THE CONCLUSION

• the final words of your speech


“Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending”
- Longfellow


There are two major functions of conclusions:

• To let the audience know you are ending the speech
• To reinforce the central idea


SIGNAL THE END OF THE SPEECH

• An ending that is too sudden will leave the audience puzzled and unfulfilled

Ways to signal the end:

• Through what you say – In conclusion…, Let me end by saying…,
• Manner of delivery
+ Crescendo ending
- By the use of the voice – tone, pacing, intonation, rhythm
+ Dissolve ending
- Generates emotional appeal by fading step by step to a dramatic final statement


REINFORCE THE CENTRAL IDEA

There are many ways to do this:

 Summarize your speech
 End with a quotation
 Make a dramatic statement
 Echo the introduction
 End with a story
 Close with a quotation
 Use strategic repetition
 Call for action (especially for persuasive speeches)