Chap. 9 Participating in Group Discussions Spring, 2010 Advanced Oral Communication Chen Yi-chen

A Success Group Discussion What is the purpose of having group discussions? – Two head are better than one. – Not to mention “many heads”!! What is the goal of group discussions? – Solve problems. – Brainstorm, exchange, and evaluate ideas and info. Why do group discussions sometimes become “not productive”? – Active and dynamic aura. – Participants wander aimlessly from point to point without a plan

Path to Successful Problem Solving for Group Discussion Step 1: Identify a problem to solve Step 2: Prove the problem exists Step 3: Explain the cause of the problem Step 4: Predict possible future effects of the problem. Step 5: Present possible solutions to the problem. Step 6: Select the best solutions.

Path to Being an Effective Group Leader Step 1: introduce the participants Step 2: state the problem to be discussed Step 3: make sure that the organizational plan is followed Step 4: encourage all group members to participate Step 5: provide transitions btw each step Step 6:bring the discussion to a close. Step 7: Thank the participants

Path to Being a Responsible Group Member Step 1: be prepared with evidence Step 2: make a sufficient number of contributions Step 3: don’t monopolize the discussion Step 4: be open-minded Step 5: pay attention to other participants’ contributions Step 6: refer to all participants by name

Activity Form a group of 6-7 people. leaderpresenterevaluator Choose a leader, a presenter, and an evaluator. Choose one or two cultural values/assumptions that interests all group members. Brainstorm what problems you can foresee Taiwanese encounter when being with American, or problems that American may face in their future. Explain the reasons. Find out solutions. Present the results to the class. Give evaluation & comments.