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Summary
Group discussions are a great opportunity to share ideas and opinions about any topic. It's always important to share you thoughts but also to listen to others' opinions.
Discussing with friends and discussing with a group of classmates is completely different. With friends you are more confortable and sometimes you ended up talking all at once without properly listening to each other. Here are some Do's and Don'ts when discussing in a group.
Do | Don't |
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In a more formal environment, you may be given a stimulus like a text or an object as the central point of the discussion. This stimulus may introduce a topic of controversy in order to develop a more interesting discussion with different opinions and points of view.
When given the stimulus, and if you have time to prepare, there are certain things to take into consideration:
Usually during a group discussion, Standard English is used. In order to prepare for a discussion, you should think of a few sentences to help you in the process. Here are a few examples:
If you are involved in a discussion, it's important to listen to others opinions but you should also be able to respond accordingly. It's perfectly normal to have a different opinion as long as you give a valid and justified response. Here are some examples of what you can say:
Besides being able to give your opinion and listening to others, you should also learn how to ask questions. Asking questions helps the discussion move forward and also deconstruct someone's argument.
There are two different types of questions you can ask: open-ended questions or closed questions.
Open-ended questions | Example |
| The answer can't be a simple 'yes' or 'no'. It must be detailed and explain why your opinion is valid and correct. | "What were some of the challenges you faced when starting this new school year?" |
Closed questions | Example |
| Generally requires a 'yes' or 'no' answer. These questions usually force someone to commit to their opinion. | "Do you think there is too much crime in London?" |
How to listen effectively
How to debate effectively
FAQs
Question: What kind of questions can be asked when having a group discussion?
Answer: When having a group discussion, you can ask open-ended questions or closed questions. Open-ended questions need a more detailed explanation and a closed question only requires a 'yes' or 'no' answer.
Question: What are some don'ts when having a group discussion?
Answer: When having a group discussion, you shouldn't interrupt the person speaking or talk over anyone else.
Question: What are some do's when having a group discussion?
Answer: When having a group discussion you should speak clearly and with confidence, listen to others' opinions and comment on what is being said.
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