Post-presentation Q & A

Handling Questions

The question period is often the part of the talk which influences the audience the most. This is the part of the presentation where your ability to interact with the audience will be evaluated. Since you can't always predict the what you'll be asked, here are some guidelines to help you prepare:

1. Always repeat each question so the entire audience knows what you've been asked.


2. Before you answer, take a moment to reflect on the question. By not rushing to give an answer, you show a degree of respect for the questioner, and you give yourself time to be sure you are answering the question that actually was asked. If you are unsure, restate the question or ask for a clarification.


3. Above all, wait for the questioner to finish asking the question before you begin your answer! The only exception is when it becomes necessary to break in on a vague, rambling question; this is your show, and you have only a limited time to make your presentation. It is essential, however, that you break in tactfully. Say something like "So, are you asking ...?" This will focus the question and give you a place to begin an answer. Remember that your ability to interact with an audience also is being evaluated.


4. If a question is asked during the talk, and it will clarify an ambiguity, answer it immediately.


5. Postpone until the end of the talk, or to private discussion, questions aimed at resolving specific problems or debating arcane knowledge. This is particularly important if the answer will distract either you or the audience away from the flow of your presentation.


6. Avoid prolonged discussions with one person, extended answers, and especially arguments.


7. If you can't answer a question, just say so. Don't apologize. You then may:


• Offer to research an answer and get back to the questioner later. To this end you might offer to swap business cards when the presentation is over.
• Suggest resources which would help the questioner to address the question themselves.
• Ask for suggestions from the audience.

The Acknowledgments Slide

This is an important slide, because very few people work in a vacuum. On the other hand, avoid reading a list of names.

Instead, consider using a collage of photos of your collaborators in their natural settings for this purpose. You may still point out the primary collaborators, but a visual approach is inherently more interesting for the audience.

Moreover, at a crowded conference a collaborator is more likely to be recognized in the hallway or at a restaurant if your audience has seen his or her photo during your talk. You should select the content of the photos with care, however, if you are presenting it in a professional setting!

Finally, consider presenting the acknowledgement slide at the front end of the talk. Don't spend too much time on it, but that is seldom a problem at the beginning of a talk. This is better than not being able to present the information at all if the slide is at the end of the talk and you've run out of time.

Adapted from Jeff Radel's Preparing Talks Website.