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Presentation Skills

Answering questions after your presentation

 Typically you will be asked a number of questions after your presentation from your fellow students and your lecturers.  Once you have completed your presentation, you should have a clear understanding of the topic you have researched and presented on, and should feel confident to answer some questions on your work. When preparing in advance for the Q&A part of your presentation, you should:

 - Prepare answers for the most challenging questions. In other words, prepare for the questions you might not feel confident answering! Prepare your answers in advance so you do not panic on the day. This will also help you to further engage in more complex aspects of the topic and develop a well-rounded knowledge on the topic.

 - Get a fresh perspective! Practise your presentation with someone, and see what questions they ask. Having someone else take a look at your presentation can help you understand what others might find interesting or difficult to understand.

 

When moving on to the Q&A part of your presentation, remember to:

  • Listen carefully to the question! It's also okay to clarify the question to make sure you fully understand what is being asked.
  • Take a moment to think about your answer.
  • Use every question as an opportunity to show what you know about the topic. 
  • Reinforce your main points and finish on a strong note, make sure your audience are reminded of your conclusion.