Echo the question back to confirm understanding - this buys time for your brain to start filtering ... and makes sure you are answering the right question. Star

Echo the question back to confirm understanding - this buys time for your brain to start filtering ... and makes sure you are answering the right question. Start with high level aspects as a "summary" rather than "drilling down" too deep in any one thing early. Pause mid-way and confirm "Is this answering your question? Do you need more detail?". "No I was hoping to hear more about databases" "More about database theory, or more practical aspects of running a production database?" "I'm interested in the practical aspects" "Alright the practical aspects - ok sure!" Etc Practice also makes perfect. General rule.od thumb for presentations etc is prepare for 10x times the length of presentation (so 60 mins = 600 prep). You may want to consider something similar. Good luck