Dr. (Anti)Laura's three tips for answering questions in a presentation

1. Stay poised:

- Write down question as someone asks it to help you understand it or reframe it if necessary.

- Jot down your answer as someone talks, using bullet points or numbers to keep track.

- Do not be afraid to take your time thinking about the question before you answer out loud.

2. Keep in control of the floor:

- Reframe the question by A. giving a short answer and then saying you'd love to talk after the presentation.

- Reframe the question by reminding audience what the scope of your project is.

- Reframe the question by answering something you -can- answer rather than the question asked (sneaky tactic but sometimes necessary)

3. Be gracious while being credible:

- Remember that no one knows everything. If someone suggests something you haven't thought of or a source you haven't read, be gracious, write it down (whether you agree or not; it shows you've conceded) and thank them. You can ignore it later.

- Admit that you don't know the answer, you need time to think about it, but given the XYZ specifics of your project, this is the direction you have chosen. Be gracious.

- Make sure you -do- know the work that you are citing

- Think of objections ahead of time and have answers prepared in your mind.