英语演讲问答技巧：如何应对观众提问与棘手问题

As you saw in the video, this speaker had some challenging questions from the audience. Most audiences are much nicer than this though, right? But let's talk about getting questions from your audience. If you're worried at all about this part of presenting, get prepared. Try to imagine what questions you may have to answer. When you anticipate the questions, you can practice answering them. You have two choices about how to handle questions. Let people ask them anytime or ask them to save their questions until you finish your presentation. In a formal presentation, the second option is much more common. It helps you manage time more effectively to save the questions until the end.

Feel free to stop me anytime with your questions. I'd be happy to answer questions at the end of my talk. We'll have time for questions at the end. If someone asks you a question, but you prefer to answer questions at the end of your presentation, say something like this to politely let people know that you want to wait to answer those questions. I'd be happy to answer that question at the end. Let's talk about that at the end in a few minutes. Would you mind waiting to ask that question? Sometimes people ask you a question about something that you're just about to cover. Here are some responses you can use. These responses only work if the answers are going to be shown in the remainder of your talk. Good question. I'll come to that in a few minutes. Yes, I'm just about to talk about that.

At the end of your presentation, ask for questions. And make sure you make that plural by the way. It's questions. So, does anyone have any questions? Any questions or comments? I'm happy to answer any questions. What questions do you have? Sometimes people in the audience can't hear other people's questions, so you should repeat them. Could everyone hear? I'll repeat the question. Let me repeat that. Sometimes it's difficult to hear or understand a question from the audience. Here are some ways to ask for repetition. With the last two questions here, you need to try to rephrase the question to say what you think they want to say. I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat that please? I'm sorry. Are you asking how long it will take to launch this? Do you mean why can't we get it done faster?

There are two kinds of difficult questions. One that you can't answer and one's that you don't want to answer. The most important thing is to respond positively, no matter what. Say something like, that's a great question. Or, yes, good question. Then you can say something to explain why you can't answer it. I don't know the answer to that off the top of my head. I don't know the answer to that right here. I'd like to think about that. I'd like to talk to you about that in the break. Interesting question, but that's not something I looked at. That's a good question, but I don't know the answer.

What if someone disagrees with you or is upset about something you said? Just like when you're in a meeting or negotiation, it's important to stay positive. Use expressions like these to empathize or show understanding. I understand how you must feel. I understand that you have a different point of view. I'm sorry that you disagree. It's true that not everyone agrees about this. And, just as we've shown you in our earlier courses, do not say, know you're wrong. Make it more positive. I don't think you're right about that. Don't say, that's not true. Refraise it to, I don't believe that's true. And, if it looks like it's going to get into a bit of an argument, say something like, let's not get into that discussion right now. Or maybe we can talk about that later. You can repeat. Thank you, everyone, to indicate that the time for questions has ended.

Now that you've looked at guidelines and language for finishing up presentations and dealing with difficult situations, let's look at presentation A again. What could the presenter do differently? Then watch presentation B. Does the presenter do what you expected?