In a group discussion, effective participation requires a good member to find a balance between:
a) Speaking and listening
The essence of a discussion is sharing thoughts on a designated topic. Thus, it is essential to contribute verbally, but equally important to recognize the moments to pause and actively listen. An attentive listener focuses on what is spoken and may take notes as necessary. Yet, note-taking alone doesn't enhance the quality of the discussion. Whenever comments are made, they should be substantiated with evidence, and at times, summarizing the primary points can be beneficial. However, summarizing is not essential to being an effective participant in a discussion.
