presentations questions

350 Top Q&A Questions to Expect for Any Presentations (Save Them Now!)

Zhun Yee Chew

350 Top Q&A Questions to Expect for Any Presentations (Save Them Now!)

Preparing the slide content is nothing compared to dealing with daunting questions during the Q&A session of a presentation. Sometimes, if we are not lucky, we will face a tough crowd with even tougher questions that may leave us feeling challenged on the spot. And none of us likes the awkward moment of not being able to provide a satisfactory response to the audience.

Answering Q&A questions is a skill that everyone can master with the right resources and the right amount of preparation. You’ve searched, and we have them for you.

In this article, you will find more than 300 Q&A questions that are most commonly asked in a wide range of presentation occasions. Save them so you can be ready for even the most unexpected questions in your upcoming presentations!

What Are Q&A Questions?

Q&A questions, short for “Questions and Answers”, are inquiries posed by an audience or participants to the speaker or presenter during the Q&A session of a presentation . This Q&A segment typically follows a presentation, a talk or a lecture, providing the opportunities for the audience to seek clarification, ask additional information, or understand the speaker’s perspectives.

The whole point of Q&A sessions is to make the presentation more interactive and foster engagement . It’s a chance for the audience to pick the speaker’s brain and get a better understanding of the subject.

What Are the Different Types of Presentations?

Business Presentations:

Sales pitches
Quarterly or annual reports
Performance reviews
Project proposals/updates
All-hands presentations

Academic Presentations:

Lesson presentations
Conference/research presentations
Classroom quiz games

Training Sessions:

Employee training
Onboarding sessions
Skills development workshops

Public Speaking:

Motivational speeches
Commencement addresses

Informative Presentations:

How-to presentations
Demonstrations
Informational sessions

Social Events:

Celebration speeches
Team-building activities
PowerPoint nights
Presentation games

Technology Presentations:

Software launches
Product launches

Crisis Management:

Crisis communication
Emergency response briefings
Contingency plans

Virtual Presentations:

Online conferences

Different presentations involve different audience types, and the nature of questions posed can vary significantly based on presentation formats and occasions. However, the core of a successful and engaging presentation remains constant – ensuring interactivity in a presentation and transforming it into a two-way street through Q&A questions and adding interactive elements or using interactive tools in your presentations.

Academic Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for lecture presentations.

Can you provide more examples for the concept/theory you just explained?
Are there any common misconceptions about this topic that we should be aware of?
What are the main differences between this and [related topic]?
Can you explain the steps involved in [specific process] in more detail?
What are the current research trends or developments in this field?
How does this concept connect to what we learned in the previous lesson?
Are there any alternative approaches to solve the problems here?
Can you recommend additional resources or readings?
Can you provide some tips for studying this material effectively?
Are there any real-world examples where this concept has been successfully applied?
What are the most common mistakes students make when working on assignments for this topic?
Can you explain the significance of this concept in the context of future careers?
What are the ethical considerations associated with the topics we are discussing?
Are there any current debates or controversies related to this topic?
How does this topic connect with interdisciplinary subjects or other courses?
Can you share examples of how this concept might be used in different industries or professions?
Can you summarize the key takeaways of today’s presentation?
Can you discuss any historical or cultural context that influences this topic?
How might this information be relevant to current events or societal issues?

Q&A Questions for Academic Conference Presentations

How did you decide on the research question or topic for your study?
How did you select your sample or participants, and how representative is it of the broader population?
Can you explain the methodology you used in your research and why you chose that approach?
What are the main findings or key results of your study?
How do your findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge in your field?
Can you discuss any limitations or challenges you encountered during your research?
What implications do your findings have for practitioners in the field?
Can you elaborate on the theoretical framework that guided your study?
What ethical considerations did you address in your research, and how were they managed?
How did you validate the reliability and validity of your research instruments or methods?
How did you address potential biases or confounding variables in your research?
How do your findings compare to previous research on the same or similar topics?
Can you discuss any unexpected or surprising results that you discovered during your study?
How did you handle data analysis, and what statistical methods were employed in your study?
What alternative explanations or interpretations of your data did you consider?
How does your research contribute to addressing specific gaps in current knowledge?
How did you control for potential confounding variables in your research design?
What recommendations do you have for policymakers based on your research findings?
How does your study relate to other recent or ongoing research in the same area?
Are your findings generalizable to different populations or settings?
How did you ensure the rigor of your data analysis and interpretation?
What role did collaboration play in your research, and how did you handle disagreements within the research team?
Can you share any unexpected challenges you faced during the research process?
How might your findings be applied in a practical context, such as in industry or education?
How did you establish the validity of your conclusions in light of potential bias or subjectivity?
What potential areas for future research did your study uncover?
Can you discuss the relevance of your research to current global or societal issues?
How did you handle any limitations in available resources or funding for your research?
What key takeaway message or lesson would you like the audience to remember from your presentation?

Q&A Questions for Student Presentations

Can you elaborate on the research process you used to gather information for your presentation?
Can you discuss the process of selecting and organizing the visual elements in your presentation, such as charts or graphs?
How did you decide on the topic or key elements to include in your presentation?
What challenges did you encounter while preparing for your presentation, and how did you overcome them?
What did you learn about the topic that surprised you during your research?
Can you explain the significance of your topic or its relevance to the course content?
Can you discuss any alternative perspectives or counter-arguments related to your topic that you considered?
What sources did you consult to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented?
Can you explain the connection between your topic and current events or real-world applications?
Can you share any specific examples or case studies that support the points you made in your presentation?
Can you elaborate on any implications or applications of your findings beyond the scope of your presentation?
Can you discuss any ethical considerations related to your topic that you addressed in your presentation?
How might your presentation contribute to the understanding of the broader course themes or objectives?
What aspects of the presentation are you most proud of, and what would you do differently next time?

Q&A Questions for Project-Based Lessons

What is the main goal or objective of this project, and how will our work contribute to it?
Can you provide more details about the criteria for success in this project?
How will our progress be assessed, and what are the key milestones or deadlines?
Can you clarify the roles and responsibilities of each team member in the project?
Are there specific resources or materials that we should use or reference for this project?
Can you provide examples of successful projects from previous classes or students?
Are there specific presentation or communication requirements for showcasing our project?
What opportunities for feedback and revision will be available throughout the project timeline?

Business Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for sales pitches.

What makes your product or service different from competitors in the market?
Can you provide some specific examples of companies or clients who have successfully used your product/service?
How does your product/service address specific pain points or challenges that customers commonly face?
Can you share some success stories or case studies related to your product/service?
How does your product/service integrate with existing tools or systems our company uses?
What kind of support or training is provided to customers after they purchase your product/service?
Can you explain the implementation process and how quickly we can expect to see results?
Are there any customization options available to tailor the product/service to our specific needs?
What kind of ongoing maintenance or updates does your product/service require?
How do you ensure the security and privacy of our data when using your product/service?
Are there any limitations or restrictions we should be aware of when using your product/service?
How often do you release updates or new features to your product/service?
Can you explain the scalability of your solution and how it can grow with our business?
What is your company’s roadmap for future developments or enhancements to the product/service?
What is the typical return on investment (ROI) that your customers experience after implementing your product/service?
How do you handle issues or challenges that may arise post-purchase?

Q&A Questions for Work Presentations

How does your proposal align with our company’s overall goals or strategic objectives?
What potential challenges do you foresee in implementing this plan, and how do you plan to address them?
Can you explain the specific roles and responsibilities of each team member involved in this project?
What kind of timeline are you envisioning for the different phases of this project?
Have you considered alternative approaches to achieve the same goals, and if so, what are they?
What resources, budget, and manpower will be required to execute this plan successfully?
How do you plan to measure the success or effectiveness of this project?
Are there any potential risks associated with your proposal, and what mitigation strategies do you have in place?
Can you provide examples of similar projects that have been successful in the past, either within our company or in other organizations?
How will you keep stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle?
What kind of collaboration and communication tools do you plan to use to keep the team connected?
Are there any dependencies or external factors that could impact the timeline or success of this project?
Can you explain how this project aligns with current industry trends or best practices?
What are the potential roadblocks or obstacles you anticipate, and how do you plan to overcome them?

Q&A Questions for Performance Review Presentations

Can you highlight specific projects or tasks where you feel you excelled?
How have you demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to take initiative?
Have there been any instances of conflict or difficult situations, and how did you handle them?
What accomplishments are you most proud of since our last performance review?
Where do you think you could have performed better, and what challenges did you face?
How well do you think your current responsibilities align with your career goals?
What new skills or responsibilities would you like to take on in the next year?
How have you found the feedback and communication within the team or organization?
How well do you feel you have contributed to team projects and collaborations?
Are there ways we can enhance teamwork and collaboration within the team?
Is there anything we can do to support you better in your role?
What additional resources or training do you think would benefit you in your role?
What motivates you in your work, and how can we ensure your continued motivation?
What steps can we take to help you achieve your long-term career goals?

Q&A Questions for Annual/Quarterly Report Presentations

Annual or quarterly report Q&A questions

How did specific projects or initiatives contribute to the overall success or challenges outlined in the report?
What challenges or obstacles did the team face during the reporting period, and how were they addressed?
Are there any unexpected or significant changes in the industry landscape that may affect future performance?
What steps were taken to mitigate risks and uncertainties identified in the previous reports?
Can you discuss the budgetary implications of the results presented in the report?
How did the team adapt to changes in customer preferences or demands during this reporting period?
How do the results align with the long-term strategic objectives of the organization?
Can you discuss any feedback or concerns received from clients, customers, or stakeholders mentioned in the report?
How did internal collaborations or cross-functional teamwork contribute to the outcomes presented?
What initiatives or projects are planned for the upcoming quarter or year in response to the findings in the report?
Can you elaborate on the return on investment (ROI) for specific marketing or promotional activities mentioned in the report?
How do the current results compare to benchmarks or industry standards for similar organizations?
Can you discuss any changes or improvements in operational processes that were implemented during the reporting period?
Can you provide insights into any potential areas for improvement or focus in the coming reporting period based on the data presented?

Q&A Questions for All-Hands Presentations

What are the key priorities and goals for the team in the upcoming quarter/year?
Can you provide more details about the recent changes in team structure or leadership?
How will recent industry trends or developments impact our team’s strategies moving forward?
Can you discuss the reasoning behind recent policy changes or updates within the team?
How will the team address challenges identified in recent performance reports or feedback?
Can you provide insights into the budget allocation and resource planning for the team?
How will the team adapt to changes in technology or tools that may affect our workflow?
What professional development opportunities will be available to team members in the coming months?
Can you share updates on recent achievements or milestones reached by the team?
Can you discuss the team’s approach to fostering diversity and inclusion within the workplace?
What strategies will be implemented to maintain team morale and motivation?
Can you elaborate on the team’s strategy for managing workloads and preventing burnout?
How will the team address any challenges related to communication?
What steps will be taken to recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements in the future?

Public Speaking Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for motivational presentations.

How did your background or experiences shape your perspective on the topic you discussed?
How can individuals or communities apply the ideas you shared in their own lives or work?
What impact do you hope your work will have on the future of [your topic]?
How has your perspective on [your topic] evolved throughout your journey, and what lessons have you learned?
How do you suggest we, as individuals, can contribute to or support the goals you outlined in your presentation?
What advice do you have for someone who wants to get involved in or pursue a similar field or project?
What are the common misconceptions or misunderstandings about [your topic] that you’d like to address?
How can the audience stay informed or engaged with ongoing developments in your field or topic?
Can you share personal experiences where you overcame significant obstacles and found motivation in [an area]?
What advice do you have for dealing with [a personal issue]?
How do you handle setbacks and failures in [an area]?
What daily habits or routines do you recommend for sustaining long-term motivation?
How can individuals at various career stages benefit from the insights you shared?
Can you share examples of successful individuals who have been a source of inspiration for you?

Informative Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for youtube or online webinar presentations.

How can I access the recording of this webinar for future reference?
Can you recommend any additional resources for further learning on this topic?
How does this information apply to different industries or professions?
How do you suggest we adapt these concepts to our specific organizational context?
How can we stay updated on new developments or research in this field?
Can you suggest strategies for overcoming resistance to change when implementing these ideas?
What role does ongoing professional development play in mastering the skills you discussed?
How can individuals without a background in this field apply the principles you discussed?
Can you explain the potential challenges or common mistakes people might encounter when trying this on their own?
How do you foresee the future trends or developments affecting the subject of this webinar?
Can you recommend specific tools or software that would enhance our implementation of these strategies?
What are some key indicators of success when implementing the strategies you discussed?
Can you discuss any industry standards or benchmarks related to the topics covered in this webinar?
What would be the first step you recommend for someone looking to implement these ideas in their organization?

Q&A Questions for Demonstration Presentations

Demonstration presentation Q&A questions

Can you clarify the purpose or goal of the demonstration?
What specific steps are involved in the process you just demonstrated?
Are there alternative methods or tools that can be used for this demonstration?
How long does it typically take to master this skill or process demonstrated?
Are there any safety precautions that should be considered?
Can you provide tips for troubleshooting or overcoming obstacles in the demonstrated activity?
How does this demonstration apply to real-world scenarios or practical situations?
Are there variations or advanced techniques related to this demonstration that you didn’t cover?
Can you share examples of successful applications or projects that used the demonstrated technique?
How does this demonstration align with current trends or innovations in the field?
What feedback or suggestions do you have for individuals attempting the demonstrated task for the first time?
Can you discuss any modifications or adaptations that may be necessary for different skill levels or abilities?

Training Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for training workshops.

Can you provide more examples or practice exercises to reinforce the concepts you just covered?
Are there any additional resources or recommended readings for further learning on this topic?
Can you explain the specific steps or strategies for applying what we’ve learned in a real-world context?
How often is this training updated to reflect changes in industry standards or best practices?
How can we track our progress and measure the effectiveness of this training?
Are there opportunities for practical application or hands-on exercises to reinforce the learning?
Can you discuss any potential challenges or common difficulties participants might encounter during the training?
Can you provide insights into how this training aligns with current trends or innovations in the industry?
How will successful completion of this training impact our professional development or career advancement?
What kind of ongoing support or resources will be available to participants after completing the training?
Can you explain the relevance of each module or section of the training to our specific roles or responsibilities?
Can you discuss any case studies or success stories related to individuals who have completed this training?
Can you outline the specific skills or competencies participants are expected to gain by the end of the training?

Creative Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for brainstorming presentations.

Brainstorming Presentation Q&A questions

How did you arrive at the ideas presented during the brainstorming session?
Can you provide more context on the criteria used to evaluate and prioritize the proposed ideas?
Are there specific goals or objectives that the brainstormed ideas aim to achieve?
How do the ideas generated align with the overall vision or mission of the team or organization?
Can you discuss any potential challenges or constraints that may impact the implementation of these ideas?
What steps will be taken to further develop and refine the selected ideas from the brainstorming session?
How will the team decide which ideas to prioritize or move forward with?
What role do you see each team member playing in the implementation or development of these ideas?
What steps will be taken to test or prototype the most promising ideas before full implementation?
Are there any potential synergies or connections between the different ideas presented?
Can you discuss the anticipated impact or outcomes of implementing these ideas on the team’s objectives?

Q&A Questions for Creative Work Showcase Presentations

What inspired your creative concept or idea?
Can you discuss your creative process and how you generated or developed your ideas?
How did you overcome creative blocks or challenges during the project?
Can you share any unexpected twists or turns that occurred during the creative process?
What influenced your choice of colors, themes, or visual elements in your presentation?
Can you discuss any alternative concepts or ideas that you considered before finalizing your creative work?
How did you decide on the overall tone or mood of your creative piece?
Can you discuss any specific techniques or tools you used to bring your creative vision to life?
How do you balance originality with meeting the expectations or objectives of the project?
Can you elaborate on the symbolism or deeper meaning behind certain elements in your creative work?
How did you ensure your creative work aligns with the intended message or purpose of the project?
Can you share any unexpected challenges you encountered while executing your creative ideas?
What advice do you have for others looking to enhance their creativity or embark on similar projects?
Can you discuss any future plans or developments related to your creative work?

Q&A Questions for Portfolio Presentations

How did you curate or select the pieces included in your portfolio?
Can you discuss the overarching themes or concepts that tie your portfolio together?
What criteria did you use to determine which projects or works to include in your portfolio?
Can you provide insights into your creative process for one of the featured projects?
How do you believe your portfolio reflects your growth or evolution as a professional or artist?
Can you discuss any challenges you encountered while working on specific projects in your portfolio?
What inspired the overall design and layout of your portfolio presentation?
Can you share any feedback or critiques you received during the creation of your portfolio?
How do you handle showcasing both personal and professional work in your portfolio?
How do you stay updated on current trends or techniques in your industry, and how does this influence your portfolio?
Can you elaborate on any technologies or tools you used to create or present your portfolio?
How do you handle showcasing a diverse range of skills or talents in your portfolio?
How do you balance consistency with variety in the presentation of your portfolio pieces?
Can you provide insights into the decision-making process behind the visual and aesthetic choices in your portfolio?

Subject-Based Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for history presentations.

Why is it important for us to study this particular historical period or event?
Can you provide more context on the social and cultural aspects of the time you discussed?
Are there any alternative perspectives or interpretations of the historical event you presented?
How did political or economic factors contribute to the events you covered in your presentation?
Can you discuss the impact of this historical period on contemporary society or global affairs?
How do historians generally view or interpret the significance of the events you discussed?
Can you elaborate on any controversies related to the historical topic you presented?
Can you discuss any parallels or connections between the historical events you covered and current events?
Can you elaborate on any lesser-known or overlooked aspects of the historical topic?
What were the main causes and consequences of the events discussed in this lesson?
How did global events or other regions influence the events in this specific historical context?
Can you share more details about the key figures or individuals involved in the historical events?
Can you discuss any social movements or cultural shifts that occurred during this time?
Were there any controversies or debates among historians regarding the interpretation of these events?
What primary sources or historical documents can we explore to gain a deeper understanding of this time?
What lessons or insights can we draw from the mistakes or successes of the past?

Q&A Questions for Geography Presentations

Can you explain the significance of the geographical features discussed in this lesson?
What are the cultural or societal aspects that make this geographic area unique?
Can you discuss the environmental challenges or changes occurring in the region you shared?
Are there any connections between the geography of a region and its cultural practices or traditions?
How has human activity impacted the natural landscapes and ecosystems in the region?
Can you provide insights into the economic factors shaping the geography of the area?
How do political boundaries or geopolitical factors influence the geography of the region?
Can you discuss any current or historical conflicts related to the geography you presented?
Can you share examples of how globalization has impacted the geography you discussed?
How does the geography of the area influence migration patterns and population distribution?
Can you discuss any challenges or opportunities related to urbanization in the region?
Can you provide examples of how transportation infrastructure shapes the geography of the region?
How do the geographical features discussed impact the local economy and lifestyle?
Can you discuss the role of sustainable development in shaping the geography of the region?
How does the geography of a region impact the availability and distribution of resources?

Q&A Questions for Science Presentations

How does this scientific theory or principle apply to real-world situations?
Can you provide examples of experiments or demonstrations that illustrate the principles being taught?
How do current advancements or research in technology influence our understanding of this science?
Can you provide examples of how this scientific concept has been applied in various industries?
Can you share insights into any ongoing or future research related to the subject of the lecture?
Can you elaborate on any potential interdisciplinary connections between this science and other fields?
How do you see the future developments or advancements shaping the field of science you discussed?
Can you discuss any recent advancements or breakthroughs in the field related to your presentation?
What experiments or studies have been conducted to support the information presented in your topic?
Are there any unanswered questions or areas of uncertainty in the scientific understanding of this topic?
Can you discuss the importance of peer review in the scientific process?

Q&A Questions for Social Science Presentations

Can you provide some background information on the topic?
Can you explain the significance of any statistical analyses or data presented in this studies?
How might cultural or societal factors influence the interpretation of the findings?
Are there any primary sources or case studies used in the lesson to illustrate these social science concepts?
What are the alternative opinions or perspectives that one should consider for this topic?
How can we critically evaluate bias in the research?
What are the roles of globalization or international perspectives in this topic?
Why is [a perspective/opinion] the case?
What are the potential objections for [a perspective/opinion]?
How does the topic of this lesson relate to broader social issues or current events?
Are there any conflicting theories or perspectives within the field related to this lesson’s content?
Can you explain the practical implications of the theories or concepts covered in this lesson?
How do the concepts covered in this lesson contribute to a deeper understanding of human behavior or society?
What are some potential criticisms or limitations of the theories presented in this lesson?

Q&A Questions for Art and Design Presentations

How do different artistic techniques contribute to the overall aesthetic of the piece?
Can you explain the cultural or historical influences behind the art or design style being taught?
How can personal experiences or emotions be expressed through art and design?
Can you provide examples of famous artists or designers who are known for this particular style or technique?
How does the use of color, shape, and composition impact the visual impact of the artwork or design?
Are there any contemporary or modern trends in art and design that relate to the topic of this lesson?
How does the art or design being taught relate to broader movements or styles in the art world?
How can art and design contribute to social or cultural change?

Fun Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for powerpoint night presentations.

Do you remember the time when we [shared a memorable adventure or experience]?
What’s your favorite memory from our past travels together?
If we were to plan a group vacation, what destination would you suggest for our bucket list?
What’s one place you’ve always wanted to visit that we haven’t explored together yet?
What’s the most spontaneous or unplanned adventure we’ve had?
What’s our favorite inside joke?
If we were to create a time capsule representing our friendship, what would you include in it?
What’s the craziest or most unexpected thing we’ve ever done together?
What’s your go-to travel snack or comfort food?
What’s a shared goal or dream destination you’d like to achieve with the group?
Can you recall the first time we met, and what was your initial impression of me?
What’s a skill or talent of mine that surprised you when you first discovered it?
If our group had a theme song, what do you think it should be and why?
If we were characters in a movie, how would you describe our dynamic or roles?
What’s a shared goal or aspiration that you think our group could work towards together?
What’s your favorite thing about our friendship that you cherish the most?
If we had a group motto or slogan, what do you think it should be?

Q&A Questions for PowerPoint Games

What are the rules of the game?
How long is the expected duration of the game?
Are there any specific materials or equipment needed to play the game?
Can you explain the objective or goal of the game?
Are there any hidden surprises in the game that players might not immediately notice?
Any secret tips for success in the game?
Are there any special prizes or incentives for winners of tonight’s games?
How is the game scored, and what determines the winner?
What happens if there’s a tie in the game?
Are there any variations or optional rules we should be aware of?
Can you explain the order of play and how turns are determined?
Are there penalties or consequences for certain actions during the game?
Can participants form teams, or is the game strictly individual play?
Are there any restrictions on player movement or interaction during the game?
Can you provide examples of common strategies or tactics used in the game?
How is cheating or rule violations handled in the game?
Can you recommend any strategies for newcomers or first-time players?

Feedback Q&A Questions

What specific aspects of the presentation do you think were most effective?
Can you provide suggestions for improving the clarity of certain points in the presentation?
How well do you think the presenter engaged with the audience during the presentation?
Were there any areas where you felt the presentation could have been more engaging or interactive?
Can you offer insights into the pacing of the presentation and whether it was appropriate?
What are your thoughts on the visual elements, such as slides or graphics, used in the presentation?
Were there any technical issues or challenges that affected your experience during the presentation?
Can you provide feedback on the overall organization and structure of the presentation?
Were there any moments in the presentation that you found particularly memorable or impactful?
Did the presenter effectively convey the key messages or takeaways of the presentation?
How well did the presenter connect with the audience’s level of understanding or familiarity with the topic?
Can you discuss any specific examples or anecdotes that resonated with you during the presentation?
Were there any instances where the presenter could have provided more context or background information?
What are your thoughts on the presenter’s use of language, tone, and overall communication style?
Can you suggest ways in which the presenter could improve audience engagement or participation?
Were there any aspects of the presentation that you found confusing or difficult to follow?
Can you share your overall impression of the presentation and whether it met your expectations?
What recommendations do you have for the presenter to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of future presentations?

Closing Thoughts

With more than 300 Q&A questions to help you with your preparation, you can save so much time thinking and anticipating the questions your audience may ask during the Q&A session of your presentation. Now, you can focus on what matters most – acing your presentation!

BONUS: Lazy to create PowerPoint presentations from scratch? Try these 11 top-rated AI PowerPoint generators (they’re free!), as well as these 4 ways to use ChatGPT to create PowerPoint presentations .

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Effective Presentation Skills Tutorial
Handling Questions and Answers

At the end of your presentation, if it is appropriate for the type of presentation, solicit questions from the audience.

Responding to Audience Questions

When someone is asking a question, make eye contact with that person, listen positively, and acknowledge by saying "thank you for that question," or say "that is an excellent question" or "that is an important question".

If the audience is in a large room and cannot hear each other's questions, repeat the question loudly for everyone to hear, before answering it.

If you know the answer to the question, respond appropriately and briefly so you can take more questions and not spend too much time on one question.

Effective Response to Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter effectively responding to an audience member's question .

Ineffective Response to Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter ineffectively responding to an audience member's question .

If the question is not relevant to the presentation, say something like, "I am really sorry that question is outside the scope of this presentation, but I will be happy to stay after the presentation and discuss it with you."

Effective Response to Off-topic Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter effectively responding to an off-topic question or one in which he or she does not know the answer .

Inappropriate Response to Off-topic Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter inappropriately responding to an off-topic question or one in which he or she does not know the answer .

If time is running out for answering all of the questions, say, "I am sorry. I am running out of time, but I will take one last question, and then I will be available at the end to answer any remaining questions."

If you do not know the answer to a question say, "That is an interesting question, and I will have to get back to you later on that" or ask the audience "Can someone help me with this?" or be gracious and acknowledge you do not know the answer at that time.

If an audience member criticizes or attacks what you had covered in your presentation, do not attack back, but separate the valid criticism from the personal attack, and respond to the criticism appropriately.

Some things not to do during the question and answer period:

Shuffling papers or technology and not making eye contact with the questioner
Belittling the questioner
Calling those who want to ask questions by their physical characteristics
Not taking questions in the sequence they are asked, but focusing on certain people or a side of the room

Asking Good Questions

If you are in the audience, know also how to ask good questions to indicate that you are following the presentation.

You can ask some general questions about any topic, and you may be genuinely curious about some things presented.

What were the most challenging aspects, or what surprised you the most, in conducting this project?
Why did you choose this particular methodology or argument instead of another one?
How did you collect the data? Were there any problems in collecting data? What was the sample size?
How did you validate your work? Did you validate with a real problem or situation?
What are some of the limitations of your work?
What recommendations do you have for further exploration in this project?

Learning to ask good questions at the end of a presentation demonstrates your active participation.

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Many otherwise extremely competent and confident presenters will tell you that they really dread the question and answer session of a presentation.

They seek ways to ‘avoid’ difficult questions. But it doesn’t have to be like that.

Dealing with questions in a presentation is a skill which anyone can master.

Perhaps the most important thing to understand is that, as a general rule, if people ask you questions, even hostile ones, it’s not to trip you up but because they genuinely want the answer.

Staying in Control of the Questions

Most people dread the question session because they fear losing control.

A little thought and some early planning can avoid this risk. But you can also avoid it by remembering that any presentation is an information exchange. It is as much for you to hear what people want to know as for them to hear from you.

However, if your presentation starts to get diverted by an interesting question, try saying something like:

“I think we’re getting a bit off topic here. Let’s put that to one side and you and I can chat about it later. Come and find me at the end and we’ll exchange contact details.”

“I’d really like to get on with the presentation, otherwise I may not have time to finish, but let’s talk about this later.”

Setting out some Ground Rules

At the start of your presentation, you should make it clear whether and when you would prefer to deal with questions - as you go along or at the end of the presentation.

Some speakers prefer questions to be raised as they arise during the presentation. The advantage of this approach is that any misunderstandings can be dealt with immediately. However, there is also a danger that the question will disrupt or distract the speaker, or that questions are raised that would have been covered later in the presentation.

Top tip! Categorising Questions

If you like to deal with questions as they arise, but you are concerned about the pitfalls, there is an easy way to handle this. In your introduction, explain that there are three types of questions:

The sort that seeks clarification of something that has just been said – you will answer those immediately;
The sort that asks a related question about something that you plan to cover later – you will answer those later in the presentation; and
The sort that is best dealt with offline because most of the audience probably won’t be interested, or it’s outside the topic of the presentation – you will make a note of the question and come back to the questioner afterwards.

When a Type 2 or 3 question is asked, you can then say something like:

“ That’s a Type 2 question, so I’ll park that for now, and cover it later. If you don’t think I’ve covered it by the end, remind me, and I’ll go over it.”

Other speakers prefer to deal with questions at the end of the presentation.

If you prefer this approach, ensure that you set aside sufficient time for questions but also limit the amount of time available. The amount of time will depend on the type of presentation you are giving but usually 10 minutes of question time should be sufficient.

The big advantage of this approach is that if you talk too quickly, you will simply have a longer question session: a big incentive to talk slowly and carefully, and make sure that your audience understands everything as you go.

You should not close the presentation with the question and answer session.

When you have finished answering questions, make sure that you have the last word with a strong assertion of your main message(s).

In other words, you can thank the audience for their questions and then summarise once again the main point or points that your presentation was designed to communicate.

An Introduction to Question Sessions

The main rule of question sessions is to treat your audience with the respect you would like to have shown to you, and answer their questions directly and honestly.

If they have asked a question, it is because they want to know the answer.

It is very unlikely that anyone will ask a question solely to trip you up, although this does happen.

If a question is provocative, answer it directly. Never be rude to the questioner or show you are upset. Do not compromise yourself but maintain your point of view and never lose your temper.

This tactic can be difficult to maintain but the key is being assertive.

Visit our section on assertiveness to learn some more tips, start with: Assertiveness - An Introduction .

Managing Questions

Listen carefully to the question and, if the audience is large, repeat it to ensure everyone in the audience has heard.

If you’re not sure you understood correctly, paraphrase it back to the questioner and check that you have it right. Answer briefly and to the point.

If you do not know the answer, then say so and offer to find out. Then ensure that you follow up . To be able to respond, you will need the questioner’s name and email address, so make sure that you speak to them before they or you leave.

“ I don’t know ” is a very acceptable answer to some difficult questions and it is much more acceptable than stumbling through an answer or making something up. “ I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know ” is even more acceptable.

Relax and do not feel as if you have to know everything. If you don’t know it is better to be honest than to try to pretend.

Trust takes a long time to build up, but it can be lost in moments, and audiences will almost always know when you are not being genuine.

An Alternative Tactic: Involving your Audience

If you are speaking to a well-informed audience, a professional group for example , and the question is a fairly general one to which you do not know the answer, consider asking the room if anyone else would like to respond. You may have the world expert on that subject sitting there who would be delighted to share their expertise with you all. If you have noticed someone in particular, you can even say:

“ I noticed that Professor X is in the room, so I wonder if he would like to comment on that to save me displaying my ignorance ”

“ My colleague over there is more familiar with that area than I am so, while I don’t want to put him on the spot, maybe he would be prepared to shed some light on this? ”

Most people will be fine with that approach, especially if they really do know more about it than you, and it will mean that the room gets a much better response. Yes, you’re the one standing at the front, but you don’t know everything.

You may also find our general pages on questioning useful see Questioning and Question Types .

Continue to: Coping with Presentation Nerves Managing the Presentation Event

See Also: Preparing for a Presentation | Organising the Material Deciding the Presentation Method Working with Visual Aids

Presentation Skills: How to answer those killer questions

Feb 19, 2017 by maurice decastro in communication skills , presentation skills , presentation tips.

Questions can be a major source of anxiety for many presenters.

In our presentation skills courses we are often asked to help people to answer questions more professionally.

It’s a much bigger issue than many people think.

When we probe a little deeper to understand the issue, our delegates often ask 3 questions:

1. ‘How do I respond confidently to a question I simply don’t know the answer to?’

2. ‘What if I don’t understand the question?

3. ‘How do I deal with hostile questions?’

Our first task is to re-frame the way we think about being asked questions. For many people that presents a significant challenge.

It is often perceived as the moment of truth

We’ve spent hours crafting our presentation to ensure its content rich and helpful. We know our content well and have practiced exhaustively.

We’ve left nothing to chance; so what’s the problem?

It’s as simple as it is frightening. We convince ourselves that our entire reputation depends on how we answer questions.

Unfortunately, there can be a touch of truth behind that limiting belief. That’s why it’s the cause of so much anxiety amongst presenters.

There’s plenty you can do to answer those challenging questions with confidence and credibility. Before we explore them, try to avoid this mistake.

Don’t answer a question saying:

“That is a really good question and I am glad you asked it.”

Quite often, it’s not a good question? If it’s not a good question the response sounds glib. If it is a good question, does that mean the others aren’t?

How you would feel if you asked the next question and the presenter didn’t acknowledge it as a ‘really good question’.

Just answer the question.

The scary six

Our job as presenters extends beyond crafting a content rich, compelling, presentation. We also have to deliver it in a way that is congruent with our message. We have to anticipate difficult questions too.

Surround yourself with a small group of people you trust and respect. Share your presentation with them giving each person a specific role.

Devil’s advocate

Ask them to be contentious, oppose your view and challenge the strength of your presentation.

Their role is to criticise you and to create an atmosphere of hostility and distrust.

The energy thief

Get them to look for a negative aspect of everything you say.

The know all

Encourage them to actively demonstrate that they know more than you on the topic.

Let them tell you in the most respectful way that they don’t agree with you.

The wanderer

They demonstrate that they haven’t listened to a word you said.

It’s not an excercise for the faint hearted because it takes courage.

It is, however an investment worth making.

Once the scary six have taken you and your presentation apart, take another look at your presentation.

As painful and as strange as it may sound, remember it’s not real and it won’t happen. You, however, will be prepared for anything.

What exactly should you do with those awkward questions?

Killer question 1 – You don’t know the answer

The old saying ‘honesty is the best policy’, has stood the test of time because it’s true. The moment you try to bluff your way through a question you don’t know the answer to, you lose your credibility.

Try this instead.

Step into the question. In other words, take a step forward towards your audience. If you are seated then lean forward into the table or desk.

Have you noticed how common it is for people to be on the ‘back foot’ when they don’t know the answer to a question?

Your challenge is to be on the front foot and to step into or lean into the question.

Acknowledge the person who asked the question with eye contact. After that, bring the rest of the room into your response with eye contact too. Once you’ve moved forward and made eye contact, confidently say, ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know’.

You have a few choices at this point. You can:

Ask the audience

“I don’t know the answer to that but I wonder whether anyone else in the audience does.”

“Can anyone help answer that question?”

Share a thought

You may not have the answer but you may have a view. Share a thought or perspective on the question if you have one.

‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know. In the meantime I have a thought on the issue. Please keep in mind that it’s not the answer to your question as I’ve already stated I don’t know the answer but here is a thought…

What’s your view on that?’

Ask for a moment

If you need a little time to think about the question, ask for it.

‘I need a few moments to think about that.’

This also take a little courage but remember, you don’t need to rush in to giving an answer.

Give yourself a little time to think. Your audience will respect you for it.

Postpone the answer

It may well be that you know the answer but under pressure the answer has slipped your mind. This is another opportunity to be honest.

‘ Given the importance of the question, I’d like to give you the most complete answer I can. I will need to get back to you in…’

Killer question 2 – You don’t understand the question

I’ve long held the view that most people don’t really listen. I believe that many do something else – they wait to speak.

“Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Stephen R. Covey

That is often the reason why we don’t understand the question. The solution is relatively simple; we need to really listen. That means:

– Listen – to the entire question

– Breathe – don’t leap straight into a response

– Check – ‘Let me just check that I understand you correctly, you are asking me if…’

‘To make sure that I’ve understood you correctly are you asking…’

If you still don’t understand the question, don’t panic. Take a deep breath and ask them to clarify what they mean. Explain politely that you are still not clear you understand the question.

Killer question 3 – It’s a hostile question

Most audiences are on your side. They are friendly, open and are keen to learn from you. That said, every now and then you may get what we call hostile questions.

They feel hostile because of the emotional charge. The questioner may wave their pen at you challenging or criticizing your perspective.

If this happens, your job is to remain calm. Depersonalize the attack and avoid being over defensive; easier said than done I know.

Your first priority is to diffuse the emotional charge and to take care of the rest of the audience whilst respecting the questioner.

Treat them the same as any other member of the audience. Answer their question as honestly and as professionally as you can.

Avoid matching your tone of voice to theirs. Stay calm, professional and polite. Remember that your audience will align with whoever is more courteous and respectful.

Very occasionaly it appears as though the questioner is looking for more of an argument rather than an answer. This is rare but if it happens, you owe it to the rest of your audience to close it down.

You do have some options:

– You can acknowledge their concern and suggest that the two of you meet separately after the presentation to discuss the matter in greater detail.

– If the questioner persists you can calmly assert:

‘I’m afraid I need to move on now.’

It’s possible that you may need to repeat this two or three times.

– A simple but powerful technique you can use to respectfully regain control of your presentation is to:

That means listening very closely and carefully to the perspective of the questioner.

You have listened closely enough to find something you can sincerely agree with. That does not mean you agree with a point they make even if you don’t. It means you listen intently for something that does make sense to you that you can agree with. When there is such a high emotional charge in a question it’s often fueled by passion and a need to be heard.

The questioner isn’t a bad person. They are simply someone who feels very strongly about what you are saying and may not share your perspective. Once you have listened closely enough to find something you can genuinely agree with, no matter how small, there is only one thing left to do.

You acknowledge that you agree with that element of their argument. Tell them that you understand their perspective or that the specific point they just made makes sense to you. Then you pause and you stay silent.

It’s more than a pause of course, as you are signalling to the questioner that you have nothing else to say on the matter.

You don’t say a word and watch what happens next.

Try to understand the motivation behind the question and tone. Share what you are picking up from them: “It sounds like your main concern is with the process. Is that correct?” This will encourage them to focus on the point they are trying to make. It will also give you a little time to consider a response.

One of the many key distinctions between a Mindful Presenter and a mediocre presenter is the ability to handle challenging questions professionally and effectively.

That distinction is achieved through the conscious focus and effort to:

– See questions as an opportunity to learn and engage, rather than be judged

– Listen very carefully to the question

– Lose the ‘headstuff’; in other words not making it all about you

– Pause and breathe

– Repeat the question if necessary and appropriate

– Understand the motivation behind the question

– Respect the questioner and the audience

– Anticipate difficult questions whilst crafting the presentation

– Stay calm, focused and on message

– Close the questions down politely and move on

If you need help answering those killer questions:

– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course .

– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching .

– Get yourself some excellent presentation training

Image courtesy of: iStock.com

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Guide for Handling Questions after a Presentation

October 19, 2017 - Dom Barnard

The questions at the end of a presentation can be terrifying for many speakers as they can’t be controlled and are hard to prepare for. However, questions form an important part of the presentation for the whole audience as they allow for clarification and consolidation of learning.

The presenter can enhance the usefulness of the question and answer session by treating it as a formal part of the presentation that requires as much careful planning and control as the delivery of the core material.

Identify possible questions and scope in your preparation

The background work that you undertook whilst planning your presentation is the key to handling questions effectively and understanding what type of audience you’ll be faced with. If you have defined a focus for your presentation and have explored this thoroughly in your research and planning, you are more likely to be able to confidently respond to questions.

When planning your presentation, you will need to prepare prompts for questions that are open and straightforward, for example saying “That’s the end of my presentation. I’ll be taking questions for the next 10 minutes”.

You might also want to define topics for discussion before taking questions, by stating the areas you’re willing to field questions in. Your preparation will help you identify topics you are not confident with and want to avoid in the questioning.

Prepare for questions after the presentation

Set some rules for asking questions

At the start of your presentation, make it clear when you would prefer to deal with questions – as you go along or at the end of the presentation.

If you leave questions until the end, plan to leave plenty of time for questions so that the audience doesn’t feel rushed.

Framework for responding to questions

Answering questions under pressure can make you say things you shouldn’t have – the nerves can force you to give an inappropriate response. In your panic you might have misinterpreted the question or given away company information that was sensitive. Use the following framework to help you respond effectively to your audience.

Practice answering AI-generated questions on your speech or presentation with VirtualSpeech .

1. Listen to the whole question

You don’t have to answer a question immediately. Pause for a few seconds, actively listen to all parts of the question and think about the best way to answer.

Frequently questions can change direction at the last moment, particularly if the questioner is thinking on their feet. This can throw you if you have already started to prepare an answer. Remember that questioners will frequently try to make a point whilst asking their question – it’s therefore important to both hear the content of the question and try to decipher the questioner’s intention.

2. Understand the context

If you are worried that you haven’t understood a question, ask them to clarify what they mean. Check for confirmation by paraphrasing the question back to the questioner – “You want me to list the improvements of X?”.

3. Involve the whole audience

It is important to remember that even though you are taking a question from one member of the audience, you are still responsible for the interest of the other audience members. This is particularly important in large groups as the audience will become bored if the presentation descends into a series of one-to-one discussions.

To involve the rest of the audience, make sure the whole audience has heard and understood the question by repeating it or paraphrasing it to the audience.

4. Respond concisely

When you reply to a question, direct your answer to both the questioner and other members of the audience. Try to keep your responses as focused as possible, leaving space for other questions. To avoid going into too much detail, check back with the questioner to see if you have answered their query – “Does that answer your question in enough detail?”.

We’ll cover different ways to respond in a later section.

5. Allow follow-up questions via email

You can also encourage your audience to ask questions after the event has finished by providing your email address. This shows a high level of respect for your audience and implies that the topic still has much further scope for enquiry.

Two good resources for handling questions

What’s the art of answering a tricky question?
Dodging the Question

Practice Answering Questions

Practice answering questions after your presentation using a 4 step process. Learn More

Options for answering the question

There are five possible choices depending on how well you understand and can answer the question. It’s okay to say that you don’t know the answer to something. This can add to your credibility instead of trying to waffle through an answer you don’t really know.

If you have a good answer for the question from the audience, go ahead and answer it in a short and clear message.

Ask a question back the audience member, such as “Can you clarify what you mean by that”. You can also attack the question if it is not related to the issue, factually inaccurate, personal or based on false assumptions. Be careful with this method.

Ask the question back to the audience or pass it to another panel member if possible. If suitable, another technique is to imply the question has been asked already, with you stating you don’t want to cover old ground.

Tell the audience member you will talk to them after the event. This gives you more time to think of a good answer and there is less pressure to give a perfect answer.

Or mention that that point is coming up in a slide.

This involves answering the question but changing the subject. You can also give a partial answer or give a negative answer, saying that something else will happen instead.

Avoid answering questions that fall outside of the remit of your talk: “I’m afraid that really falls outside of my objectives for today’s presentation. Perhaps we can resume discussion of that particular point later?”

Framework for handling questions after a presentation

Diagram Explained : Once you receive a question, you’ll have a few moments to think about it and reframe it in a way that makes sense to you. This will give you five choices on how to react – you can answer, reflect, deflect, defer or change the scope of the question. Once you’ve answered concisely, you can then follow up to check if the person asking the question is satisfied and then continue with the presentation.

Strategies to use when struggling to answer

Here are some strategies to use when you are struggling to answer the question posed to you. For more information, read this article on Dodging the Question .

Acknowledge the question without answering it – “That’s a good question, let’s consider the impact by looking at…”
The question fails to tackle the important issue.
The question is based on a false assumption.
The question is factually inaccurate.
The question is too personal or objectionable.
Decline to answer. Refuse to answer on the basis that it is not your area of responsibility or it is sensitive company information – “You will have to ask [name] because I wasn’t involved in that particular project.”
Partial answer
Start to answer but change the subject
Negative answer. You state what won’t happen instead of what will happen
Answer a similar question
State or imply the question has already been answered – “We’ve already covered that topic”

Things to avoid

When handling questions and answers, you will still need to be as professional as you have been for the main delivery of your presentation. There are some common dangers to avoid.

Answering the question you wished you’d been asked

A common trick played by politicians, this strategy ignores the precise nature of the question and uses a predetermined answer to the broad topic area. If handled poorly, this technique is very obvious to the audience and frustrating to the questioner.

Giving a lengthy response

This is the process whereby you make a lengthy response, including all the information you’d left out in planning the main presentation. Your unplanned response will be unstructured and rambling, so keep things focused and brief. If you find yourself rambling, ask them to talk to you after.

Passing the blame

Passing the blame to others comes across as weak and evasive. If an idea from the audience is a good one, acknowledge its value. If it isn’t, make a polite rebuttal and move on.

Defensive answers

Occasionally, questions can really put you on the spot, but it is important to remain calm and in control. An aggressive or defensive reply will be seen as weakness on your part and will spoil the effect of an otherwise successful presentation.

Handling difficult questions

It is important not to start responding to a difficult question before you have thought about the answer. Repeating the question and asking for clarification will help create some space for your thoughts.

Sometimes you will need to think about a question for a moment before responding. You may be able to buy a little bit of thinking time to help focus your response. Useful strategies include searching for an appropriate visual aid to help focus your response or simply pausing for a moment or two to think. For even more time, suggest that you’ll come back to the topic later (but don’t forget to do this).

7 myths when answering tough questions during presentations

Sometimes questions are too difficult to answer. Don’t worry about admitting that you don’t know something or haven’t considered an alternative approach. An enthusiastic “That’s an interesting idea, I’d not thought of that” is much more positive than a mumbled “I don’t know ”. Remember that a presentation is a two-way process and it is important to show that you are learning from your audience as well.

Finally, you can come across a questioner who disagrees strongly with your argument. Although this can feel very awkward, remember that you are still responsible for the whole audience and that you cannot allocate all of your question time to one individual.

If you feel that you have answered the initial question, announce that you will move on and suggest that you might continue discussion after the presentation. If the questioner persists, assert your position calmly by saying “I’m afraid I need to move on”.

You can read more on this topic here: Responding to questions effectively (PDF)

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7 Tips to Encourage Audience Questions in Your Presentation Q&A

September 19, 2017

Ever seen a presenter ask “Any questions?” at the end of their presentation, and heard only crickets from the audience?

In my work as a professional emcee and trade show presenter , I see it often, and it always makes me cringe because it’s so awkward, and so completely avoidable.

Asking for questions and getting none kills a presentation’s momentum. It usually goes like this:

The presenter, having run out of content, asks “Any questions?”
The audience, having no questions, freezes in place.
Everyone thinks they hear crickets, though there are none in the room.
The presenter, getting no questions, says, “OK, I guess I’m done.”

OUCH. How’d that happen?

Chances are, you caught your audience by surprise. They didn’t know you’d take questions, so they didn’t think of any. When you asked, you caught them off guard.

I want your next presentation to end with a bang, not a whimper. So try these tips to encourage questions:

1. PREPPING YOUR Q&A: PRIME YOUR AUDIENCE

> TIP THEM OFF EARLY: As you start your presentation, tell your audience: “I’ll take all your questions at the end, so write down your questions as you think of them along the way.” That’ll get them active thinking of questions throughout your presentation.

> REMIND THEM: A few minutes before you take questions, say: “I’ve got one more slide to cover, then I’ll take your questions.” That’ll remind them to think of some questions if they haven’t yet.

2. STARTING YOUR Q&A: GIVE THEM A NUDGE

> LEAVE ROOM: Starting a Q&A with little or no time left discourages questions; your audience wants to leave on time too! Instead, carve out 5-10 minutes or more for questions (and cut some content to make room if needed; your audience prioritizes the information they want to get over the information you want to share).

> USE A PLANT: Have a “plant” in the audience who’ll ask the first question (one you’re comfortable answering), which encourages other audience members to ask (and saves them the awkwardness of going first) and gives them time to think of something to ask.

> CHANGE YOUR PHRASING: Your audience may interpret the phrase “Any questions?” as a sign that you don’t expect or even want questions, which discourages them from asking. Instead, encourage questions by phrasing your question with a more upbeat, expectant tone: “Who’s got a question?” or “Who’d like to go first?”

> ASK IT YOURSELF: Ask yourself a common question: “One question I get often is…” Then answer it. Again, this encourages the audience to follow suit, and gives them more time to think of a question.

3. ENDING YOUR Q&A: ADD THAT BANG!

Q&A or not, ending your presentation by saying you’re ending your presentation (“OK, I guess I’m done”) will end your presentation with a whimper. You can easily replace that whimper with a “bang” by restating your main takeaway and thanking your audience:

“Folks, I hope my presentation has shown you that when it’s raining and you want to stay dry outside, use an umbrella! You won’t regret it. Thanks so much for your time.”

And thank you so much for your time!

by Andy Saks

Posted in: Sparky Says: Presentation & Public Speaking Tips | No Comments

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The most successful ways to answer questions from your audience.

Every presenter will eventually have to deal with questions from an audience, but what are the best ways to prepare for the questions they may ask? In this article Simon gives a few tips to make sure you’re always ready to answer your audience’s questions effectively, and with confidence .

Let’s face it, presentations are scary. And that’s quite right – they should be. Nerves show you care. If you’re not nervous, why are you bothering? I’ve met good presenters and I’ve met presenters who aren’t nervous: I can count the number of presenters who are in both camps on the thumbs of one foot.

So far, so obvious. But when I ask clients what the most scary bit of presentations is, they most common answer I get is, the questions section.

If I probe deeper, the reasons it’s the most nerve-wracking include things like:

I can control the rest of the presentation but not this bit
I can’t rehearse the questions – or the answers!
I have to think too fast
I might not know the answers
I might find out people didn’t like it
I might have made a mistake

The scary bit, then. The bit of the presentation which brings even experienced presenters out in a cold sweat. Before we get into the tools and techniques for handling questions, let’s look at some of these, very quickly. We can shoot a few of these issues down without breaking sweat – particularly the last few…

Get your ego out of the way

Let’s face it, if you’ve made mistakes, wouldn’t you like to know? If you’d rather people didn’t tell you that you’ve screwed up, you’re not ever going to get a job on my team. The same is true if you’d rather not know that people didn’t like it. Grow up.

And while we’re at it, if you don’t know the answers, that’s fine. Not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world. So long as you know enough, it’s okay. Not knowing the answers is only a problem if you don’t know too many of the answers.

So let’s move on and look at bit more at the ‘real’ issues.

The first thing to say is that more or less any and all of the tricks you learn as a presenter for handling nerves can be used at the start of questions. At the moment when you invite the questions, do your nerves-control-techniques , just like you did at the start of the presentation. (If you don’t have any, pay me to learn some 😉 )

The second key point is very simple. People only ask questions for one of two reasons. Firstly, to show off and secondly because they’re interested. The first group will be transparent to the audience, so don’t lose any sleep over anyone whose ego is bigger than their common sense. The second group, those who ask questions because they want to know more, are to be celebrated. They’re a good thing. Honestly.

Remember, people only ask questions if they care. The very fact that they’re asking questions is a great thing because it shows you did the key thing a presentation is supposed to do – you got them interested. When the questions happen, allow yourself a little smile inside. Result!

Predicting the future – and guessing the questions

But what about this idea that you don’t know what the questions are going to be?

Sorry, but that’s tosh. You might not be able to predict exactly what question, but you can certainly predict the sort of question. A structured, sensible process for designing your presentation – whatever process you use – will certainly throw up more content than you can fit into your presentation. The process of designing your presentation should start off by deciding what to remove.

Chances are, the questions you get will lie in that area you’ve cut out. And if that’s the case, you know what the content is, so you can design your answers just like you’d design the rest of your presentation . Simple.

Well yes… but just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy. Just ask anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight. The rules of “Eat less: move more” are simple – but not easy!

So let’s break it down a bit to make it more practical. I’m going to start by looking at how to handle the worst case scenario… the blank head where you just don’t know the answer. (Note, I’m dealing with it first because it’s easy to get out of the way, not because it happens often!)

I have no idea

The worst case scenario is simply not to know the answer, so let’s deal with that first. The best way I’ve ever found to handle this issue is to be honest about it, but to respond in a very structured way, so that my credibility stays intact. The formula is this:

I don’t know, but it’s a good point
so I’ll find out
and if you give me your email address I’ll get back to you about it
by lunchtime on Thursday

Obviously you change the time in the last part to be something you can handle. The first line is a simple admission that you’ve not got the answer to hand. The second part is where you start to recover. The last line is the critical one though. This is how you sound credible to the audience.

Try it for yourself: just say the first line and see how ‘shallow’ it sounds. Then start from the beginning and go through the first two lines. It’s better, but it’s not trustworthy. Finally, run through the whole set of lines and see how much more ‘weight’ the whole thing has when you make a specific promise.

It goes without saying that you need to deliver on that promise!

I still have no idea

A couple of alternative techniques are useful here, too… you can use these in a mix-and-match way.

Open up to the audience. Try something like “That’ a very good question – what does everyone else in the room think?”. If you do it with enough style and you’ve used an approach up until that point which has been sufficiently collaborative and informal, it can work seamlessly.
Use a broader-brush answer . Sometimes the question isn’t one that requires a very specific response. You’d be surprised how often one broad-brush answer can be applied to different questions. Take a few moments to consider if this is one of those times. If you’ve got (say) five or six such ‘generic’ answers sorted out in your head before you start your presentation you can often apply one of them instead of trying to improvise an answer.

Save yourself some thinking and PREP

Answering questions means you have to think hard and fast – about both the content of what you say and the way that you say it. One very handy trick is to use structured formulae to give your response a shape. That way you only need to think about the actual content – halving the work on your brain. Once you’ve learned these tools, not only will you love ‘em, you’ll spot them almost every time you listen to a political interview.

This formula is particularly handy for dealing with challenging questions: it stands for Past, Present and Future.

You use it like this:

“You’re absolutely right to point out that in the past our response times have been too slow. It often took us up to a week to get back to users who emailed in with questions – although the average response time was only 36 hours.”
“What we’re doing right now is investing in training 14 new members of the online help team. They’re all experts in the software already, so we’re just bringing them up to speed about how the helpdesk works.”
“What this means that starting next Monday we’ll have a bigger response team standing by, as these new people come on-stream: they should all be up-and-running within only ten days.”

(Numbers 1, 2 and 3 representing Past, Present and Future, in this example.)

This is the most subtle of the formulae, and it stands for Point, Reason, Example, Point. The last point is a restatement of the first one to really hammer it home, not a new point.

The Reason section of your response deals with big picture, data and statistical responses. It puts a logical set of facts to your audience. To make it more impactful with your audience you need to back it up with an Example . Finally you recap your Point .

This example shows you how I used it to respond to a challenging question about women’s rights from someone who was genuinely surprised that women and (more or less) equal rights to men in the UK, including being able to vote…

“Do I believe women should have the right to vote? Yes, absolutely!”
“Let’s face it, women make up a bit over half the population of the country and they bring in about forty-eight percent of our GDP – nearly half the money they country gets in.”
“In fact, in my own household, my wife has a great job and bring in nearly twice the amount I do. It makes her the economic head of the household, although we don’t think of it in those terms. It would seem daft to have the economic head of the household able to vote!”
“So yeah, absolutely, I think women should vote!”

I’ve labeled the PREP parts as numbers 1 to 4 so you can see what’s what, but the words should flow naturally.

That’s it. Actually it’s not – there’s always more to be said… but it’s a great start.

Predict your questions, prepare your answers. Celebrate them when you get them, and use formulae to help you structure your answers. You’ll be great!

Don’t finish with questions

It all too easily means your presentation gradually runs out of energy and finishes with a whimper. Better to end with a bang. What I do is to take the questions and then when there are (almost) no questions left, go back into ‘ delivery ’ mode to give a very (very!) brief summary before wrapping up with my trademark close. It means the presentation finishes with high energy, on my terms…

Latest Posts

Simon Raybould

+simon raybould, latest posts by simon raybould ( see all ).

Motivational Speakers – Are They All They’re Cracked Up To Be? - 4th April 2017
Do I Really Need Slides in Every Presentation? - 18th October 2016
The Most Successful Ways to Answer Questions From Your Audience - 8th September 2016

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The Art of Question & Answer: Handling Audience Questions Like a Pro

Hrideep barot.

Presentation , Public Speaking

If you have ever given a presentation , you might know how witty and challenging a question-and-answer session can get. Not knowing the answer to a question can be quite unnerving and leave a bad impression even after a fabulous presentation. This blog will help you bridge that gap before your next presentation. We will talk about how to maintain your composure as you deal with questions and also the different types of difficult questions one can face.

Why should I have a Question-and-answer session?

Having a Question and Answer (Q&A) session serves multiple valuable purposes. It transforms one-sided communication into a two-way exchange, turning lectures or speeches into engaging discussions. This interaction not only enhances audience engagement but also promotes collaboration and the collective building of knowledge. Historically, great questions have driven innovation and change, such as Isaac Newton’s curiosity about gravity. During a Q&A , encouraging audience participation by inviting questions and making eye contact with various attendees creates a sense of connection and keeps the session lively, much like a talk show host engaging their audience.

Including a question and answer (Q&A) session after your presentation holds numerous advantages and is a pivotal aspect of engaging with your audience effectively.

Let’s delve into these reasons:

1. audience engagement and participation: .

Inviting questions at the end of your presentation allows your audience to actively participate, transforming your session into an interactive experience. As Albert Einstein aptly put it, “The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

2. Addressing Confusion and Skepticism:

Your presentation might leave some audience members perplexed or unconvinced. Before you begin, it’s vital to gauge your audience’s understanding. As Aristotle noted, “Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.” Q&A provides an excellent opportunity to clarify doubts and bolster your argument.

3. Expanding on Your Message:

Often, time constraints force you to condense crucial information during your presentation. Q&A, however, empowers you to elaborate on your points, share practical examples, and address any opposition, creating a more comprehensive understanding. This aligns with Robert Frost’s sentiment: “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”

4. Fostering Natural Interaction:

Effective public speaking thrives on interaction. Audiences seek speakers who communicate openly and naturally. Q&A brings a conversational and relatable dimension to your presentation. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

5. Challenging Your Expertise:

The unpredictability of Q&A keeps you on your toes. You must be well-prepared and nimble to handle a variety of questions and objections. Eleanor Roosevelt’s words resonate: “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face.”

How do you answer Questions effectively?

Handling a question-and-answer session effectively requires preparation, communication skills, and adaptability. Whether you’re conducting a Q&A session as a speaker, presenter, or moderator, here are some tips to help you manage it effectively:

1. Preparation is Key:

Know your audience: Research your audience’s demographics, interests, and knowledge level. Tailor your responses to their needs and expectations. Imagine you’re hosting a Q&A session about pets. Knowing your audience means finding out if they’re mostly cat lovers, dog enthusiasts, or perhaps reptile fans. This helps you tailor your answers to their specific interests, like offering dog training tips for dog lovers and habitat ideas for reptile enthusiasts.

Anticipate questions: Develop a list of potential questions that might arise during the session. This can help you prepare concise and informative answers. If you’re giving a presentation about a superhero movie, anticipate questions like “Who’s the main villain?” or “What are the special powers of the hero?” Prepare concise answers to these common questions to keep the audience engaged.

Review your material: Revisit your presentation or discussion content before the Q&A session. This will help you recall key points and examples that may be relevant to questions. For Ex: You’re a teacher conducting a Q&A after a science class. Before the session, review your notes on the periodic table. This ensures that when a student asks, “What are the noble gases?” you can confidently explain their properties.

2. Set Expectations:

Clearly explain how the Q&A session will be structured. For example, inform the audience whether questions will be taken throughout the session or only at the end. Mention any time constraints.

Let the audience know if you have topics you’d like to cover or all questions are welcome.

For example: Think of a cooking class where you’re the instructor. Before starting, inform your students that they can ask questions anytime during the class. This sets the expectation that it’s an interactive learning experience.

3. Active Listening:

Give the questioner your full attention. Make eye contact, nod to acknowledge understanding, and avoid interrupting.

Repeat or rephrase the question if needed to ensure clarity and show that you are actively engaged with the questioner.

Imagine you’re a detective in a mystery novel. When a witness asks, “Did you see the suspect?”, listen attentively, nod to acknowledge, and ask follow-up questions to gather all the details. This demonstrates active listening.

4. Take a pause

Before answering any question there is a key aspect that makes you look smart and composed- “The Pause.” The Pause is where you gather your thoughts and prepare your answer in a gist. You decide how to answer the question and tackle it swiftly. If you perhaps don’t know the answer, what is the best way to say you will get back with an answer, and so on? You can get a firm grip on your audience as they wait for you to speak and then speak with utmost clarity, that is the power of Pauses.

5. Be Concise and Clear:

Answer each question briefly and directly. Avoid going off on tangents or providing excessive background information.

Use plain language and avoid jargon that might confuse the audience. Suppose you’re explaining how to play a video game. Instead of going into a lengthy backstory, say, “To win, you must collect all the magical crystals and defeat the dragon boss.” This clear and concise explanation keeps players engaged.

6. Stay Calm and Confident:

If you don’t know the answer to a question, admit it gracefully. Offer to research or follow up later, and don’t try to bluff your way through.

Maintain a calm and composed demeanor even in the face of challenging or critical questions. Focus on addressing the question, not the tone.

This is also where your preparation becomes your backbone and provides you the confidence to deal with your audience.

Also, I want you to remember that knowledge is very vast- The more you gain knowledge the more you realize how little you know! Do not worry about admitting that you don’t know an answer, you can provide whatever information you have and later get back to them when you do find one.

7. Manage Time:

Allocate a specific amount of time for the Q&A session and communicate this at the outset. Stick to the schedule to ensure you cover all planned topics. If necessary, prioritize questions based on relevance or importance.

Think of a soccer coach during a practice session. Allocate specific time for different drills and stick to the schedule. This ensures that all aspects of the game are covered within the session.

8. Field Diverse Questions:

Encourage a wide range of questions, including those that challenge your viewpoint or prompt discussion. This diversity can lead to more engaging and informative sessions.

For Example: In a book club discussion, encourage members to ask questions about various aspects of the book, from plot details to character motivations. This diversity of questions leads to a more engaging conversation.

9. Moderate Effectively:

As someone who has to give direction to the discussion, try to maintain control of the session and ensure questions are relevant to the topic and audience. Politely redirect or filter out off-topic or inappropriate questions.

Give everyone a chance to ask questions, and manage time to allow for a variety of voices to be heard.

Pretend you’re a radio DJ taking calls from listeners. If someone goes off-topic, gently steer the conversation back to the music or topic of the show to maintain a cohesive experience.

10. Encourage Feedback:

After the Q&A, ask the audience for feedback on the session’s effectiveness. This can help you improve future sessions and tailor them to the audience’s needs.

Example: After a group art project, ask each participant what they liked and what could be improved. This feedback helps everyone learn from the experience and create better art in the future.

11. Follow-Up:

If you promised to provide additional information or research an answer, do so promptly after the session. This demonstrates your commitment to addressing the audience’s needs.

12. Reflect and Improve:

After each session, take time to analyze what went well and what could be improved. Consider seeking feedback from colleagues or mentors to refine your Q&A skills for future engagements.

Can I answer a Question with a Question?

Many a time we think is it disrespectful to answer a question with a question, or perhaps even condescending? However, answering a question with a question can be an effective communication technique when used thoughtfully, but it’s essential to be mindful of the context and tone to avoid coming across as disrespectful or condescending.

Consider, for instance, a scenario where someone asks, “Do you know where my keys are?” Responding with, “Have you checked your coat pocket?” instead of a direct “yes” or “no” can be helpful. However, if someone in a team meeting asks, “How do we solve this problem?” replying with, “Well, what solutions have you considered?” can encourage collaborative problem-solving. So, while answering a question with a question can be a valuable tool for prompting critical thinking or guiding discussions, it’s crucial to gauge the situation and intent to ensure it’s used appropriately.

Types of Difficult Questions:

Often times in presentations we don’t get softball questions that are easy to handle but rather some sort of pushback. The audience tries to gauge your authenticity or simply disagrees with you. These are what we call Difficult questions. They are inquiries that pose challenges beyond their surface. They require careful consideration, provoke thought, or test one’s knowledge, often demanding more than a simple yes or no answer. Handling difficult questions effectively is a skill that involves not only providing accurate responses but also managing the dynamics of the discussion and the emotions of those asking. In this exploration, we’ll delve deeper into these challenging types of questions, dissect their nuances, and offer strategies for responding adeptly and constructively.

1. When You Don’t Know the Answer:

Challenge: It’s common to face questions to which you don’t have an immediate answer, especially in complex or unfamiliar topics.
Example: In a technical presentation, someone asks a highly technical question beyond your expertise.
Admit it gracefully: Acknowledge that you don’t have the answer, but express your willingness to find it.
Offer a partial answer: Share what you do know or suggest possible resources or experts to consult.
Follow up: Make a commitment to research and provide a comprehensive response after the session.

2. Too Many Questions at the Same Time (Machine Gun Questioning):

Challenge: Some audience members may bombard you with multiple questions all at once, making it difficult to respond coherently.
Example: An audience member asks, “How does this technology work, and what are its applications? Can you explain its impact on the industry?”
Politely request clarification: Ask the person to specify which question they’d like you to address first.
Address one question at a time: Break down the multiple questions into individual responses to maintain clarity.
Control the pace: Politely request that questions be asked one at a time to facilitate a more organized discussion.

3. Audience Member Makes a Statement and Tries to Take Over:

Challenge: Some individuals may attempt to dominate the Q&A session by making lengthy statements or challenging your expertise.
Example: An audience member insists on sharing their own knowledge and experience, seemingly to undermine your credibility.
Acknowledge their input: Politely thank them for their perspective and acknowledge their knowledge.
Redirect the focus: Gently guide the conversation back to the topic or the question at hand.
Set boundaries: Establish ground rules for the Q&A session at the beginning, emphasizing that questions should be concise and relevant.

4. Emotional Questions Driven by Anger:

Challenge: Emotionally charged questions, often stemming from anger or frustration, can be challenging to handle without escalating tension.
Example: An audience member confronts you with anger about a controversial topic you’re discussing.
Stay calm and empathetic: Maintain composure, listen attentively, and acknowledge the person’s emotions.
Avoid confrontation: Refrain from responding with defensiveness or aggression, as it can escalate the situation.
Reframe the question: Politely ask the person to rephrase their question in a more constructive and specific manner.

5. Off-Topic Questions:

Challenge: Sometimes, audience members ask questions that are unrelated to the topic of your presentation or discussion.
Example: In a business presentation on marketing strategies, someone asks about your personal hobbies.
Politely redirect: Acknowledge the question but gently steer the conversation back to the main topic.
Offer to discuss later: Suggest discussing off-topic questions after the session to avoid derailing the current discussion.

6. Provocative Questions:

Challenge: These questions are designed to provoke a reaction or create controversy.
Example: During a political debate, someone asks a loaded question aimed at stirring up emotions rather than seeking a constructive answer.
Stay composed: Maintain a calm and respectful demeanor when responding, regardless of the provocation.
Address the core issue: Focus on the underlying topic or concern within the provocative question rather than getting drawn into the emotional aspect.

7. Incomprehensible Questions:

Challenge: Some questions are poorly phrased or unclear, making it challenging to discern the intent behind them.
Example: An audience member asks a question with convoluted language and vague references.
Seek clarification: Politely ask the person to rephrase or clarify their question to ensure you understand it correctly.
Paraphrase and respond: Restate what you believe the question is about, and answer based on your interpretation. The person can then confirm or correct your understanding.

8. Condescending Questions:

Challenge: These questions are posed in a belittling or patronizing manner, often implying that the person asking believes they know better.
Example: An audience member asks, “Do you even understand the basics of this topic?”
Maintain professionalism: Respond with professionalism and confidence, avoiding any temptation to match the condescension.
Address the question’s substance: Focus on providing a well-informed and concise response to demonstrate your expertise.

9. Overly Technical Questions:

Challenge: In technical or specialized discussions, questions may become overly complex, making it challenging for a broader audience to follow.
Example: A highly technical question filled with industry-specific jargon is asked in a general audience setting.
Simplify the response: Offer a simplified explanation or analogy to make the answer accessible to a broader audience.
Offer follow-up resources: Suggest additional reading or resources for those interested in delving deeper into the technical details.

Handling these challenging question scenarios effectively requires a combination of good communication skills, patience, and tact. Remember that the goal is to maintain a productive and respectful dialogue with your audience while addressing their concerns and inquiries.

Who is responsible for answering questions from the audience at the time of the presentation?

The responsibility for answering questions from the audience during a presentation primarily falls on the presenter (most likely You). You’re the one who’s been preparing and practicing your presentation for weeks, months, or maybe even years. You’re the guru on the stage, the oracle of information. When those curious souls in the audience raise their hands or type away with their burning questions, it’s your time to shine. You get to flex your brain muscles and give them answers that will make their heads spin (in a good way, of course). It’s your duty to facilitate a productive Q&A session by actively listening to each question, providing thoughtful and accurate responses, and ensuring that the discussion remains relevant to the topic at hand. However, in some cases, especially during larger presentations or panel discussions, a moderator or facilitator may assist in managing the question-and-answer

In conclusion, mastering the art of Q&A, and handling audience questions like a pro, is a skill that can transform any presentation, discussion, or public speaking engagement. By understanding the diverse types of questions that may arise and adopting effective strategies to address them, you can create an interactive and engaging dialogue with your audience. From riddles that stimulate creativity to emotionally charged inquiries that demand empathy, each question offers a unique opportunity to connect, educate, and inspire.

Remember, the key to success lies in active listening, clear communication, and maintaining composure, even in the face of challenging questions. Whether you’re a speaker, presenter, moderator, or simply someone engaged in a meaningful conversation, the ability to navigate difficult questions with finesse not only enhances your credibility but also fosters a more enriching and enlightening exchange of ideas. So, embrace the art of Q&A, and with practice and patience, you’ll continue to refine this valuable skill, ensuring that your interactions with your audience are both memorable and impactful.

To learn more about how to conduct presentations and improve your communication skills in the workplace you can try our coaching program here .

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How to Answer Questions After A Presentation – 11 Tips

August 12, 2022

How do you answer questions after your presentation? For many people, handling questions is the scariest part of presenting.

Answering questions becomes much easier if you prepare properly. so how do the best presenters answer challenging questions effectively, answering presentation questions is a real skill. and it’s a skill you can learn. over the last 15 years we’ve coached thousands of people to be brilliant at presentation questions and answers. , do please call us and we’ll tell you about our presentation coaching – it’s fast and good value., having coached executives for critical presentations for nearly 15 years, we recently asked our team of experts for their top tips., whether you are a business executive or from the c-suite or just want to improve how you present, these ten tips will help you shine when you answer questions:, ten steps for answering questions after a presentation., 1. listen to the question fully 2. think like a teacher 3. remember, every question is different 4. think, all questions are good questions 5. use each presentation question is an opportunity 6. it’s more then just what you say 7. prepare your answers properly 8. avoid unanswerable questions 9. end your answer strongly 10.avoid question traps 11. extra question answering tip.

Let’s review each tip in turn:

To Answer Questions Tip #1. Listen to the question!

Take a mental step back when you hear a question.

What’s really being asked?
What’s behind the query?
Is there a hidden agenda?

Don’t be tempted to think of the answer as soon as you hear the start of the question. Instead be an active listener. You may need to clarify the question before answering. If you are not certain what you are being asked, you may answer the question you want, rather than the question they asked. And as you listen, you will learn something . Most questioners are looking for something specific.

How to clarify the question you are asked If you are not 100% sure what you are being asked, then use one of these question clarification techniques. 1. Repeat the question back and rephrase – then check that’s what they want to hear 2. Ask a question 3. Ask them to repeat the question. 4. Apologies, and say you did not understand, could they please repeat.

Answer Questions Confidently Tip #2. Have the mind-set of a teacher

A question is not an exam test . If you are asked a question, its because someone wants to know something. Your job is to help them understand. Whatever is on their mind, how can you help them?

So, put yourself in the role of a teacher. You have presented on a subject you understand, and you have a someone who wants to know more. Your can inform, educate and perhaps even entertain. If you do it right, you will look good in the eyes of the questioner and in the eyes of the audience. Enjoy the prospect of helping people when you answer questions.

Answering Questions Tip #3. Every question is different

We can never know what’s going on in the minds of the audience. That means each person in the audience will see you differently. For some, it will be about protecting their own interests, for others it may be about gathering more information.

And people have their own style – from super soft to nail hard . You’ll have to assess where they are coming from, what they re looking for and how they think. The best way to answer questions is to listen and learn from the comments they make and the questions they ask.

Answering Questions Tip #4. There’s no such thing as a stupid question

It may sound stupid to you, but every audience question is aimed at understanding something. Don’t assume that you know what the person really wants. Perhaps they don’t understand – or perhaps they are testing how you react (yes, some people do this!). So treat every question with respect, consideration and then use it as an opportunity to help the audience understand better.

Presentation Questions Tip #5. Every question is an opportunity

If you are properly prepared for your presentation, then you will have key messages to get across. Use your answers to reinforce, restate, or reframe your messages.

Beware of feeling challenged by tough questions . You do not want to look defensive of uncertain. Instead, like a teacher, you want to help your questioner and perhaps help the audience see the world the way you see it. One powerful piece of advice is Show, Don’t Tell. Use stories , examples and illustrations to bring your business to life when answering tough questions.

Answering Questions Tip #6. How you answer questions is as important as what you say

As we said before, your meeting is not an exam. It’s more like a meeting of minds. So work out what the other person believes and is feeling. How can you do this?

You could ask probing questions, such as:

Does what I’ve just said explain it?
Do you want to know more?

For more hypothetical questions you could explore what they believe: “And what do you think?” The more it feels like a conversation rather then a quiz, the more likely you’ll be successful.

Give Great Answers Tip #7. You must prepare

We have seen too many people turn up to presentation Q&A sessions unprepared. By contrast, successful presenters and management teams prepare to answer questions with the intensity of an elite athlete.

After all, you want to be seen at your peak when presenting.

There are three best practice techniques for preparing your Q&A:

List the tough questions you may be asked – especially the ones you don’t want to be asked. Work out answers to these in advance, decide which should be answered before the Q&A by incorporating it into an earlier part of your presentation, and which will wait for the Q&A.
Select who in your team will respond – You will feel more confident and, if the questions do get asked, you will be properly prepared.
Bring in a fresh perspective . Get someone outside the organisation to identify new questions you may get asked – and get the outsider to listen to your answers to the tough questions. A neutral third party (like Benjamin Ball Associates ) can give you insight and expose the weaknesses in your arguments and answers.
Stress-test your answer s. Spend time as a team firing questions back and forth. Then review how you answer these. Keep at this until you have got it right. The more you prepare, the more natural you will sound.

For important presenting events, we frequently spend many hours preparing teams with tough questions, video review and rehearsals. Just like elite athletes, you only build muscle strength with practice.

Answering Questions Tip #8. Don’t try and answer impossible questions

There are some audience questions you cannot answer. If you learn our approach of Question Triage (a technique for classifying questions up front) you can spot these a mile off. Then you can use proven techniques to get yourself back to safe ground and onto a topic that you can talk about with confidence.

Presentation Question Answering Tip #9. Finish strong

Audience question sessions often end flat. Frequently, people feel pressured to finish quickly, especially if time is short. This is a mistake.

Never miss this opportunity to reinforce your important messages while also showing that you have listened to what the other person has said. Even a strong 30-second summary at the end will show that you have listened. This can also highlight what they need to hear.

Tough Question Tip #10. Beware the last question trap

AKA the Columbo moment. If you are a child of the ‘70s you may remember the TV series Columbo .

The bumbling detective always finished his interview with a suspect and, as he walked away, would say “Just, one more thing….’ With that one line he caught the suspect off guard and got the information he needed.

How to answer questions confidently

Top tips for answering questions confidently

What To Do Next to Better Answer Presentation Questions

I f you’d like to improve how you handle tough questions, please give us a call.

We’d be happy to discuss ways we can help you. For example, we run extensive Q&A rehearsals to build skills and increase confidence. You’ll find that working with our experts is a small investment that can deliver amazingly high returns. We offer short, intensive coaching sessions.

To discuss how you can improve your next presentation question session, please call Louise Angus on 020 7018 0922 or email [email protected] .

Transform your presentation skills with tailored coaching

Benjamin Ball Associates Presentation skills coaching team

We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too .

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.” Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice of leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East to improve presentation skills and presentations through coaching, training and expert advice.

Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level with Benjamin Ball Associates.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email [email protected] to find out more and discuss transforming your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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The Question & Answer (or Q&A) session happens at the end of your presentation—audience members are free to ask you questions about your content and your ideas, and you have the chance to show how well you know your research.

But what happens if someone asks a tough question?

In this section, we'll look at how to handle audience questions so you can feel more in control of the situation.

Tips for Answering Questions in a Presentation

Make sure you understand the question and that you've heard everything the person wants to learn.

Re-state the question in your own words and have the person confirm that you've heard and understood their question. For example, you could say, "Are you asking…?" or "Did you mean…?" before rephrasing the person's question.

Be direct and honest. If you don't know the answer, that's okay too, but you should try your best to respond in a way that will satisfy the person who asked you the question.

Use a story that is relatable to the audience to build a better connection with your audience.

If someone asks you a difficult question, don't get rattled! Make sure you're polite, professional, and courteous. Be prepared for your presentation—think about what people might ask you during your presentation and either include the content in your session or leave it for the Q&A.

How to Handle Different Types of Questions

Handling questions from audience members can be one of the most difficult aspects of presenting your work. So, what kinds of questions might come up during your Q&A session?

Check the boxes below to learn more about a few different types of questions and how to handle them.

Direct Questions

Direct questions are the typical questions we use when we want information. Direct questions require direct answers. You want to be clear and concise with your response, and you'll likely only need one sentence to answer the question.

There are three types of direct questions:

True/False (Yes/No) : You either confirm or deny what the questioner has asked you.
Multiple Choice : You state which option is true based on two or more choices included in the question.
Fill in the Blank : Your answer will provide missing information for the questioner.

Hostile Questions

Hostile questions are often designed to challenge the narrative, structure, and conclusions of your presentation. These types of questions can range from annoying comments or rude interruptions to mild differences of opinion to highly charged challenges.

It's important to handle these kinds of disagreeable questions without getting hostile back. Remember: You have the power to control and optimize these difficult situations.

Types of Hostile Questions

Four common types of hostile questions include:

Example: "Your conclusion here is unrealistic, don't you think so?"

With these types of questions, you can respond with a simple “No,” immediately followed by a recap of the issue under consideration.

For example: "No, my conclusion is based on… and…"

In this case, long answers can be effective for diffusing the hostility. Maintain a neutral expression, and maintain eye contact with the questioner. Focus on the issue at hand and use this time to reinforce your ideas. Don’t let your emotions dictate your response.

Example: "How can you suggest such a flawed idea to solve this issue?"

What's essential about your response here is that you do not repeat the inflammatory word (in this case, it would be "flawed"). Keep a cool head, and summarize the issue without repeating the word that the questioner used.

For example: You might start your response saying, “The issue at hand is what impact this solution will have on our user group going forward… ”

You can then use this time to provide more information about how you came to this solution for this particular user group. Respond on your terms, not the terms of the questioner.

Example: "What kinds of sources did you look at to come to your conclusion?"

This type of hostile question is difficult to convey in a written form because they will sound similar to a direct question. The question is not using any inflammatory words or asking you to agree with a negative, but the question may still be hostile depending on the tone

In these situations, ignore the tone and respond as if the question was asked in a completely straightforward way–as difficult as that may be. Stay calm and give the questioner the information in a simple, direct way.

Example: "Given your background and limited knowledge on this subject, why did you even choose this topic for your presentation?"

Negative preconditions refer to the inclusion of negative assumptions or statements about the presenter or their work before the question is even asked. By framing the question in a negative way first, the presenter is then put into a defensive position, which makes it harder to provide a confident or satisfactory answer.

Similar to inflammatory trigger words, try to ignore the negative preconditions and focus exclusively on the issue at hand.

For example: "During this project I learned… which has a major impact on… As I stated earlier in the presentation, I was drawn to this topic because of… and… which has helped me…"

It's important to note that these kinds of negative preconditions are not constructive or helpful in the classroom—ideally, your professor will confront the person who asked a question like this!

Multi-Part Questions

Multi-part questions are questions that have multiple distinct parts or sub-questions. Instead of asking a single, straightforward question, the questioner will weave together different inquires in the same question.

For example: "I appreciated that your project focused on renewable energy sources—I was curious about a few things: What are the advantages of those sources in Ontario? Are they more expensive than our current energy solutions? What's their potential for widespread adoption here?"

As a presenter, it can be difficult to keep track of all these different questions—in most cases, the questioner genuinely wants more information, but they know you'll only have time to call on them once during the Q&A session.

You can approach this situation by answering each part separately. It can help to pretend a different questioner asked each question. Make sure that you're concise with your answers so that other audience members can ask their questions as well.

If you're having trouble remembering each part of the multi-part question, you can ask: "Could you remind me of your next question?" There's nothing wrong with briefly asking the questioner to repeat a part of their question—it shows that you care about providing a complete answer for your audience.

Long-winded 'Questions'

Long-winded 'questions' are more of an experience than a question.

In this situation, an audience member will flood you with their opinions or personal stories and there may or may not be a question tacked on to the end of their speech—but you're still expected to respond to them.

For example: "This is more of a comment, but your presentation reminded me of a project I worked on where I had to… It's refreshing to see someone else explore this topic, I only just learned about it last term when we… I was hoping to learn more about… I added something similar in my presentation for… … …"

A simple way to handle this situation is to acknowledge the higher-level, big picture ideas in what the person has said, and to then talk to the central idea of their 'question'. You don't need to address all the smaller opinions or ideas the person has shared—just stay focused on the key ideas or arguments from your presentation.

You could start by saying, "Clearly, there are a lot of issues going on here. Overall, I would say…" and then either answer the question or summarize your key ideas in about 2-3 sentences. Then you can move on to the next questioner.

Watch the video below to learn about the tone you should use during your Q&A session. You'll also learn specific phrases you can use to clarify questions or communicate when you're not sure about an answer.

Tips to Run a Successful Q&A Session

Successful presenters prepare for the Q&A session with the same focus and detail as their presentations—this is a chance for you share extra details, clarify any confusion, and make a great last impression on your audience.

Check the boxes below to learn what you should do before and during your presentation to create a smooth, successful Q&A!

Before Your Presentation

You might not know exactly which questions you'll be asked during your Q&A session, but there are still ways you can prepare yourself.

Try the following three techniques before your next presentation:

Work out the answers to these questions as you're working on your presentation—these questions can help you figure out where you might need to do more research. Decide which questions you'll incorporate into your presentation, and which ones you'll leave to the Q&A session.

Test out your presentation with a friend, a family member, or a tutor at Sheridan's Tutoring Centre . Ideally, you want to test your presentation on someone with little to no knowledge about your topic—they can help point out areas that aren't clear so you can add more detail. You can book a free tutoring appointment on TutorOcean .

Spend time practicing your answers by speaking them out loud. The more you prepare, the more natural you will sound during your Q&A session!

During Your Q&A Session

Use an open-ended question (e.g., "Who has the first question?" "What topic should we start discussing?") rather than a 'yes/no' question (e.g., "Are there any questions?" to get the conversation started.

If you've waited about 30 seconds and no one is asking a question, you could start the Q&A by talking about something that interested you in you research. For example, "When I started my research, I had a lot of questions about 'X'. A key part of 'X' is…"

Repeating questions serves two main functions: First, it allows you to clarify what the questioner has asked; second, it helps to make sure your audience has heard the question.

You don't need a quick answer for everything—give yourself the chance to think about what the questioner has asked, what you know about the topic, and what information might help the questioner.

Aim for 2-3 sentences in your answer. If you feel like your answer needs to be longer, offer a summary of your ideas in 2-3 sentences and then offer to either talk to the questioner after your presentation or to e-mail the questioner (or the class) with a longer response.

It's better to say, "I don't know, but let me look that up and I'll send a note to the class" than it is to make up an inaccurate or misleading answer.

If someone asks you a difficult question, respond calmly and politely. Help the questioner feel heard by briefly acknowledging their concern or point or question, and then offer to follow up with them after the Q&A session is over.

End your Q&A session by thanking everyone for their thought-provoking questions. Make sure that you return the favour by engaging with your classmates during the Q&A session of their presentations too!

Last Updated: Jan 12, 2024 2:29 PM
URL: https://sheridancollege.libguides.com/presentationskills

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How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

By Krystle Wong , Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters.

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion:

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message.

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations .

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software .

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong.

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively .

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence.

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload.

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started.

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs.

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account.

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations.

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

How-To Geek

How to practice your presentations with powerpoint's presenter coach.

Rehearsing presentations gets easier with PowerPoint.

Quick Links

How the presenter coach helps you with your presentations, what you'll need, how to launch the presenter coach in powerpoint, reading your rehearsal report.

Microsoft PowerPoint now has a Presenter Coach to let you rehearse your presentations before going to the audience. This coach gives you a detailed report telling you how well you did and suggesting areas for improvement. Here's how to use it.

Consider the Presenter Coach in PowerPoint as a trusted friend who listens to you practice performing your presentations . This coach reviews your entire presentation and creates a report detailing your performance.

For example, it will grade you on how fast you speak and how much you use filler words like "um" and "ah." It will also inform you of words you might want to avoid and encourage you not to simply read the words on your slides aloud.

Basically, if you need a second opinion on your presenting style, this is a great way to get it.

Related: 8 Tips to Make the Best PowerPoint Presentations

To use the Presenter Coach in PowerPoint, you must have:

a Microsoft account or a Microsoft 365 work or school account
a working internet connection
a microphone (so that PowerPoint can listen to what you're saying)

Also, the Presenter Coach only works if you use the English language in PowerPoint. Other languages are not yet supported as of April 2021.

PowerPoint's Presenter Coach works for any presentation. You can use it with your commercial, educational, and even family presentations.

To start using this feature, open your presentation with PowerPoint.

In the PowerPoint window, click the "Slide Show" tab on the ribbon at the top of the window.

If you don't see the Slide Show tab, you're probably in Slide Master View. Close this view by selecting "Slide Master" at the top and then clicking "Close Master View."

In the Slide Show tab, click "Rehearse with Coach" to open PowerPoint's Presenter Coach.

Your presentation will open in fullscreen mode. To activate the Presenter Coach, click "Start Rehearsing" in the bottom-right corner of your window. Optionally, enable "Show real-time feedback" if you want the coach to give you tips while you're still presenting.

Now, begin your presentation like you normally would. If you enabled the real-time feedback option, you'll see some tips appear in the bottom-right corner of your window.

Press "Esc" when you're done presenting to exit fullscreen mode. PowerPoint will now open your rehearsal report.

It's important to read and analyze the Presenter Coach's report properly. This will help you find areas for improvement and see whether you're doing well.

The report will vanish as soon as you close the report window. To save the report, take a screenshot of it.

Here's what each section in the report tells you about your presentation:

Summary : Summary tells you the amount of time you spent practicing your presentation. It also shows the number of slides you rehearsed.
Fillers : In the Fillers section, you'll see the filler words (umm, ah) that you used during your presentation. Using these filler words makes you sound less confident, and you should try to avoid using them.
Sensitive Phrases : Sensitive Phrases highlights culturally sensitive phrases that you used in your presentation, which you might want to avoid. It considers the following areas sensitive: disability, age, gender, race, sexual orientation, mental health, geopolitical topics, and profanity.
Pace : The Pace section tells you the pace of your presentation. If you were too fast or too slow, you'll find that information here.
Originality : Microsoft suggests that you avoid reading out the text written in your presentation slides, as this makes your presentation boring. Instead, you should use original content in your speech. The Originality section informs you if you only read the text from your slides.

Now that you know where you need to improve, click the "Rehearse Again" button at the top of the report to re-present your presentation. When you're done, PowerPoint will make another report detailing your new presentation performance.

Related: How to Add Music to Your PowerPoint Presentation

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman (St. Martin’s Press).

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Tips To Prepare for and Answer Questions During Presentations

Tell the audience in advance when you will be taking questions.
Anticipate questions in advance.
Realise that questions are a good thing.
Make eye contact with the questioner.
Always take a brief pause before launching into your answer.

Presentations can be a daunting task for many individuals. From gathering research and organizing content to delivery and engaging with an audience, the process of creating a successful presentation can be overwhelming. This blog post will cover the importance of preparing questions for a presentation, what types of questions to consider, and techniques for engaging with an audience. Questions are a fundamental element of any presentation as they allow the presenter to demonstrate their knowledge on the subject and engage with their audience in meaningful dialogue. They also provide a platform to expand upon the subject being discussed, making the content more comprehensive and memorable. Asking questions during a presentation can also help the presenter stay in control of the situation. Therefore, it is important to think through and prepare questions in advance. The types of questions that should be considered when preparing for a presentation depend on the purpose of the presentation, the length of the presentation, and the audience that is being addressed. Questions should be relevant to the content being discussed and

How to Answer Questions in a Presentation

Benefits of answering presentation questions

Although not every presentation will involve answering questions, many have a Q&A format. Answering questions during or after your presentation has many advantages, including ensuring that your audience is satisfied with the information you’ve provided and that you’ve covered all the bases regarding your subject. Answering questions competently can mean the difference between getting hired and not getting hired if you’re giving a presentation to pitch a project or gain business.

It can be advantageous for everyone involved if you respond to questions from the audience during or after a presentation. Your audience will now perceive you as an authority on the subject who can respond to inquiries, giving you the chance to share more details.

What is a presentation?

You could deliver a presentation in a variety of settings, usually with the aid of visual materials. You might give a presentation to just a few people to discuss a business proposal, or you might do so as a subject matter expert to hundreds of people. The visual materials you use to support your speech during a presentation are typically in the form of a slideshow that provides context and visual aids. Whatever the purpose of your presentation, you might have to respond to inquiries about it.

How to prepare for presentation questions

The actions you can take to get ready for presentation questions are as follows:

1. Consider what others might want to know

How you approach your presentation will depend in part on your audience. Your approach may differ depending on whether you’re addressing a group of professionals in your field or those who aren’t familiar with the subject. By determining who your target audience is, you can think about the kinds of questions they might have and the best ways to respond to them.

Experts are more likely to focus their inquiries on particular aspects of your subject that are relevant to other professionals in your field. They might demand in-depth responses and be amenable to industry-specific jargon. Unacquainted people are more likely to have general inquiries and may require straightforward responses in understandable language.

2. Ask others what they might ask after your presentation

Asking people you know who are similar to your intended audience what their questions are can be a good way to find out what concerns your audience might have. If you’re presenting to a customer or client, this may be more difficult, but you could still talk to people you know who work in a related field or position about it. You can either give these people written copies of your presentation materials or give your presentation in person or on video for them.

You could even create a list of questions for them to ask in order to anticipate their inquiries. To find out if certain key points were understood or to learn what questions they would have at the conclusion of your presentation, you could ask about specific sections of your presentation.

3. If possible, review other presentations on this topic

You might be able to find similar presentations online that are on the same topic or at the same event, depending on the type of presentation you’re giving. This can give you a sense of the questions those audiences had and the subjects that generated the most inquiries. Additionally, it can show you how other speakers handled their questions and what sort of responses worked best. Additionally, it might provide you with ideas for relevant data to include in your presentation or additional details to use when responding to inquiries.

4. Research frequently asked questions on your topic

Finding out what questions people frequently ask about your subject online is another way to get ready for the kinds of questions you might receive. This could range from reading questions on websites designed for queries to reading academic research papers, depending on the complexity of your topic. Understanding prior inquiries into this subject will help you prepare for how to respond in the context of your presentation. If the presentation is more of a sales pitch, do some research to find out what queries customers usually ask.

5. Educate yourself on your subject beyond the basics

Depending on the subject you’re presenting on, you might already be a subject-matter authority who is able to respond to even the most difficult queries. However, you might want to prepare by doing more research than just for your presentation if this is a new topic for you or one that you are still learning about. While you aren’t required to respond to every query, having knowledge at least slightly beyond the scope of your presentation can make you seem more knowledgeable to the audience as they do so.

Tips for answering presentation questions

Here are some suggestions for how to respond to questions if you’re getting ready to give a presentation where you expect to field them:

Consider vetting questions

If you are giving a presentation on a delicate subject or to a large audience, it might be difficult to plan a Q&A session. You might be able to arrange this through a contact at the venue where you’re giving your presentation, or you might even be able to set up a way for people to ask you questions online. Then you’ll be able to anticipate questions, prepare responses, and overcome problems with who gets to ask questions during your presentation.

Tell the audience when to ask

Not being clear about when you consider it appropriate for audience members to ask questions can lead to problems with questions during a presentation. The response may differ depending on your presentation style and subject, but typically, the two main choices are throughout your presentation or only during a particular Q Unwanted interruptions can be avoided by stating at the beginning of your speech how you intend to handle questions.

Its okay to pause

You might feel pressed for time if you are asked a question that you weren’t expecting or that is more difficult. However, it’s acceptable to pause briefly before responding if you need a moment to collect your thoughts and decide how to respond. Generally speaking, you don’t want a pause that lasts too long during a presentation, but if you have to pause for a minute before responding to a challenging question, it’s preferable to stumbling over your words or providing a poor response.

Answer truthfully

It’s preferable to respond honestly to a question if you don’t know the answer rather than making up one that might be incorrect. If you’re unsure, you can admit it and provide resources to help people find the answer. Similar to this, you ought to respond in a way that accurately covers your subject and demonstrates your knowledge rather than giving a response that corresponds to what you believe the questioner wants to hear.

Be clear about opinions

It can be beneficial to make it clear when you are offering an opinion when responding to a question if the topic is one that is heavily focused on factual data and research. This is a good way to keep the audience from becoming confused or from hearing your opinion presented as fact. Declaring to the audience that your response is your opinion on the question being posed is clear and has no bearing on their perception of you as an authority on the subject.

Redirect as needed

Sometimes during presentations, attendees will ask questions that are irrelevant to the topic at hand or that may be more concerned with what they want to say than with what you are discussing. In the event that a question is irrelevant or unfocused, it is perfectly acceptable to reroute it. It’s important to do so politely, but you can let them know that you’d prefer to focus on your presentation’s subject and respond to any questions specifically related to it.

Offer to follow up

If a question is posed to you that you are unsure how to respond to, you can offer to follow up with the questioner later. You can admit to them that you are ignorant of that particular aspect of your subject but that you would be happy to speak with them later to discuss how to find the solution. If you can provide an honest response that demonstrates your integrity and lets the audience know you’re willing to find out for them, that can be helpful because if you’re giving a presentation, you’re frequently regarded as an authority on your topic, even if it’s a sales presentation.

What are the 3 questions to ask yourself when setting up a presentation?

Question # 1 – What do I want my audience to know? This question deals with your audience’s minds.
Question # 2 – What do I want my audience to feel? .
Question # 3 – What do I want them to do?.

How do you prepare a presentation question?

Consider what others might want to know. …
Ask others what they might ask after your presentation. …
If possible, review other presentations on this topic. …
Research frequently asked questions on your topic. …
Educate yourself on your subject beyond the basics. …
Consider vetting questions.

What are the 7 presentation skills?

Understand your audience. …
Tell the story of you. …
Create a call to action. …
Use storytelling to make your résumé come to life. …
Rehearse your interview. …
Watch your body language. …
Control your voice.

Should you ask questions during a presentation?

The majority of presentations include audience questions, so speakers should anticipate them. Questions demonstrate interest and a desire for more information from the audience. And even if someone wants to argue with you, it at least shows that they were listening.

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How To Handle Tough Presentation Questions With Confidence

Home > How to Present > Presentation Questions

Handling tough presentation questions posed by aggressive audience is a nightmare for most presenters. This usually adds to their fear of speaking.

You can deal them with poise, when you know how to categorize tough questions into one of the 5 common types.

Why does audience ask tough questions?

The reasons could vary from hidden personal agenda to low self esteem . No matter what reasons your audiences have for acting tough, their questions usually have certain common characteristics.

How to see it coming?

Usually tough presentation questions are preceded by a protective cushion statement.

The statement could be innocuous like –

With all due respect to you…or

You may be right, but…

Or it could be downright nasty, like – Considering your poor record in the past…

But, when you see a cushion statement coming, you know that a tough question is on its way.

The first task is to classify it…

The 5 common types of tough questions are:

1. General punch in the pain area

Usually these presentation questions have nothing to do with the topic of your discussion. The intention of the questioner is to use the public forum to throw a general punch in the pain area of the group. The main idea is to instigate a bitter debate in the crowd.

What do you think of the favoritism happening at the top level?

The question is like a computer virus. When you click on it, you trigger untold damage.

Method to handle it:

Avoid the bait. Your answer could be in the lines of, “Since the question is not directly in the purview of our discussion topic, we will take that offline. Thank you for your participation. Is there any other question on what we discussed so far?”

Logic in the answer structure:

Notice that you didn’t thank the questioner for raising the issue, but thanked him for participating. You clearly mentioned that the question is out of the purview of discussion and asserted that you will take it offline.

To ensure that the discussion remains within the boundaries, you asked, “Is there any other question on what we discussed so far?”

Every sentence in the answer has a clear purpose and this usually puts the control right back in your hands.

2. Choose between devil and the deep blue sea

You are given two choices and you are trapped when you choose either of them. The questioner usually has a personal agenda and it is up to you to find the way out.

Do you care about achieving your team targets or about your team welfare?

When you say, you care about your team targets; you get portrayed as a heartless leader running a slave ship. When you say, you care about your team welfare; you get portrayed as a weak leader with no goal orientation.

You don’t have to be restricted by the two options. Your answer could be in the lines of, “I care about both. Let us see how we can achieve both the ends for the benefit of our team.”

By asserting to choose both the options you get the control in your hands. You may even choose an entirely new option. This puts the question in perspective and keeps you on track.

3. Can I shoot from your shoulder please?

What according to you will be our Director’s view on this debacle?

Anything you say will be quoted and used against you. So, don’t fall into the trap.

You can’t be expected to answer on behalf of someone else. So, your answer could be, “It would be appropriate to ask the question to the Director herself. However, in my personal view…”

By stating that you are not the right person to give someone else’s view you avoided the trap. By providing your personal view, you showed that you are in control.

4. The loaded gun

This is usually an allegation in the garb of a question. The questioner wants to accuse you of something. The accusation is cleverly hidden as a question to seek the crowd’s approval. Unless you are watchful, you’ll get trapped in this.

Considering you couldn’t handle your team too well last year, can we expect to see any improvement this time?

If you haven’t noticed yet, this is an allegation and not a question. With this presentation question, the questioner wants to tell the crowd that it is you who is responsible for the team’s poor performance last year.

If you simply begin listing your initiatives for this year, you imply that you didn’t handle your team well last year, which may not be the case in reality.

Isolate the allegation and handle it squarely. Your answer to this presentation question could be, “If I understand you correctly, you assumed that I was responsible for the team’s poor performance last year. May I know why you made that assumption?”

By isolating the assumption you stopped the questioner in the tracks. By inviting an explanation for the assumption you created a chance for yourself to explain your view. This disarms the questioner and helps you win the trust of the crowd.

5. Imaginary question

This question is aimed to expose your lack of preparation. The questioner wants to hog the limelight by putting you in a spot.

“If the regulations were to change tomorrow, how will we respond to the issues that arise?”

You can’t disregard the question. It will make it seem like you lack foresight.

Draw the attention to the assumption. Your answer could be in the lines of “Is there any specific reason why you believe that the regulation will change in the immediate future?”

Logic of the answer structure:

The answer is structured as a question. This puts the ball right back in the questioner’s court. If there is credence to the assumption, everyone gains. If there is no base behind the assumption, it puts the control back to you.

Now, you learnt the process of handling tough presentation questions.

Let us make it clear that 99% of your audience ask questions, either to seek information or to seek reassurance from you.

All we discussed in this article is about that rare 1% of the audience who can undermine your confidence as a presenter.

Do you know what your presenter personality type is? This will also help you understand your strengths and action points as a presenter.

Thumb rule for presentation questions…

…the two questions you need to ask yourself when you hear a cushion statement followed by a question is…

Is the question relevant to the topic of discussion?
Is there any assumption made in the question?

The answers will guide you in the way forward.

If you had followed the Minimal® process for creating your outline you can anticipate most of the genuine questions that may arise in your presentation.

You gain additional confidence to handle audience by having strong visual slides that sell.

That is all the preparation you need.

Return to Top of Presentation Questions Page

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10 Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Have a job interview coming up? Interview preparation is key. Before going, review the most common interview questions, plan your responses, and research the company so you can walk into that room prepared.

[Featured image] A man sits in a hallway preparing responses for common interview questions.

When you land an interview, you’re probably excited and wondering about the most common interview questions. To prepare for your interview and make a great first impression, you can explore this list of 10 common interview questions and plan your responses to them.

1. Tell me about yourself.

This warm-up question is your chance to make an impactful first impression. Be prepared to describe yourself in a few sentences. You can mention:

Your past experiences and how they relate to the current job

How your most recent job is tied to this new opportunity

Two of your strengths

One personal attribute, like a hobby or an interest

The majority of this response leans on your past work experience, with a small dash of your personal life added at the end of the response. Keep your answer to two to four minutes.

2. Why do you want to work for this company?

The answer to this interview question should include specifics about the company, so you’ll need to do some pre-interview research. If, for example, the company is known for its collaborative culture, you could point out successes you’ve had while collaborating with a team.

Look for company-specific information on their website and social channels. Pay attention to the company’s mission statement, values, and the "About us" section. Explore employee-specific posts on social media to learn about the company’s culture or outreach programs. Combine this information with relatable skills to show your preparedness and enthusiasm for the company.

3. Why are you leaving your current role?

When asked about leaving a previous job, be honest but positive. Even if you left a job under trying circumstances, keep your response short and upbeat. Here are some suggestions:

I’m looking for a company that better aligns with my values.

I’m excited to find a company where I can grow my career.

I’ve decided to go down a different career path.

My position was downsized, but I’m looking forward to a new opportunity.

I’m excited to explore a culture in line with my personality.

I’m ready to take on a new challenge with an innovative company.

I’ve aspired to work for this company and seized the chance to apply.

4. What is your biggest weakness?

When it comes to identifying weaknesses, think about some conflicts you’ve had to overcome. Maybe it’s difficult for you to take criticism, collaborate, or make public presentations. Take these challenges and frame them with a solution. For instance, you learned to take feedback to better a project, collaborate to elevate a product’s offerings, or use presentations as a way to build your confidence.

5. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Your greatest achievement should be something specific, like bringing a new video game to a saturated market despite a lack of resources. Discuss a work-related triumph as a way to humbly mention your achievements rather than listing awards or accolades. This achievement should also align with the company’s mission, goals, or the position’s objectives.

6. Tell me about a difficult situation you’ve faced and how you handled it.

This question is really asking about your character during moments of stress. Think of a time when you faced an impossible deadline, had to choose sides, or navigated interoffice turmoil. Explain the problem, how you stayed calm, and focus on the solution that produced a resolution.

7. Give an example of how you’ve gone above and beyond your role requirements.

While you might be tempted to mention the extra hours you put in or the additional tasks you take on, it’s best to showcase your skills with a story. Talk about the innovative methods you deployed to revive a stalled project or roles you filled when your team was downsized.

8. What are your salary expectations?

Salary talks can be sensitive, but they’re necessary. Research a competitive salary before you go into your interview so you don’t aim too high or low. You can use tools like a Salary Calculator or Salary Data & Career Research Center (Canada) to get baseline compensation. Remember to mention years of experience or specific certifications that enhance your value.

9. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Another common interview question looks at your five-year plan. You should promote your commitment to the company while looking toward growth opportunities.

More specifically, you can craft a response that explores your:

Position-related goals

Potential experiences within the company over the next five years

Possible certifications, skills, or achievements you might obtain

Aspirations for growth within the role

10. Do you have any questions for us?

Typically, this is the last question of the interview, and it might be tempting to say, “No. I’m all set.” However, this question allows you to show your interest in the position. Some questions you could ask include:

What are the day-to-day tasks involved in this role?

How do you evaluate the progress of this role?

What ongoing educational or training opportunities could I pursue in this role?

Where do you see the company in five years?

How would you describe the company culture?

How to prepare for an interview

Before your interview, you should do a few things in preparation. To make a great first impression, you should research the company, practice your responses to common interview questions, and run through a practice interview. For more specific tips, take a look at this pre-interview checklist:

1. Research the company.

Start your research on the company website. Look over their mission statement, values, and history. Next, check Google News for any articles that include the company. Comb through the company’s social accounts, paying particular attention to the product- or employee-related posts. Also, read the LinkedIn profiles of the company’s key players and, if possible, the profile of your hiring manager.

2. Understand company work culture.

Take some time to learn about the company culture by looking at employee photos on social media and checking out the company's news coverage. You might see team-building events on its Facebook Page or news coverage of a recent fundraiser, which can help you understand the culture. You can also check for employee testimonials on business rating platforms like Glassdoor.

3. Prepare your answers.

Take some time to review the most common interview questions and practice your answers. You don’t want to sound rehearsed, so write down a few bullet points for each question and talk through them a little differently each time.

4. Practice the interview.

Ask a friend or family member to role-play with you. Go through the standard interview questions, and practice your greeting and exit. Wear the outfit and shoes you plan to wear during the practice to ensure you’re comfortable.

5. Ask for feedback.

Ask your mock interviewer to give you feedback. Maybe you slouched in the chair, nervously bounced your knees, or got stuck on a particular interview question. The person helping you can give you some tips to improve your interview skills.

Next steps

In addition to role-playing, you might consider taking an online class or two to improve your interview skills. Prepare for a successful job search with the Interviewing and Resume Writing in English Specialization from the University of Maryland. Learn at your own pace and practice your interviewing skills with other job seekers from around the globe.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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For B-Schools, Is AI A Threat Or An Opportunity? Here’s What Deans Think

By John Byrne

Soumitra Dutta, dean of the University of Oxford’s Said Business School, kicked off a fascinating session on AI by asking the 1,200 business school officials in attendance a series of provocative questions."

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2024 Institute for the Humanities Faculty Fellows Presentations

April 30, 2024 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, about this event.

Mississippi State’s Institute for the Humanities is hosting an end-of-year showcase this month highlighting the 2024 IH Faculty Fellows’ scholarship and creativity.

The IH Faculty Fellows Presentation on April 30, 11 a.m., in the College of Arts and Sciences Vault, Allen Hall Room 526, will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/msu.humanities.institute .

Fellows will present their year-long book projects in brief 10-minute, audience-friendly talks and will answer questions after.

Presenters include:

—Jim Giesen, associate professor of history, “The Land of Cotton: Culture and Environment in the American South”

—Peter Messer, associate professor of history, “Dictated by Nature: Science, Theology, and Politics in Early American Natural History”

—Bonnie O’Neill, associate professor of English, “The Good News from Plymouth Church: The Faith, Politics, and Celebrity of Henry Ward Beecher”

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VOTE: Are colleges doing enough to protect Jewish students and staff on campus?

by The National Desk

FILE - Students walk through the University of Texas at Austin campus near the school's iconic tower, Sept. 27, 2012, in Austin, Texas.(AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Do you think colleges are doing enough to protect Jewish students and staff on campus? Vote in the poll above or click here .

Cardinal Parolin on Pope Francis’ pontificate: No reversals on reforms

By Vatican News staff reporters

Answering the question, “What will happen with the reforms undertaken by Pope Francis?” Cardinal Pietro Parolin insisted on the need for prayer and patience, and said that discernment will indicate, at its own pace, “how to continue and what to make institutional.” Although some people might worry – or hope for – reversals, the Holy See’s Secretary of State said, “Precisely because it is the action of the Spirit, there can be no U-turn.”

Cardinal Parolin was speaking at the presentation of a new book by vaticanista Ignazio Ingrao, entitled Five Questions Agitating the Church . The multifaceted and wide-ranging volume covers a wide variety of news and current events, including a discussion of the Magisterium of Pope Francis and various documents promulgated during his pontificate.

Ecclesia semper reformanda

In his introduction, Ingrao speaks of “irreversible processes” that must be matched by a necessary “pastoral response” as well as “an ethical and moral response.”

Echoing that sentiment, Cardinal Parolin highlighted the Latin expression Ecclesia semper reformanda , “the Church is always in need of reform”. He explained this means that “the Church must always be brought back to its proper form”, recalling the teaching of Lumen gentium that the Church, “which includes sinners in its bosom” is “in need of purification, advancing on the path of penance and renewal”.

Difficulties as opportunities

Cardinal Parolin went on to reflect on the book’s title, and specifically the choice of the verb “agitates” (in Italian: “agitano”), which “seems to invite the reader to peruse the text with that awareness and prudence with which we approach” the account of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, found in the Gospel of Matthew. The disciples’ journey across the lake shows that every crossing involves challenges, which can be seen not only as difficulties and dangers, but also as opportunities; and these, the Cardinal said, are “a part of God’s wise pedagogy by which he educates us, and makes us mature and progress.”

Cardinal Parolin then touched briefly on several other questions posed by the author, addressing topics including the role of young people and women in the Church, the rise of Pentecostal churches, and the Synod on Synodality.

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