In a GD, it often happens that the topic is an abstract one and hardly anybody contributes. TestGenie will tell you how you can make the most of it in such a silent GD.

"Give as many interpretations to the topic as possible and drive the group in those directions. Then discuss each of them in detail"

You might be absolutely prepared for a heated or an over participative GD, which is popularly known as a fish market GD but often it happens that the topic is an abstract one and hardly anybody contributes. This article of TestGenie will tell you about how you can make the most of it in such a silent GD.

1. Opportunity to start: In this kind of a situation you have the opportunity to start the GD. If you are given an abstract topic, then you have the liberty to give your own interpretation. But remember, that your points have to be relevant. According to author, you should organize your thought process on the basis of PESTLE. P – Political, E – Economic, S – Social, T – Technological, L – Legal, E – Environmental. In this way, you can start the GD.


2. Give as many interpretations as possible: According to author interpret the topic in various ways and go in detail. “Give as many interpretations to the topic as possible and drive the group in those directions. Then discuss each of them in detail,” he says.


3. Don’t speak for long: If you find yourself speaking for too long, don’t continue that. Monologues are never appreciated in a GD. Speak for maximum one to two minutes and stop. If you deliver all your points at one go you won’t be able to come back in the discussion.


4. Roll the ball: After speaking your point, you must not stop abruptly or keep talking. The best way is to roll the ball in some fellow group member’s court. “Look at someone who appears receptive to your ideas so that it can be taken forward or at best gives the topic an interesting turn".


5. Listen carefully: If you are on the silent zone, then listen to others carefully. You can speak on a familiar topic and take the discussion forward. “In such a situation, the best solution is to listen". Clarify with the group. I am sure this process will itself generate ideas for you.


6. Don’t make it a one to one discussion: After you roll the ball, you might get an interesting receiver who drives the discussion in a different way. But it should not so happen that it’s only two of you talking. If you see that the discussion is turning into a one to one dialogue, encourage other members to participate or maintain eye contact in the entire group. “It is advisable to involve every body in the discussion by making firm eye contact with the group. One to one situations are not recommended and they do not last long in a healthy group”.


7. Utilize your leadership skills: In such a discussion where the topic is abstract and it can be interpreted in multiple ways, you can utilize your leadership skills by driving the discussion in a direction you are most comfortable in. For e.g. if the topic is driven in a social direction, in which you don’t have much points, you can utilize your leadership skills like your assertive body language and talk about some other topic in which you have more points and you are more comfortable.


8. Try to put contrary view if it goes in one direction: If the GD flows in only one direction and there is no additional point to add, you can give the discussion a new turn by putting a contrary view. But you must be fully assured of your ground work. “An example that comes to mind is of a GD at FMS where everyone agreed that terrorism is not justified. The Contrarian in this case launched a surprising and successful retort citing that most freedom struggles are considered terrorist movements before they are considered as freedom struggles. For instance several countries in Africa and the LTTE before their degeneration.”


9. Don’t say something which you are not sure of: This is not only applicable for this, but every GD. If you are not sure about something, you should not speak on that. Otherwise all your contributions will back fire.


10. Come to a consensus at the end: In a peaceful GD, it is not difficult to reach a consensus. But in case the discussion takes place in multiple directions, it is necessary to conclude it in a particular direction before it ends.