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What are the tips for a group discussion? How is it different from 'Debate'?

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Answer (1 of 4): The following are some of my views after attending to a few mock GDs in college. Stay Cool: Aggressiveness and idleness,both are counter productive. This means you should not loose your natural gesture. Don't fight or don't sit idle. You are there, not to debate or fight, but to...

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Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

There is much anticipation surrounding this election season's first presidential debate. It's each candidate's opportunity to present their ideas to a wide audience and persuade viewers of their positions. Similarly in a business presentation, a presenter must win over the audience and clearly communicate his point of view in a way that causes the audience to take action.

Here are a few tips to make a debate or presentation a successful event:

1. Know your subject. To be convincing as an authority on your subject and to be able to speak astutely, you should have an in-depth understanding of the topic and think on your feet. In a debate questions may come from the mediator or opponent, and in a business presentation a skeptical audience could confront you with a rigorous Q&A session. Knowing "your stuff" will make you prepared for anything that comes at you. But, knowing your arguments is just the half of it. You must also be able to combat the opposition with sound arguments. To be able to do that, it's important that you understand the other side's position. Your audience's opinions may also differ from yours, so you are not only countering your competition's point of view, you are also trying to convince the audience that your arguments are stronger and sounder.

2. Mind your actions. At any speaking event or meeting, all eyes are on you. You are not only being judged on what you say but also on your demeanor. Be mindful of your composure, avoid slouching or leaning. Pay attention to non-verbal reactions to your opponent's statement ‒ an eye roll or pursed lips could come across as rude or antagonistic. And be aware that even when you are not speaking, you are still being watched!

3. Hold your composure. The goal of your speech or presentation is to give the audience the opportunity to hear your thoughts, comprehend your message, and act upon them. In a highly stressful, heated setting, it is easy to get caught up in the emotion of the moment. But raising your voice or getting upset will not benefit your cause. Instead, keep collected even if your opponent or audience is trying to draw you into a shouting match. You will earn more respect for being calm and able to express your thoughts in a composed manner.

One of the things that make the presidential debates unique in comparison to most presentations is the lack of visual aids ‒ don't try to mimic this exclusion. Visual aids complement what you are saying to help convey your message. And, most importantly, they are processed much faster than words and are easier to remember.

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Three Tips for a Successful Debate or Presentation

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 26: Audience members listen to the Republican presidential candidates debate at the University North Florida on January 26, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. The debate is the last one before the Florida primaries January 31st. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife) There is much anticipation surrounding this election [...]

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Practice  your arguments:
If you know and have plan your interventions youll be confident at the moment of the debate.Also this could help you to dont repeat expressions.

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Make strong points,  differentiate yourself everytime you make an intervention. in this tip its more important QUALITY THAN QUANTITY.

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Know the topic about the debate:
To be more sure in your interventions you need to know well the information that will present through this. f you know the topic you can state better your arguments.

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Disposition of time in your interventions: In other to not make the debate or discussion tedious or repetitive, make your intervention from 30 to 90 seconds. And dont repeat your arguments every time you speak, try to add new facts to your arguments in each intervention.

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Good Attitude: To have more authority in your group discussion or debate you should always show a positive and confident attitude to expose your arguments.
Dont be agressive or rude while explaning your point of view to the others.
If you show a good attitude it could contribute to a further conclussion in the debate.