Debate · lesson 22 of 24 · free

GD do’s, don’ts and body language — Debate and group discussion

Do let others finish, invite a quiet member (“Sana, what do you think?”), keep points short, speak up early, stay on topic and back points with facts. Don’t dominate the talk, interrupt, shout over others, stay silent, talk to only one person, mock ideas or check your phone. Your body speaks too: nod while listening, face the speaker and sit upright; avoid crossed arms with a frown, looking at the clock, pointing fingers and rolling your eyes.

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Debater's tip

Share the time, show you listen — “let others finish, invite quiet members, keep open, calm body language”

  1. Do: let others finish, invite quiet members, keep points short, stay on topic, give facts for points, speak to the whole group.
  2. Don’t: dominate, interrupt, shout over others, stay silent, mock ideas, check your phone.
  3. Positive body language: nodding, facing the speaker, sitting upright, open hands, a calm face, eye contact with all.

Use it for: Every GD, interview panel, class discussion and team meeting.

Worked example: 🚦 Do or don’t in a GD: interrupting others? → a don’t

  1. Cutting people off stops them finishing their point and makes the group tense.
  2. So interrupting others is a GD don’t.

Check: Practise aloud: in a 5-minute family GD, invite one quiet person in by name and nod while others speak ✓

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🏁 Lesson 22 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🚦 GD Etiquette Pro badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 8 lessons of Part 3 · Group discussion. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Group Discussion Worksheet: Do’s and Don’ts

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