Launchpad Activity 3

In your personal and work life, you will frequently need to answer questions in the course of conversations and meetings.

This Activity is deliberately placed before the “asking a question” activity because it enables you speak comfortably about a subject by giving your opinion.

This Activity is also placed after the ‘Answer a Question with Notice’ activity because by now you should feel confident enough not to need notice when being asked your opinion on the spot.

Activity 3 – Answer a Topical Question without Notice

Duration: 2 mins
Pre-requisites: Activity 1, 2

Outcomes

By the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  1. Give the audience an understanding of your point of view

Objectives

To do this, you will need to keep the following objectives in mind:

  • Listen carefully to the question
  • Form an opinion
  • Prepare and provide two supporting arguments
  • Give an answer to the question

The Why…

In your personal and work life, you will frequently need to answer questions in the course of conversations and meetings.

This Activity is deliberately placed before the “asking a question” activity because it enables you speak comfortably about a subject by giving your opinion.

This Activity is also placed after the ‘Answer a Question with Notice’ activity because by now you should feel confident enough not to need notice when being asked your opinion on the spot. 

Where do I start?

There’s no preparation required for this activity prior to the meeting. This time you will not know the question until it is asked (as an Activity) during the course of the meeting. As soon as you hear it, decide on your opinion, then have 2 or 3 points to support it.You will probably be the third person asked to answer the question.

The How

Specific guidelines on how to tackle this activity.

Refer Activity 2

Jot down some notes on the reasons for your answer, helping you to confidently state your position on the question.

Tips and traps

  1. Listen really carefully to the question.
  2. Your personal experience with the topic is a good source of material.
  3. Answer the question!
  4. Don’t overthink your responses – usually your first response is the best one to build on.
  5. Come up with 2 or 3 points that support your argument.
  6. Keep your comments relevant to the question.
  7. Avoid the temptation to ramble. (You will only have 2-3 minutes).
  8. Don’t digress from the original question unless you can form a strong case for an alternative – but it should still be relevant.
  9. Remember to give your answer clearly – at the beginning  or end of your speech. (As you become more practised you’ll be able to provide your reasoning in a clear structure, finishing with your answer to the question, as part of a logical sequence of argument).

Guidelines for Program Director:

  • There are no specific PD guidelines for this activity when done as an impromptu (without notice).
  • When a person is allocated the activity in the Program (i.e. with notice), refer them to the 4 Objectives:
     
    • Listen carefully to the question
    • Form an opinion
    • Prepare and provide supporting arguments
    • Give an answer to the question.

Resources that may be helpful

  1. Links to speaking hacks (#7, #9 etc)
  2. video links
  3. how to sheets