5. Handling the question and answer sessions

1 Listen carefully

2 Make sure you have understood the question correctly

3 Reformulate the question in your own words.

4 If you want to postpone the question, say why politely.

5 If you don’t know the answer, say so and offer to find out.

6 Answer irrelevant questions politely but briefly

7 Check that the questioner is satisfied with your answer.

Dealing with questions

Asking for clarification If you do not understand the question, politely ask the person to repeat or explain it.

I’m sorry could you repeat your question, please.

I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch that.

I’m afraid I don’t quite understand your question.

Avoiding giving an answer Sometimes you may not want to answer a question, perhaps because it’s the wrong time for it or the question is irrelevant. When avoiding giving an answer, make sure that your tone of voice is friendly and your reply is polite.

If you don’t mind, I’d prefer not to discuss that today.

Perhaps we could deal with this after the presentation / at some other time.

I’m afraid that’s not really what we’re here to discuss today.

Admitting you don’t know the answer If you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest and say so. Offer to find out or name a person who can answer the question.

Sorry, that’s not my field. But I’m sure Peter Bott from sales could answer your question.

I’m afraid I don’t know answer to your question, but I’ll try to find out for you.

I’m afraid I’m not in the position to answer that. Perhaps Maria could help.

Giving a presentation presentation directions

PREPARATION AND PROCEDURE:

Step 1. Study the list of basic words and phrases and practice using them in the sentences of your own. Use these words and phrases while giving a presentation of your own.

Step 2. Determine the key points of your presentation.

Step 3. Make an outline of your presentation or lecture. The main items are:

1. Introduction.

2. The main body.

It includes 3 or 4 key points followed by explanation and examples.

3. Conclusion.

Step 4. Make slides using PowerPoint programme to support your presentation.

Note:

1. Each slide should contain not more than five or six key statements.

2. Tables and graphs are preferable to words.

3. The text should be easily readable in distance.

Step 5. Arrange slides in the following order:

1. The topic of presentation or lecture and the name and position of the speaker / lecturer, (one slide);

2. The outline of the lecture (one slide);

3. Several slides illustrating the key points of the lecture;

IV. Summary (one slide).

Step 6. Make your presentation.

Step 7. Be ready to answer questions on the topic of your presentation or lecture.

Bibliography

1. Marion Grussendorf. English for Presentations. Oxford University Press, 2007.

2 Moi Ali. Effective Public Relations. Dorling Kindersley Limited Text copyright, 2001.

3 Мэскалл Б. Ключевые слова в средствах массовой информации: Пособие по английскому языку. – М.: ООО «Издательство Астрель»: ООО «Издательство АСТ», 2002. ( Bill Mascull. Key words in the Media.The University of Burmingham,Collins Cobuild. HarperCollins Publishers.)

ВАЛИЕВА Лейля Узбековна GIVING PRESENTATIONS 2011

Каф.иностранных языков КНИТУ им. А.Н.Туполева