What is a discussion?
A discussion is a talk where people think together about a topic. The aim is to understand better, to find new ideas or to decide something together. Nobody has to win.
This is different from a debate, where two sides try to beat each other, and from a conversation, which has no set aim.
- Sit so that everyone can see each other.
- Listen as much as you speak.
- Agree on a topic and a time first.
Sharing points of discussion
Each member puts forward a point: an idea, a fact, a question or a feeling about the topic.
- Keep it short: one point, 30 seconds.
- Link it to what was said: "I agree with Meena, and I would add..."
- Give others a turn before you speak again.
- Use a note-taker to write the points on the board.
Quiet members can be invited: "Ravi, what do you think?"
Broaden: bring in more views
To broaden a discussion means to look at more sides. Useful phrases:
- "Who sees it another way?"
- "How would a parent / a teacher / a younger child see this?"
- "I would add..."
- "What else could we try?"
Look at the topic from different angles: money, time, safety, fairness, feelings.
Deepen: ask why and for examples
To deepen a discussion means to go below the surface.
- "Why do you think that?"
- "Can you give an example?"
- "What would happen if...?"
- "What is the real cause?"
Keep asking "why" about three or four times. The last answer is usually the root reason, the thing that really matters.
Types of discussion
- Brainstorm: many quick ideas, no judging. Good for starting.
- Round table: everyone sits in a circle and gets a turn. Good for fairness.
- Panel: a few experts or chosen speakers talk, and the audience asks questions.
- Pair talk (think-pair-share): two people talk first, then share with the group.
- Group discussion: a small team talks to reach one decision, often marked in selection tests.
Choose the type that fits your aim: ideas, fairness, expert views or a decision.
Try it
Pick one topic ("How can we save water at school?"). Talk with a friend for 5 minutes. Count how many different points came (width) and how many times someone asked "why" (depth). Aim for 5 and 4.
Key formulas and definitions
- Good discussion = Wide (many points) + Deep (many whys)
- Broaden with: "Who sees it differently?" and "I would add..."
- Deepen with: "Why?" and "Can you give an example?"
- Key term, round table: everyone in a circle, each gets a turn
- Key term, panel: a few speakers talk, the audience asks
Worked examples
1. The topic is "Plastic bottles in school". Write one broadening and one deepening question.
Broadening: "How would the canteen staff see this problem?" Deepening: "Why do students throw bottles on the ground?"
2. Which type of discussion would you choose to get 30 ideas for a school fair in 10 minutes?
Brainstorm. It asks for many quick ideas with no judging, which fits the aim.
3. A member says "Exams are bad." Show how to deepen this with three questions and sample answers.
"Why are they bad?" - Students feel afraid. "Why afraid?" - They think marks decide everything. "Why do marks seem so big?" - Because they decide admissions. Root reason: the link between marks and admission.
Common mistakes
- Treating a discussion as a contest and trying to win.
- Speaking for a very long time so others cannot join.
- Only repeating your own point instead of building on what others said.
- Stopping at the first answer. Ask "why" a few more times to find the root.