Handling questions, interruptions and going blank

The moments people fear most are the unplanned ones: a hard question, someone talking over you, or a sudden blank. Each has a simple routine you can practise, so that when it happens you already know what to do.

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Prepare for questions in advance

• The University of Guelph suggests writing down the questions you are likely to be asked, and practising your answers out loud.
• Include the questions you would least like to be asked. Those are the ones worth rehearsing.
• Guelph also suggests preparing backup slides with extra detail that you only show if someone asks.
• Plan how you will invite questions at the end, for example: 'Thank you for listening. I am happy to take any questions.'

Answering well: the ABC method

• Northern Illinois University (NIU) advises looking at the person asking, listening fully, and acknowledging the question, for example 'Thank you for that question.'
• In a large room, repeat the question so everyone can hear it before you answer (NIU).
• Guelph's ABC method: Acknowledge the question by paraphrasing it and asking for clarification if needed; Be honest; Contribute what you do know.
• Keep answers short, so more people get a turn and you do not spend too long on one question (NIU).
• Script: 'So you are asking whether the refill stations would cost more to maintain. Good question. Here is what I found...'

Tricky questions

• If you do not know: say so. Guelph says never pretend; share what you do know and offer to look it up. NIU adds that you can ask whether anyone in the audience can help.
• Script: 'I do not know the exact figure, but I can find it and email it to you after class.'
• Off-topic questions: politely explain it is outside the scope of your talk and offer to discuss it afterwards (NIU).
• Hostile or critical questions: do not counterattack. NIU suggests separating valid criticism from personal attacks and responding only to the valid part.
• Running out of time: announce 'I will take one last question', then offer to stay afterwards (NIU).
• Avoid shuffling papers, belittling a questioner, or only taking questions from one side of the room (NIU).

When someone interrupts

• A speaker quoted in Toastmaster magazine reminds himself that he has the floor and nobody is going to interrupt him.
• The British Council suggests a polite phrase for when someone cuts in during a conversation: 'Hang on, let me finish.' It adds that nobody has the right to rush or interrupt you.
• For a classroom presentation, a softer version works well: 'Good point, I am coming to that in a moment.'
• If a teacher or chair interrupts with a time warning, do not panic or rush. Skip to your conclusion (see the Workplace module).
• In formal debates, interruptions follow rules called points of information, covered in the next lesson.

If your mind goes blank

• Mayo Clinic says that when your mind goes blank it feels long but is probably only a few seconds, and your audience is unlikely to mind a pause.
• Wellesley College advises pausing and gathering your thoughts rather than apologising. A pause also gives the audience time to absorb what you have said.
• Recovery routine: stop, breathe out slowly, look at your notes, repeat your last sentence, then move to your next point.
• Wellesley recommends numbered note cards or an outline with your main ideas and transitions, so you can find your place quickly.
• If you cannot find the thread, skip ahead. Nobody but you knows the order you planned.
• Do not announce the blank. As Toastmasters notes, audiences often do not notice small slips unless you point them out.