The Questions-phase may be the most important phase in your presentation. You can show that your are able to answer questions which may have come up during your presentation: This shows your flexibility and competence.

Always keep in mind

• The possibility to ask questions is a high point for most audiences. They want to participate.
• Questions give a good feedback and tells you whether you have made your point. Allow questions during and after the presentation.
• Never criticize a member of the audience.

General Rule

• Use the 80:20 % rule for eye contact!
• When listening: 80% to him or her, 20 % to the audience.
• When replying: 20 % to questioner, 80 % to audience.

Last Tip: You may want to insert some difficult aspects, comments, theories etc. during your presentation in order to make the audience ask about them at the end of your presentation. This might give a chance to score points with your audience and increases the impact you may want to achieve.

Source: Malcom Goodale, Professional Presentation, Cambridge 1998