While giving a presentation on a project, someone asks a question you did not expect. You are not prepared and immediately start panicking. Many of us have been in this position before. If someone asks you a question that makes you hesitate, take a moment to think about the response. Sometimes it is easy to become flustered under pressure. A pause will help you collect your thoughts. If you still do not know the answer, sometimes it is best to acknowledge that. I like to say “That is a good question. I have not thought about (subject), but…” and connect it with something related that I have looked into. In a presentation, your audience will appreciate your frankness. That tactic is more straightforward than talking in circles. Note, this may not work in every situation. In class, for example, an “I’m not sure/positive” may suffice. No reason to get embarrassed—classrooms are for learning. Just make sure you listen to the response and you will have learned something new!
Ever been stumped by a question in class? How do you handle it?
