To sum up….
Conclusion of a Presentation
• Signaling the end of the presentation
• Summarizing the main points
• Recommending or suggesting something
• Inviting questions
Examples of concluding of a presentation
Signaling the end of the presentation
- well, this brings me to the end of my presentation.
- Thank you all for listening.
- Ok, I think that’s everything I wanted to say.
- As a final point, I’d like to …
- I’m now nearing the end of my talk
Examples of concluding of a presentation
Summarizing the main points
- I’ll just run through the three different options.
- Before I stop let me go through my main point again.
- To sum up then, we..
- Just to summarize the main point of my talk …
Examples of concluding of a presentation
Recommending or suggesting something
- We’d suggest ….
- We’d therefore recommend that we….
- In my opinion, we should….
- What I’d like to suggest is ….
Examples of concluding of a presentation
Inviting questions
- Now I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
- We jest have time for a few questions.
- Are there any questions?
Quote a famous person
“To acquire knowledge, one must study;
but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”
Marilyn Vos Savant
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy
in creative expression and knowledge.”
Albert Einstein
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
William Arthur Ward
“The good man is the friend of all living things.”
Gandhi
Use the “Sandwich” technique
Think of your presentation as a sandwich
A sandwich with 2 slices of bread (introduction + conclusion)
The cheese in the middle (main part)
The sandwich strategy means that you have a connection between the beginning and the end of your talk.
If you start telling a joke or (funny) story in the introduction, stop at an exciting moment and move on to the main part. Then finish the story/joke in the conclusion.
1. Do you prefer questions during or after the presentations? Why?
2. How do you feel about the question period at the end of a presentation?
3. How do you do if you can’t answer the question?
Dealing with questions
Asking for clarification
- 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 questions
Dealing with questions
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.
- 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 Per Bott form Sales could answer your question.
- I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to your question, but I’ll try to find out for you.
- I’m afraid I’m not in a position to answer that. Perhaps Maria could help.
Asking polite questions
Direct questions
When do you plan to move to Geneva?
What is the project status?
Is that the final decision?
Less Direct questions
Could you tell me when you plan to move to Geneva?
Do you mind if I ask what the project status is?
Could you tell me whether/if that’s the final decision?
Anticipating questions
If you know your topic well and know who your audience is, it’s possible to anticipate most of the questions that will be asked.
Try to make a list of questions you expect to be asked.
What has to be done? How long dose it take?
How much does it cost? Is there a deadline?
What are the alternatives? Do we get support?
Who will be responsible? What can go wrong?
Dealing with interruption
You might prefer to postpone some unwelcome questions or comments.
- If you don’t’ mind, I’ll deal with this question later in my presentation.
- Can we get back to that a bit later?
- Would you mind waiting with your questions until the question and answer session at the end?
Reforming questions
Reformulate a question or say it in another way before answering it
You can use the following phrases and the techniques below to reformulate questions
- I see. SO, what you’re asking is…
- If I understand you correctly, you want to know….
- Ok, let me just repeat your question so everybody can hear it.
- If I could just rephrase your question …