Speaking and Listening: Effective Group Discussions
 What did you do to prepare in advance for the discussion? How well prepared were you?
 What rules were created for the discussion? Were they followed?
 How well did you present your viewpoint?
 How did your own background knowledge, experience, values, or beliefs affect the way
you presented your views? Explain.
 How successful were you at listening and responding to other group members?
 How did you use evidence to explain and defend your views, including when someone
disagreed with you?
 In what ways did other participants use reasoning and evidence to make their points?
 Were there any times when someone didn’t use evidence or the evidence didn’t match
the viewpoint presented? Did a participant exaggerate or distort information? Explain.
 Was there a time when someone’s viewpoint differed from your own? What might have
influenced his or her opposing viewpoint? Explain.
 How was your language grammatically correct and appropriate to the topic, purpose,
and audience? Give an example.
 What kinds of hand gestures and facial expressions did you and other people use to
match what was being said?
 How did you use eye contact, the volume of your voice, or other means to connect with
others during the discussion?
 How well did the group solve problems and come to consensus?
 Overall, how effective was the group discussion?