Mastering the use of questions in your public speaking is essential.
Using questions in your presentation can make your talk more engaging and persuasive.
It helps with:
- Engaging the audience
- Structuring the talk
- Answering difficult questions from the audience
But first, let’s explore the different types of questions:
Types of Questions in Public Speaking
1. Rhetorical Questions
These questions don’t need an answer but make the audience think. They are often used to emphasize a point and provoke thought without expecting a direct response. Rhetorical questions can be powerful tools to engage the audience and make them reflect on the topic.
Example: “Why do we need innovation?”
2. Open-ended Questions
These questions invite discussion and deeper thinking. They cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” and often lead to more detailed and expansive responses. Open-ended questions are ideal for encouraging audience participation and exploring complex topics.
Example: “What are the potential impacts of climate change?”
3. Closed-ended Questions
These questions are great for quick checks of understanding. They typically require a brief, specific answer, often “yes” or “no.” Closed-ended questions are useful for confirming comprehension and keeping the audience on track.
Example: “Is everyone clear on the next steps?”
4. Leading Questions
These questions guide the audience towards a particular answer or thought. They are often used to influence the audience’s thinking and lead them to a specific conclusion. Leading questions can be effective in persuading the audience and reinforcing key points.
Example: “Wouldn’t you agree that we need to innovate? And that innovation requires risk-taking?”
5. Hypothetical Questions
These questions stimulate imagination and scenario-based thinking. They often begin with “what if” and encourage the audience to consider possibilities and potential outcomes. Hypothetical questions are excellent for exploring future scenarios and creative solutions.
Example: “What if we could reduce our carbon footprint by 50% in the next five years?”
Resource: How to Deliver A Great TED Talk
How You Can Incorporate Questions In Your Speech
Questions can be incorporated throughout your presentation.
But, three of the best ways to incorporate questions include: at the start, to transition between points, and to close out your presentation:
1) Begin with a thought-provoking question
Starting your speech with a thought-provoking question grabs attention and sets the tone for the entire presentation. It creates an immediate connection with the audience and piques their curiosity.
Example: “What if I told you that the average person spends 90,000 hours at work during their lifetime?”
Example: Notice how Robert Waldinger opens with a question to engage his audience.
2) Use questions to transition between points
Using questions to transition between points keeps the audience engaged and helps them follow your logic. It also provides a natural break in the presentation, making it easier for the audience to digest information.
Example: “Now that we’ve discussed the problem, what are some potential solutions?”
3) End with a question
Ending your speech with a question leaves the audience with something to ponder. It encourages them to reflect on the content of your presentation and how it applies to their own lives or work. A well-chosen closing question can make your message more memorable and impactful.
Example: “So, how will you apply these principles in your own life?”
Related: 7 key storytelling techniques
The Importance of Using Questions in Public Speaking
Questions serve several different purposes in public speaking.
Let’s explore exactly why and how they make your presentation more engaging and interesting:
1. Using Rhetorical Questions to Create Curiosity
Every time you ask a question, you create a knowledge gap.
What’s a knowledge gap?
It’s the difference between what the audience knows and what they don’t yet understand. This gap fosters curiosity and engagement.
Example: Notice how Simon Sinek opens his TED Talk with a series of questions to engage the audience.
2. Use Questions to Establish Structure
Questions help create mental folders in your audience’s brain, organizing information in a way that’s easy to retrieve.
They are a great tactic for adding structure to an impromptu presentation.
Example: In a TED Talk, a speaker might start with a question like, “Have you ever wondered what makes a great leader?” This sets up a mental folder for the audience, preparing them to receive and categorize information related to leadership qualities.
When preparing your presentation, start by asking:
- What questions would my audience have about this topic?
- What concerns might they have?
- What objections could arise?
Spend at least 5-10 minutes physically writing out potential questions your audience might have.
Example: If you’re presenting a new product, consider questions like:
- “How does this product solve a problem?”
- “What makes it different from competitors?”
- “What is the cost, and is it worth it?”
Example: For a presentation on climate change, you might ask:
- “What are the current trends in global temperatures?”
- “How does climate change affect biodiversity?”
- “What actions can individuals take to mitigate climate change?”
3. Use Questions to Answer Difficult Questions
Handling hostile or difficult questions can be daunting, but with practice, you can turn these situations to your advantage.
Here are the steps for handing difficult questions from the audience:
Steps to Handle Difficult Questions
- Ignore the Hostility: Don’t react to the hostility or negative tone. Instead, focus on the core concern embedded in the question.
- Acknowledge the Concern: Validate the concern to show that you take it seriously.
- Pivot to a Constructive Question: Redirect the conversation towards a more productive and informative discussion.
Examples:
Example 1: High Pricing Concerns
- Question: “Why are your prices so high?”
- Response: “I appreciate your concern about pricing. Let’s explore: What goes into our pricing strategy? And how we’re working to provide more value for our customers?”
Example 2: Environmental Concerns
- Question: “Why has your company ignored environmental concerns?”
- Response: “I understand your concern. We’re deeply committed to the environment. And I’d like to explore: What are our current policies? And what improvements are we planning to make?”
Example 3: Project Failure
- Question: “Why did your project fail?”
- Response: “That’s a great question. While we faced several challenges, we’ve learned valuable lessons. Let’s talk about: what we’re doing differently now to ensure future success?”
Conclusion: Using Questions in Public Speaking
Mastering the use of questions in your public speaking is essential for creating engaging and persuasive presentations.
Questions can help you:
- Engage the Audience: By sparking curiosity and encouraging participation.
- Structure Your Talk: By organizing information and guiding the audience through your points.
- Handle Difficult Questions: By turning potentially hostile moments into opportunities for constructive dialogue.
By incorporating different types of questions—rhetorical, open-ended, closed-ended, leading, and hypothetical—you can make your presentation more dynamic and interactive.
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