Presentation Q&A slide

Define the purpose of your Q&A slide

First decide what the slide needs to do: will it tell the audience it is time for questions, or will it stay on screen during Q&A as a closing and contact slide? You can combine both functions, but include only the information the slide needs. Its main purpose is to make clear that the main part of the presentation is over and the Q&A session is beginning.

This slide is not a summary of your presentation. If you need to reinforce the main takeaways, finish your closing message first and use the Q&A slide as a transition. For more on preparing a summary slide, see How to prepare a presentation summary slide.

Before preparing the content

Before working on the design, check the event schedule and how questions will be handled. If questions will be asked aloud in the room, you may not need to add a link or contact details to the slide. For an online presentation or one that will be watched later, you might consider sharing contact information; include only information you genuinely want to use and share.

Confirm the time allotted for Q&A with the organizer or in the schedule. If no time is specified, do not promise a specific number of minutes on the slide. If the method for taking questions has not been decided, do not assume there will be a QR code, poll, or dedicated platform; explain during the presentation which method will be used. WCU’s scientific presentation guidelines specify a presentation time of 12 minutes and a question period of 3 minutes for the relevant event. This is schedule information specific to that event; confirm the timing for your own presentation separately: Presentation Guidelines, Judging & Awards.

What should the slide include?

In most cases, a short heading such as “Questions?” or “Q&A” is enough. If you like, add a single prompt beneath it, such as “I’m happy to take your questions.” If you are sharing contact information, show the address or link in a readable format and verify it before the presentation. If you need to thank contributors, consider using a separate thank-you slide rather than crowding this one with names and logos. Meaningful ideas for a thank-you slide can help you plan the distinction.

Keep the text short and choose a single visual focal point. Check that the font size and contrast will be readable in the presentation setting. Do not convey important meaning through color alone, and do not put contact information in tiny type. WCU’s guidelines also recommend readable text, strong contrast, and avoiding unnecessary text. If you use a visual elsewhere on the slide, make sure it is clear and relevant to the presentation content.

Layout and timing

Usually, show the Q&A slide after you have finished your closing message. Moving to this slide before presenting your conclusions may give the audience the impression that the talk has ended earlier than expected. First finish the takeaway on the final content slide; then move to the Q&A slide and begin taking questions.

If questions will not be taken during the presentation, decide whether to use this slide based on the event schedule. If you include contact information, it can be less prominent than the heading, but it should still be readable. Choosing fonts and colors that work with the rest of the presentation helps maintain visual consistency. Check for cropping or readability issues on the target screen by reviewing your file in the presentation setup, if possible. For more information about aspect ratios, see Presentation aspect ratios: matching the screen and content.

Example: a hypothetical research presentation

Hypothetical scenario: A researcher is giving a short presentation about the use of study spaces in a campus library. Questions will be asked aloud in the room, and no online contact information will be shared.

Slide draft: The heading “Questions?” appears at the top, a single, unobtrusive visual that matches the rest of the presentation is centered, and the phrase “I’m happy to take your questions” appears at the bottom. The research findings are not repeated on this slide; they have already been explained on the preceding conclusion slide. This scenario and layout are hypothetical; adapt them to the content of your presentation and the event setup.

After finishing the closing message, the speaker moves to the Q&A slide. If they cannot hear a question, they can ask for it to be repeated before responding. WCU’s guidelines recommend listening to the full question and appropriately acknowledging when you do not know the answer. UMBC’s communication guide also discusses clarifying a question and offering to follow up on something you do not know: Communicating Your Ideas: How to Give Talks that Connect. If you offer to follow up, make sure you can genuinely do so.

Troubleshooting

If the slide looks crowded: First review long thank-you lists, unnecessary logos, and sentences that repeat information from earlier slides. The purpose of a Q&A slide is not to retell the presentation, but to signal the transition to questions.

If the contact information is hard to read: Enlarge the text or remove the information. If you have added a link, check that it opens correctly before the presentation; looking right on screen is not enough on its own.

If the slide makes it seem as though the talk is over: Add a brief invitation for questions below the heading, or explain the transition aloud. You do not need to add a paragraph to the slide.

If no one asks a question: After waiting briefly, close according to the planned event schedule. Do not add an unanswered point to the slide as if it were established information.

Final checklist

• Does the Q&A session and its timing match the event schedule?
• Does the heading clearly explain the slide’s purpose?
• Is the text brief and readable in the presentation setting?
• Is the contact information correct and appropriate to share?
• Does the slide come after the closing message?
• Have you checked the file on the screen you will use, or in a similar setup?

Frequently asked questions

Should I write “Thank you” on my Q&A slide?

You can, but make it clear that questions are welcome too. “Thank you” on its own may not tell the audience that they are expected to ask questions. If you choose to put thanks and contact information on a separate slide, make the purpose of each slide clear.

Should a Q&A slide include sample questions?

Usually, no. If the topic of the session calls for a specific instruction, you can add a single neutral reminder that fits the scope. If not, a short heading and a spoken invitation may be enough.