Communicate with Confidence/Project Report

              QUESTIONS, PLEASE!
encourage more questions.
* You don't have to answer every question yourself. You can
toss it back to the group.
* Treat irrelevant questions graciously by inviting the
questioner to see you at break because everyone might not
be interested in that topic.
* If you can't answer a question, admit it. Offer to get the
answer later. Don't forget.
* relate a question to your audiences point of reference and
background.
* Try to get questions from as many different participants as
possible.
A v o i d
* being unresponsive even if someone asks too many
questions.
* ridiculing a question or the person who asked. ( Even if it is a
stupid question)
* diverting the question; try to answer now instead of saying,
" I'll get to that later". If you must divert, list them on a flipchart
so they will be addressed, for sure.
* getting off on a personal tangent
* treating a question as if you'd already answered. If it had
been clearly answered, they wouldn't ask.
A s k i n g q u e s t i o n s:
* By asking questions, you serve as role model for
participants to ask questions in return.
* Plan where in the presentation you will use questions. Plan
questions into your speech content.
" Pause after asking to allow participants to think and
respond.
* Clarify early as to where in the presentation you will accept
questions.
' Keep questions short & clear.
* after answering, ask the group, " Can anyone add to that?"
* Pose a question first to the group, then to an individual.
Always ask if he/ she would like to respond and be gracious if
they decline.
A v o i d
* questions that only ask for yes or no answer.
* questions that simply tax their memory banks.
" answering your own question before the audience has a
chance.
* asking, cross examination' questions,
" interrupting a person in the middle of an answer.
* suggesting the answer is wrong. ( A question with a definite
right or wrong answer is a poor choice.)
S u m m a r y
Your question and answer period gives you an
excellent source of information. You can find out what group
members think and how well you've met your objectives.
Questions get participants actively involved and reinforce
learning. A well- handled question and answer period can give
variety to your presentation.
The question period ot your presentation is a
valuable part of the learning process. You can make it lively
and stimulating for the audience and yourself. Schedule it at
the start, in the middle, or throughout the presentation. It
may be formal or informal. Either you or the participants can
ask the questions.
Q u e s t i o n s offer a c h a n c e t o:
* invite participation and two- way communication
* correct misunderstandings or misconceptions
* learn ot knowledge gaps that need attention
* learn of possible resistance to learning
* check that your material met objectives
* discuss and apply new learning
* make a summary
* provide opinions
Life's good times usually result from careful
planning and effort. So it is with a question and answer
period. Many adults have inhibitions about asking or being
asked a question. Be aware of these fears in yourself and
your participants.
Mv fear of a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s:
* I don't ask questions of strangers
* I don't ask questions that challenge an authority
* I don't want to ask a stupid question
* I can't put my questions into words
* I don't want to be embarrassed
My fear of b e i n g a s k e d may h i d e t he
t h o u g h t s :
* I'll sound ignorant if I answer incorrectly
* I may not know the answer
* I can't organize my thoughts quickly enough to answer
* I resent people who waste time by asking questions
A n s w e r i n g q u e s t i o ns
* Show people that you want questions by leaving enough
time. Better yet, ask for questions throughout your
presentation.
" Give participants three by five inch index cards to help
them formulate questions. You can collect these for
answering.
* Ask small groups to generate questions.
" Listen to the intention and content of th^ » question. What is
the subject? With what feelings or emotion is it expressed?
* Worthwhile questions provoke thought; encouraging
participants to evaluate, compare and apply your
information.
* If you're unsure of the question, clarify without being
defensive.
" Probe to encourage the questioner to expand or clarify.
* If it's possible that everyone in the audience did not hear
the question, repeat it over the mike before answering. ( Also
gives you time to think)
* Answer completely, accurately and to the point. Check that
the questioner is satisfied by the answer.
* When possible, respond to a questioner by name.
" Positive comments like, " I'm glad you asked that,"