempers flying.
E.g. Reservations should be removed, Women make better managers ,Do terrorists deserve human rights? ,Advertisements should be banned. .
The candidate must exhibit  his maturity by keeping his temper in check, by rationally and logically arguing his point of view without getting personal and emotional . 
Analytical Topics: Analysis of a situation
E. g. Education or employment for rural development?, Should the std  x th exams be discontinued? ,Should India sign the nuclear deal? , Ragging must be banned, Is globalization necessary?
The candidate must display the  depth and understanding of the situation .The analysis of the situation should reflect the logical and analytical thinking of the candidate. 

5. Abstract Topics: Abstract topics are about intangible things.
These topics are not given often for discussion, but their possibility cannot be ruled out.  
E.g. A is an alphabet, Twinkle twinkle little star, The number 10 ,The sky is blue, Red is better than green ,White
These topics test your lateral thinking and creativity.

6. The case study tries to simulate a real-life situation.
Case-based Gd topic
The case study tries to simulate a real-life situation.
Another variation is the use of a case instead of a Information about the situation will be given to you and you would be asked as a group to resolve the situation.
The candidate must exhibit analytical thinking , decision making , dealing with human relations, assessment of the situation.

7. What is tested? Communication skills Power of expression
Precision and clarity
Listening   skills 
Body language
Knowledge and ideas regarding a given subject
Leadership and coordinating capabilities
Exchange of thoughts
Addressing the group as a whole
Group behaviour 

8. Techniques to initiate GD
i. Quotes   Quotes are an effective way of initiating a GD.  Customer is King .
ii. Definition   Start a GD by defining the topic or an important term in the topic.
     Is privatization necessary?   Advertisements are unwanted.
Uniform civil code –Need of the hour.     iii. Question  
Asking a question is an impact way of starting a GD.  Should India go to war with Pakistan?  iv. Shock statement  
Initiating a GD with a shocking statement is the best way to grab
immediate attention and put forth your point.    The Impact of Population on the Indian Economy 

9. v. Facts, figures and statistics     If you decide to initiate your GD with facts, figure and statistics, make sure to
quote them accurately.
Approximation is allowed in macro level figures, but micro level figures need
to be correct and accurate.    vi. Short story     Use a short story in a GD topic like, Attitude is Everything
    Honesty is the best policy  
vii. General statement     Use a general statement to put the GD in proper perspective. 

10. ESSENTIALS Make convincing and appealing presentation.
Keep coming into the GD time and again be genuinely involved in the GD
Look at all the group members  not the panel members
Cross an unclear or illogical point made by somebody but within the framework of decency.
Support  the statements with appropriate examples
In case of repetition  of points  use independent justification.   

11.    
Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are not. Be yourself.
A group discussion is your chance to be more vocal. The evaluator wants to hear you speak.
Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.
Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.
Don't start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.
Work out various strategies to help you make an entry: initiate the discussion or agree with someone else's point and then move onto express your views.
Opening the discussion is not the only way of gaining attention and recognition.
If you do not give valuable insights during the discussion, all your efforts of initiating the discussion will be in vain.

12. Brush up on your leadership skills
Motivate the other members of the team to speak (this surely does not mean that the only thing that you do in the GD is to say "let us hear what the young lady has to say," or "Raju, let us hear your views"), and listen to their views.
Be receptive to others' opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive.
If you have a group of like-minded friends, you can have a mock group discussion where you can learn from each other through giving and receiving feedback.
Apart from the above points, the panel will also judge team members for their alertness and presence of mind, problem-solving abilities, ability to work as a team without alienating certain members, and creativity.

13. Simple language - direct and straight forward.
Don't interrupt a speaker when the session is on. Try to score by increasing your size, not by cutting others short.
Maintain rapport with fellow participants.
Eye contact plays a major role.
Non-verbal gestures, listening intently or nodding to appreciating someone's viewpoint speak of you positively.
Communicate with each and every candidate present.
While speaking don't keep looking at a single member. Address the entire group in such a way that everyone feels you are speaking to him or her.
It is not a debate.   

14. Conclusion
Most GDs do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is where the whole group decides in favor or against the topic.
But every GD is summarized. You can summarize what the group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell. 
Keep the following points in mind while summarizing a discussion:
Avoid raising new points.
Avoid stating only your viewpoint.
Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.
Keep it brief and concise.
It must incorporate all the important points that came out during the GD.
If the examiner asks you to summarize  a GD, it means the GD has come to an end.
Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized.

15. How to prepare for GD 
Reading: Read multiple view points on the same topic and then create your point of view with rationale.
Create answers for counter arguments for your point of view.
The electronic media also will be of good use here.
Mocks: Create an informal GD group and meet regularly to discuss and exchange feedback.

16. Dangers in GD 
      
Emotional outburst
Deviate from the subject
Treat the discussion as a forum to air own views.
Lose objectivity and make personal attacks.
Behavior perceived as immature and de motivating to the rest of the team.

17. THANKS