Answering and dealing with questions can be the most nerve-wracking part of a presentation, because it's very difficult to prepare for. It's always a good use of time when preparing your presentation to think about and anticipate what your audience might ask, so you can be a little bit prepared.
When it’s time to invite comments and questions, you can use phrases like:
Now it's time to open up the floor for your questions. |
I'll deal with any queries you have now. |
If you had any thoughts or questions during my presentation, I'd love to hear them. |
If you have any questions, I'd be happy to address them now. |
Does anyone have any questions, I'd love to take them while we have some time? |
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If you'd like to thank someone for their question and you are happy to answer:
That's a very good question. I’d be delighted to answer it for you. |
That's a great question and it's something we have had to answer for ourselves too. |
You did well to think about that and I'm glad I can help you. |
I can certainly answer that one. |
I'm delighted you asked me that. |
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Or, perhaps the question isn't very good, or it's not even a question. You might need to move the session on politely:
I see where you're coming from, but I think that's a question for another day. |
That particular question is a bit outside my area of expertise. |
That is an interesting thought, but I'm not sure if it's relevant to what we are here to discuss today. |
If we could stay on point please, I'm happy to answer anything related to what I have just presented. |
Is that a question, or are you giving us some new facts? |