Logo

Navigation
  • Home
  • Services
    • ERP Solutions
    • Implementation Solutions
    • Support and Maintenance Solutions
    • Custom Solutions
    • Upgrade Solutions
    • Training and Mentoring
    • Web Solutions
    • Production Support
    • Architecture Designing
    • Independent Validation and Testing Services
    • Infrastructure Management
  • Expertise
    • Microsoft Development Expertise
    • Mobile Development
    • SQL Server Database and BI
    • SAP BI, SAP Hana, SAP BO
    • Oracle and BI
    • Oracle RAC
  • Technical Training
    • Learn Data Management
      • Business Intelligence
      • Data Mining
      • Data Modeling
      • Data Warehousing
      • Disaster Recovery
    • Learn Concepts
      • Application Development
      • Client Server
      • Cloud Computing Tutorials
      • Cluster Computing
      • CRM Tutorial
      • EDI Tutorials
      • ERP Tutorials
      • NLP
      • OOPS
      • Concepts
      • SOA Tutorial
      • Supply Chain
      • Technology Trends
      • UML
      • Virtualization
      • Web 2.0
    • Learn Java
      • JavaScript Tutorial
      • JSP Tutorials
      • J2EE
    • Learn Microsoft
      • MSAS
      • ASP.NET
      • ASP.NET 2.0
      • C Sharp
      • MS Project Training
      • Silverlight
      • SQL Server 2005
      • VB.NET 2005
    • Learn Networking
      • Networking
      • Wireless
    • Learn Oracle
      • Oracle 10g
      • PL/SQL
      • Oracle 11g Tutorials
      • Oracle 9i
      • Oracle Apps
    • Learn Programming
      • Ajax Tutorial
      • C Language
      • C++ Tutorials
      • CSS Tutorial
      • CSS3 Tutorial
      • JavaScript Tutorial
      • jQuery Tutorial
      • MainFrame
      • PHP Tutorial
      • VBScript Tutorial
      • XML Tutorial
    • Learn Software Testing
      • Software Testing Types
      • SQA
      • Testing
  • Career Training
    • Career Improvement
      • Career Articles
      • Certification Articles
      • Conflict Management
      • Core Skills
      • Decision Making
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Goal Setting
      • Life Skills
      • Performance Development
      • Personal Excellence
      • Personality Development
      • Problem Solving
      • Relationship Management
      • Self Confidence
      • Self Supervision
      • Social Networking
      • Strategic Planning
      • Time Management
    • Education Help
      • Career Tracks
      • Essay Writing
      • Internship Tips
      • Online Education
      • Scholarships
      • Student Loans
    • Managerial Skills
      • Business Communication
      • Business Networking
      • Facilitator Skills
      • Managing Change
      • Marketing Management
      • Meeting Management
      • Process Management
      • Project Management
      • Project Management Life Cycle
      • Project Management Process
      • Project Risk Management
      • Relationship Management
      • Task Management
      • Team Building
      • Virtual Team Management
    • Essential Life Skills
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety Management
      • Attitude Development
      • Coaching and Mentoring
      • Emotional Intelligence
      • Stress Management
      • Positive Thinking
    • Communication Skills
      • Conversation Skills
      • Cross Culture Competence
      • English Vocabulary
      • Listening Skills
      • Public Speaking Skills
      • Questioning Skills
    • Soft Skills
      • Assertive Skills
      • Influence Skills
      • Leadership Skills
      • Memory Skills
      • People Skills
      • Presentation Skills
    • Finding a Job
      • Etiquette Tips
      • Group Discussions
      • HR Interviews
      • Interview Notes
      • Job Search Tips
      • Resume Tips
      • Sample Resumes
 

Handling Question and Answer Sessions

By Exforsys | on December 6, 2009 |
Presentation Skills

The Question and Answer session is part of many presentations. Both the questions and responses are generated by you, as the presenter, and your audience about the subject given. At certain points in your presentation, you ask your audience some questions to check for comprehension of the subject or to elicit ideas from them. In the same way, your audience asks questions for clarification and supplemental information. At all times, you need to anticipate any type of questions from them and be ready with your responses.

The kinds of questions and the frequency of asking the questions measure the effectiveness of the presentation for many experienced speakers. This article will teach us insights and tips in handling a Question and Answer session during a presentation. This interaction process between you and your audience will help you elaborate more on the areas of the topic that spark an interest to your audience.

When to Entertain Questions

There are two common instances when presenters usually entertain questions from the listeners. You may acknowledge questions during the presentation proper or during the conclusion part as you are wrapping up the talk.

At the onset of your presentation, set expectation with your audience as to when you will entertain questions. Deciding when to have the Q and A session in your presentation will depend on different factors. Let us identify three important elements to aid you in your decision.

First, consider the nature of the topic. Ask yourself the purpose or objective of the presentation. If the goal is simply to inform or educate, then questions may be reserved until the talk is brought to a close. However, if the subject is a “need to know”, then consider acknowledging questions during the presentation proper.

Another factor is the amount of time needed to deliver the presentation. If you are only given a limited time to conduct it, say 30 minutes to an hour, know that there is not much time to answer questions as you go along with your talk. Then again, set proper expectations at the start of your presentation. Let them know that questions will be answered after the talk.

Lastly, consider the size of your audience. Normally, for a large and inquisitive group, there will be quite a bunch of questions. Just make sure you know how to take control of the traffic and redirect the focus back to your subject.

Guidelines in Asking Questions to Your Audience

From time to time, you may ask your audience some questions for comprehension check or if you wish to gather more ideas. So, before asking your questions, know the reason for asking.

Always allow at least a few seconds before your audience can respond. Check for understanding. If they seem confused, try rephrasing your question. Refrain from calling a name first to answer the question before you give the question. Instead, wait for someone who will volunteer to answer. If no one does, then start calling out a name.

Evenly distribute your questions to everyone in the group and always address them by their first names. Do not embarrass or humiliate a person’s answer if it did not hit the question. Acknowledge the idea and move on by eliciting for more answers.

Getting Yourself Ready for the Questions

When it is your turn to be asked, how do you handle it? As a professional, you should anticipate and be ready to respond to any type of question regarding the topic. During the preparation stage, you might want to list down some possible questions they will ask. During the presentation proper, always make sure that you understand the question. For a large audience, you might want to repeat the question for everyone to hear it.

Your answers should be brief but direct, if possible. In cases wherein you do not know the answer, tell them that you will set that as a “parking” question and will give them the answer once you have it.

Or, you may ask your audience for a little help. But do so not in a pleading manner. Always check for a hint of satisfaction on their faces after giving your response. And never forget to thank the person for raising the question.

« « Effective Presentation Guide
Handling Unexpected Events During Presentation » »

Author Description

Avatar

Editorial Team at Exforsys is a team of IT Consulting and Training team led by Chandra Vennapoosa.

Free Training

RSSSubscribe 0 Followers
  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Presentation Planning

    December 3, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Creating Effective Visual Aids

    December 2, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Effective Presentation Guide

    December 5, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Presentation Visual Aids

    December 4, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • How to Make First Impression

    November 27, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Handling Unexpected Events During Presentation

    December 7, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Essential Qualities for Giving Presentation

    November 24, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • How to End Your Presentation Gracefully

    December 8, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Importance of Presentation Skills

    November 23, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • How to Create Good Atmosphere for Presentation

    November 25, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • How to End Your Presentation Gracefully

    December 8, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Handling Unexpected Events During Presentation

    December 7, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Effective Presentation Guide

    December 5, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Presentation Visual Aids

    December 4, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Presentation Planning

    December 3, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Creating Effective Visual Aids

    December 2, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • The Power of Words

    December 1, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Setting Objectives for the Audience

    November 30, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • Presentation Anxiety and Fear

    November 29, 2009 - 0 Comment
  • How to Make First Impression

    November 27, 2009 - 0 Comment

Exforsys e-Newsletter

ebook
 

Related Articles

  • How to End Your Presentation Gracefully
  • Handling Unexpected Events During Presentation
  • Effective Presentation Guide
  • Presentation Visual Aids
  • Presentation Planning

Latest Articles

  • Project Management Techniques
  • Product Development Best Practices
  • Importance of Quality Data Management
  • How to Maximize Quality Assurance
  • Utilizing Effective Quality Assurance Strategies
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Trademark Information
  • Contact Us
© 2023. All Rights Reserved.IT Training and Consulting
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT