The reason why a GD is held is to identify various traits that the company is looking for in order to recruit the candidate. Some of such traits which the evaluators look out for in a candidate are –

Knowledge:

Knowledge about the subject can never be replaced in a GD. No matter how good you might be communicating, but if your sentences don’t reflect that your are knowledge bank then its probably not going to work out. You are required to talk in a GD but inputs that don’t contain any substantial value will not help in any way One has to keep himself updated by knowing what all is happening around the globe..

Alertness and presence of mind:

In a GD you are required to carefully listen to the other person’s thoughts and keep an argument, example or a supportive statement, fact, example ready to participate in the discussion. This shows how alert you are, how much importance you give to when some one is putting his or her point forward. This also shows hoe good listener you are, at time things turn up to be a mess when you feel that what is being said is not making sense. Don’t get irritated. Remember that you need to be calm and composed. Many times after a mess happening in a GD, candidates who are calm are selected. 

Out of the box thinking:
 

Yes! This the something that can help you get further selected because this reflects that you have a different way of looking at things. You need to be creative and have to put points that might amaze the panel. Remember, while working there are times when we need to find out solutions to the problem in a better way, thinking out of the box helps you finding smart and good solutions at times.