Taking questions before your closing allows you to maintain control over your presentation’s final impression. This ties directly to the Law of Primacy and Recency, which states that audiences best remember the first and last things that you, the speaker, do and say. This is why you want a strong opening and a stronger closing.
"The last thing your audience sees and hears is the first thing they will remember."
When questions are left for the very end, you risk concluding on an off-topic, unclear, or less impactful note. A question might derail your focus, spark disagreement, or create an awkward silence if no one speaks up. None of these outcomes help you close confidently.
By handling questions before your final remarks, you can address confusion, reinforce key points, and regain control of your message. This approach keeps the focus on your main ideas and ensures you’re the one guiding the presentation back to a clear conclusion.
Reserving your closing remarks for after the Q&A maximizes the Recency Effect. It allows you to end with a deliberate, polished statement that ties everything together and leaves your audience with a memorable takeaway.
Your closing should remind your audience of your key message, provide a clear call to action (if appropriate), and ensure they walk away with something impactful. By managing the Q&A beforehand, you safeguard that final moment, ensuring it’s your words—not someone else’s question—that define the lasting impression.
In short, taking questions before your closing isn’t just a logistical choice—it’s a strategic decision that helps you stay in control, deliver clarity, and leave your audience with a powerful conclusion. Follow the Law of Primacy and Recency and I guarantee your talk will be absolutely, positively - NO SWEAT!
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About the Author Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”
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