INITIATION

INITIATION :

At the initiation level, you can take initiative by starting the group discussion. However, since all the candidates may try to take initiative and only one candidate can do it, there is a possibility that you may miss this chance. However, there is no need of feeling worried about this. You can show your initiative at the subsequent stage by infusing new ideas in an unconventional way. You can opt for the following methods either for starting the group discussion or supplementing it later:

At the initiation level, you can take initiative by starting the group discussion. However, since all the candidates may try to take initiative and only one candidate can do it, there is a possibility that you may miss this chance. However, there is no need of feeling worried about this. You can show your initiative at the subsequent stage by infusing new ideas in an unconventional way. You can opt for the following methods either for starting the group discussion or supplementing it later:

Definition. If you are the first speaker, define relevant words of the topic. For example, if the topic is: is presidential system is better than parliamentary system for India? , define presidential system and parliamentary system to set the clear perspective for further discussion.

Quotation. You can use relevant quotation to the topic possibly with the name of person whose quotation you are using. For example, if the topic is: customer is king, quote Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart Stores, USA, “There is only one boss: the customer. He can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.” For having relevant quotation, consult any book on the topic; there are many such books.

Question. You can put a question in response to a topic which ends with a question mark. For example, if the topic is: should public distribution system be abolished in India? Your question may be “we should not pose the question whether public distribution system in India should be abolished or not but the question is: how can it be made more effective to achieve its ultimate goal?” Thereafter, you may proceed to answer your question in order to maintain the flow of discussion.

Short Story. You can tell a short story that fits the topic. For example, if the topic is: should the USA attack on Iran? you can tell this story. A jackal was drinking water from a river. On the downward side of the river, a lamb also started drinking water. On this, jackal told lamb, “You are making my water dirty. I will kill you and eat you.” Lamb replied politely, “I am drinking water downside. How I can make your water dirty.” On this, jackal replied, “If you are not making my water dirty, your father or mother must have done it. In any case, I will kill and eat you.” After telling this story, you can present your views on the topic. You must have heard or read too many stories. Have presence of mind and recall one of these.

Facts and Figures. If you have facts and figures relevant to the topic, present these. For example, if the topic is: will China overtake India in information technology sector very soon?, quote facts and figures of both the countries in IT sector like rate of growth, their position in world IT export, availability of trained technical personnel, etc. Keep in mind that your figures may not necessarily be true to the decimal points, but these must be near to the actual.

Principles Involved. Mention principles involved in the topic. For example, if the topic is: does India need two-party system democracy?, mention that the basic principle of democracy is that there are only two parties involved – treasury bench and opposition. If you are in favor of two party systems in India, mention that whether we should have two-party system or multiple-party system, our discussion should be based on the basic principle of democracy.

The above unconventional methods of group discussion are relevant for attracting the attention of others including that of the evaluators. If you use these methods judiciously, you are likely to become a central figure in the group which is very important from evaluation point of view. It is not necessary that these methods can be used only at the initiation stage of the group discussion. Occasion may arise subsequently also. While using the above methods, ensure two things:

These methods must be used judiciously implying that they should not only be relevant to the topic but they must be appropriate in number.

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