How to answer a question you don't know in a presentation?

Admit You Don't Know : If you can't have the clue, just admit you don't know. It's okay to be honest. You can say something like, "That's an interesting question, and I'm not entirely sure of the answer. Let me look into it and get back to you."

What to do when you can't answer a question during a presentation?

Tell them you don't know . It's not ideal to admit that you don't have the answer to hand but it's better than making up the answer. In this scenario it's imperative that you acknowledge the question so that you still come across as confident and in control rather than nervous and on the back foot.

What makes a weak presentation?

Common presentation mistakes include not preparing properly, delivering inappropriate content, and speaking poorly . Time spent on careful planning always pays dividends. Check out the venue, and familiarize yourself with equipment in advance to avoid possible problems.

How to respond to questions after a presentation in a non-aggressive and professional manner?

Responding to questions in a professional manner The presenter should stand throughout the feedback session. Be polite/confident/courteous when responding to questions . Ensure that each question/comment is clearly understood before responding/re-phrase questions if uncertain. He should first listen and then respond.

How to answer questions smartly?

First, take a deep breath to stay calm and focused on answering the question at hand . Make sure you've heard the entire question and you understand it. If you're not sure, ask them to repeat the question, and repeat it back to them to ensure clarity.

What to say if you don't know the answer in a defense?

While it is ok sometimes to just say "I don't know", he advises to try something like " I don't know, but I would think [...] because of x and y, but you would need to do [...] in order to find out.” This shows that you have the ability to think as an academic.

What can you say if the question is not related to the presentation topic?

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."

What are some strategies for answering questions you don't know during a presentation? (2024)

All
Soft Skills
Public Speaking

1

Acknowledge the question

2

Admit what you don't know

3

Refer to other sources

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4

Follow up with the questioner

5

Here’s what else to consider

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One of the most challenging aspects of giving a presentation is facing the questions from the audience. Sometimes, you might encounter a question that you don't know the answer to, or that is beyond the scope of your topic. How can you handle such situations without losing your credibility and confidence? Here are some strategies for answering questions you don't know during a presentation.

1 Acknowledge the question

The first thing to do when you receive a question that you don't know the answer to is to acknowledge it. Don't ignore it, pretend that you didn't hear it, or give a vague or irrelevant response. Instead, thank the person for asking, repeat or paraphrase the question to show that you understand it, and express your interest or curiosity in it. This will show that you respect the questioner and that you are willing to engage with them.

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