Important Takeaways An excellent ending has three fundamental components: a repeat of the speech's thesis, a recap of the important issues mentioned in the speech, and a finishing device that aids in creating a lasting image in the minds of the audience. Miller (1946) discovered that speakers often employ one of 10 closing strategies. He labeled these strategies because he believed they were frequently used by speakers who lacked other ideas about how to end a speech.
The 10 closing strategies include the following: make a summary statement, ask a question, state an opinion, suggest a solution, comment on what has been said, appeal to emotions, claim victory, invoke authority, and use hyperbole.
These strategies are not exclusive, so different speakers may choose to use some strategies more than others. For example, some speakers might focus solely on proposing a solution to a problem while others will cover all five of the above categories. However, no matter which strategies are used, an excellent conclusion should always include all three components listed above.
Repeat the Thesis. At the end of your speech, it is essential to restate the main idea or theme you presented earlier in the speech. This allows the listeners to better understand what you have told them and helps them retain this information. If necessary, refer back to details discussed in the speech for clarification or expansion.
What does your text say about putting together an excellent speech conclusion? Make your conclusion 5 to 10% of the length of your speech. As you research the speech, keep a look out for finishing items. An example of ________ is the following sentence from a speech beginning. "As historians have shown, slavery was an integral part of our nation's history." This sentence serves as a conclusion because it summarizes what will be discussed in the speech.
Also note that you should avoid giving a conclusive statement at the end of your speech. If you do so, you risk coming off as arrogant or disrespectful to the audience. However, if you need to give a definitive answer to a question, then this is acceptable. For example, if you are giving a speech on the topic of "Slavery in the United States," and one audience member asks "Why is it important to study slavery today?" You could reply with a conclusive statement such as "Because slavery has never been completely abolished," to explain why studying its history is important today.
Finally, remember to leave time at the end of your speech for questions and answers.
The Purposes of a Conclusion A conclusion's three key responsibilities are to repeat the thesis, review the important arguments, and apply a memorable closing device. The repetition of the thesis signals to the audience that you have recognized what they have learned about the topic over the course of the speech and reinforced their understanding of it at the end.
The review of important arguments helps the audience recall information presented in the speech that may not have been remembered immediately after hearing it. This allows them to connect ideas together better later on when thinking about the topic outside of the context of the lecture hall or meeting room.
Finally, the conclusion should include a device that will make an impression on the audience members. This could be another story example based on something you discussed during the lecture. It could also be as simple as repeating a word or phrase used by you earlier in the speech to signal to listeners that what you are saying now is in some way related to what they heard earlier. For instance, if you had talked about the importance of knowing your audience before giving a presentation, then ending the speech with the words "know your audience" would be appropriate.
Avoid giving a long conclusion. An effective conclusion should be short and clear, allowing listeners to take away relevant information from it.
Make use of your conclusion to summarize the important themes of your speech. Instead of repeating your primary points word for word, summarize the essential concepts and arguments you just gave. Consider concluding your speech with an extra anecdote or quotation that highlights your speech's subject. This will help your audience recall the key ideas you presented them with earlier.
Conclusions are also a good opportunity to highlight any future events or activities that your audience should know about. For example, if you're giving a speech on environmental issues, you could mention any upcoming protests or rallies that have been planned by environmental groups.
Finally, conclusions are a good chance to give a brief update on what's happening in your field. If you're speaking on science topics, for example, you could mention any new studies that have been published in scientific journals over the past year or so. Including this type of information in your conclusion will help your audience understand the importance of your topic and why it still matters today.
These are only some examples of how you could use conclusions in speeches. You must find other ways to conclude your speeches that are appropriate for the topics you are discussing.
The conclusion of a political speech's objective is to reiterate the primary theme by summarizing the supporting elements. The conclusion should not only reaffirm the main idea but should also bring attention to other aspects of the argument that were not discussed earlier.
Examples: "In this election, Americans have a choice between two very different visions for America's future: One that will restore America's reputation as the land of opportunity; and one that will leave our country vulnerable to foreign invasion and bankrupt before its enemies." "There are many warning signs that suggest we may be on the brink of another recession. But there are also signs that point to a brighter future. From the success of companies like Apple and Google to the resurgence of American manufacturing, today's economy is full of hope and promise."
A conclusion should not only recapitulate but should also advance the discussion, thereby tying up any loose ends and providing a clear picture of the topic at hand.
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