presentation questions at the end

30 Examples: How to Conclude a Presentation (Effective Closing Techniques)

By Status.net Editorial Team on March 4, 2024 — 9 minutes to read

Ending a presentation on a high note is a skill that can set you apart from the rest. It’s the final chance to leave an impact on your audience, ensuring they walk away with the key messages embedded in their minds. This moment is about driving your points home and making sure they resonate. Crafting a memorable closing isn’t just about summarizing key points, though that’s part of it, but also about providing value that sticks with your listeners long after they’ve left the room.

Crafting Your Core Message

To leave a lasting impression, your presentation’s conclusion should clearly reflect your core message. This is your chance to reinforce the takeaways and leave the audience thinking about your presentation long after it ends.

Identifying Key Points

Start by recognizing what you want your audience to remember. Think about the main ideas that shaped your talk. Make a list like this:

• The problem your presentation addresses.
• The evidence that supports your argument.
• The solution you propose or the action you want the audience to take.

These key points become the pillars of your core message.

Contextualizing the Presentation

Provide context by briefly relating back to the content of the whole presentation. For example:

• Reference a statistic you shared in the opening, and how it ties into the conclusion.
• Mention a case study that underlines the importance of your message.

Connecting these elements gives your message cohesion and makes your conclusion resonate with the framework of your presentation.

30 Example Phrases: How to Conclude a Presentation

• 1. “In summary, let’s revisit the key takeaways from today’s presentation.”
• 2. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s move forward together.”
• 3. “That brings us to the end. I’m open to any questions you may have.”
• 4. “I’ll leave you with this final thought to ponder as we conclude.”
• 5. “Let’s recap the main points before we wrap up.”
• 6. “I appreciate your engagement. Now, let’s turn these ideas into action.”
• 7. “We’ve covered a lot today. To conclude, remember these crucial points.”
• 8. “As we reach the end, I’d like to emphasize our call to action.”
• 9. “Before we close, let’s quickly review what we’ve learned.”
• 10. “Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to our next steps.”
• 11. “In closing, I’d like to thank everyone for their participation.”
• 12. “Let’s conclude with a reminder of the impact we can make together.”
• 13. “To wrap up our session, here’s a brief summary of our discussion.”
• 14. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to present to you. Any final thoughts?”
• 15. “And that’s a wrap. I welcome any final questions or comments.”
• 16. “As we conclude, let’s remember the objectives we’ve set today.”
• 17. “Thank you for your time. Let’s apply these insights to achieve success.”
• 18. “In conclusion, your feedback is valuable, and I’m here to listen.”
• 19. “Before we part, let’s take a moment to reflect on our key messages.”
• 20. “I’ll end with an invitation for all of us to take the next step.”
• 21. “As we close, let’s commit to the goals we’ve outlined today.”
• 22. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s keep the conversation going.”
• 23. “In conclusion, let’s make a difference, starting now.”
• 24. “I’ll leave you with these final words to consider as we end our time together.”
• 25. “Before we conclude, remember that change starts with our actions today.”
• 26. “Thank you for the lively discussion. Let’s continue to build on these ideas.”
• 27. “As we wrap up, I encourage you to reach out with any further questions.”
• 28. “In closing, I’d like to express my gratitude for your valuable input.”
• 29. “Let’s conclude on a high note and take these learnings forward.”
• 30. “Thank you for your time today. Let’s end with a commitment to progress.”

Summarizing the Main Points

When you reach the end of your presentation, summarizing the main points helps your audience retain the important information you’ve shared. Crafting a memorable summary enables your listeners to walk away with a clear understanding of your message.

Effective Methods of Summarization

To effectively summarize your presentation, you need to distill complex information into concise, digestible pieces. Start by revisiting the overarching theme of your talk and then narrow down to the core messages. Use plain language and imagery to make the enduring ideas stick. Here are some examples of how to do this:

• Use analogies that relate to common experiences to recap complex concepts.
• Incorporate visuals or gestures that reinforce your main arguments.

The Rule of Three

The Rule of Three is a classic writing and communication principle. It means presenting ideas in a trio, which is a pattern that’s easy for people to understand and remember. For instance, you might say, “Our plan will save time, cut costs, and improve quality.” This structure has a pleasing rhythm and makes the content more memorable. Some examples include:

• “This software is fast, user-friendly, and secure.”
• Pointing out a product’s “durability, affordability, and eco-friendliness.”

Reiterating the Main Points

Finally, you want to circle back to the key takeaways of your presentation. Rephrase your main points without introducing new information. This reinforcement supports your audience’s memory and understanding of the material. You might summarize key takeaways like this:

• Mention the problem you addressed, the solution you propose, and the benefits of this solution.
• Highlighting the outcomes of adopting your strategy: higher efficiency, greater satisfaction, and increased revenue.

Creating a Strong Conclusion

The final moments of your presentation are your chance to leave your audience with a powerful lasting impression. A strong conclusion is more than just summarizing—it’s your opportunity to invoke thought, inspire action, and make your message memorable.

Incorporating a Call to Action

A call to action is your parting request to your audience. You want to inspire them to take a specific action or think differently as a result of what they’ve heard. To do this effectively:

• Be clear about what you’re asking.
• Explain why their action is needed.
• Make it as simple as possible for them to take the next steps.

Example Phrases:

• “Start making a difference today by…”
• “Join us in this effort by…”
• “Take the leap and commit to…”

Leaving a Lasting Impression

End your presentation with something memorable. This can be a powerful quote, an inspirational statement, or a compelling story that underscores your main points. The goal here is to resonate with your audience on an emotional level so that your message sticks with them long after they leave.

• “In the words of [Influential Person], ‘…'”
• “Imagine a world where…”
• “This is more than just [Topic]; it’s about…”

Enhancing Audience Engagement

To hold your audience’s attention and ensure they leave with a lasting impression of your presentation, fostering interaction is key.

Q&A Sessions

It’s important to integrate a Q&A session because it allows for direct communication between you and your audience. This interactive segment helps clarify any uncertainties and encourages active participation. Plan for this by designating a time slot towards the end of your presentation and invite questions that promote discussion.

• “I’d love to hear your thoughts; what questions do you have?”
• “Let’s dive into any questions you might have. Who would like to start?”
• “Feel free to ask any questions, whether they’re clarifications or deeper inquiries about the topic.”

Encouraging Audience Participation

Getting your audience involved can transform a good presentation into a great one. Use open-ended questions that provoke thought and allow audience members to reflect on how your content relates to them. Additionally, inviting volunteers to participate in a demonstration or share their experiences keeps everyone engaged and adds a personal touch to your talk.

• “Could someone give me an example of how you’ve encountered this in your work?”
• “I’d appreciate a volunteer to help demonstrate this concept. Who’s interested?”
• “How do you see this information impacting your daily tasks? Let’s discuss!”

Delivering a Persuasive Ending

At the end of your presentation, you have the power to leave a lasting impact on your audience. A persuasive ending can drive home your key message and encourage action.

Sales and Persuasion Tactics

When you’re concluding a presentation with the goal of selling a product or idea, employ carefully chosen sales and persuasion tactics. One method is to summarize the key benefits of your offering, reminding your audience why it’s important to act. For example, if you’ve just presented a new software tool, recap how it will save time and increase productivity. Another tactic is the ‘call to action’, which should be clear and direct, such as “Start your free trial today to experience the benefits first-hand!” Furthermore, using a touch of urgency, like “Offer expires soon!”, can nudge your audience to act promptly.

Final Impressions and Professionalism

Your closing statement is a chance to solidify your professional image and leave a positive impression. It’s important to display confidence and poise. Consider thanking your audience for their time and offering to answer any questions. Make sure to end on a high note by summarizing your message in a concise and memorable way. If your topic was on renewable energy, you might conclude by saying, “Let’s take a leap towards a greener future by adopting these solutions today.” This reinforces your main points and encourages your listeners to think or act differently when they leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative strategies for ending a presentation memorably.

To end your presentation in a memorable way, consider incorporating a call to action that engages your audience to take the next step. Another strategy is to finish with a thought-provoking question or a surprising fact that resonates with your listeners.

Can you suggest some powerful quotes suitable for concluding a presentation?

Yes, using a quote can be very effective. For example, Maya Angelou’s “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” can reinforce the emotional impact of your presentation.

What is an effective way to write a conclusion that summarizes a presentation?

An effective conclusion should recap the main points succinctly, highlighting what you want your audience to remember. A good way to conclude is by restating your thesis and then briefly summarizing the supporting points you made.

As a student, how can I leave a strong impression with my presentation’s closing remarks?

To leave a strong impression, consider sharing a personal anecdote related to your topic that demonstrates passion and conviction. This helps humanize your content and makes the message more relatable to your audience.

How can I appropriately thank my audience at the close of my presentation?

A simple and sincere expression of gratitude is always appropriate. You might say, “Thank you for your attention and engagement today,” to convey appreciation while also acknowledging their participation.

What are some examples of a compelling closing sentence in a presentation?

A compelling closing sentence could be something like, “Together, let’s take the leap towards a greener future,” if you’re presenting on sustainability. This sentence is impactful, calls for united action, and leaves your audience with a clear message.

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100+ Questions to Ask After a Presentation

After a presentation, asking the right questions is key. It can help clarify what was shared, spark more discussion, and ensure everyone’s on the same page. Whether you’re the presenter or an audience member, knowing what to ask can make a big difference.

But how do you know which questions are worth asking? Not all questions are helpful or relevant, and you don’t want to miss out on a chance to gain more insight. So, what are the best questions to ask?

Don’t worry, though. I’ve got some simple yet powerful questions you can ask that will leave a great impression.

Table of Contents

If You Are the Presenter

If you are an audience member, frequently asked questions, final thoughts, questions to build audience connection.

• Which part of the presentation resonated with you the most?
• Did anything in the presentation inspire you to take action?
• How do you feel this information could benefit you personally?
• Were there any parts that reminded you of your own experiences?
• Did you find any particular section especially interesting or relatable?
• What emotions did the presentation evoke for you?
• How do you see this information fitting into your daily life?
• Did anything surprise you about the presentation’s content?
• How did the information challenge your existing knowledge or beliefs?
• What was your favorite takeaway from today’s presentation?
• Is there a topic you’d like me to explore further in the future?
• Did you feel the presentation style encouraged interaction?
• What question do you think I should have asked the audience during the presentation?
• How did the content align with your expectations of the topic?
• Was there a specific part that you felt connected to on a personal level?

Questions to Address Uncertainties

• Was there any part of the presentation that you didn’t fully understand?
• Are there any terms I used that need further explanation?
• Did the data or statistics seem clear, or would more context help?
• Were there any concepts that felt too complex or confusing?
• Should I go over any part of the presentation again to clarify?
• Was there enough background information for you to grasp the topic?
• Did any section feel rushed, making it hard to follow?
• Is there anything I can explain in more detail to make it clearer?
• Were the examples I used helpful, or should I include different ones?
• Is there anything you were hoping to learn that I didn’t cover?
• Would you like me to break down any specific points further?
• Were there any moments where you lost track of the main idea?
• Did any slide or visual aid need more explanation?
• Were there any conflicting ideas in the presentation that needed clearing up?
• Do you feel confident about the main takeaways, or should I revisit them?

Understanding and Retention Questions

• Can someone summarize the key points I made today?
• What is the one takeaway you’ll remember most from this presentation?
• How would you explain the main concept of this presentation to someone else?
• What are the three most important things you learned today?
• If I were to ask you about this topic in a week, what would you still remember?
• What part of the presentation do you think will stick with you the longest?
• Can you recall the first major point I made?
• How does the information I presented align with your current understanding of the topic?
• What new idea or concept did you learn that you didn’t know before?
• How would you apply the information presented to a real-life situation?
• Can someone point out the main takeaway from the second section of the presentation?
• What question do you think I should ask to test people’s understanding of the content?
• Can someone recall an example I used to explain a key concept?
• Which part of the presentation helped reinforce what you already knew?
• What information do you think you’ll need to review to grasp the content fully?

Questions for Self-Improvement

• What part of the presentation did you find least engaging?
• Were the visuals helpful or distracting?
• Did I pace the presentation well, or was it too fast/slow?
• Was there enough detail to make the content clear?
• Did the presentation feel too long or just right?
• How could I make the content more relatable?
• Was my tone appropriate for the topic?
• Did I make the main points clear and easy to follow?
• Were the transitions between topics smooth enough?
• How could I improve my delivery in future presentations?
• Was there anything in the presentation that felt unnecessary?
• Did the examples I used help explain the concepts?
• How could I make the presentation more engaging for the audience?
• Was my body language effective in keeping your attention?
• What suggestions do you have for improving this presentation?

Follow-Up Questions to the Topic

• Can you explain more about the key points you mentioned?
• Could you provide more examples to clarify your ideas?
• How does this information compare to other views on the subject?
• Could you expand on the background of this topic?
• What research or sources support your presentation?
• How does your perspective differ from other common approaches?
• Could you explain your thought process behind these conclusions?
• Can you talk more about how this information applies in broader contexts?
• What are some challenges in applying this concept?
• Could you provide more context regarding some of the data presented?
• How did you decide which aspects of the topic to focus on?
• Could you explore further how this impacts different fields or industries?
• How has this subject evolved over time?
• What additional resources would you recommend for further understanding?
• How do you see this topic developing in the future?

Challenging Questions for Critical Thinking

• What are the limitations of this approach?
• Have you considered alternative viewpoints or methods?
• What would critics of this approach say?
• Is there evidence that challenges your conclusions?
• How do you address situations where this idea doesn’t work as expected?
• What risks could arise if this idea is applied incorrectly?
• What factors might limit the success of this approach?
• Are there any ethical concerns related to this?
• What if the opposite of what you suggest is true?
• How would you adapt this idea to different scenarios?
• Are there exceptions where this concept wouldn’t apply?
• What external factors could influence the success of this idea?
• How does this fit into the larger conversation about this topic?
• If you had to critique your own ideas, what would you say?
• What should we consider before fully accepting this concept?

Application and Practicality Questions

• How can I apply what you’ve shared in practical situations?
• What are some first steps to putting this into action?
• Can you provide real-life examples of this being applied successfully?
• What should we consider when trying to implement this?
• What obstacles might arise when applying this information?
• How does this concept apply in different situations?
• How can this information be useful in everyday life?
• What tools or resources would help in applying these ideas?
• How do you recommend starting to use this information?
• How does this work for teams or individuals?
• Can you give an example of this working well in challenging conditions?
• How long does it usually take to see results from applying this?
• What are common mistakes to avoid when using this information?
• Are there real-world examples that show the success of this approach?
• What should someone know before trying to apply these ideas?

Should you end a presentation with any questions?

Yes, ending a presentation with a Q&A segment is a common and effective practice. It allows the audience to clarify any doubts and provides a chance for interaction. It shows that you are open to feedback and willing to engage further, which can strengthen your connection with the audience.

How do you start a Q&A session after a presentation?

Transition smoothly by inviting the audience to ask their questions. You can say something like , “Thank you for listening. Now, I’d be happy to take any questions you have.” Make eye contact, stay relaxed, and give the audience time to formulate their questions before jumping in to answer.

What should you avoid when asking questions after a presentation?

Avoid overly personal questions or those that might seem confrontational. The goal is to enhance understanding and discussion, not to challenge the presenter in a negative way.

How should a presenter handle questions they cannot answer?

It’s important for presenters to be honest if they don’t have an answer. They can offer to find the information and follow up or suggest resources where the audience might find the answer themselves.

Is there a limit to how many questions one should ask after a presentation?

While there is no set limit, it’s respectful to be mindful of time and the number of other audience members who might also have questions. Asking one or two thoughtful questions is generally appropriate.

Asking the right questions after a presentation can open the door to better understanding and stronger connections. Whether you’re presenting or listening, thoughtful questions help everyone learn more and keep the conversation going.

So, next time you’re in a presentation, don’t hesitate to speak up. Your questions could make all the difference in how well the message is understood and remembered.

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Bea Mariel Saulo

Bea is an editor and writer with a passion for literature and self-improvement. Her ability to combine these two interests enables her to write informative and thought-provoking articles that positively impact society. She enjoys reading stories and listening to music in her spare time.

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How to Nail the Q&A After Your Presentation

• Caroline Webb

You can’t rehearse it, but you can be prepared.

When preparing to give a presentation, most professionals focus their energy on the main portion of their talk — their key messages, slides, and takeaways. And far too few people think through how you’ll answer questions at the end of the presentation can be a big mistake. If you’re worried about how to hand the Q&A, there are several things you can do. Change your mindset. Rather than dreading this part of the talk, develop an appreciation for the conversation. It’s a good thing that people have follow-up questions and want to further engage with your content. Beforehand, think through the types of questions audience members might ask. Put yourself in your shoes and ask yourself what concerns they might have about how your message impacts their job. Then, when you’re asked a question, especially one that might be contentious, start your answer by focusing on where you and the person asking it agree. This makes the person feel seen and connected to you. And if you’re asked a question out of left field, be curious. Ask follow-up questions that help you understand what they’re getting at and where they’re coming from.

If you’re not a huge fan of public speaking , you’re in good company. It’s such a widely shared source of anxiety that when psychologists want to induce unpleasant stress in a person for experimental purposes, they often use a public speaking task called the Trier Social Stress Test . The test requires people to give a talk and do sums in front of a panel of impassive listeners, and it reliably generates stress markers such as a faster heart rate, raised cortisol levels, and “enhanced skin conductance,” which is the polite way of saying sweaty palms.

• Caroline Webb is the author of How to Have a Good Day: Harness the Power of Behavioral Science to Transform Your Working Life . She is also CEO of coaching firm Sevenshift , and a senior adviser to McKinsey & Company. Follow her on Facebook or Google + . caroline_webb_

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Presenters’ Secret Weapon: 32 English Phrases for Smooth Q&A

Let’s face it… At the end of a presentation, the questions can be terrifying for many speakers as they can’t be controlled and are hard to prepare for. For non-native speakers, particularly, it’s essential to be well prepared, and part of this preparation means knowing the phrases to handle questions!

In this lesson, you will learn the ‘Top 32 ways to handle Presentation Questions using Business English.’ Watch the lesson and then read the article for examples.

Remember, there’s a FREE Cheat sheet button below for this lesson:-

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CLARIFYING QUESTIONS The presenter checks that they’ve understood the question from the audience correctly. A customer has called to the office and you pick up the phone.

• “I’m sorry, could you repeat your question please?”
• “So, if I understood you correctly, you’d like to know whether [there will be redundancies in our organisation?”]
• “So, in other words, you would like to know whether [the database purchase will ensure efficiency?”]
• “Does that answer your question?”
• “I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch that.”
• “If I could just rephrase your question. You’d like to know [if these security standards are the minimum?”]

CHECKING WHETHER THE AUDIENCE MEMBER IS SATISFIED An audience member has asked a question. The presenter answers and then checks to see that they’ve understood.

7. “Does that answer your question?”

8. “Is that clearer now?”

9. “Is that the kind of information you were looking for?”

RESPONSES TO GOOD QUESTIONS The presenter acknowledges that an audience member has asked a good question.

10. “Good point.”

11 “I’m glad you asked that.”

12. “That’s a very good question.”

ADMITTING YOU DON”T KNOW Sometimes the presenter might not know the answer to an audience member’s question.

13. “I don’t know the answer to your question, but I’ll aim to find out for you.”

14.. “Sorry I don’t know that off the top of my head.”

15. “Sorry, that’s not my area of expertise but I’m sure [Steve Beesley from the Research Department] could answer your question.”

16. “I’m afraid I’m not in a position to answer that question at the moment.”

RESPONSES TO IRRELEVANT QUESTIONS Sometimes an audience member will ask a question that is not relevant to the presentation, and the presenter responds accordingly.

17. That’s not really my area of expertise.”

18. “Well, I think that goes beyond the scope of my expertise.”

19. “To be honest, I think that raises a different issue.”

AVOID GIVING AN ANSWER The presenter may get a difficult or awkward question and avoid answering.

20. “ If you don’t mind, could we discuss that on another occasion?”

21. “I’m afraid that’s not really what we’re discussing today.”

22. “Well actually, I’d prefer not to discuss that today.”

POSTPONING QUESTIONS The presenter assures the audience member that there will be an opportunity to revisit the question later on in the session.

23. “If you don’t mind, I’ll come back to this point later on in the presentation.”

24. “Can we get back to this point a bit later?”

25. “I will definitely answer your question towards the end of the presentation.”

26. “Would you mind waiting until the Question and Answer session at the end?”

27. “Perhaps we could go over this after the presentation?”

SUMMARISING AFTER INTERRUPTIONS An audience member interrupted and asked a question. Therefore, the presenter needs to remain composed in directing the audience back to the presentation.

28. “So, now I’d like to go back to what we were discussing earlier.”

29. “Before we go on, let me summarise the main points we’ve discussed.”

CLOSING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The presenter gives the audience the option to ask any final questions.

30. “I think we have time for one more question…”

31. “So, if there are no further questions, [it’s time to end my presentation and thank you all for coming today.”]

32. “If there are no further questions, I’ll finish there. Thank you very much.”

LESSON END.

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Guide for Handling Questions after a Presentation

October 19, 2017 - Dom Barnard

The questions at the end of a presentation can be terrifying for many speakers as they can’t be controlled and are hard to prepare for. However, questions form an important part of the presentation for the whole audience as they allow for clarification and consolidation of learning.

The presenter can enhance the usefulness of the question and answer session by treating it as a formal part of the presentation that requires as much careful planning and control as the delivery of the core material.

Identify possible questions and scope in your preparation

The background work that you undertook whilst planning your presentation is the key to handling questions effectively and understanding what  type of audience  you’ll be faced with. If you have defined a focus for your presentation and have explored this thoroughly in your research and planning, you are more likely to be able to confidently respond to questions.

When planning your presentation, you will need to prepare prompts for questions that are open and straightforward, for example saying “That’s the end of my presentation. I’ll be taking questions for the next 10 minutes”.

You might also want to define topics for discussion before taking questions, by stating the areas you’re willing to field questions in. Your preparation will help you identify topics you are not confident with and want to avoid in the questioning.

Set some rules for asking questions

At the start of your presentation, make it clear when you would prefer to deal with questions – as you go along or at the end of the presentation.

Some speakers prefer questions to be raised as they arise during the presentation. The advantage of this approach is that any misunderstandings can be dealt with immediately. However, there is also a danger that the question will disrupt or distract the speaker, or that questions are raised that would have been covered later in the presentation.

If you leave questions until the end, plan to leave plenty of time for questions so that the audience doesn’t feel rushed.

Framework for responding to questions

Answering questions under pressure can make you say things you shouldn’t have – the nerves can force you to give an inappropriate response. In your panic you might have misinterpreted the question or given away company information that was sensitive. Use the following framework to help you respond effectively to your audience.

Practice answering AI-generated questions on your speech or presentation with  VirtualSpeech .

1. Listen to the whole question

You don’t have to answer a question immediately. Pause for a few seconds,  actively listen  to all parts of the question and think about the best way to answer.

Frequently questions can change direction at the last moment, particularly if the questioner is thinking on their feet. This can throw you if you have already started to prepare an answer. Remember that questioners will frequently try to make a point whilst asking their question – it’s therefore important to both hear the content of the question and try to decipher the questioner’s intention.

2. Understand the context

If you are worried that you haven’t understood a question, ask them to clarify what they mean. Check for confirmation by paraphrasing the question back to the questioner – “You want me to list the improvements of X?”.

3. Involve the whole audience

It is important to remember that even though you are taking a question from one member of the audience, you are still responsible for the interest of the other audience members. This is particularly important in large groups as the audience will become bored if the presentation descends into a series of one-to-one discussions.

To involve the rest of the audience, make sure the whole audience has heard and understood the question by repeating it or paraphrasing it to the audience.

4. Respond concisely

When you reply to a question, direct your answer to both the questioner and other members of the audience. Try to keep your responses as focused as possible, leaving space for other questions. To avoid going into too much detail, check back with the questioner to see if you have answered their query – “Does that answer your question in enough detail?”.

We’ll cover different ways to respond in a later section.

5. Allow follow-up questions via email

You can also encourage your audience to ask questions after the event has finished by providing your email address. This shows a high level of respect for your audience and implies that the topic still has much further scope for enquiry.

Two good resources for handling questions

• What’s the art of answering a tricky question?
• Dodging the Question

Practice Answering Questions

Practice answering questions after your presentation using a 4 step process. Learn More

Options for answering the question

There are five possible choices depending on how well you understand and can answer the question. It’s okay to say that you don’t know the answer to something. This can add to your credibility instead of trying to waffle through an answer you don’t really know.

If you have a good answer for the question from the audience, go ahead and answer it in a short and clear message.

Ask a question back the audience member, such as “Can you clarify what you mean by that”. You can also attack the question if it is not related to the issue, factually inaccurate, personal or based on false assumptions. Be careful with this method.

Ask the question back to the audience or pass it to another panel member if possible. If suitable, another technique is to imply the question has been asked already, with you stating you don’t want to cover old ground.

Tell the audience member you will talk to them after the event. This gives you more time to think of a good answer and there is less pressure to give a perfect answer.

Or mention that that point is coming up in a slide.

This involves answering the question but changing the subject. You can also give a partial answer or give a negative answer, saying that something else will happen instead.

Avoid answering questions that fall outside of the remit of your talk: “I’m afraid that really falls outside of my objectives for today’s presentation. Perhaps we can resume discussion of that particular point later?”

Diagram Explained : Once you receive a question, you’ll have a few moments to think about it and reframe it in a way that makes sense to you. This will give you five choices on how to react – you can answer, reflect, deflect, defer or change the scope of the question. Once you’ve answered concisely, you can then follow up to check if the person asking the question is satisfied and then continue with the presentation.

Strategies to use when struggling to answer

Here are some strategies to use when you are struggling to answer the question posed to you. For more information, read this article on  Dodging the Question .

• Acknowledge the question without answering it – “That’s a good question, let’s consider the impact by looking at…”
• The question fails to tackle the important issue.
• The question is based on a false assumption.
• The question is factually inaccurate.
• The question is too personal or objectionable.
• Decline to answer. Refuse to answer on the basis that it is not your area of responsibility or it is sensitive company information – “You will have to ask [name] because I wasn’t involved in that particular project.”
• Partial answer
• Start to answer but change the subject
• Negative answer. You state what won’t happen instead of what will happen
• Answer a similar question
• State or imply the question has already been answered – “We’ve already covered that topic”

Things to avoid

When handling questions and answers, you will still need to be as professional as you have been for the main delivery of your presentation. There are some common dangers to avoid.

Answering the question you wished you’d been asked

A common trick played by politicians, this strategy ignores the precise nature of the question and uses a predetermined answer to the broad topic area. If handled poorly, this technique is very obvious to the audience and frustrating to the questioner.

Giving a lengthy response

This is the process whereby you make a lengthy response, including all the information you’d left out in planning the main presentation. Your unplanned response will be unstructured and rambling, so keep things focused and brief. If you find yourself rambling, ask them to talk to you after.

Passing the blame

Passing the blame to others comes across as weak and evasive. If an idea from the audience is a good one, acknowledge its value. If it isn’t, make a polite rebuttal and move on.

Defensive answers

Occasionally, questions can really put you on the spot, but it is important to remain calm and in control. An aggressive or defensive reply will be seen as weakness on your part and will spoil the effect of an otherwise successful presentation.

Handling difficult questions

It is important not to start responding to a difficult question before you have thought about the answer. Repeating the question and asking for clarification will help create some space for your thoughts.

Sometimes you will need to think about a question for a moment before responding. You may be able to buy a little bit of thinking time to help focus your response. Useful strategies include searching for an appropriate visual aid to help focus your response or simply pausing for a moment or two to think. For even more time, suggest that you’ll come back to the topic later (but don’t forget to do this).

7 myths when answering tough questions during presentations

Sometimes questions are too difficult to answer. Don’t worry about admitting that you don’t know something or haven’t considered an alternative approach. An enthusiastic “That’s an interesting idea, I’d not thought of that” is much more positive than a mumbled “I don’t know ”. Remember that a presentation is a two-way process and it is important to show that you are learning from your audience as well.

Finally, you can come across a questioner who disagrees strongly with your argument. Although this can feel very awkward, remember that you are still responsible for the whole audience and that you cannot allocate all of your question time to one individual.

If you feel that you have answered the initial question, announce that you will move on and suggest that you might continue discussion after the presentation. If the questioner persists, assert your position calmly by saying “I’m afraid I need to move on”.

You can read more on this topic here:  Responding to questions effectively (PDF)

10 Powerful Examples of How to End a Presentation

• By Illiya Vjestica
• - January 23, 2023

Here are 10 powerful examples of how to end a presentation that does not end with a thank you slide.

How many presentations have you seen that end with “Thank you for listening” or “Any questions?” I bet it’s a lot…

“Thank you for listening.” is the most common example. Unfortunately, when it comes to closing out your slides ending with “thank you” is the norm. We can create a better presentation ending by following these simple examples.

The two most essential slides of your deck are the ending and intro. An excellent presentation ending is critical to helping the audience to the next step or following a specific call to action.

There are many ways you can increase your presentation retention rate . The most critical steps are having a solid call to action at the end of your presentation and a powerful hook that draws your audience in.

What Action do You Want Your Audience to Take?

Before designing your presentation, start with this question – what message or action will you leave your audience with?

Are you looking to persuade, inspire, entertain or inform your audience? You can choose one or multiple words to describe the intent of your presentation.

Think about the action words that best describe your presentation ending – what do you want them to do? Inspire, book, learn, understand, engage, donate, buy, book or schedule. These are a few examples.

If the goal of your presentation is to inspire, why not end with a powerful and inspiring quote ? Let words of wisdom be the spark that ignites an action within your audience.

Here are three ways to end your presentation:

• Call to Action – getting the audience to take a specific action or next step, for example, booking a call, signing up for an event or donating to your cause.
• Persuade – persuading your audience to think differently, try something new, undertake a challenge or join your movement or community.
• Summarise – A summary of the key points and information you want the audience to remember. If you decide to summarise your talk at the end, keep it to no more than three main points.

10 Examples of How to End a Presentation

1. Asking your audience to take action or make a pledge.

Here were asking the audience to take action by using the wording “take action” in our copy. This call to action is a pledge to donate. A clear message like this can be helpful for charities and non-profits looking to raise funding for their campaign or cause.

2. Encourage your audience to take a specific action, e.g. joining your cause or community

Here was are asking the audience to join our community and help solve a problem by becoming part of the solution. It’s a simple call to action. You can pass the touch to your audience and ask them to take the next lead.

3. Highlight the critical points for your audience to remember.

Rember, to summarise your presentation into no more than three key points. This is important because the human brain struggles to remember more than three pieces of information simultaneously. We call this the “Rule of Three”.

4. If you are trying to get more leads or sales end with a call to action to book a demo or schedule a call.

Can you inspire your audience to sign up for a demo or trial of your product? Structure your talk to lead your prospect through a journey of the results you generate for other clients. At the end of your deck, finish with a specific call to action, such as “Want similar results to X?”

Make sure you design a button, or graphic your prospect can click on when you send them the PDF version of the slides.

5. Challenge your audience to think differently or take action, e.g. what impact could they make?

6. Give your audience actions to help share your message.

7. Promote your upcoming events or workshops

8. Asking your audience to become a volunteer.

9. Direct your audience to learn more about your website.

10. If you are a book author, encourage your audience to engage with your book.

6 Questions to Generate an Ending for Your Presentation

You’ve told an engaging story, but why end your presentation without leaving your audience a clear message or call to action?

Here are six great questions you can ask yourself to generate an ending for your presentation or keynote talk.

• What impression would you want to leave your audience with?
• What is the big idea you want to leave them with?
• What action should they take next?
• What key point should you remember 72 hours after your presentation?
• What do you want them to feel?
• What is the key takeaway for them to understand?

What to Say After Ending a Presentation?

When you get to the end of a book, you don’t see the author say, “thank you for reading my last chapter.” Of course, there is no harm in thanking the audience after your presentation ends, but don’t make that the last words you speak.

Think of the ending of the presentation as the final chapter of an epic novel. It’s your chance to leave a lasting impression on the audience. Close with an impactful ending and leave them feeling empowered, invigorated and engaged.

• Leave a lasting impression.
• Think of it as the last chapter of a book.
• Conclude with a thought or question.
• Leave the audience with a specific action or next step.

How to End a Presentation with Style?

There are many great ways you can end your presentation with style. Are you ready to drop the mic?

Ensure your closing slide is punchy, has a clear headline, or uses a thought-provoking image.

You want to capture the audience’s attention before closing the presentation. Make sure the fonts you choose and are clear and easy to read. And What are the Best Colours for Your PowerPoint presentation? Use them wisely.

Do you need to consider adding a link? If you add links to your social media accounts, use icons and buttons to make them easy to see. Add a link to each button or icon. By doing this, if you send the PDF slides to people, they can follow the links to your various accounts.

What Should you Remember?

💡 If you take one thing away from this post, it’s to lose the traditional ending slides. Let’s move on from the “Thank you for your attention.” or “Any questions.” slides.

These don’t help you or the audience. Respect them and think about what they should do next. You may be interested to learn 3 Tactics to Free Your Presentation Style to help you connect to your audience.

Create stunning presentations with our templates, toolkits and guides.

Illiya Vjestica

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