Group Discussions - Part II
Page - 1
Is there any particular
seating arrangement which is favorable to the participant?
If participants are asked to sit
in a circle or a semi-circle, one position is as good as any other. But if you
are asked to sit on either side of a rectangular table, then try to choose a
position as close to the centre as possible.
Should we begin the GD by
appointing a leader amongst ourselves?
No, you should not (unless asked
to). Leadership in a GD is established implicitly through one's performance in
the GD.
Should we distribute the total
time available to all the participants to ensure that everybody gets a chance to
speak?
Since a GD is not like a debate
or elocution, the participants should not resort to the strategy of distributing
time amongst themselves. If you have more points to speak on and elaborate, go
ahead. However, it takes a good degree of listening skills to have patience when
others are taking time to give their valuable opinions.
Can we take a definite stand
right away, and then later on during the GD, switch over to the other side of
the argument?
No. Starting a GD with a stand or
a conclusion works against the participant. Be flexible and try to give points
from both the perspectives in a GD. Listening to others' opinions and
contributing requires a good degree of patience and listening skills.
If we do not understand the
meaning of the topic, should we ask the Moderator to explain it to us?
No. You cannot ask the Moderator
the meaning of the topic. Instead of displaying your ignorance in this manner,
it is better to wait for some other participant to explain the meaning of the
topic. So listen to the discussion carefully for the first three or four
minutes, and when you have gained some idea about the topic, participate in the
discussion.
