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50 Speech Closing Lines (& How to Create Your Own) | The Ultimate Guide
Hrideep barot.
- Public Speaking , Speech Writing
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While speech openings are definitely one of the most important components of a speech, something that is equally as important is the way you conclude your speech.
There are few worse ways to end your speech than with a terse ‘thank you’–no elaboration or addition whatsoever.
Speech endings are just as crucial to the success of your speech as speech openings, and you must spend just as much time picking the perfect ending as you do to determine your best possible speech opening.
The words you speak at the beginning and end of your speech are words that your audience will pay the most attention to, and remember longer than any other part of your speech.
Speech endings can put even the most experienced speaker in flux, and increase their anxiousness manifold as they sit there attempting to figure out the perfect way to end your speech.
If you’re someone who’s in flux about your speech ending too, don’t worry. We’ve got some amazing ways to conclude your speech with a bang!
1. Circling Back To The Beginning
The idea behind circling back to the beginning of your speech is to reinforce the idea of your speech being a complete whole. By circling back to the beginning and connecting it to your ending, you let the audience understand that the idea of your speech is complete & standalone.
Circling back to the beginning of your speech also acts as an excellent way of reinforcing the central idea of your speech in the audience’s mind, and makes it more likely that they will remember it after the speech ends.
Need more inspiration for speech opening lines? Check out our article on 15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines & Tips To Create Your Own.
How To Circle Back To The Beginning
The easiest way to do this is to set up your beginning for the conclusion of your speech. That is, if you’re saying something like, say, a story or joke in the beginning, then you can leave your audience in a cliffhanger until the ending arrives.
Another great way to circle back to the beginning is by simply restating something you said at the start. The added knowledge from attending the rest of your speech will help the audience see this piece of information in a new–and better–light.
1. Will Stephen
Ending Line: “I’d like you to think about what you heard in the beginning, and I want you to think about what you hear now. Because it was nothing & it’s still nothing.”
2. Canwen Xu
Speech Ending: My name is Canwen, my favorite color is purple and I play the piano but not so much the violin…
Think of a memorable moment from your life, and chances are you’ll realize that it involved a feeling of happiness–something that we can associate with smiling or laughter. And what better way to generate laughter than by incorporating the age-old strategy of good humor.
The happy and lighthearted feeling you associate with good memories is the kind of emotional reaction you want to create in your audience too. That’s what will make your speech stick in their memory.
Done incorrectly, humor can be a disaster. Done right, however, it can entirely transform a speech.
Humor doesn’t only mean slapstick comedy (although there’s nothing wrong with slapstick, either). Humor can come in many forms, including puns, jokes, a funny story…the list is endless.
How To Incorporate Humor In Your Speech Ending
The simplest way to incorporate humor into your speech ending is by telling a plain old joke–something that’s relevant to your topic, of course.
You can also tell them a short, funny anecdote–may be an unexpected conclusion to a story you set up in the beginning.
Another way would be by employing the power of repetition. You can do this by associating something funny with a word, and then repeating the word throughout your speech. During the end, simply say the word or phrase one last time, and it’s likely you’ll leave off your audience with a good chuckle.
1. Woody Roseland
Ending Line: “Why are balloons so expensive? Inflation.”
2. Andras Arato
Ending Line: “There are three rules to becoming famous. Unfortunately, nobody knows what they are.”
3. Hasan Minhaj
Ending Line: “And you want to know the scariest part? Pretty soon every country on the earth is going to have its own TLC show.”
4. Sophie Scott
Speech Ending: In other words, when it comes to laughter, you and me baby, ain’t nothing but mammals.
5. Tim Urban
Speech Ending: We need to stay away from the Instant Gratification Monkey. That’s a job for all of us. And because there’s not that many boxes on there. It’s a job that should probably start today. Well, maybe not today, but, you know, sometime soon.
6. Hasan Minhaj
Speech Ending: Showing my legs on TV is probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done. And keep in mind last week I went after the Prince of Saudi Arabia.
3. Question
The idea behind posing a question at the end of your speech is to get the wheels in your audience’s minds turning and to get them thinking of your speech long after it has ended. A question, if posed correctly, will make your audience re-think about crucial aspects of your speech, and is a great way to prompt discussion after your speech has ended.
How To Add Questions To Your Speech Ending
The best type of questions to add to your speech ending is rhetorical questions. That’s because, unlike a literal question, a rhetorical question will get the audience thinking and make them delve deeper into the topic at hand.
Make sure your question is central to the idea of your speech, and not something frivolous or extra. After all, the point of a question is to reinforce the central idea of your topic.
1. Lexie Alford
Speech Ending: Ask yourself: How uncomfortable are you willing to become in order to reach your fullest potential?
2. Apollo Robbins
Speech Ending: If you could control somebody’s attention, what would you do with it?
Quotes are concise, catchy phrases or sentences that are generally easy to remember and repeat.
Quotes are an age-old way to start–and conclude–a speech. And for good reason.
Quotes can reinforce your own ideas by providing a second voice to back them up. They can also provoke an audience’s mind & get them thinking. So, if you add your quote to the end of your speech, the audience will most likely be thinking about it for long after you have finished speaking.
How To Use Quotes In Your Speech Ending
While adding quotes to your speech ending, make sure that it’s relevant to your topic. Preferably, you want to pick a quote that summarizes your entire idea in a concise & memorable manner.
Make sure that your quote isn’t too long or complicated. Your audience should be able to repeat it as well as feel its impact themselves. They shouldn’t be puzzling over the semantics of your quote, but its intended meaning.
1. Edouard Jacqmin
Speech Ending: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
2. Chris Crowe
Speech Ending: “It’s more certain than death and taxes.”
3. Olivia Remes
Speech Ending: I’d like to leave you with a quote by Martin Luther King: “You don’ have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.”
4. Tomislav Perko
Speech Ending: Like that famous quote says, “In twenty years from now on, you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.
5. Diana Nyad
Speech Ending: To paraphrase the poet, Mary Oliver, she says, “So, what is it? What is it you’re doing with this one wild and precious life of yours?”
5. Piece Of Advice
The point of giving a piece of advice at the end of your speech is not to pull your audience down or to make them feel bad/inferior about themselves. Rather, the advice is added to motivate your audience to take steps to do something–something related to the topic at hand.
The key point to remember is that your advice is included to help your audience, not to discourage them.
How To Add Piece Of Advice To Your Speech Ending
To truly make your audience follow the advice you’re sharing, you must make sure it resonates with them. To do so, you need to inject emotions into your advice, and to present it in such a manner that your audience’s emotions are aroused when they hear it.
Your advice shouldn’t be something extra-complicated or seemingly impossible to achieve. This will act as a counter-agent. Remember that you want your audience to follow your advice, not to chuck it away as something impossible.
Our article, 15 Powerful Speech Ending Lines And Tips To Create Your Own , is another great repository for some inspiration.
1. Ricardo Lieuw On
Speech Ending: “Learn something new, or a new way of approaching something old because there are a few skills are valuable as the art of learning.”
2. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
Speech Ending: “If we want to improve the competence level of our leaders, then we should first improve our own competence for judging and selecting leaders.”
3. Sharique Samsudheen
Speech Ending: “Some people love money, some people hate money, some people crave money, some people even kill for money. But what they miss is they just need to learn how to manage money well, and that will give them financial freedom.”
4. Kate Simonds
Speech Ending: Teens, you need to believe in your voices and adults, you need to listen.
5. Melissa Butler
Speech Ending: When you go home today, see yourself in the mirror, see all of you, look at all your greatness that you embody, accept it, love it and finally, when you leave the house tomorrow, try to extend that same love and acceptance to someone who doesn’t look like you.
6. Iskra Lawrence
Speech Ending: Speak to your body in a loving way. It’s the only one you got, it’s your home, and it deserves your respect. If you see anyone tearing themselves down, build them back up And watch your life positively grow when you give up the pursuit of perfection.
6. Contemplative Remark
As the name itself suggests, contemplative remarks are intended to make your audience contemplate or mull over something. The ‘something’ in question should be the idea central to your speech, or a key takeaway that you want them to return home with.
The idea is to get your audience thinking and to keep them thinking for a long, long time.
How To Add A Contemplative Remark To Your Speech Ending
To add a contemplative remark to your speech ending, you first need to figure out your key takeaway or main theme. Then, you want to arrange that as a question, and propose it to your audience at the end of your speech.
Remember that your question shouldn’t be something too wordy or complicated to understand. As with the quotes, you don’t want your audience stuck on the semantics. Rather, you want them to focus on the matter at hand.
1. Lisa Penney
Speech Ending: “So I invite you to pay more attention to your thoughts & consider the legacy you leave behind.”
2. Grant Sanderson
Speech Ending: “Some of the most useful math that you can find or teach has its origin in someone who was just looking for a good story.”
3. Greta Thunberg
Speech Ending: “We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up & change is coming whether you like it or not.”
4. Bill Eckstrom
Speech Ending: Now, think about this: it’s not the complexity-triggering individuals or events you should fear the most, but it’s your own willingness to accept or seek discomfort that will dictate the growth of not just you, but our entire world.
5. Robert Hoge
Speech Ending: Choose to accept your face, choose to appreciate your face, don’t look away from the mirror so quickly; understand all the love, and the life, and the pain that is the part of your face, that is the art of your face. Tomorrow when you wake up, what will your choice be?
7. Personal Anecdote
Personal anecdotes, as the name suggests, are anecdotes that are personal to the speaker or instances from their life. Personal anecdotes are a great way to incorporate the magical powers of storytelling in your speech, as well as to make a personal connection with the audience. Using personal anecdotes, you can hit two birds with one stone!
How To Add Personal Anecdotes To Your Speech Ending
To add personal anecdotes to your speech ending, you need to filter through your life experiences to find out ones that directly relate to your topic at hand. You don’t want to include an anecdote, no matter how compelling it is, if it doesn’t relate to your topic.
Remember to not keep your anecdote too long. Your audience will most likely lose their attention if you do so.
1. Sheila Humphries
Speech Ending: “Why do you go work for these people?” My answer to them was, “If I could help one child make it in this world, it’ll be worth it all.”
8. Call To Action
A call-to-action is one of the absolute best ways to conclude a speech with a bang. A well-written speech should aim to alter the audience’s mind or belief system in some way and to make them take an action in that direction. One crucial way to assure your audience does this is by using a call to action.
How To Add A Call To Action To Your Speech Ending
A call to action comes right before the ending of your speech to provide your audience with a clear idea or set of instructions about what they’re supposed to do after your talk ends.
A call to action should provide a roadmap to the audience for their future steps, and to outline clearly what those future steps are going to be.
1. Armin Hamrah
Speech Ending: “So tonight, after you finish your Math homework & before you lay your head down on that fluffy pillow, bring a piece of paper and pen by your bedside…”
2. Graham Shaw
Speech Ending: “So I invite you to get your drawings out there & spread the word that when we draw, we remember more!”
3. Andy Puddicombe
Speech Ending: You don’t have to burn any incense, and you definitely don’t have to sit on the floor. All you need to do is to take out 10 minutes out a day to step back, familiarize yourself with the present moment so that you get to experience a greater sense of focus, calm, and clarity in your life.
4. Amy Cuddy
Speech Ending: Before you go into the next stressful evaluative situation, for two minutes, try doing this in the elevator…
5. Jia Jiang
Speech Ending: When you are facing the next obstacle or the next failure, consider the possibilities. Don’t run! If you just embrace them, they might become your gifts as well.
9. Motivational Remark
As the name clearly explains, a motivational remark motivates your audience to carry out a plan of action. It ruffles the audience’s mind and emotions and has a powerful impact on the steps that your audience will take after you’ve finished speaking.
How To Add A Motivational Remark To Your Speech Ending
The key to a good motivational remark is to inspire your audience. Your motivational remark should act as a ray of hope to your audience and positively inspire them to take a desired course of action.
Your motivational remark should not be negative in any way. You don’t want to guilt or coerce your audience into doing something or feeling a certain way. You want to leave them on a positive note to move forward with their life.
1. Khanh Vy Tran
Speech Ending: “No matter what you’re going through right now & no matter what the future holds for you, please don’t change yourself. Love yourself, accept yourself & then transform yourself.”
2. Mithila Palkar
Speech Ending: “Get a job, leave a job, dance, sing, fall in love. Carve your own niche. But most importantly: learn to love your own randomness.”
3. Andrew Tarvin
Speech Ending: “Anyone can learn to be funnier. And it all starts with a choice. A choice to try to find ways to use humor. A choice to be like my grandmother, to look at the world around you and say WTF–wow, that’s fun.”
4. Laura Vanderkam
Speech Ending: There is time. Even if we are busy, we have time for what matters. And when we focus on what matters, we can build the lives we want in the time we’ve got.
5. Julian Treasure
Speech Ending: Let’s get listening taught in schools, and transform the world in one generation into a conscious listening world, a world of connection, a world of understanding, and a world of peace.
6. Mariana Atencio
Speech Ending: Let’s celebrate those imperfections that make us special. I hope that it teaches you that nobody has a claim on the word ‘normal’. We are all different. We are all quirky and unique and that is what makes us wonderfully human.
10. Challenge
Much like a call to action, the aim of proposing a challenge at the end of your speech is to instigate your audience to take some desired course of action. A challenge should make an appeal to your audience’s emotion, and motivate them to meet it.
How To Add A Challenge To Your Speech Ending
To apply a challenge effectively to your speech ending, you need to make sure that it’s something relevant to your topic. Your challenge should drive the central topic of your speech forward, and make your audience engage in real-life steps to apply your idea in the real world.
While its always a good idea to set a high bar for your challenge, make sure its an achievable one too.
1. Jamak Golshani
Speech Ending: “I challenge you to open your heart to new possibilities, choose a career path that excites you & one that’s aligned to who you truly are.”
2. Ashley Clift-Jennings
Speech Ending: So, my challenge to you today is, “Do you know, would you even know how to recognize your soulmate?” If you are going out in the world right now, would you know what you are looking for?
11. Metaphor
Metaphors are commonly used as a short phrase that draws a comparison between two ideas in a non-literal sense. People use metaphors quite commonly in daily life to explain ideas that might be too difficult or confusing to understand otherwise. Metaphors are also great tools to be used in speech, as they can present your main idea in a simple and memorable way.
How To Add Metaphors To Your Speech Ending
To add a metaphor to your speech ending, you need to first decide on the main idea or takeaway of your speech. Your metaphor should then be organized in such a way that it simplifies your main idea and makes it easier for your audience to understand & remember it.
The key is to not make your metaphor overly complicated or difficult to retain and share. Remember that you’re trying to simplify your idea for the audience–not make them even more confused.
1. Ramona J. Smith
Speech Ending: “Stay in that ring. And even after you take a few hits, use what you learned from those previous fights, and at the end of the round, you’ll still remain standing.”
2. Shi Heng YI
Speech Ending: “If any of you chooses to climb that path to clarity, I will be very happy to meet you at the peak.”
3. Zifang “Sherrie” Su
Speech Ending: “Are you turning your back on your fear? Our life is like this stage, but what scares are now may bring you the most beautiful thing. Give it a chance.”
12. Storytelling
The idea behind using stories to end your speech is to leave your audience with a good memory to take away with them.
Stories are catchy, resonating & memorable ways to end any speech.
Human beings can easily relate to stories. This is because most people have grown up listening to stories of some kind or another, and thus a good story tends to evoke fond feelings in us.
How To Incorporate Stories In Your Speech Ending
A great way to incorporate stories in your speech ending is by setting up a story in the beginning and then concluding it during the end of your speech.
Another great way would be to tell a short & funny anecdote related to a personal experience or simply something related to the topic at hand.
However, remember that it’s the ending of your speech. Your audience is most likely at the end of their attention span. So, keep your story short & sweet.
1. Sameer Al Jaberi
Speech Ending: “I can still see that day when I came back from my honeymoon…”
2. Josephine Lee
Speech Ending: “At the end of dinner, Jenna turned to me and said…”
Facts are another excellent speech ending, and they are used quite often as openings as well. The point of adding a fact as your speech ending is to add shock value to your speech, and to get your audience thinking & discussing the fact even after your speech has ended.
How To Add Facts To Your Speech Ending
The key to adding facts to your speech ending is to pick a fact that thrusts forward your main idea in the most concise form possible. Your fact should also be something that adds shock value to the speech, and it should ideally be something that the audience hasn’t heard before.
Make sure that your fact is relevant to the topic at hand. No matter how interesting, a fact that doesn’t relate to your topic is going to be redundant.
1. David JP Phillips
Speech Ending: 3500 years ago, we started transfering knowledge from generation to generation through text. 28 years ago, PowerPoint was born. Which one do you think our brain is mostly adapted to?
14. Rhethoric Remark
Rhetoric remarks are another excellent way to get the wheels of your audience’s minds turning. Rhetoric remarks make your audience think of an imagined scenario, and to delve deeper into your topic. Rhetoric remarks or questioned don’t necessarily need to have a ‘right’ or one-shot answer, which means you can be as creative with them as possible!
How To Add Rhethoric Remarks To Your Speech Ending
Since rhetorical questions don’t need to have a definite answer, you have much freedom in determining the type of question or statement you wish to make. However, as with all other speech endings, a rhetorical question shouldn’t be asked just for the sake of it.
A rhetorical question should make your audience think about your topic in a new or more creative manner. It should get them thinking about the topic and maybe see it from an angle that they hadn’t before.
Rhetorical questions shouldn’t be too confusing. Use simple language & make sure it’s something that the audience can easily comprehend.
1. Mona Patel
Speech Ending: Pick your problem, ask “What if?” Come up with ideas. Bring them down. Then execute on them. Maybe you’re thinking, “What if we can’t?” I say to you, “What if we don’t?”
2. Lizzie Velasquez
Speech Ending: I want you to leave here and ask yourself what defines you. But remember: Brave starts here.
Another great way to end your speech with a literal bang is by using music! After all, if there’s something that can impact the human mind with just as much force as a few well-placed words, it’s the correct music.
How To Add Music To Your Speech Ending
To add music to your speech ending, you must make sure that the music has something to do with your speech theme. Remember that you’re not playing music in your concert. The piece of music that you choose must be relevant to your topic & work to have a contribution in your overall speech.
1. Tom Thum
Speech Ending: *ends the TED Talk with beat boxing*
16. Reitirate The Title
The title of your speech is its most important component. That’s why you need to pay careful attention to how you pick it, as it is something that your viewers will most likely remember the longest about your speech.
Your title will also act as a guiding hand towards how your audience forms an initial idea about your speech and is what they will associate your entire speech with.
By repeating your title at the end of your speech, you increase the chances that your audience will remember it–and your speech–for a long time.
How To Retierate The Title In Your Speech Ending
Your title is something that your audience associates your entire speech with. However, you don’t want to simply add the title in your speech end for the sake of adding it. Instead, make it flow naturally into your speech ending. This will make it seem less forced, and will also increase the chances of your audience remembering your entire speech ending and not just the title of your speech.
1. Ruairi Robertson
Speech Ending: I feel we can all contribute to this fight worth fighting for our own health, but more importantly, our future generations’ health by restoring the relationship between microbe and man. There is SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT!
Need more inspiration for speech closing lines? Check out our article on 10 Of The Best Things To Say In Closing Remarks.
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To sum up, speech endings are just as imperative to the success of your speech as speech openings, and you must spend just as much time picking the perfect ending as you do to determine your best possible speech opening. The words you speak at the beginning and end of your speech are words that your audience will pay the most attention to, and remember longer than any other part of your speech.
Still looking for inspiration? Check out this video we made on closing remarks:
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- How to End a Speech: What You Need for a Bang
A good talk or public speech is like a good play, movie, or song.
It opens by arresting the listener’s attention, develops point by point, and then ends strongly, ensuring that the audience’s attention is maintained throughout.
The truth is, if you don’t know how to end a speech, the overall message won’t be persuasive and your key points may get lost.
The words you say at the beginning, and especially at the end of your talk, are usually the most persuasive parts of the speech and will be remembered longer than almost any other part of your speech. It’s crucial to leave a lasting impression with a powerful conclusion.
Some of the great speeches in history and some of the most memorable Ted talks have ended with powerful, stirring words that live on in memory.
How do you end a speech and get the standing ovation that you deserve?
Keep reading to discover how…
Here are 9 tips and examples for concluding a speech.
To ensure that your conclusion is as powerful as it can be, you must plan it word for word, including a strong closing statement.
Ask yourself, “What is the purpose of this talk?”
Your answer should involve the actions that you want your listeners to take after hearing you speak on this subject.
When you are clear about the end result you desire, it becomes much easier to design a conclusion that asks your listeners to take that action. It is also crucial to restate a key idea to reinforce your message and leave a lasting impression.
The best strategy for ending with a BANG is to plan your close before you plan the rest of your speech.
You then go back and design your opening so that it sets the stage for your conclusion.
The body of your talk is where you present your ideas and make your case for what you want the audience to think, remember, and do after hearing you speak.
2) Always End A Speech With A Call To Action
It is especially important to tell the audience what you want it to do as a result of hearing you speak.
A call to action is the best way to wrap up your talk with strength and power. Reinforce your key points by summarizing the main message, ensuring it leaves a lasting impression. Closing the speech effectively can evoke emotions and make a significant impact on the audience.
Here’s a Speech Call To Action Example
“We have great challenges and great opportunities, and with your help, we will meet them and make this next year the best year in our history!”
Consider ending with a thought-provoking question to challenge the audience to think differently and inspire them to take action.
Whatever you say, imagine an exclamation point at the end. As you approach the conclusion, pick up your energy and tempo. This is even more important if the presentation you are giving is virtual .
Speak with strength and emphasis.
Drive the final point home.
Regardless of whether the audience participants agree with you or are willing to do what you ask, it should be perfectly clear to them what you are requesting.
3) End a Speech With a Summary
There is a simple formula for any talk:
- Tell them what you are going to tell them.
- Then, tell them what you told them.
As you approach the end of your talk, say something like,
“Let me briefly restate these main points…”
You then list your key points, one by one, and repeat them to the audience, showing how each of them links to the other points.
Audiences appreciate a linear repetition of what they have just heard. This repetition helps make your message memorable and ensures that your key points leave a lasting impression.
This makes it clear that you are coming to the end of your talk.
4) Close with a Story
As you reach the end of your talk, you can say,
“Let me tell you a story that illustrates what I have been talking about…”
You then tell a brief story with a moral and then tell the audience what the moral is. Using effective body language, such as maintaining eye contact, smiling, and using open gestures, can make your story more impactful and leave a lasting impression.
Don’t leave it to them to figure out for themselves.
Often you can close with a story that illustrates your key points and then clearly links to the key message that you are making with your speech.
To learn more about storytelling in speaking, you can read my previous blog post “8 Public Speaking Tips to Wow Your Audience.”
5) Make Them Laugh
You can close with humor.
You can tell a joke that loops back into your subject and repeats the lesson or main point you are making with a story that makes everyone laugh.
During my talks on planning and persistence, I discuss the biggest enemy that we have, which is the tendency to follow the path of least resistance. I then tell this story.
Ole and Sven are out hunting in Minnesota and they shoot a deer. They begin dragging the deer back to the truck by the tail, but they keep slipping and losing both their grip and their balance.
A farmer comes along and asks them, “What are you boys doing?”
They reply, “We’re dragging the deer back to the truck.”
The farmer tells them, “You are not supposed to drag a deer by the tail. You’re supposed to drag the deer by the handles. They’re called antlers. You’re supposed to drag a deer by the antlers.”
Ole and Sven say, “Thank you very much for the idea.”
They begin pulling the deer by the antlers. After about five minutes, they are making rapid progress. Ole says to Sven, “Sven, the farmer was right. It goes a lot easier by the antlers.”
Sven replies, “Yeah, but we’re getting farther and farther from the truck.”
After the laughter dies down, I say…
“The majority of people in life are pulling the easy way, but they are getting further and further from the ‘truck’ or their real goals and objectives.”
A memorable statement like this can make the humor more effective by condensing the core message into a crisp and authentic sound bite.
That’s just one example of closing using humor.
6) Make It Rhyme
You can close with a poem.
There are many fine poems that contain messages that summarize the key points you want to make. Here are some practical tips for selecting and delivering a poem: choose a poem that resonates with your message, practice your delivery to ensure it flows naturally, and use appropriate pauses to emphasize key lines.
You can select a poem that is moving, dramatic, or emotional.
For years I ended seminars with the poem, “Don’t Quit,” or “Carry On!” by Robert W. Service. It was always well received by the audience.
7) Close With Inspiration for A Lasting Impression
You can end a speech with something inspirational as well.
If you have given an uplifting talk, remember that hope is, and has always been, the main religion of mankind.
People love to be motivated and inspired to be or do something different and better in the future.
Here are a few of my favorite inspirational quotes that can be tied into most speeches. You can also read this collection of leadership quotes for further inspiration.
Remember, everyone in your audience is dealing with problems, difficulties, challenges, disappointments, setbacks, and temporary failures.
For this reason, everyone appreciates a poem, quote, or story of encouragement that gives them strength and courage.
Here are 7 Tips to Tell an Inspiring Poem or Story to End Your Speech
- You have to slow down and add emotion and drama to your words.
- Raise your voice on a key line of the poem, and then drop it when you’re saying something that is intimate and emotional.
- Pick up the tempo occasionally as you go through the story or poem, but then slow down on the most memorable parts.
- Especially, double the number of pauses you normally use in a conversation.
- Use dramatic pauses at the end of a line to allow the audience to digest the words and catch up with you.
- Smile if the line is funny, and be serious if the line is more thought-provoking or emotional.
- When you come to the end of your talk, be sure to bring your voice up on the last line, rather than letting it drop. Remember the “exclamation point” at the end to reinforce your main message and leave a lasting impression.
Try practicing on this poem that I referenced above…
Read through “Carry On!” by Robert Service
Identify the key lines, intimate parts, and memorable parts, and recite it.
8) Make it Clear That You’re Done
When you say your final words, it should be clear to everyone that you have ended. A strong closing statement is crucial in signaling the end of your speech, leaving a lasting impression, and ensuring that the audience remembers the key points. There should be no ambiguity or confusion in the mind of your audience. The audience members should know that this is the end.
Many speakers just allow their talks to wind down.
They say something with filler words like, “Well, that just about covers it. Thank you.”
This isn’t a good idea…
It’s not powerful…
It’s not an authoritative ending and thus detracts from your credibility and influence.
When you have concluded, discipline yourself to stand perfectly still. Select a friendly face in the audience and look straight at that person.
If it is appropriate, smile warmly at that person to signal that your speech has come to an end.
Resist the temptation to:
- Shuffle papers.
- Fidget with your clothes or microphone.
- Move forward, backward, or sideways.
- Do anything else except stand solidly, like a tree.
9) Let Them Applaud
When you have finished your talk, the audience members will want to applaud. Using effective body language, such as maintaining eye contact, smiling, and using open gestures, can signal to the audience that it is time to begin clapping.
What they need from you is a clear signal that now is the time to begin clapping.
How do you signal this?
Some people will recognize sooner than others that you have concluded your remarks.
In many cases, when you make your concluding comments and stop talking, the audience members will be completely silent.
They may be unsure whether you are finished.
They may be processing your final remarks and thinking them over. They may not know what to do until someone else does something.
In a few seconds, which will often feel like several minutes, people will applaud.
Then another…
Then the entire audience will begin clapping.
When someone begins to applaud, look directly at that person, smile, and mouth the words thank you.
As more and more people applaud, sweep slowly from person to person, nodding, smiling and saying, “Thank You.”
Eventually, the whole room will be clapping.
There’s no better reward for overcoming your fear of public speaking than enjoying a round of applause.
BONUS TIP: How to Handle a Standing Ovation
If you’ve given a moving talk and really connected with your audience, someone will stand up and applaud. To encourage a standing ovation, make your message memorable by using repetition of your keyword or phrase and incorporating relevant visuals or metaphors to leave a lasting impression on the audience. When this happens, encourage others by looking directly at the clapper and saying, “Thank you.”
This will often prompt other members of the audience to stand.
As people see others standing, they will stand as well, applauding the whole time.
It is not uncommon for a speaker to conclude his or her remarks, stand silently, and have the entire audience sit silently in response.
Stand Comfortably And Shake Hands
But as the speaker stands there comfortably, waiting for the audience to realize the talk is over, one by one people will begin to applaud and often stand up one by one. Using positive body language, such as maintaining eye contact, smiling, and using open gestures, can leave a lasting impression on the audience.
If the first row of audience members is close in front of you, step or lean forward and shake that person’s hand when one of them stands up to applaud.
When you shake hands with one person in the audience, many other people in the audience feel that you are shaking their hands and congratulating them as well.
They will then stand up and applaud.
Soon the whole room will be standing and applauding.
Whether you receive a standing ovation or not, if your introducer comes back on to thank you on behalf of the audience, smile and shake their hand warmly.
If it’s appropriate, give the introducer a hug of thanks, wave in a friendly way to the audience, and then move aside and give the introducer the stage.
Follow these tips to get that standing ovation every time.
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About Brian Tracy — Brian is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement. Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined. You can follow him on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , Linkedin and Youtube .
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How to end a speech memorably
3 ways to close a speech effectively.
By: Susan Dugdale | Last modified: 09-05-2022
Knowing how, and when, to end a speech is just as important as knowing how to begin. Truly.
What's on this page:
- why closing well is important
- 3 effective speech conclusions with examples and audio
- 7 common ways people end their speeches badly - what happens when you fail to plan to end a speech memorably
- How to end a Maid Honor speech: 20 examples
- links to research showing the benefits of finishing a speech strongly
![Stop talking. It's the end. Finish. Time's up. Image: Stop talking. It's the end. Finish. Time's up.](https://www.write-out-loud.com/images/stop-talking.jpg)
Why ending a speech well is important
Research * tells us people most commonly remember the first and last thing they hear when listening to a speech, seminar or lecture.
Therefore if you want the audience's attention and, your speech to create a lasting impression sliding out with: "Well, that's all I've got say. My time's up anyway. Yeah - so thanks for listening, I guess.", isn't going to do it.
So what will?
* See the foot of the page for links to studies and articles on what and how people remember : primacy and recency.
Three effective speech conclusions
Here are three of the best ways to end a speech. Each ensures your speech finishes strongly rather than limping sadly off to sure oblivion.
You'll need a summary of your most important key points followed by the ending of your choice:
- a powerful quotation
- a challenge
- a call back
To work out which of these to use, ask yourself what you want audience members to do or feel as a result of listening to your speech. For instance;
- Do you want to motivate them to work harder?
- Do you want them to join the cause you are promoting?
- Do you want them to remember a person and their unique qualities?
What you choose to do with your last words should support the overall purpose of your speech.
Let's look at three different scenarios showing each of these ways to end a speech.
To really get a feel for how they work try each of them out loud yourself and listen to the recordings.
1. How to end a speech with a powerful quotation
![Image: Martin Luther King Jr. Text:The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Image: Martin Luther King Jr. Text:The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.](https://www.write-out-loud.com/images/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-quote.jpg)
Your speech purpose is to inspire people to join your cause. Specifically you want their signatures on a petition lobbying for change and you have everything ready to enable them to sign as soon as you have stopped talking.
You've summarized the main points and want a closing statement at the end of your speech to propel the audience into action.
Borrowing words from a revered and respected leader aligns your cause with those they fought for, powerfully blending the past with the present.
For example:
"Martin Luther King, Jr said 'The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.'
Now is the time to decide. Now is the time to act.
Here's the petition. Here's the pen. And here's the space for your signature.
Now, where do you stand?"
Try it out loud and listen to the audio
Try saying this out loud for yourself. Listen for the cumulative impact of: an inspirational quote, plus the rhythm and repetition (two lots of 'Now is the time to...', three of 'Here's the...', three repeats of the word 'now') along with a rhetorical question to finish.
Click the link to hear a recording of it: sample speech ending with a powerful quotation .
2. How to end a speech with a challenge
![Image: New Zealand Railway poster - 'Great Place this Hermitage', Mt Cook c.1931. ((10468981965) Source: Wikimedia Commons. Image: New Zealand Railway poster - 'Great Place this Hermitage', Mt Cook c.1931. ((10468981965) Source: Wikimedia Commons.](https://www.write-out-loud.com/images/New-Zealand-Railway-poster-Great-Place-this-Hermitage-Mt-Cook-c1931-350.jpg)
Your speech purpose is to motivate your sales force.
You've covered the main points in the body of it, including introducing an incentive: a holiday as a reward for the best sales figures over the next three weeks.
You've summarized the important points and have reached the end of your speech. The final words are a challenge, made even stronger by the use of those two extremely effective techniques: repetition and rhetorical questions.
"You have three weeks from the time you leave this hall to make that dream family holiday in New Zealand yours.
Can you do it?
Will you do it?
The kids will love it.
Your wife, or your husband, or your partner, will love it.
Do it now!"
Click the link to listen to a recording of it: sample speech ending with a challenge . And do give it a go yourself.
3. How to end a speech with a call back
![Image: Spring time oak tree leaves against a blue sky. Text: Every blue sky summer's day I'll see Amy in my mind. How end a speech with a call back. Image: Spring time oak tree leaves against a blue sky. Text: Every blue sky summer's day I'll see Amy in my mind. How end a speech with a call back.](https://www.write-out-loud.com/images/end-speech-call-back.jpg)
Your speech purpose is to honor the memory of a dear friend who has passed away.
You've briefly revisited the main points of your speech and wish in your closing words to leave the members of the audience with a happy and comforting take-home message or image to dwell on.
Earlier in the speech you told a poignant short story. It's that you return to, or call back.
Here's an example of what you could say:
"Remember that idyllic picnic I told you about?
Every blue sky summer's day I'll see Amy in my mind.
Her red picnic rug will be spread on green grass under the shade of an old oak tree. There'll be food, friends and laughter.
I'll see her smile, her pleasure at sharing the simple good things of life, and I know what she'd say too. I can hear her.
"Come on, try a piece of pie. My passing is not the end of the world you know."
Click the link to hear a recording of it: sample speech ending with a call back . Try it out for yourself too. (For some reason, this one is a wee bit crackly. Apologies for that!)
When you don't plan how to end a speech...
That old cliché 'failing to plan is planning to fail' can bite and its teeth are sharp.
The 'Wing It' Department * delivers lessons learned the hard way. I know from personal experience and remember the pain!
How many of these traps have caught you?
- having no conclusion and whimpering out on a shrug of the shoulders followed by a weak, 'Yeah, well, that's all, I guess.', type of line.
- not practicing while timing yourself and running out of it long before getting to your prepared conclusion. (If you're in Toastmasters where speeches are timed you'll know when your allotted time is up, that means, finish. Stop talking now, and sit down. A few seconds over time can be the difference between winning and losing a speech competition.)
- ending with an apology undermining your credibility. For example: 'Sorry for going on so long. I know it can be a bit boring listening to someone like me.'
- adding new material just as you finish which confuses your audience. The introduction of information belongs in the body of your speech.
- making the ending too long in comparison to the rest of your speech.
- using a different style or tone that doesn't fit with what went before it which puzzles listeners.
- ending abruptly without preparing the audience for the conclusion. Without a transition, signal or indication you're coming to the end of your talk they're left waiting for more.
* Re The 'Wing It' Department
One of the most galling parts of ending a speech weakly is knowing it's avoidable. Ninety nine percent of the time it didn't have to happen that way. But that's the consequence of 'winging it', trying to do something without putting the necessary thought and effort in.
It's such a sod when there's no one to blame for the poor conclusion of your speech but yourself! ☺
How to end a Maid of Honor speech: 20 examples
More endings! These are for Maid of Honor speeches. There's twenty examples of varying types: funny, ones using Biblical and other quotations... Go to: how to end a Maid of Honor speech
![Label: old fashioned roses in background. Text: 20 Maid of Honor speech endings. Label: old fashioned roses in background. Text: 20 Maid of Honor speech endings.](https://www.write-out-loud.com/images/maid-of-honor-speech-endings.jpg)
How to write a speech introduction
Now that you know how to end a speech effectively, find out how to open one well. Discover the right hook to use to captivate your audience.
Find out more: How to write a speech introduction: 12 of the very best ways to open a speech .
![Retro Label: 12 ways to hook an audience Retro Label: 12 ways to hook an audience](https://www.write-out-loud.com/images/speech-hook.jpg)
More speech writing help
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You do not need to flail around not knowing what to do, or where to start.
Visit this page to find out about structuring and writing a speech .
You'll find information on writing the body, opening and conclusion as well as those all important transitions. There's also links to pages to help you with preparing a speech outline, cue cards, rehearsal, and more.
Research on what, and how, people remember: primacy and recency
McLeod, S. A. (2008). Serial position effect . (Primacy and recency, first and last) Simply Psychology.
Hopper, Elizabeth. "What Is the Recency Effect in Psychology?" ThoughtCo, Feb. 29, 2020.
ScienceDirect: Recency Effect - an overview of articles from academic Journals & Books covering the topic.
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9 Closing a Speech: End with Power and Let Them Know It is Time to Clap
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Open Your Speech With a Bang Close It With a Slam-Dunk Westside Toastmasters
“Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending,” according to poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The first few words of your speech make the audience want to listen and the last few sentences help them decide what they feel about you and your topic. In this chapter, I will explain the function of a conclusion, the format of a conclusion, and I will give you numerous examples of ways to end your speech. Most of this chapter is dedicated to showing you good examples of different types of speech closings. Let’s get started by talking about the purpose of the closing.
A Strong Closing Does Many Things
- Summarizes the points. By restating your points your audience is more likely to remember them.
- Tells the audience when to clap. Let’s face it, it is so awkward when you are done with your speech, and no one claps. Being clear the end is near, relieves the audience of the pressure of wondering if they are clapping at the right time.
- Provides resolution. Your speech should give the audience a sense of resolve or a sense of being challenged.
The Formula for Closing Most Speeches
- Transition statement to ending.
- Review the main points–repeat the thesis.
- If it is a persuasive speech, tell the audience what you want them to do or think.
- Provide a closing statement.
Restate the Thesis
Tell them what you are going to say, say it, tell them what you have said. This speech pattern is useful in most types of speeches because it helps the speaker to remember your key points. As you build your closing, make sure you restate the thesis. A good rule of thumb is to write it in such a way that if the audience were asked to restate the main points, their answer would match closely with your thesis.
EXAMPLE Watch as Stella Young gives her thesis and then restates her thesis at the end of the speech as she wraps up. The thesis of the talk in the introduction: We’ve been sold the lie that disability is a Bad Thing, capital B, capital T. It’s a bad thing, and to live with a disability makes you exceptional. It’s not a bad thing, and it doesn’t make you exceptional. Restates the thesis of the talk at the closing: Disability doesn’t make you exceptional but questioning what you think you know about it does.
Stella Young, I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtPGrLoU5Uk
This next example is from a student’s speech. It is easy to pull out one sentence that clearly summarizes the main points of her speech. Following her summary, she winds the speech down into a thoughtful conclusion and ends with three powerful words.
Now is the time to separate the war on drugs from the war on addiction. T oday you’ve heard the problems, impacts, and solutions of criminalizing addictions. Bruce Callis is 50 years old now. And he is still struggling with his addiction. while you all are sitting out there listening to this, I’m living with it. Bruce Callis is my father and for my entire life, I have watched our misguided system destroy him. The irony here is that we live in a society where we are told to recycle. We recycle paper, aluminum, and electronics. But why don’t we ever consider recycling them most precision think on Earth– the human life. Student Tunnette Powell, Winner of the 2012 Interstate Oratorical Association Contest.
Closing Phrases
After you restate your thesis, you should carefully deliver your closing phrases. Your closing should provide a resolution to your speech and/or it should challenge the audience. Frantically Speaking writer Hrideep Barot suggests “a conclusion is like tying a bow or ribbon to a box of your key ideas that your audience will be taking along with them.”
A speech closing is not just about the words you say, but it is also the way you say it. Change the pace near the end of your speech. Let your tone alone should signal the end is near. It is about deliberate voice control, don’t let your voice weakly away.
In the next section, I will cover these ways to end your speech:
End with powerful words End with a quote End with a graphic End with parallel construction End on a positive note End with a challenge End with a question End with inspiration End with well-wishing End with humor End with a call to action End with a feeling of resolve End with a prop
The best way to teach you about advanced closings is to show not tell. For this section, I will briefly explain each type of closing and then provide a video. Each video is queued so you can play the video and watch the closing statement. I included a transcript under each video if you want to follow along. It will be most beneficial for you to watch the clip and not just read the text. By watching, you will have a chance to hear the subtle changes in the speaker’s voice as they deliver their closing statements.
End with Powerful Words
As you design your closing, look at the last three to five words and examine them to see if they are strong words. Oftentimes, you can rearrange a sentence to end with a powerful word. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
Watch this clip for how BJ Miller ends with a powerful thought and a powerful word.
Parts of me died early on, and that’s something we can all say one way or another. I got to redesign my life around this fact, and I tell you it has been a liberation to realize you can always find a shock of beauty or meaning in what life you have left, like that snowball lasting for a perfect moment, all the while melting away. If we love such moments ferociously, then maybe we can learn to live well — not in spite of death, but because of it. Let death be what takes us, not lack of imagination. BJ Miller, What Really Matters at the End of Life
End by Circling Back to the Opening
Another type of ending is to circle back to what you said in the beginning. You can revisit a quote, share the end to an illustration that was begun in the beginning, or you can put away a prop you got out in the beginning.
Watch this clip for how Zubing Zhang begins and ends with the same quote to circle back around to the main idea.
She starts by telling a story of bungee jumping off the world’s highest platform and how she saw a sign with a quote that says, “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.” After telling her own story about pushing her emotional limits, she circles back around at the end by saying, “As the words said high on the bungee platform, “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.”
Yubing Zhang, Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone.
End With Quote
If you end your speech with a quote, attend to the following.
- Always say the author of the quote before the quote for example, “I want to leave you with a leadership quote ‘What you do has far greater impact than what you say,’ Steven Covey.” The problem with this ending is that “Stephen Covey” are the last two words of the speech and that is boring. Consider instead this ending. “I think Robin Sharma said it best ‘Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration.'” In this arrangement, the last three words are powerful–influence and inspiration.
- Provided context for the quote before or after. Make sure the quote is meaningful and not just an easy way to end.
Watch this clip for how Sir Ken Robinson ends with a quote. Notice how he says the author and then the quote.
Also, notice how he then ties his speech to the quote with a final few sentences and ends with the powerful word–“revolution” and how he uses a strong vocal emphasis as he says his last word. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
There’s a wonderful quote from Benjamin Franklin. “There are three sorts of people in the world: Those who are immovable, people who don’t get it, or don’t want to do anything about it; there are people who are movable, people who see the need for change and are prepared to listen to it; and there are people who move, people who make things happen.” And if we can encourage more people, that will be a movement. And if the movement is strong enough, that’s, in the best sense of the word, a revolution. And that’s what we need.
Sir Ken Robinson, How to Escape Education’s Death Valley.
End with a Graphic
You might want to use a visual to make your final point. Bringing in a picture, graphic, or object, reengages the audience to pay attention to your final ideas.
Watch this clip for how Barry Schartz uses the magic words “so to conclude” and then he creatively uses a picture of a fishbowl to narrow in on his point. Notice how his final word is spoken with urgency as he says “disaster.” (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
So, to conclude. (He shows a picture of fish in a fishbowl) He says, “You can be anything you want to be — no limits.” You’re supposed to read this cartoon and, being a sophisticated person, say, “Ah! What does this fish know? Nothing is possible in this fishbowl.” Impoverished imagination, a myopic view of the world –that’s the way I read it at first. The more I thought about it, however, the more I came to the view that this fish knows something. Because the truth of the matter is, if you shatter the fishbowl so that everything is possible, you don’t have freedom. You have paralysis. If you shatter this fishbowl so that everything is possible, you decrease satisfaction. You increase paralysis, and you decrease satisfaction. Everybody needs a fishbowl. This one is almost certainly too limited –perhaps even for the fish, certainly for us. But the absence of some metaphorical fishbowl is a recipe for misery and, I suspect, disaster. Barry Schwartz, The Paradox of Choice
End with Parallel Construction
Parallel construction is a series of repeated phrases. It can be a powerful tool to use in a persuasive speech as it creates a feeling of importance.
Watch this clip for how Malala Yousafzai ends with a series of parallel statements to build momentum. Notice how her pace perfectly matches her words and you feel her strength when she ends with “education first.” (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
Dear brothers and sisters, we must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty, injustice, and ignorance. We must not forget that millions of children are out of schools. We must not forget that our sisters and brothers are waiting for a bright peaceful future. So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty, and terrorism, and let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education First.
Malala Yousafzai, United Nations Youth Assembly
End on a Positive Note
Audiences are constantly evaluating a speaker to determine their attitude and motivation. As you consider your speech closing, ask yourself what type of impression do you want to leave? Do you want to leave them with depression or hope? Sadness or promise? Most of the time, audiences will receive messages that end positively better than speeches that end negatively.
In this speech sample, Hans Rosling showed the audience some hard statistics and he even pointed fingers at the audience as part of the problem. To help them hear his main point, he wisely ends on a positive note.
Watch this clip for how Hans Rosling ends this thought-provoking talk on a positive note. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
Now, when thinking about where all this leaves us, I have just one little humble advice for you, besides everything else, look at the data. Look at the facts about the world and you will see where we are today and how we can move forwards with all these billions on our wonderful planet. The challenge of extreme poverty has been greatly reduced and it’s for the first time in history within our power to end it for good. The challenge of population growth is, in fact, already being solved, the number of children has stopped growing. And for the challenge for climate change, we can still avoid the worst, but that requires the richest, as soon as possible, find a way to use their set their use of resources and energy at a level that, step by step, can be shared by 10 billion or 11 billion by the end of this century. I’ve never called myself an optimist, but I do say I’m a possibilist and I also say the world is much better than many of you think.
Hans Rosling, Facts about the Population.
End with a Challenge
Leave the audience with a doable personal challenge. Help them mentally make sense of all the information that you shared by helping them know how to file it away and how to use it.
Watch this clip for how Melissa Butler ends with a challenge. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
So, I challenge each of you, when you go home today, look at yourself in the mirror, see all of you, look at all of your greatness that you embody, accept it, and love it. And finally, when you leave the house tomorrow, try to extend that same love and acceptance to someone who doesn’t look like you . Melissa Butler, Why You Think You’re Ugly.
Watch this clip as Darren LaCroix literally falls face down to anchor the point that when we fall, we “fall forward.” (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
Darren LaCroix talks about taking risks and falling down and getting back up, he literally and purposefully falls down during his speech and ends this way: What’s your next step… take it. I didn’t want to look back at my life and say you know I never did try that comedy thing, but I died debt-free. All of us are headed toward that goal we are going to teach a point where we get stuck and our feet are like in cement and we can’t move but we’re so afraid of that ouch but we forget that if we lean forward and take a risk–(He falls face down) and we fall on our face. When we get up, notice, you still made progress. So please, with me, go ahead and fall. But fall forward. Darren LaCroiz, Winning Speech delivered at National Speech Association
End with a Question
Asking a question at the end is one way to reengage the audience. It helps them think about what your topic might mean for them.
Watch this clip for how David Eagleman reminds us about why his topic is important and then ends with a question. Notice how he pauses before his final question and how he changes the pace of his speech for the final sentence. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
So I think there’s really no end to the possibilities on the horizon for human expansion. Just imagine an astronaut being able to feel the overall health of the International Space Station, or, for that matter, having you feel the invisible states of your own health, like your blood sugar and the state of your microbiome, or having 360-degree vision or seeing in infrared or ultraviolet. So the key is this: As we move into the future, we’re going to increasingly be able to choose our own peripheral devices. We no longer have to wait for Mother Nature’s sensory gifts on her timescales, but instead, like any good parent, she’s given us the tools that we need to go out and define our own trajectory. So the question now is, how do you want to go out and experience your universe?
David Eagleman, Can We Create New Senses for Humans?
Watch this clip for how Lera Boroditsky ends with a personal note and a powerful final question. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
I want to leave you with this final thought. I’ve told you about how speakers of different languages think differently, but of course, that’s not about how people elsewhere think. It’s about how you think. It’s how the language that you speak shapes the way that you think. And that gives you the opportunity to ask, “Why do I think the way that I do?” “How could I think differently?” And also, “What thoughts do I wish to create?” Lera Boroditsky, How Language Shapes the Way We Think
End with Inspiration
“Inspiring your audience is all about helping them see their own vision, not yours.”
You may want to end your speech with inspiring and encouraging words. Pick words that resonate with most of your audience and deliver them in such a way that your audience feels your lift in emotion.
Watch this clip for how Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ends with an inspiring final note and a powerful last few words “regain a kind of paradise” (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity.
I would like to end with this thought: That when we reject the single-story, when we realize that there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Danger of a Single Story
Watch this clip for how Dan Pink ends with an inspiring final note. (I have the video cued to play just the closing) Let me wrap up. There is a mismatch between what science knows and what business does. Here is what science knows. One: Those 20th century rewards, those motivators we think are a natural part of business, do work, but only in a surprisingly narrow band of circumstances. Two: Those if-then rewards often destroy creativity. Three: The secret to high performance isn’t rewards and punishments, but that unseen intrinsic drive– the drive to do things for their own sake. The drive to do things cause they matter.
And here’s the best part. We already know this. The science confirms what we know in our hearts. So, if we repair this mismatch between what science knows and what business does, if we bring our motivation, notions of motivation into the 21st century, if we get past this lazy, dangerous, ideology of carrots and sticks, we can strengthen our businesses, we can solve a lot of those candle problems, and maybe, maybe — we can change the world. I rest my case. Dan Pink, The Puzzle of Motivation
End with Well Wishing
There are several types of closings where the speaker wished the audience well.
The Benediction Close: M ay God bless and keep you…. The Presidential Close: God bless you and may God bless the USA The Congratulatory Close: I congratulate you on your accomplishment and wish you continued success.
End with Humor
You can end on a fun lighthearted note. It is important to always run your humor by a variety of people to make sure you are funny, and your humor is appropriate.
Watch this clip for how Andrew Dunham uses humor throughout his speech and ends with a funny one-liner. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
I wish you all the best as we begin this journey on our paths and I sincerely hope and pray that your time and success have proven to be as memorable and spiritually rewarding as mine. If not, there’s always summer school.
Andrew Dunham, Valedictorian Comes Out As Autistic During Speech
End with a Call to Action
If you are delivering a persuasive speech, let the audience know exactly what you want them to do.
End with a Feeling of Resolve
Paul Harvey made famous the line “And now you know…the rest of the story.” Your closing should allow us to know the rest of the story or to know how a situation was resolved.
Watch this clip for how Lucy Hone ends this tough but inspiring talk with a feeling of resolve (I have the video cued to play just the closing)
https://youtu.be/9-5SMpg7Q0k?t=913 If you ever find yourself in a situation where you think there’s no way I’m coming back from this, I urge you to lean into these strategies and think again. I won’t pretend that thinking this way is easy and it doesn’t remove all the pain. But if I’ve learned anything over the last five years, it is that thinking this way really does help. More than anything it has shown me that it is possible to live and grieve at the same time. And for that I will be always grateful. Lucy Hone, The Three Secrets of Resilient People
End with a Prop
Nancy Duarte says you should give your audience, SOMETHING THEY will ALWAYS REMEMBER–S.T.A.R. One way to do that is with an action or statement that will have the audience talking about it for a long time. President Obama did it with a mic drop.
Memorize Your Conclusion
End on time.
Do not diminish the effect of a great speech with a bloated, aimless conclusion. Dan Rothwell.
“Times about up.”
Don’t end with any references to time. It is like a giant stop sign saying, “stop listening.” Don’t highlight that you ran over time or that it is almost time for lunch. You want them to think about your speech, not the clock.
“Any Questions?”
You want them to feel a sense of closure for your speech. End with something powerful and let them applaud. After the applause, you can offer to answer questions. Similarly, projecting your last slide with the words, “Any Questions” is a weak ending.
“Let Me Add This Point I Missed”
If you forget something in the body of your speech, it is usually best to leave it out. Most of the time you are the only one who will miss it.
“Thank You to the Team”
There is a time to thank the organizers and those who helped you but it is not at the end of your speech. Your focus should be on your audience and what they need and what they need to hear is your idea. Send a thank you letter to the team if you want them to feel your appreciation.
“I’m Sorry”
“Sorry again for the technology issue,” “I apologize for going over time, ” “I regret I have no answer to this.” These are all negative phrases. Keep to your topic that is what they need to hear and stay focused.
“I’ll Close with this Video”
No, you should close with talking about the big idea.
If you don’t have a plan at the end, you will ramble. “Steer clear of meandering endings they kill a story,” according to the Moth Storytelling website. “Your last line should be clear in your head before you start. Yes, bring the audience along with you as you contemplate what transpires in your story, but remember, you are driving the story, and must know the final destination. Keep your hands on the wheel!”
To Thank or Not to Thank, That is the Question
There is a debate amongst speech professionals, speech teachers, and speech coaches about whether or not you should thank the audience. Here are their main arguments.
Why You Should Not Say Thank You
- You want to end with powerful words. “Thank you” are not strong words.
- The recency effect suggests they will remember the last words you spoke. You want them to remember more than just “thank you.”
- It is not a very creative way to end.
- It can be a sign of a lazy speaker, “I have no idea how to end this, I’ve run out of good things to say so I’ll say ‘Thank you’ so you will clap now.”
Why You Should Say Thank You
- It has come to be the expected ending in many settings. Violating their expectations can cause them to have a negative reaction.
- It clearly signals you are finished so the audience knows when to clap. The relieves the pressure from both you and the audience.
- It expresses gratitude.
I will leave it up to you to decide what works for you. As for me, I plan on trying to find more creative ways to end other than just saying “thank you.”
Maximizing the Primacy Recency Effect
If I were to read you a list of thirty things on my grocery list and then asked you to list all that you can remember, chances are you would remember the first times on the list and the last items on the list ( and any ones you found interesting from the middle). When people engage in listening, they tend to remember the first and last things they hear, it is called the primacy-recency effect. T his is just one more reason that your introduction and conclusion should be so well planned out. It is those first words and last words that the audience is going to remember.
The primacy recency effect influences, not only what people pay attention to in a speech, but also which speech we pay the most attention to in a series of speeches. For example, if there is a lineup of six speakers, the first and last speakers tend to get the most attention.
As a speaker, you can use this information to your advantage by volunteering to go first or last. If you are giving a long presentation, you can break it up by allowing the audience to move around or talk to a neighbor. When you come back from break, you have re-engaged that primacy effect and moved them back to a high state of attention.
Do You Have Everything You Need for a Strong Closing?
- Have I signaled my speech is coming to an end with my words or my voice?
- Have I restated my main points?
- If I am persuading my audience, do they know what I want them to do or think?
- Have I written the last three to five words in such a way that I end with powerful words?
- Have I memorized my closing?
Getting Off the Platform is Part of Your Closing
Plan on making a strong exit. Whether you are stepping off a stage or simply going to your seat, you should consider that the audience is watching you.
I have had students who finished their speech and then walked over to the trashcan and in a large, exaggerated movement, they threw their notecards in the trash. In our minds, we threw their message away with those cards. I’ve seen speakers, sit in their chairs and then announce, “I can’t believe my hands were shaking so much.” I’ve sat there and thought, “I didn’t notice.” I then realized that the comments they made influenced my perception of them and my perception of their topic.
You said your last word and the audience is applauding, now what? Look at your audience and smile and nod in appreciation before walking off the stage. If you will be answering questions, wait until after the applause stops to begin your question and answering period.
When practicing your speech, it is a good idea to start from your chair, walk up to a spot and then give your speech, and then walk back to your chair and sit down. Your “speech” impression begins and ends from your chair.
Key Takeaways
Remember This!
- A speech closing should include a review of the main points and a purposeful closing sentence.
- Persuasive speech endings should tell the audience specifically what they should do or think about.
- The recency effect suggests that people remember the most recent things they have heard which is one reason the closing is so important.
- Chance the pace of your speech and the tone of your voice to signal the end of the speech.
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Adichie, C.N. (2009). The danger of a single story. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg Standard YouTube License.
Anderson, C. (2016). TED talks: The official TED guide to public speaking. Mariner Books.
Barot, H. Fifteen powerful speech ending lines (and tips to create your own). Frantically Speaking. https://franticallyspeaking.com/15-powerful-speech-ending-lines-and-tips-to-create-your-own/
Boroditsky, L. (2017). How language shapes the way we think. https://www.ted.com/talks/lera_boroditsky_how_language_shapes_the_way_we_think Standard Youtube License.
Butler, M. (2018). Why you think you’re ugly. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imCBztvKgus Standard YouTube License.
Dunham. A. (2019). Valedictorian comes out as autistic during speech. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtPGrLoU5Uk Standard Youtube License.
Eagleman, D. (2015). Can we create new senses for humans?[Video]. YouTube https://youtu.be/4c1lqFXHvqI Standard YouTube License.
Hone, L. (2019). The three secrets of resilient people. [Video]. YouTube https://youtu.be/NWH8N-BvhAw Standard YouTube License.
Jeff, P. (2009). Ten ways to end your speech with a bang. http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/10-ways-to-end-your-speech
Jobs, S. (2005). You’ve got to find what you love. https://news.stanford.edu/2005/06/14/jobs-061505/
Khanna, P. (2016). Let the head of TED show you how to end your speech with power. https://www.fastcompany.com/3059459/let-the-head-of-ted-show-you-how-to-end-your-speech-with-p
Karia, A. (2013). How to open and close a TED talk (or any other speech or presentation). https://akashkaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/HowtoOpenandCloseaTEDTalk.pdf
LaCroix, D. (2001). World champion of public speaking. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUDCzbmLV-0 Standard YouTube License.
Mandela, N. (2011). Speech from the dock in the Rivonia trial.[Video]. YouTube https://www.nelsonmandela.org/news/entry/i-am-prepared-to-die Standard YouTube License.
Mandela, N. (1994). Presidential Inaugural Speech. [Video]. YouTube https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/nelsonmandelainauguralspeech.htm Standard YouTube License.
Miller, B.J. (2015). What really matters at the end of life. [Video]. YouTube https://www.ted.com/talks/bj_miller_what_really_matters_at_the_end_of_life?language=en Standard YouTube License.
Moth. (2021). Storytelling tips and tricks: How to tell a successful story. https://themoth.org/share-your-story/storytelling-tips-tricks
Obama, B. (2016). White House correspondents dinner. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxFkEj7KPC0 Standard YouTube License.
Pink, D. (2009). The puzzle of motivation. [Video]. YouTube https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_the_puzzle_of_motivation Standard YouTube License.
Rothwell, D. (2014). Practically Speaking. Oxford University Press.Robinson, K. (2013). How to escape education’s death valley. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX78iKhInsc Standard YouTube License.
Rosling, H. (2014). Don’t Panic-Hans Rosling showing the facts about population.[Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FACK2knC08E Standard YouTube License.
Schwartz, B. (2005). The paradox of choice. [Video]. YouTube https://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_the_paradox_of_choice Standard YouTube License.
Toastmasters International. (2016). Concluding your Speech. https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Concluding-Your-Speech
Young, S. (2014). I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtPGrLoU5Uk Standard YouTube License.
Yousafzai, M. (2013). Malala Yousafzai addresses United Nations Youth Assembly. [Video]. YouTube https://youtu.be/3rNhZu3ttIU Standard YouTube License.
Zhang, Y. (2015). Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmN4xOGkxGo Standard YouTube License.
Media Attributions
- Audience clapping © Alex Motoc is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
- jose-aragones-81QkOoPGahY-unsplash © Jose Aragones is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
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How to End a Speech: The Best Tips and Examples
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Published Date : February 16, 2024
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As the introduction sets the stage, your conclusion seals the deal. The question, “How do you end a speech ?” is an essential query that each presenter or speaker must ask, given the final words’ impact and weight on your audience.
Since your final words eventually have a lasting effect, you must make a striking thought to the people. Your speech ’s ending is your last opportunity to reiterate the fundamental idea, inspire the listeners , motivate a group to take action, change an individual’s perspective, or make a final impression on them.
If you are still wondering how to end a speech that can appease your audience, then be worry-free because this guide can help you. Read this article to learn how to end a maid of honor speech , a graduation speech , and more because it contains the best tips and examples.
Why is a Conclusion Important?
The audience is more likely not to forget the latest thing a speaker said due to the “Recency Effect” in learning. Hence, the conclusion of a speech serves as a signal to the audience that it is nearing the end, helping them recall the entire topic’s essential points.
You can’t just suddenly stop speaking in front of your listeners because that will disappoint and confuse them. It is best to ensure they are left satisfied and knowledgeable about your speeches by closing them smoothly.
Additionally, it is vital always to link your conclusion back to your introduction. The most effective way to do this method is through going back to your attention grabber or “hook.”
At the end of your speech , it is where most of your audience’s lasting impression of everything you have said will form. Thus, if you ask how to end a speech , use its conclusion to secure the necessary components in your listeners’ minds.
You might confuse, disappoint, or even leave the audience unconvinced without a satisfactory conclusion. With these thoughts, we can tell that it has a two-fold purpose: to signal the speech ’s end and reinforce the speaker’s message to the people.
The Key Elements of a Good Conclusion
When contemplating how to end a speech , remember that your introduction is the appetizer, while your conclusion is its dessert. Conclusions must round off the topic and make a strong impression on people’s minds.
To create a conclusion that will satisfy and sum up all the vital information from your speech , consider these three key elements:
1. Reiterate the main idea
What is the central idea of your message? That is a secure place to start your conclusion.
Above all, you have directed each part of your speech to support your topic, subject, or information. To start your conclusion, by all means, reiterate your speech ’s main idea.
Of course, making it different and fresh to the listeners would be best. You do not want to repeat it verbatim, making the audience feel like you are just redoing things.
Somewhat loosen it up as you prepare to remind your audience why they would be well-provided to adopt your viewpoint or follow your suggestion.
2. Summarize three primary points
Another vital element to answer your question on how to end a speech is summarizing. For your overall summary, getting three main points is a good benchmark.
You do not have to restate each argument or claim because you can eventually pick three that you think are the most remarkable. In regards to your main idea, do not be dry and monotonous.
Avoid merely repeating three points; show your audience how those points strengthened your claim or speech . Draw them together into a single special force, supplementing weight to your primary idea.
3. Close on a high note
Leave your audience pleased and satisfied but also wanting more. When you are closing your conclusion, consider ending it with a capturing, thought-provoking concept.
You may want to raise a rhetorical question or state a notable quote from your research. From time to time, good quotations serve as illustrations, stating what we want to mention with a bit of confidence and style.
Another method to add some “food for thought” to your speech ’s conclusion is to connect your primary idea to a more in-depth scenario. Also, note that your speech ’s closing line needs extra effort .
The portion acts as your last opportunity to make it stick, so never introduce new information in your ending. Additional information can confuse your listeners and take them away from the essential features of a conclusion, which are:
- Restatement of your primary idea
- Summary of three main points
- Remarkable closing line
What are the Considerations on How to End a Speech?
When you imagine how to end a speech or presentation, there are several things to consider when it comes to their close, which include:
- Is your ending engaging?
- Does your conclusion restate your message?
- Have you identified the next step you want your listeners to take clearly?
Too often, speakers or presenters believe that people will infer what they should act next. The reality or truth is that even the most talented speaker can benefit from setting off a clear call to action to their audience.
When it is particular, uncomplicated to perform, and aligns with the audience’s concerns, needs, and wants, they are more likely to take upon your persuasion , especially if you are making a persuasive speech.
Always consider that an impactful ending encourages, empowers, and motivates people. See the best tips in the next part to learn how to end a speech .
What are some Good Ways to End a Speech?
A study shows that when they need to recall information, they best remember the beginning and the end. Therefore, impacting your speech ’s closing is essential because people will mostly think of that part.
Here are seven different ways to choose and make an unforgettable ending for your audience if you still doubt how to end a speech most appealingly.
1. The Summary Close
This method on how to end a speech is about the most direct, specific, and straightforward one on the list. The history of how to end a speech or presentation also refers to this as a “recap” close.
If you end your speech with a summary, clarify your most significant idea and convey to the listeners that it is what you want them to take. However, that does not imply that your summary close is not engaging.
2. The Surprise Close
Several of the best movie endings of all time were surprising conclusions, outright shockers, and wicked twists. Why do you think they are so memorable?
It is because the viewers or the audience did not expect that ending. When we experience something we did not anticipate, it turns out that our brains are more active.
In other cases, we might have also expected a different or another scenario for the conclusion. Hence, we become notably accustomed to what occurs when a pattern breaks.
Closing a speech with a hint of surprise at its ending is like signaling your audience to listen to you.
3. The Illustrative Close
Another method to close your speech is to do it in this way. The artistry in an illustrative close comes from your skill to correct the following:
- first or third-person anecdote
It can also refer to another storytelling device representing your illustration of the primary points you created during your speech . Many speakers use this manner at the start and end of their talks.
4. The Forward-looking Close
This method of closing a speech is a better option if you discuss suggestions for future trends that could bear your topic. To help your audience visualize what you desire to accomplish, make a vibrant and vivid picture of it because it is essential.
For example, you are a financial consultant talking to a crowd 15 years away from retirement. During your speech , share your company’s approach to investment or a portfolio of your products.
5. The Backward-looking Close
Besides the forward-looking close, there is also a backward-looking close. This way, you move away from the future and go into the past instead.
Let’s say you are wondering how to end a maid of honor speech as the bride’s sister and has spent so many years and memories with her. During your message, you can recall those moments. Then, from those past happenings, close your speech by wishing her a happy future with her husband.
6. The Metaphor Close
You might feel like you are drowning in options regarding how to end a speech . However, if you carefully look at your topic or subject and what you must convey, you will eventually find it easy as pie.
Welcome to the metaphor close. Yes, I just used some metaphors in the earlier part. Perhaps you had noticed them already before I pointed it out.
Metaphors are figures of speech that indirectly compare two figuratively similar things but are distinct. You do not take it in a literal sense that you are drowning in options, but you can feel that way.
If you still don’t know how to end a graduation speech , this method may be one of your best options.
7. The Provocative Close
Provocative refers to the tendency to provoke, stimulate, or excite. Of course, as the speaker or presenter, you hope to encourage your audience, but using a provocative close snaps them to attention.
Check the table for some examples of how to end a speech provocatively.
You close your by admitting that you disagree with the listeners in some areas but agree earnestly about the one you discussed in your message. | |
You may also conclude with a forceful persuasion. This method can be remarkably convincing when you have power over the individuals you present. | |
Another way is by mentioning the consequences if they choose not to act regarding your topic. You may want to picture an “if we fail to act” perspective, but it is also necessary to take it easy. |
How to End a PowerPoint Presentation?
When you provide cluttered visual presentations , instead of an illustration that draws the people in, you can use PowerPoint to make a memorable close.
You can encourage and bring out their curiosity through powerful visualization. To help you with this matter, we have provided options for ending a speech with a PowerPoint slide.
Here are a couple of samples of what you can project:
- A humorous image but has a profound significance.
- A photo that is supposedly unrelated to your speech subject or topic needs your explanation.
- A line graph shows two possible outcomes in which the audience may get involved.
How Should You End a Presentation Slideshow?
Since you have learned what you can project in your PowerPoint presentation and how useful it is to end your talk, let us get into several essential tips on finishing a formal presentation slideshow.
Here are ways you can do to make it memorable and impactful to your audience:
- Have a clear and concise message
To close your formal presentation slideshow, bring your fundamental message to the forefront and align it with your objectives. You must give your final message down to a notable point so that your audience can walk away remembering what you have said.
- Utilize the best final PowerPoint slide.
Your final slide will differ according to the type of presentation you are delivering.
For example, if you are still having second thoughts regarding how to end a maid of honor speech uniquely, maybe you can opt to make a slideshow presentation for your sister’s wedding. There are creative ways to give your speech , especially when you are too nervous about public speaking .
You only have to ensure that you are using a powerful final PowerPoint graphic slide to showcase your concluding information. Of course, you should fit its theme at the event.
- Use animation to highlight something.
Adding a hint of animation in your presentation or slideshow is one of the best ways to bring the significant element onto your slide at the perfect period. A program like PowerPoint has features, such as built-in animations, that you can efficiently utilize.
How to End a Speech Dos and Don’ts
After discussing the key elements of ending a speech and ways to close your presentation, we should tackle how to end a speech ’s dos and don’ts.
We have compiled a few things that you must consider. See them in this table:
Do give a signal. | Do not introduce extra or new material at the end of your . |
Your conclusion should echo your . | Your conclusion must not be improvised or ad-libbed. |
All your primary points must have already been well-explained in the body of your . | Avoid including unnecessary hand . |
Summarize the primary points of your . | Do not move backward. |
Emphasize in one line the essence of your to the listeners. | Do not lose focus. |
Do not rush to gather your materials or other stuff. | |
Do not be inconsistent with your message to the audience. |
How to End Your Speech Examples (video examples)
We have made your work easier if you seek the best examples of closing a speech . Be worry-free about how to end a maid of honor speech , graduation address, and other presentations.
How to End a Graduation Speech
Here are four tips on how to end a graduation speech that would give you big applause from the crowd:
- Plan every word of your closing remarks.
- Close it with a story.
- Insert a little humor and make the audience laugh.
- Close your graduation speech with inspiration.
How to End a Maid of Honor Speech
Are you worried about how to end a maid of honor speech ? The following are the typical phrases used for the maid of honor speech ending:
- Let us all toast for the happiness of the newly married couple!
- Best wishes to the happy and lovely couple!
- Please raise your glasses in honor of the bride and groom.
- Cheers to the newlyweds!
- Wishing years of bliss to the bride and groom!
- What a beautiful wedding day, so let us toast wherever their lives may lead.
How to Close a Sales Presentation
Another example of how to end a speech we have is closing a sales pitch . An outstanding presentation turns off if you do not try to create a great closing. To make your customers eager to purchase, try the tips we recommend.
- Go back to your opening idea.
- Close it with a challenge to your audience.
- Indulge your listeners into a metaphorical mission.
- Share a story.
- End your speech with a quote.
To get additional sales presentation tips, you can check this video:
How can you effectively call your audience to action?
To ignite action, be crystal clear with your desired action, use persuasive language to spark urgency, and highlight the benefits they’ll reap. Back it up with evidence, repeat it for impact, and remove any hurdles that stand in their way. Finally, it tugs at their heartstrings to connect and motivate them to follow through. This winning formula fuels effective calls to action!
What are some creative ways to end a presentation?
Spice up your presentation ending! Ditch the boring summary and opt for storytelling, metaphors, inspiring quotes, actionable steps, thought-provoking questions, surprising elements, laughter, or genuine gratitude. Choose what fits your style and leave your audience with a bang, not a whimper!
What should you not do when ending a presentation?
When concluding a presentation, it is important to avoid certain practices. One thing you should not do is end your presentation with a slide that simply asks “Questions?” This approach is commonplace and lacks originality, making it forgettable for your audience. Instead, it is crucial to consider alternative techniques for concluding your presentation on a strong and memorable note.
How can something from the opening be repeated to close a presentation?
Start strong, end strong! Bookend your presentation by repeating a thought-provoking question, concluding a captivating story, or tying back to your title. This creates a unified message, satisfying closure, and a lasting impression on your audience. They’ll leave remembering “the answer,” “the ending,” or “the meaning,” solidifying your impact.
What can be used instead of a “thank you” slide?
Ditch the “thank you” slide! Show gratitude verbally and utilize a summary slide with key points, a call to action, and your contact details. More text is okay here; use bullet points for clarity . It helps during Q&A; attendees might even snap a picture for a handy takeaway.
How can a running clock be used to emphasize the urgency of a message?
Tick-tock! Adding a running clock to your time-sensitive message visually screams urgency. It shows limited time, fuels action, grabs attention, and boosts your message’s credibility. Don’t let your audience miss out – let the clock do the talking!
How can a surprising fact re-engage the audience’s attention?
Attention fading? Drop a surprising fact with stats! It jolts your audience awake, adds credibility, and keeps them hooked. Find it online, but cite your source to be extra legitimate. Facts rock; use them to rule your presentation!
How can the rule of three be used in communication?
Group in threes! This communication rule makes your message stick. Break down ideas, stories, or anything you say into triplets. It’s easy to remember, catchy and keeps your audience engaged with your message long after you’re done. So go forth and conquer with the power of three!
How can the main points be linked to the key message in the conclusion?
Ditch the swim, find the gem! Your conclusion reflects your whole speech . Summarize key points, deliver a lasting impact, and tie it all together. Don’t leave it as an afterthought – make it resonate, leaving your audience nodding, satisfied, and remembering your message long after you’re done.
How can a visual image be used to end a presentation?
Don’t bore your audience with text! Ditch the cluttered slides and use a powerful image to end your presentation. Funny, thought-provoking, or a line graph with a choice – pick one to intrigue and make them think. Leave it on the screen for impact, let them ponder; your message will stick long after you’re done. Just remember, image and message go hand in hand!
How can a compelling story be used to conclude a presentation?
Forget jokes and platitudes. Close with a powerful story! Not just any story, one that makes them laugh, feel your message and remember it all. Your article mentions this, but their article goes deeper. They say to make it personal, relatable, and tied to your key points. This creates empathy, connection, and an unforgettable ending that leaves your audience wanting more. Go beyond the basics and tell a story they’ll remember long after the presentation.
What are the different ways to end a presentation or speech?
Ditch the panic. Pick your closing! Consider metaphors to leave a deep impression, challenge your audience with a “what if” scenario, or use visuals to stimulate their minds. Summarize key points, deliver a powerful message, and practice your ending for polish. Do avoid rambling, awkward gestures, or rushing out. Remember, a strong closing leaves a lasting mark. Now go captivate them!
In making your speech ’s ending, do not make your conclusion only an afterthought. It should support everything you have said in your talk and remind the audience why your topic matters.
Leave the people nodding in agreement or satisfied by ending your speech remarkably. Yes, you can’t win everybody over your talk, but you can significantly make them pause and think.
We hope this article has imparted enough knowledge and answered your question about ending a speech . Download the Orai speech app for an AI-powered speech coach for interactive and fun lessons!
Good luck with your presentation!
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How to End a Speech: The 15 Best Tips and Examples To Elevate Your Speech Closing
When it comes to giving a speech, the conclusion is just as important as the introduction and body. It’s the final impression you leave on your audience, and it can make or break your entire presentation. A powerful and memorable conclusion can leave your audience inspired, informed, and engaged.
Crafting a Memorable Conclusion
![how to end your speech how to end Speech tips](https://www.ratespeeches.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/how-to-end-Speech-tips.jpg)
1. Summarize Your Key Points
One of the best ways to conclude a speech is to focus on the key points you’ve made throughout your presentation. This helps highlight your message and ensures that your audience remembers the most important takeaways.
For example, if you were giving a speech on the importance of environmental conservation, you could conclude by summarizing the key actions individuals can take, such as reducing waste and conserving energy.
Before that, it is crucial to memorize the speech , and each detail of it in the right order. That will help you to act like a pro in your presentation.
2. End with a Powerful Quote
Quotes can be a powerful tool to end a speech, as they can encapsulate your message and leave a lasting impression. Choose a quote that relates to your topic and resonates with your audience.
For instance, if you were giving a motivational speech, you could end with a quote like, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts,” by Winston Churchill.
Engaging Your Audience
![how to end your speech Speech Engaging Your Audience](https://www.ratespeeches.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Speech-Engaging-Your-Audience-1.jpg)
3. Ask a Thought-Provoking Question
Engage your audience by asking a thought-provoking question in your conclusion. This can encourage them to reflect on the topic and even initiate discussions after your speech.
If you were delivering a speech on the future of technology, you could ask, “What do you envision for the future of human-technology interaction?” This prompts your audience to consider the possibilities.
4. Tell a Personal Anecdote
Sharing a personal anecdote related to your speech topic can humanize you as a speaker and make a deep connection with your audience . This can be particularly effective when giving a persuasive or motivational speech.
In case you were speaking about overcoming adversity, you could share a personal story of a challenging experience you faced and how you persevered. This personal touch can leave a lasting impact on your audience.
Creating a Memorable Conclusion
![how to end your speech Speech Visual Aids](https://www.ratespeeches.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Speech-Visual-Aids.jpg)
5. End with a Call to Action
If your speech is meant to inspire action, a strong call to action in your conclusion is essential. Clearly state what you want your audience to do or how you want them to apply the information you’ve provided.
If your speech is about volunteer opportunities in your community, conclude by encouraging your audience to sign up for a specific event or join a local organization.
6. Use Visual Aids
Visual aids can be a compelling way to conclude your speech, especially if you’ve used them throughout your presentation . You can end with a powerful image, graph, or chart that reinforces your message.
For example, if you were giving a speech on the effects of deforestation, you could conclude by displaying a before-and-after image of a deforested area that has been restored.
Captivating Your Audience
![how to end your speech Speech Captivating Your Audience](https://www.ratespeeches.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Speech-Captivating-Your-Audience.jpg)
7. Employ Humor
Ending your speech with a touch of humor can be a great way to leave your audience with a smile. A well-timed joke or witty remark related to your topic can help lighten the mood and make your conclusion more memorable.
However, be cautious with humor , as it should be appropriate and inoffensive to your audience.
8. Use a Visual Metaphor
Visual metaphors are a creative way to conclude your speech. They involve using a physical object or action that symbolizes your message. For instance, if your speech is about the power of unity, you could conclude by bringing two puzzle pieces together to illustrate how unity can solve complex problems.
Demonstrating Confidence and Gratitude
![how to end your speech Confidence and Gratitude](https://www.ratespeeches.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Confidence-and-Gratitude.jpg)
9. Express Gratitude
Showing appreciation to your audience is a gracious way to conclude your speech. Thank your listeners for their time, attention, and engagement. Expressing gratitude not only leaves a positive impression but also reinforces the connection you’ve established with your audience.
You can say, “I want to express my sincere gratitude to each of you for being here today and for your dedication to our cause.”
10. Maintain Eye Contact
Maintaining eye contact with your audience during the conclusion is crucial. It conveys confidence and sincerity, making your message more impactful. Avoid looking down at your notes or staring at a distant point. Instead, connect with individual members of your audience as you wrap up your speech.
![](http://academicpaper.online/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
Inspiring and Motivating
![how to end your speech Speech Inspiring and Motivating](https://www.ratespeeches.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Speech-Inspiring-and-Motivating.jpg)
11. End with a Vision
Paint a vivid picture of the future in your conclusion. Share a vision that inspires and motivates your audience. This approach works well in speeches related to goals, aspirations, or change.
When you are speaking about the future of renewable energy, describe a world where clean energy sources power our cities and protect our environment.
12. Leave a Rhetorical Question
A rhetorical question in your conclusion can leave your audience pondering your message long after your speech has ended. It encourages reflection and engages your listeners on a deeper level.
Moreover, if you’re delivering a speech on the importance of education, you could conclude with a rhetorical question like, “Can we afford to neglect the potential of the next generation?”
Achieving Impactful Closure
![how to end your speech how to end Speech](https://www.ratespeeches.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/how-to-end-Speech.jpg)
13. Connect to Your Opening
A powerful technique for closing a speech is to circle back to your opening statement or anecdote. This creates a sense of closure and reinforces the theme or message you introduced at the beginning.
If you began your speech with a personal story, bringing that story full circle in your conclusion can be particularly impactful.
14. Use a Poignant Quote or Poem
Consider ending your speech with a meaningful quote or a short poem that encapsulates your message. Poetry, in particular, can evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Choose a quote or poem that resonates with your speech’s theme and delivers a profound message.
Practice and Feedback
15. rehearse and seek feedback.
Lastly, practice and feedback are essential for a successful conclusion . Rehearse your ending multiple times to ensure that your delivery is confident and polished. Seek feedback from trusted individuals who can provide constructive suggestions to help you refine your conclusion further.
Should I memorize my conclusion word-for-word, or is it okay to improvise?
Memorizing your conclusion word-for-word is generally not recommended. While it’s crucial to know the key points and structure of your conclusion, sounding too rehearsed can come across as insincere. Instead, aim to understand the main ideas and transitions in your conclusion, allowing for some flexibility in your delivery. This approach can make your conclusion feel more authentic and engaging.
Can I use multiple techniques in a single conclusion?
The key is to maintain coherence and relevance. For instance, you can end with a powerful quote followed by a call to action or a thought-provoking question, as long as they flow naturally and support your speech’s objectives.
Is it acceptable to use humor in the conclusion of a serious or formal speech?
It can be acceptable to use humor in the conclusion of a serious or formal speech, but it should be used judiciously and in a way that is contextually appropriate. Humor can help break the tension or lighten the mood, but it should not detract from the overall message or tone of your speech. Ensure that your humor is respectful and relevant to your audience and topic.
The Bottom Line
Ending a speech effectively is a skill that can be honed with practice and attention to detail. Remember that the conclusion is your final opportunity to connect with your audience, so make it count by crafting a memorable and impactful ending.
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How to End a Speech with Impact
Last Updated: February 13, 2023 Fact Checked
This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 40,470 times.
If you're hoping to wow your audience as you end your speech, there are lots of ways you can capture their attention and leave a lasting impression. Repeating the main points in your speech is a great way to make sure your listeners remember your message. You can also do things like tell a personal story, refer to a famous quote , or add humor to the end of your speech to make it really stand out.
Choosing an Impactful Strategy
![how to end your speech Step 1 Repeat the main point of your speech in the ending.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f7/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-1.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-1.jpg)
- If you had three main points in your speech, try to summarize your topics by having one sentence for each point.
- You might even summarize your points in one sentence by saying, “Remember, tell your family you love them, spend time outdoors, and make time for your hobbies.”
![how to end your speech Step 2 Inspire listeners by ending your speech with a call to action.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/31/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-2.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-2.jpg)
- You might challenge the audience to spend more time with their loved ones, volunteer in the community, or smile at five people each day.
- For example, if your speech was about the importance of taking a break from technology, you might challenge the audience to spend a couple hours a day technology-free.
- Ending your speech by encouraging people to take action will leave them feeling motivated, and they'll be more likely to remember your main talking points.
![how to end your speech Step 3 Tell a story...](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/6f/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-3.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-3.jpg)
- For example, if you're speaking about volunteering, you might tell a story about a family's reaction to the house they were given after you spent time building it.
- While your story shouldn't be too long, give enough details for it to make sense and create a full picture for the audience.
![how to end your speech Step 4 Repeat a certain phrase to make it memorable.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/8d/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-4.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-4.jpg)
- Your line might be, “Take time to listen,” or “Make positive change.”
- If you've repeated it several times throughout the speech, the audience might even say it back with you at the end.
![how to end your speech Step 5 Use a famous quote to make an impact.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/6f/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-5.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-5.jpg)
- You might quote Martin Luther King, Jr. by saying, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”
- Search for the perfect quote by pulling up your online search engine and typing in “quotes about” and then a general theme that you'd like to convey, such as “hard work” or “hope.”
![how to end your speech Step 6 Ask the audience a question as your ending.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/46/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-6.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-6.jpg)
- If you're giving a speech at a school, you might finish it by asking, “What are you going to do to make time for reading?” or “How are you going to use your knowledge to impact the future?”
![how to end your speech Step 7 Make the audience laugh to end on a note of humor.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/42/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-7.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-7.jpg)
- For example, you might say, "I hope my speech kept you on the edge of your seats—hopefully because you were interested and not thinking about getting up to leave."
Perfecting Your Tone
![how to end your speech Step 1 Speak clearly to make sure people understand you.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f8/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-8.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-8.jpg)
- If you find yourself speaking quickly, take a breath in between each sentence to help slow you down.
![how to end your speech Step 2 Use a range of inflections when you're speaking.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f1/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-9.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-9.jpg)
- Practice mastering your voice inflection in front of a mirror before your speech, paying attention to how your voice sounds as you're speaking.
- For example, you might raise your voice when saying super important points in your speech, or end a question in a higher voice to get your point across.
![how to end your speech Step 3 Finish your speech...](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/09/End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-10.jpg/v4-460px-End-a-Speech-with-Impact-Step-10.jpg)
- Stand up tall and look at the crowd as you're finishing your speech.
- If you notice yourself getting a little louder as you're ending your speech, this means the passion is coming through in your voice.
Expert Q&A
![how to end your speech Lynn Kirkham](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/29/Lynn_Kirkham.png/-crop-200-200-200px-Lynn_Kirkham.png)
- Your conclusion should be about 10-15% of your speech. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2
- Avoid ending your speech abruptly without signaling that it's coming to an end. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3
![how to end your speech how to end your speech](https://www.wikihow.com/images/8/85/Cont_v01_0420x0250.jpg)
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- ↑ https://uark.pressbooks.pub/speaking/chapter/closing-a-speech/
- ↑ https://westsidetoastmasters.com/article_reference/12_ways_to_end_your_speech.html
- ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
- ↑ http://canuwrite.com/speech_one_liners.php
- ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/publicspeakingprinciples/chapter/chapter-12-vocal-aspects-of-delivery/
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Different Ways to End a Presentation or Speech
November 6, 2017 - Dom Barnard
The beginning and ending of your presentation are the most important. The beginning is where you grab the audience’s attention and ensure they listen to the rest of your speech. The conclusion gives you a chance to leave a lasting impression that listeners take away with them.
Studies show that when people are tasked with recalling information, they “best performance at the beginning and end”. It’s therefore essential you leave an impact with your closing statement. A strong ending motivates, empowers and encourages people to take action.
The power of three
The rule of three is a simple yet powerful method of communication and we use it often in both written and verbal communication. Using information in patterns of three makes it more memorable for the audience.
Examples of the power of three being used:
- This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning – Winston Churchill
- Blood, sweat and tears – General Patton
- I came, I saw, I conquered – Julius Caesar
A compelling story
Ending your presentation on a short story, especially if that story is personal or illustrates how the content presented affects others is the best way to conclude.
If you want to talk about a customer experience or successful case study, think about how you can turn it into a meaningful story which the audience will remember and even relate to. Creating empathy with your audience and tying the story back to points made throughout the presentation ensures your presentation will be well received by the audience.
A surprising fact
A surprising fact has the power to re-engage the audience’s attention, which is most likely to wane by the end of a presentation. Facts with statistical numbers in them work well – you can easily search online for facts related to your speech topic. Just make use you remember the source for the fact in case you are questioned about it.
A running clock
Marketing and advertising executive Dietmar Dahmen ends his Create Your Own Change talk with a running clock to accompany his last statement. “Users rule,” he says, “so stop waiting and start doing. And you have to do that now because time is running out.”
If you’re delivering a time-sensitive message, where you want to urge your listeners to move quickly, you can have a background slide with a running timer to add emphasis to your last statement.
![how to end your speech Example of a running timer or clock for ending a presentation](https://vs-static.virtualspeech.com/img/blog/presentation_ending_timer.jpg)
Acknowledging people or companies
There are times when it’s appropriate to thank people publicly for helping you – such as
- Presenting a research paper and want to thank people involved in the project
- Presenting data or information obtained from a company or a person
- When someone helped you build the presentation if it’s a particularly complex one
You can even use the PowerPoint credits feature for additional ‘wow’ factor.
A short, memorable sentence
A sound bite is an attention magnet. It cuts to the core of your central message and is one of the most memorable takeaways for today’s Twitter-sized attention spans. Consider Steve Jobs’ famous last line at his commencement address at Stanford University: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”
Think about how you can distil your message down to a crisp, memorable statement. Does it represent your authentic voice? Does it accurately condense what your core message is about? Listeners, especially business audiences, have a radar that quickly spots an effort to impress rather than to genuinely communicate an important message.
An interesting quote
A relatively easy way to end your speech is by using a quote. For this to be effective, however, the quote needs to be one that has not been heard so often that it has become cliché.
To access fresh quotes, consider searching current personalities rather than historical figures. For example, a quote on failing from J.K. Rowling: “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”
You need to figure out what resonates with your audience, and choose a quote that fits the presentation theme. If you’re up to it, you can round off the quote with your own thoughts as well.
A visual image
Make use of this power by ending your presentation with a riveting visual that ties to your take-home message. Leave this slide on when you finish your presentation to give the audience something to look at and think about for the next few minutes.
Use a summary slide instead of a ‘thank you’ slide
‘Thank You’ slides don’t really help the audience. You should be verbally saying ‘Thank you’, with a smile and with positive eye contact, putting it on a slide removes the sentiment.
Instead of a ‘Thank You’ slide, you can use a summary slide showing all the key points you have made along with your call to action. It can also show your name and contact details.
This slide is the only slide you use that can contain a lot of text, use bullet points to separate the text. Having all this information visible during the Q&A session will also help the audience think of questions to ask you. They may also choose to take photos of this slide with their phone to take home as a summary of your talk and to have your contact details.
![how to end your speech Example summary slide for a presentaiton or speech](https://vs-static.virtualspeech.com/img/blog/virtualspeech_summary_slide_example.jpg)
Repeat something from the opening
Closing a presentation with a look back at the opening message is a popular technique. It’s a great way to round off your message, whilst simultaneously summing up the entire speech and creating a feeling of familiarity for the audience. Comedians do this well when they tie an earlier joke to a later one.
Doing this will signal to the audience that you are coming to the end of your talk. It completes the circle – you end up back where you started.
There are a few ways to approach this technique:
- Set up a question at the beginning of your speech and use your ending to answer it
- Finish a story you started, using the anecdote to demonstrate your message
- Close with the title of the presentation – this works best with a provocative, memorable title
Link the main points to the key message
At the beginning of your talk, it’s important to map out the main ideas you will talk about. An audience that doesn’t know the stages of the journey you are about to take them on will be less at ease than one that knows what lies ahead. At the end of your talk, take them back over what you’ve spoken about but don’t just list the different ideas you developed, show how they are related and how they support your main argument.
Finish with enthusiasm
It’s only natural that you’ll feel tired when you get to the end of your talk. The adrenaline that was racing through your body at the beginning has now worn off.
It’s crucial that the audience feels that you are enthusiastic and open for questions. If you’re not enthusiastic about the presentation, why should the audience be?
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Don’t end with audience questions
When the Q&A session is over, stand up, get their attention and close the presentation. In your closing give your main argument again, your call to action and deal with any doubts or criticisms that out in the Q&A.
A closing is more or less a condensed version of your conclusions and an improvised summary of the Q&A. It’s important that the audience goes home remembering the key points of the speech, not with a memory of a Q&A that may or may not have gone well or may have been dominated by someone other than you.
If possible, try and take questions throughout your presentation so they remain pertinent to the content.
Getting rid of the “questions?” slide
To start, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t do. You shouldn’t end a presentation with a slide that asks “Questions?” Everyone does and there is nothing memorable about this approach.
Ideally, you should take questions throughout the presentation so that the question asked and the answer given is relevant to the content presented. If you choose to take questions at the end of your presentation, end instead with a strong image that relates to your presentation’s content.
Worried about no audience questions?
If you’re afraid of not getting any questions, then you can arrange for a friend in the audience to ask one. The ‘plant’ is a good way to get questions started if you fear silence.
Chances are that people do want to ask questions, but no one wants to be the first to ask a question. If you don’t have a ‘plant’, you might need to get the ball rolling yourself. A good way to do this is for you to ask am open question to the audience. Ask the most confident looking person in the room for their opinion, or get the audience to discuss the question with the person sitting beside them.
A cartoon or animation
In his TED talk on The Paradox of Choice , Barry Schwartz ends his presentation with a cartoon of a fishbowl with the caption, “You can be anything you want to be – no limits.” He says, “If you shatter the fishbowl, so that everything is possible, you don’t have freedom, you have paralysis… Everybody needs a fishbowl”. This is a brilliant ending that combines visuals, humour and a metaphor. Consider ending your presentation with a relevant cartoon to make your message memorable.
Ask a rhetoric question
So, for example, if you’re finishing up a talk on the future of engineering, you might say, “I’d like to end by asking you the future of manufacturing, will it be completely taken over by robots in the next 30 years?”
The minute you ask a question , listeners are generally drawn into thinking about an answer. It’s even more engaging when the question is provocative, or when it touches potentially sensitive areas of our lives
Thank the audience
The simplest way to end a speech, after you’ve finished delivering the content, is to say, “thank you.” That has the benefit of being understood by everyone.
It’s the great way for anyone to signal to the audience that it’s time to applaud and then head home.
Call your audience to action and make it clear
It’s not enough to assume your message will inspire people to take action. You need to actually tell them to take action. Your call to action should be clear and specific. Your audience should be left with no doubt about what it is you’re asking.
Use the last few minutes of the presentation to reinforce the call to action you seek. Examples of strong calls to actions include:
- Retain 25% more employees with our personal development solution
- Save your business 150% by using this framework
- Donate today to save millions around the world
Make it clear that you’ve finished
Nothing is more uncomfortable than the silence of an audience working out if you’ve finished or not.
Your closing words should make it very clear that it’s the end of the presentation. The audience should be able to read this immediately, and respond. As we mentioned previously, saying “thank you” is a good way to finish.
If the applause isn’t forthcoming, stand confidently and wait. Don’t fidget and certainly don’t eke out a half-hearted, ‘And that just about covers it. Thank you’.
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How To End A Speech
![how to end your speech How To End A Speech](https://suasive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img-1-1.jpg)
Putting together and delivering an effective speech takes time and the right strategy. One of the most challenging aspects is figuring out how to end a speech effectively. You might have prepared a fantastic opening and delivered a compelling message, but if you fail to wrap up your speech in a powerful and memorable way, your audience may leave feeling unsatisfied or even forget what you said altogether.
Many speakers struggle with their closing words, whether it’s because they run out of time, they lose their train of thought, or they simply don’t know how to bring everything together in a cohesive and impactful way. This can lead to a lack of confidence, anxiety, and even embarrassment, all of which can significantly hinder your ability to communicate your message effectively.
In this article we’ll explore some proven tips and strategies, show you three simple techniques that summarize your message and key ideas, and explain how to get your audience members to take action. You’ll start delivering the final words of your speeches with confidence and know you’re leaving a lasting impression on your audience. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker looking to polish your skills or a newcomer to public speaking , this article will help you overcome the hurdles of ending a great speech so you can deliver a powerful and memorable message every time. Your last words will be your most impactful words.
Why is a Conclusion Important?
![how to end your speech end your speech](https://suasive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img-2.jpg)
“Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of the ending.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The conclusion of your speech is arguably the most critical part. It’s the pinnacle of your persuasion, the culmination of everything you’ve talked about so far, and it’s the moment when you state your final call to action. This is why it’s crucial to devote sufficient time and attention to crafting your last inspiring words and final point.
Your conclusion is where you’ll leave your audience with the most significant take away from your speech. These closing words are the last impression they’ll have of you and your key message, and it’s where you can reinforce the key message points you’ve made throughout your presentation. By reiterating your main message and summarizing your key arguments, you can ensure that your audience remembers your message long after your speech is over in such a way that inspires them to take action.
The conclusion is also where you summarize your entire speech and make your final call to action. Whether it’s encouraging your audience to remember and take specific actions, supporting a particular cause, or adopting a new way of thinking, your conclusion is the time to motivate your audience to act. This is where you can challenge them to make a difference, do something, or think differently about a particular issue.
Most importantly, your conclusion can make or break your speech. A weak or ineffective ending can leave your audience feeling unimpressed or even confused, undermining the impact of your entire presentation up to that point. Conversely, a strong and impactful conclusion can leave a lasting impression on your audience, motivating them to take action and inspiring them to share your message with others. It even has the potential to turn an average persuasive speech into an unforgettable speech.
Because the conclusion of your speech is so important, it’s worth taking the time to ensure that your final words are as effective as possible. By crafting a strong and impactful conclusion, you can leave your audience with a lasting impression, and ensure that your message is remembered long after your closing statement.
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What is a good closing message?
![how to end your speech ending a speech](https://suasive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img-3.jpg)
A good closing is a bookend to your opening, but is much more concise. It should resolve the entire presentation. In the beginning you grab your audience’s attention. Next you navigate them through all the parts. Finally you introduce your call to action so the audience knows what to expect. Your speech’s closing message should fulfill the classical requirements of any story: a strong beginning, a solid middle, and a decisive end.
To fully understand how your closing message connects with your opening you’ll need to first understand the three parts of your opening and how to think about them: Opening Gambit, USP, and Point B.
Opening Gambit
The Opening Gambit is a series of short sentences to get the audience engaged and establish a need for your idea, concept, or solution. Suasive recommends the following seven Opening Gambits .
- Rhetorical question Get your audience thinking about your message by posing a meaningful question that is relevant to them. Scott Cook, the founding CEO of Intuit, used a rhetorical phrase when making a presentation at the Robertson, Stephens, and Company Technology Investment Conference in San Francisco. He began with: “Let me begin today’s presentation with a question. How many of you balance your checkbooks? May I see a show of hands?” Almost everyone’s hand went up. “Okay. Now how many of you like doing it?” Everyone’s hand went down. He had their focus because he got them moving their body and used an easy question that would resonate with everyone. If he had launched into his presentation with a detailed description of Quicken accounting software, he likely would have lost them. Instead, he engaged the audience with a personal question and got them focused on thinking about their checkbooks.
- Factoid You can convert any question to a simple, striking statistic or factual statement to capture your audience’s attention. For instance, instead of asking, “How many iPhones are sold each year?” (which cedes control of the floor), turn it into a Factoid: “185 million iPhones are sold every year.” The Factoid you choose should be related to the main theme of your presentation and not just dropped in for shock value. We’ve all heard off-the-wall statements that only serve to throw the audience off track all the while never coming back to the main point thread or thesis.
- Retrospective/Prospective A Retrospective (backward) or Prospective (forward) look allows you to grab your audience’s attention by moving them in one direction or another, away from their present, immediate concerns. Consider this technique as a flashback or flashforward, or “That was then, this is now.” For instance, you could refer to the way things used to be done, the way they are done now, and the way you project them being done in the future. Technology companies often choose to start their presentations with a look back to earlier functions to contrast how their new technology disrupts the same functionality: library search before the internet, cassette tapes before digital music, brick and mortar shopping before e-commerce, a rat’s nest of tangled wiring before Bluetooth, and keypad entry before facial recognition.
- Anecdote An anecdote is a brief human interest story. “Personal stories” have recently become the holy grail of storytelling . A tsunami of consultants, courseware, workshops , seminars, blogs, and publications are now advising individuals and businesses to develop their great speeches and presentations by reaching deep inside themselves for a heartwarming opening anecdote. People naturally identify with other people, and a personal story can create empathy.
- Quotation You can also use a relevant quotation from a well-known, reliable source such as William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill , John F. Kennedy, Tom Peters or, as many businesspeople do, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War . Yet the best famous quotation is something from a third party that credentializes you, your idea, or your company. Whichever you use, be sure to tie the quotation closely to your content.
- Aphorism An aphorism is a well-known saying, maxim, or idiom. Because of its familiarity, as soon as you state an Aphorism, it rings a bell in your audience’s minds. They may not even recognize the source, but it brings them to attention.
- Analogy Analogies help explain complex subjects. If your business involves highly technical or specialized products, services, or systems, a simple analogous comparison can help clarify. During the early days of the internet, companies developing networking products analogized the web to highways: with main roads to represent carriers, interchanges to represent routing and switching equipment, on-ramps and off-ramps to represent local carriers, and tolls to represent revenues.
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Unique Selling Proposition
Once you’ve stated your Opening Gambit, it’s time for your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). The USP is a succinct summary of your business, describing the basic premise that describes what your company, product, or service does. One of the most common complaints about presentations is “I listened to them for 30 minutes, and I still don’t know what they do!” The USP is what they do.
The Opening Gambit grabbed your viewer’s attention and established need, and your USP demonstrates your solution to that need with maximum clarity. It summarizes the body or middle part of your speech. The best USPs are short and are communicated in one sentence.
Which company’s USP is “Melt in your mouth, not in your hand?”
Did you guess it? M&Ms of course.
Point B is your call to action. It’s how you end your speech with a bang and plan to bring your audience to action. The Opening Gambit, USP, and Point B are all connected in a sequence that feeds into one another.
Here’s an example of a full sequence from Opening Gambit to Point B.
- Opening Gambit (Anecdote): Last year, one of Acme’s customers had a flood in their home. The sprinkler system broke and damaged all the furniture, carpets, and other possessions. Not only did they lose their home, they took a big financial hit.
- Link: This customer is like many customers who purchase a basic policy not customized to their individual needs. That means being just one step away from disaster.
- USP: Acme Insurance has a solution. We can provide you with a customized, value-added package of insurance that provides for your Individual needs to protect you against serious financial loss.
- Proof of Concept (POC)–evidence that your USP is worthy: That’s why Acme is one of the fastest-growing insurance brokers in the state.
- Link: I know that you’ll want to take advantage of this opportunity…
- Point B: …and sign up for this important coverage today.
You can see how all three elements feed into each other. One can’t effectively exist without the other. What’s great about the three steps is they compromise your entire speech outline on a macro level, and you can also use them again on a micro level within the closing section of your presentation.
Three Ways to Close a Speech Effectively
![how to end your speech speeches](https://suasive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/img-4.jpg)
“Tell ’em what you’ve told ’em” is a classic closing technique that involves summarizing your main points and reiterating your message in a clear and concise way. This technique helps to reinforce your key ideas and ensure that your audience remembers them long after your speech is over. By summarizing your main points and restating your message, you can drive home the key takeaways and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
“Tell ‘em what you’ve told ‘em” is your closing, a bookend to your opening, and includes three key elements: a Bookend Gambit (like the Opening Gambit but more concise), Recap (of the agenda and your main points), and Point B (call to action).
The Bookend Gambit is a powerful technique that involves referencing your Opening Gambit in your closing remarks. This technique creates a sense of closure and brings your presentation full circle, leaving your audience feeling satisfied and fulfilled.
A brief Recap of your agenda is the second element of the closing technique. By summarizing what you’ve covered you can reinforce the key points you’ve made and drive home your message in a powerful and impactful way.
Point B is the third element and involves making a clear and compelling call to action in your closing remarks. This technique encourages your audience to take specific actions based on the message you’ve delivered, whether it’s signing a petition, making a donation, or simply changing their behavior. By providing a clear and actionable next step, you can motivate your audience to take action and make a difference.
What is a Strong Concluding Statement?
A strong concluding statement is critical for leaving a long-term impression on your audience and motivating them to take action. You want to end your speech with your audience thinking about your objective, willing to do what you want them to do. It’s the last thing they hear you say at the end of your speech, and for many leading speakers it holds the most weight.
One of the most effective ways to close your speech with a bang is with a clear and concise call to action, also known as Point B as discussed above. This final remark should be a short and powerful statement that encapsulates the central message of your presentation and inspires your audience to act.
For example, let’s suppose that in your opening statement you said, “So that we can control our own destiny, I’m seeking your approval and a budget to start this unit.” In your closing statement, you might shorten this message to “All we need is your approval.” This statement is short, clear, and to the point, emphasizing the importance of your request.
Need Help Closing Your Speech?
Putting all the pieces of your speech or presentation together takes know how. The good news is because it’s more science than art, anyone can learn how to do it with the right training. A good presentation has all the parts of a good compelling story – a beginning, middle, and end. The only difference is the pacing and delivery techniques, but story is still at the heart. With practice and preparation, you can improve your speech writing and delivering skills, and make sure your ideas are heard and considered.
So whether you are preparing for a job interview, a presentation at work, or an entire speech in front of a large audience, remember to believe in yourself, focus on your key points, and prepare to the best of your ability. When it’s time to deliver your closing remarks, be sure to incorporate the three techniques you learned in this article and we’re confident you’ll make an impact.
How to tell your story so the audience feels it’s their story.
Suasive, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based communication consulting company that offers public speaking classes for organizations and individuals. To date, we’ve coached over 600 CEOs and helped individuals in some of the world’s largest companies including Netflix , eBay , Sonos , Lyft , and Freshworks .
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Speech Conclusion: 12 Ways to End a Presentation the Best Way
![Speech Conclusion: 12 Ways to End a Presentation the Best Way how to end a speech](https://icebreakerspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Featured-image-How-to-End-a-Speech.jpg)
If you’ve learned anything about speech writing, you’ll know that there’s a recommended formula to use in designing the best presentation.
Essentially, your talk should have a short opening where you engage your audience , a middle part where you coherently cover the details of your speech topic and an ending that neatly sums everything up .
Remember, people have come to hear you talk when there are definitely other ways that they could be spending their time.
They’re looking to be entertained, or moved in some way. They want to leave the room better informed, educated and possibly curious to study more about your subject.
Therefore, you owe it to your listeners to put together the best presentation that you can – that includes a dynamite finish that they’ll reflect on afterwards.
Let’s take a closer look at how to approach the task. We’ll begin by discussing what not to do .
How NOT to End Your Speech: What Not to Do
Sure, when your talk is coming to an end you might be feeling relieved to have gotten through what you have to say without any obvious missteps.
It’s understandable if you’re ready to quickly exit stage left, and take your seat again with the audience members. After all, you’ve earned that privilege – right?
This is a natural temptation and another good reason why you really must take the time to write a proper wrap up.
Having said that, when it comes to crafting an effective ending, it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. Here’s what not to do.
![character-and-goal end a speech](https://icebreakerspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/character-and-goal.jpg)
Regurgitating remarks
We’ve already mentioned that the ending is the place where you sum up the main message of your speech in some fashion.
However, you don’t want to repeat so much of your talk that your audience’s eyes start to glaze over.
Going on too long about what you’ve already said is a definite no-no. People may just think that you’re doubting their intelligence!
Taking a tangent
As well, you mustn’t go off on a tangent and introduce some new thoughts that are unrelated to what you’ve just spent some time telling listeners.
This will only confuse people.
Furthermore, the participants may second guess what your topic really was all about, and whether they’ve heard you properly.
Stopping abruptly
Take care not to finish abruptly. People need to know by what you say that you’re getting ready to wind things up.
It should not come as a shock that it’s already time for them to applaud.
Trailing off
You also shouldn’t stop with a whimper, so to speak.
You voice has to remain clear and strong right up until you’ve delivered your last statement. Keep the volume up and don’t mumble!
Offer an apology
Seriously! Don’t do this!
It could be that you believe your speech wasn’t up to your own standards. Maybe you got off track a little, or missed making a minor point that you’d intended.
Whatever it is, your listeners in all likelihood didn’t notice. Even if they did, they’ve already moved on and forgiven you.
Therefore, you certainly don’t want to draw their attention to anything that you felt wasn’t up to par.
![on-stage how to conclude a speech](https://icebreakerspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/on-stage.jpg)
12 Best Ways to End a Speech to be Remembered
Be mindful that your final comments are probably going to be the most memorable part of your talk.
As people file out of the auditorium or meeting room, what you said last will be ringing in their ears. In addition, they may be sharing their reaction to your words with others in attendance.
Therefore, you want to leave them with a good impression.
Now that you can appreciate the importance of finishing off your presentation well − and some of the pitfalls to avoid – you’re ready to learn about a number of great ideas for speech endings.
Following are the different ways you can go.
1. Paraphrase the main points
Take a minute to recap the main points of your presentation.
Tell people again what you just told them, but be sure to do it in a very succinct way.
While you shouldn’t just say verbatim what you’ve relayed already, it’s quite acceptable to repeat a phrase or sentence from your opening as a way to reinforce your main point. Whatever you choose, keep it short.
One approach to paraphrasing is to package the information in three points.
It has been shown that patterns of three can have some staying power in the minds of listeners. Here are a few examples that illustrate this:
“...government of the people, by the people, for the people.” – Abraham Lincoln
“I came. I saw. I conquered.” – Julius Caesar
Basically, paraphrasing reinforces the main message of your talk so that those participating are much more likely to bring it to mind later on.
2. Give them a take-away
This approach is somewhat similar to the above idea. It involves giving people the single most important message that you want them to leave with.
Since you’re asking them to focus on only one thought, they’re more apt to commit it to memory.
Plus, boiling the information you’ve just delivered down to a central idea can be very impactful.
![lightbulb-method lightbulb-method](https://icebreakerspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/lightbulb-method.jpg)
Listeners will take to heart that there’s one single take-away they should really pay attention to. They’re more likely to recall the main point you made, and even relay it in conversation with colleagues, friends and family.
One very effective method of doing this is to tell your audience upfront that you want them to recall something. For instance, you could preface your point with one of these phrases:
“When you leave here today, I want you to remember . . .”
“If you take anything away from my presentation today, it should be that . . .”
And say your point.
3. Call them to action
This is a very popular way to end a speech and, no wonder, when you think of how it can affect those listening.
Essentially, you’re going to ask people to do something as a result of absorbing your talk.
Maybe they’ve been swept away by the inspiration you’ve demonstrated in telling them a moving story of overcoming adversity. Perhaps they’re intrigued by the new ideas you’ve presented to manage personal stress.
At the end of your speech, the time is ripe to call them to an action of some sort. Here are some examples, using slightly different approaches:
![table-topics-tips table-topics-tips](https://icebreakerspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/table-topics-tips.jpg)
“The next time you look at the stars in the night sky, I urge you to think about how incredibly vast is our universe.”
“When you see another television commercial about hunger, are you going to change the channel, or are you going to call the number on the screen and make a donation?”
Demanding something of your audience will cause them to reflect on your presentation and especially so when they next find themselves in the situation you’ve described.
Regardless of whether or not they decide to follow through on what you’ve asked, they’ll be thinking of what you said.
4. Repeat the title
Here’s a simple idea that you might have seen used.
Granted, we’ve already explained why you shouldn’t regurgitate your speech in your closing remarks.
However, just repeating the title of your speech can be a great way to sum up and refocus the audience on what your presentation was about.
Of course, this calls for creating an excellent title that will stand on its own as a representation of your talk.
Moreover, your title could be in the form of a provocative question, or employ an alliteration to make it really interesting and memorable.
5. Position with power
End your speech with a powerful bang by making a bold statement that links back to your talk.
Employ strong words or unique turns of phrase. This can be accomplished by writing out your closing statement and searching for synonyms for certain words that will convey more emotion, or spark increased interest.
Emphasize what you have to say with a confident posture that matches.
![confident-speaking confident-speaking-off-the-cuff](https://icebreakerspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/confident-speaking.jpg)
Another approach to show your power is to make a grand physical gesture. If, for example, your closing statement is “What I want the whole world to know is . . .” you could spread your arms wide in a circle to suggest that you’re reaching out across the globe.
Listeners will remember your words for the strength and enthusiasm behind them.
6. Use your body language
If you’ve done any public speaking, you’ll already appreciate the importance of experimenting with body language . The right posture and gestures can convey so much!
It’s just as critical to display impactful body language at the end of your speech since this is the last thing people will see.
What you do physically on stage should help your audience recall you for the right reasons.
Certainly, you can take a little bow and then walk confidently away from the podium. However, wouldn’t it make people recall you and what you told them better if you did something different?
Maybe you want to shimmy off stage with a dance move, skip or give a few low sweeping bows while blowing kisses to the audience? Use your imagination and find something that fits with your speech topic .
In the following video, Vikram did a somersault to conclude his speech and the audience went wild! (starts at 6:42)
7. Use a prop or visual
If you’ve brought a prop on stage and referred to it earlier in your speech, bring the attention of your participants back to it as you make your closing remarks.
Perhaps you’ve rolled a little suitcase behind you when you first walked to the podium as a visual about the personal baggage that we all carry. Well, grab the handle and give the case a little twirl to bring the audience’s eyes back to it.
Have you arrived on stage wearing a funny wig? You’ve probably set it aside so as not to distract from your words, but pop it back on your head at the end of your speech to help people make a connection to your entire message.
At the start of the following speech recording, the 2014 World Champion of Public Speaking Dananjaya Hettiarachchi pulled out the petals of a flower and threw them into a trash can. At the end of his speech, he pulled out a whole flower from the trash can to make a point.
It was a 'wow' moment.
There are other options for leaving people with a visual that they’ll remember. Here are a few:
- Display a photograph – Try an eye-catching picture on a screen behind you that represents your talk. It could be an image of an endangered species or a clean shoreline if your topic was about the environment, for example.
- Unveil a hidden prop – Removing a cover from a prop that participants haven’t seen can indelibly lodge it in their mind’s eye (i.e., a scale model of building you’ve spoken about).
- Project a cartoon – Finish your speech with a funny cartoon or short video. This is entertainment that people really enjoy.
- Throw something – You could toss out a few small gifts into the audience, shower the first few rows of people with confetti or do something else entirely.
Don’t forget, your prop or visual aid should relate back to your topic. If you’re talking about a wedding , then a confetti shower could be an unforgettable finish!
8. Surprise them
There are so many amazing ways to do this. The sky might just be the limit!
Your listeners will perk up at the mention of something unexpected and take the time to reflect on how it connects to your topic.
A club member once gave a speech about online Zoom meetings, and I suggested to her to wear a formal attire for her top, and home clothes for her bottom, so that at the end of her speech, she could stand up to reveal that juxtaposition and walk away.
That would be a surprise humorous ending.
Here are a couple of other methods to consider:
- Reveal an identity – If your speech relates somehow to your own experience, keeping this information until the end can have people tuning in. On the other hand, there could be someone in the room that you want to introduce as having had a role in your story.
- State a fact – End your talk with a startling piece of data that’s unfamiliar to your listeners.
- Give a timeline − A variation on offering a fact that can have added oomph is to tell people something that has happened in the world during the time they’ve been listening to you – such as the number of births.
As always, have your surprise flow from the subject of your presentation.
9. Envision the future
Give your audience your take on the future. This will ignite a sense of curiosity, especially if they start to contemplate what it might mean for them personally.
Envisioning the future could be as simple as explaining what, in your mind, comes next or what you suggest needs to happen. Prepare a few words about what action needs to be taken to make a positive change, for instance.
Alternatively, you could forecast a future time when everyone will, or won’t, be doing something. Imagining the end of all wars around the world is one example.
Make your future image compelling with lots of detail. Draw on as many senses as you can to help participants to see, smell and hear your dream for the near or longer term.
You’ll have people quickly trying to connect the dots and the meaning of your speech.
10. Share a story
Polishing off your presentation with a short anecdote is another impactful method.
![tall-tales-fantasy-story tall-tales-fantasy-story](https://icebreakerspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/tall-tales-fantasy-story.jpg)
It should be a brief story that relates back to your speech. Tell people a tale that illustrates the point of your talk, and ensure that it’s both captivating and relatable.
You might want to give the ending to an anecdote that you spoke about earlier in your presentation, or a piece that just wraps everything up nicely.
When you think about, people will often quickly become engrossed in a story . It makes what you have to say more digestible, and more readily recalled.
11. Show your scholarly side
Construct a noteworthy closing by harnessing the strength of a few novel ideas. The following tips can, for sure, increase the memorability of your speech:
- Connect a quote − Ending with an inspirational quote, especially if it’s one the audience is familiar with, is a solid option. You can have a bit of fun with it, but be sure that it’s something that those listening can relate to, and not miss any cultural relevance.
- Rhyme your word s – You could try your hand at writing a few lines of original poetry, or find something else that fits the bill.
- Try a metaphor – A metaphor can breathe more life into your final message. Albert Einstein used a metaphor when he said “All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.”
Any of these ideas will leave your listeners with something catchy, or special, to remember your presentation.
12. Thank them
Here’s another suggestion for a speech ending.
Say a few words of thanks.
You might express your appreciation directly to those in attendance that have been, hopefully, hanging on your every word. Thank them for showing up and giving you their time.
Additionally, you can talk briefly about your appreciation for others who may have invited you to speak or supported your presentation in some way.
This shows people very clearly that you’ve finished speaking.
However, if you had a strong conclusion, I wouldn't suggest this as it would weaken the impact of your conclusion and Call to Action.
How to Choose the Best Ending
Some of the ideas offered might lend themselves more to particular speech purposes. For instance, if your talk is intended to inspire it’s quite appropriate to finish off with a call to action.
And, you might feel more comfortable with certain options and gravitate towards them more readily.
Maybe you’ve already tired one or two of these methods?
Whatever the case, consider how your listeners are likely to respond to these examples, and decide on the ones that will work well with your speech.
Final Thoughts on Concluding a Speech
Once you’ve selected how you’re going to end your talk, prepare your lines .
There’s actually one school of thought that it makes sense to write your ending first and then build your speech from there. So, that’s something you might want to give a shot to.
Ideally, you’ll become practiced enough at public speaking , over time, that you’ll be able to memorize what you have to say. While it doesn’t have to be exactly what you wrote when you drafted your talk , it should be close enough.
In the meantime, your closing remarks are one of the two sections in your speech (the other is your opening) where you absolutely should memorize your lines .
This will help you ace your delivery, especially if you’re trying out a new way to end a speech that’s a little outside your comfort zone.
Happy experimenting!
![ezoic how to end your speech](https://go.ezodn.com/utilcave_com/ezoic.png)
How To Close A Speech That Brings Your Audience To Their Feet
by Matt Eventoff
![how to end your speech featured_image](https://princetonpublicspeaking.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/standing_ovation.jpg)
You’ve engaged your audience from the beginning of your presentation. They nodded as you delivered your message. Their eyes were locked as you wove through a carefully crafted medley of stories, anecdotes and analogies, all supporting your message. There’s no question; the majority of your audience agrees with what you’re saying.
Empowered, the time has come to bring your speech to a close, at which point you exclaim:
“In conclusion, I appreciate the time you spent listening about __________. Thank you.”
…and then nothing happens. Everyone quietly claps, or just nods, and leaves the conference room. What just happened? How did your audience go from edge-of-your-seat to almost asleep?
Whether you’re taking a company public, introducing a new product to market or delivering a lecture, the conclusion of the presentation is crucial to its success. It’s the final impression you leave with your audience. How you use those last few words will determine the kind of energy you leave in the room.
There are many effective ways to close a speech. In fact, many of the tips I’ve shared for opening a presentation will also work for the closing. One of my favorites techniques, however, is using a call to action because the closing of a speech is your chance to motivate your audience. Here are three ways to use it:
1. A Direct Call to Action.
A speech or presentation without a call to action is a speech or presentation probably not worth giving. The close of your speech should clearly spell out what you want your audience to do next. Here are some examples:
“In order to guarantee that we save __________ tomorrow, we need to __________ today! Let’s get to work.”
“If every person in this room leaves and immediately __________, I guarantee you’ll enjoy __________ next year!”
“We can have __________ or we can have __________. The choice is ours, and is based entirely on the decision we each individually make today. __________ or __________. I know I’m choosing __________.”
2. A Call to Vision.
You can also motivate your audience by sharing your vision. Create a mental picture for your listeners of what could happen as a result of your call to action . Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. illustrated this beautifully with the final words of his epic “I Have a Dream” speech:
“And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
3. A Call to Question.
Finally, end with a rhetorical question that captures your message and leaves the audience thinking. One that directly ties into your call to action can be very effective. Here are two examples:
“What choice will you make when you leave here today? Will go about your normal routine or will you __________?”
“Ultimately, the future of __________ lies in your hands. When will you be ready to do something about it?”
What’s your favorite way to close a speech? Please share it in the comments below.
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The Throughline Blog
Practical Media Training and Public Speaking Tips
15 Great Ways To Close A Speech (Public Speaking Essentials)
What would you like your final words to achieve? Do you want audience members to get involved in your advocacy efforts? Reconsider previously held views? Have a more complete or nuanced understanding of your topic?
In the last post , you learned how to close your presentations with two closes, not one. In this post, you’ll learn 15 memorable ways to end on a high note.
![691853692 691853692](https://www.throughlinegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Man-Suit-Conclusion-in-Pocket-End-PPT-iStockPhoto_thumb.jpg)
1. The Summary Close: This close, which recaps the main points you made during your presentation, can serve as a useful reminder and ensure that the audience leaves with clarity on your biggest ideas. Because this isn’t the most creative option, it can often be improved by combining it with another type of closer.
2. The Illustrative Close: You can end by using a first- or third-person anecdote, case study, or fable; an apocryphal (fictional but plausible) tale; or another storytelling device that illustrates the main points you made during your talk. Many talks begin and end in this manner.
3. The Personal Close: Many speakers discuss their personal connection to the speech topic well before the close. But if you don’t plan on highlighting your own ties to the topic sooner, doing so at the end can serve as a powerful final rapport builder.
4. The Bookend Close: Just as matching bookends are used at the beginning and end of a row of books, matching speech bookends use the same opening and closing device. One client began his talk by discussing “The Carrington Event” — a large solar flare observed in 1859 that resulted in a pre-sunrise red sky and telegraph systems around the world shutting down — and concluded by discussing the catastrophic consequences of such an event occurring today (such as the eastern seaboard of the United States losing power for an entire year).
5. The Surprise Close: One of my favorite TED Talks was delivered by Mark Bezos, an executive with a nonprofit group and a volunteer firefighter. He shares the story of one particular house fire, during which he watched other firefighters work valiantly to extinguish the flames while he was given a seemingly unimportant assignment. His surprise ending makes clear that his work that night mattered — and drew an audible reaction from the audience.
![how to end your speech Young-Woman-Reading-Speech-From-Script-iStockPhoto_thumb.jpg](https://www.throughlinegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Young-Woman-Reading-Speech-From-Script-iStockPhoto_thumb.jpg)
7. The Metaphor Close : A metaphor is a comparison of one action or object to a symbolically similar but literally different action or object. A technology executive marketing a product that protects personal electronic devices from malicious viruses might say: “We are the rainforest of personal technology. Just as rainforests keep the planet healthy by releasing oxygen and storing carbon, we keep your sensitive information safe by keeping the good stuff you want—and capturing the bad stuff you don’t.”
8. The Forward-Looking Close: In this close, you’ll paint a picture of what the world could look like at some point in the future. You might share your vision of what will be different if your recommendations are adopted, or discuss where you see trends heading in the years to come.
9. The Backward-Looking Close: Some audiences — such as those who are discouraged or have become complacent — may need to be reminded of just how far they’ve already come. You can take a backward glance to where they were, say, five years ago, and detail their meaningful accomplishments to the present day.
10. The Opposing Vision Close: In this close, you’ll present two competing visions: one that paints a picture of what would happen if the audience (or society at large) adopts your recommended action and another if it doesn’t. This close can be used to encourage the audience to prevent the negative option from occurring or, more positively, to demonstrate that something better is achievable.
![101 Ways to Open a Speech Start at Beginning Clickable 101 Ways to Open a Speech Start at Beginning Clickable](https://www.throughlinegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/101-Ways-to-Open-a-Speech-Start-at-Beginning-Clickable.png)
11. The Provocative Close: Some speakers have license to be more provocative than others. As examples, a boss might give her staff a wakeup call by telling them the old ways of doing business aren’t going to cut it anymore, and a presenter speaking to a skeptical group might candidly concede that he disagrees with the audience in several areas—but that they agree wholeheartedly on the one he discussed during his talk.
12. The PowerPoint Close: Flashing something unexpected on the screen can make for a memorable close. As examples: a photo that is seemingly unrelated to your speech topic and that requires your explanation, a humorous comic that makes a profound point, or a line graph showing two potential outcomes—one if the audience gets involved, and another if they don’t.
13. The Personal Pledge Close: After giving a lofty speech and asking your audience to get involved, some audience members might wonder, “Well, what are you doing to help?” This close expressly articulates the promise you, your community, or your company is making toward the cause.
14. The Takeaway Close: For some of my public speaking talks, I close by asking the audience to reflect upon the two or three things they heard me say that resonated with them the most. To make sure those takeaway points stick with them, I ask them to write them down—after which I encourage them to look at whatever they’ve written every time they prepare for a future presentation.
15. The Next Steps Close: This close articulates a sequence and timeline of the next steps required to make a decision or achieve a goal.
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Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California
The grand finale: 12 ways to end your speech.
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You begin your speech with a compelling opening. You cruise confidently into the body. Then you run out of gas as you come to the close of your speech. You finish speaking but your audience isn't finished listening - yet.
They stare at you. You stare at them. The silence is deafening. You fidget. You can hardly breathe. Finally, you blurt out: "Mr. Toastmaster." Or worse yet, you surrender to those two meaningless words: "Thank you." Mercifully, the audience applauds, putting you out of your misery. You can breathe again.
As a Toastmaster, you know there must be a better way to conclude your speech. After all, what the grand finale is to a musician, the conclusion is to a speaker. The ending of the speech is a chance to stir the audience to a standing ovation with a resounding call to action -- or a gentle tug on the heart strings.
That's why leading speakers don't end their speeches with a perfunctory or mundane "Thank you." Of the 217 speeches listed in William Safire's anthology, Lend Me your Ears: Great Speeches in History , only seven conclude with "Thank you."
How can you end your speech as confidently as you opened it? Try these 12 tips:
1. The Title Close. Use the title of your speech as your closing words. Last words linger, crystallizing your thoughts, galvanizing your message and mobilizing your audience. Just as comedians should "leave 'em laughing," speakers should "leave 'em thinking." (Hint: Try writing the ending of your speech first to better construct the title.)
2. The Circular Close. Refer back to your opening anecdote or quote and say: "We have arrived now at the close where we began." Reiterate the message you want your audience to remember. Summarize the main points in the classic: "Tell 'em what you are going to tell 'em; tell 'em, then tell 'em what you just told 'em."
3. The Challenging Close. If you were concluding a speech on the importance of taking action, you could say: "Let's turn from spectators into participants. Let's recall the inspiring words of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who said: 'Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to remain with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.' We have too much to do to sit on the sidelines. We need you to step out of the gray twilight into the bright sunshine so that we can all see the dawn of a new day."
4. The Invitation Close. If you were concluding a speech on the importance of getting involved in the education process, you could say: "More than 450 years before the birth of Christ, Confucius said: 'What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand.' Let's do it together. We've heard what we have to do. We've seen what we need to do. Now is the time to do it and together we can. Do it!"
5. The Quotation Close. Find a famous quotation and use it like a lever to lift the close of your speech. If you were concluding a speech on the importance of embracing change, you could say: "Our tomorrows need new and different solutions today. Recall the insight of President Abraham Lincoln. On the brink of the Civil War, Lincoln looked change directly in the eye and said: 'The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present and future. As our circumstances are anew, we must think anew and act anew.'
And so must we, ladies and gentlemen. We need to look at this old issue in a new way. Not simply for today but to make our tomorrows more rewarding, more fulfilling, more compelling because of the changes we make today. With your help we can think anew, and act anew on the new issues before us today."
6. The Repetitive Close. Find a phrase and structure it in a repetitive format that strikes the cadence of a drummer, building to a climax like this: "And so what we have been saying is that life is an adventure, dare it. A duty, perform it. An opportunity, take it. A journey, complete it. A promise, fulfill it. A puzzle, solve it. A goal, achieve it."
7. The Sing-Song Close. Ask the audience to repeat a phrase a few times in your speech. for example, you might say: "Toastmasters fosters learning." Ask your audience to repeat that phrase on cue. You can end by saying: "We all know that Toastmasters fosters... " (Pause and coax the audience's response with a wave of your hand to complete the phrase.)
8. The Suggestive Close. "Before I take questions, let me conclude with this point...."
9. The Benediction Close. "May God bless and keep you...."
10. The Congratulatory Close. "I salute all of you and everyone in your organization, and I look forward to your continued success...."
11. The Proverbial Close. Find a popular phrase and 1. twist it to fit your message like this: "May the transformational force be with you."
12. The Demonstration Close. Use a prop to signal the close of your speech. For example you could close a book and say: "This concludes this chapter in my life and now I stand firm to write my next chapter." Or don a cap as you conclude your speech and say: "It is time for me to head out and find the road to success."
Use these 12 techniques and you will be well on your way to developing the ultimate close - the personal signature close - that you'll eventually develop so well that you own it, like Barbara Walters who ends each of her 20/20 television programs with: "We're in touch, so you'll be in touch."
With these 12 techniques you will close your speeches more confidently and cogently.
Peter _ Jeff is a Toastmaster in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Open Your Speech With a Bang... Close It With a Slam-Dunk
As Toastmasters, we are familiar with the three main elements of a good speech:
- Introduction - prepares the audience for what's coming and establishes the purpose of your talk. (1-2 minutes).
- Body, the meat of your talk - provides convincing information in three to five points. (5-6 minutes).
- Conclusion - pulls it all together with a 1-2 minute summary of your message.
These three elements should he sandwiched between two other key elements: an opening and a closing.
OPENING - your first words or actions before the introduction. The opening should be brief, no more than three sentences. The opening's function is to grab the audience's attention so they will want to hear more. It should arouse interest and suggest the speech's theme. Openings can be dramatic - involving props, gestures or simply powerful words. Or make them emotional or rhetorical, using a demonstration, a quotation, a question, even silence, but be sure it relates to your topic.
CLOSING - Your very last comment on your topic following your conclusion. Make the closing brief, no more than three sentences. The closing's function is to accent your purpose and leave the audience with something to remember. The closing is the climax, the whip-cracker, clincher, result-getter. It must tie in with the opening thought. Never leave your audience in doubt. A weak, inconclusive, apologetic closing kills what otherwise could be a great speech. Avoid "thank you." The audience should be thanking you! Let the closing give the "so what?" of the speech. Closings, like openings, can he dramatic, emotional or rhetorical. You may use devices such as humor or a quotation. But, like the opening, the closing must relate to your topic.
Here are some examples of good openings:
- Startling question or challenging statement:
- Have you ever killed anyone? (A speech on capital punishment)
- I'm looking for someone to fall off a cliff with me. (A speech on hang-gliding)
- Quotation, illustration or story:
- "Give me liberty or give me death!" (A speech on patriotism)
- An exhibit - A picture or an article such as a toy gun to open a speech on gun control or a news photo of a smashed car to introduce a presentation on safe-driving.
- A generalization, provided it relates to the speech topic:
- Look at the person on either side of you. One of you will not be at the next meeting! (Arouses curiosity).
Examples of poor openings:
- Apologetic statement:
- This subject might not interest some of you.
- General statement presented in a general way:
- Most people drive too fast.
- Story or joke that does not relate to the speech topic.
- Long or slow-moving sentence.
- It is indeed an honor to be here tonight.
- Fatuous question:
- Did you ever stop to think...
Here are examples of good closings:
- Appeal for definite action:
- We can solve this problem if each of you writes to your congressman. (Hand out a sample letter, or for fundraising, pass out donor cards)
- Pointed story, quotation or illustration that fits your subject.
- An exhibit or prop, such as a picture or an object or group of objects.
Examples of poor closings:
- Solicitation of questions from the audience. Let your introducer do that and call you back to the lectern for answers.
- Fatuous statement:
- It really was a pleasure to be here.
- I'm sorry I didn't prepare enough for this talk.
- Thank you. (The audience owes you thanks. Exception: If you specifically requested to speak for a personal or organizational promotion.)
Every speech deserves an ear- and eye-catching opening and a closing that sends the audience reeling.
By Anthony _ Perrella
View articles on similar topics
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How to end a speech
By BBC Maestro
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When you’re delivering a speech or presentation, you want to leave the audience with a lasting impression. But how do you do that? When it comes to how to end a speech, there are various tactics you can use, depending on your topic and style – but here are some of our favourites.
- Why is the end of your speech important?
- Use the power of three
- Ask a rhetorical question
Call to action
- Avoid new information
- Stay engaged with your audience
Why is the end of your speech important?
Closing your speech effectively gives you one last chance to leave your audience with a memorable impression. The conclusion is the last thing your audience hears, meaning you can reinforce your message, whether you’re aiming to deliver a motivational speech, persuade your audience to make a purchase, are trying to teach them something, or simply want to make them laugh. By recapping your key points in the conclusion, you can reinforce your message and ensure your audience leave having understood what you were trying to say. Depending on the theme and topic of your speech, it’s also an opportunity to evoke emotions, leaving your audience feel inspired, motivated, or moved by your message. A powerful closing statement can turn a good speech into a great one. So, if you want to make an impact but you’re not sure how, here are some ways to end your speech with a bang.
Use the power of three
When preparing your talk, think about the three main points you want to convey. If, right before you were due to take the stage, you were told that your speech was being cut down from 30 minutes to 15, what three things would you want to ensure you spoke to your audience about? You can structure your speech around these three points, and you should also revisit them in the closing statement of your speech. The repetition will help to drive home your message, and your audience is more likely to remember these three important points. Choosing to focus only on three things in your conclusion will also help to keep your conclusion succinct and memorable.
Ask a rhetorical question
If you want your speech to linger with your audience long after you’ve finished speaking, consider asking a rhetoric question as you’re closing your speech. When you pose a question, even if you’re not asking for answers, it encourages your audience to actively think about your speech topic. Depending on the subject, a rhetorical question can make your audience feel reflective, inspired, or curious – and when a speech has emotional impact, the audience is more likely to remember it.
Ending your speech with a call to action is a good idea if you’re hoping to persuade your audience to do something after listening to you, whether it’s signing a petition, donating money, or purchasing a product. Being clear in your call to action explicitly tells your audience what you want them to do and turns them from passive listeners to active participants. Not everyone who’s listened to your speech will go on to take action, of course. But if you don’t ask, you don’t get, so closing with a call to action may well increase your chances of success.
Avoid new information
Whatever you do, don’t introduce new points or topics in your final words. Your conclusion is the place to round up what you’ve told the audience and reinforce your message – not introduce new ideas. Adding in new information right at the end can feel disjointed and leave your listeners feeling confused. By introducing a new topic or idea at the end, it can dilute your message and take away from your main points. If you do have more you want to share, or you get to the end of your talk and realise you’ve forgotten something important, consider whether you could send additional information via email or social media after the talk, or even if you could deliver a follow-up.
![how to end your speech crowd engagement](https://assets.cdn.bbcmaestro.com/4d89bb612fdc67b55db342c8c4b5ad6d.jpg)
Stay engaged with your audience
Sometimes there’s a temptation to rush through the conclusion to get your speech over and done with quickly, especially if you’re nervous about public speaking. But speaking too quickly can be distracting for the audience, making it difficult for them to process your final words – which are, after all, the ones you want them to remember the most. So, try to keep a comfortable pace throughout your speech, and stay engaged with the audience until the end. Maintain eye contact and be mindful of your non-verbal communication by smiling, using open body language, and varying your tone as you speak.
Whether you finish your speech with a call to action, a thought-provoking question, or with three powerful points, your conclusion should leave a lasting impression on your audience. If you can master the art of the closing statement, you’re sure to deliver speeches that resonate. If you want to learn more about the art of public speaking, take a look at Richard Greene’s BBC Maestro course, Public Speaking and Communication . Richard has coached everyone from Princess Diana to the United States Senate, and in this course, he shares his expert insights with you, too.
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Richard Greene
Public Speaking and Communication
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Finding the Inner Strength
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10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang
End your speech with an attitude , not a platitude .
Instead of firing off a perfunctory “thank you,” consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the podium.
With the flair of a fireworks finale, you’ll trigger spontaneous applause to a well-rehearsed, well-timed, and well-executed performance — a performance that reflects all the anticipation of a logger’s cry: Timbeerrrrrrrrrrr!
This article shows you how to close your speech with a bang.
Call Attention to the Close of Your Speech
Contrary to the prevailing practice of too many politicians and business and community leaders, the most influential speakers don’t end their speeches with a perfunctory and mundane “Thank you.” That’s too easy. And too lazy.
It takes creative thinking and a compelling delivery to end your speech with a mighty climax that relegates the perfunctory “thank you” as superfluous. No wonder that only seven of the 217 speeches listed in William Safire’s anthology Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History conclude with “thank you.”
Examples of How to End a Speech
“ Instead of firing off a perfunctory ‘thank you,’ consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the podium. ”
Consider these examples of resounding speech conclusions from Patrick Henry, William Jennings Bryant and Winston Churchill. You can learn from these to spark your creative energy and capture the spirit of ending with a bang.
On the brink of the American Revolution, the colonists were debating the war. Patrick Henry concluded a stirring speech on March 23, 1775 with this:
“Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me give me liberty or give me death.”
At the Democratic National Convention in 1896, William Jennings Bryan concluded his stirring speech against the gold standard in national currency with the words that have become the title of his speech:
“Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests and toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns: you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.”
In the face of a German threat of an invasion upon England in World War II, Winston Churchill on June 18, 1940 called upon all of the British to brace themselves. He concluded his speech with the words that have become the title of the speech:
“Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that if the British Commonwealth and Empire lasts for thousands of years, men will say: ‘This was their finest hour.’”
End Your Speech on a High Note
Leading speakers end their speeches like the opera star—on a high note, vocally and intellectually. Just as the comedian should leave ‘em laughing, the speaker should leave ‘em thinking. Last words linger. Last words crystallize your thoughts, galvanize your message, and mobilize your audience.
Study the following 10 templates and adapt your speech to end your speech with a bang :
“ Just as the comedian should leave ‘em laughing, the speaker should leave ‘em thinking. ”
- Bookend Close
- Challenge Close
- Repetitive Close
- Title Close
- Sing Song Close
- Callback Close
- Movie Close
- Quotation Close
- Third Party Close
#1 – Bookend Close
For a bookend speech closing, refer back to your opening anecdote or quote and say, “We have arrived, now, where we began.”
Then reiterate the message you want your audience to remember. This will achieve symmetry in the classic 3-part speech outline : Tell ‘em what you are going to tell ‘em; tell ‘em, then tell ‘em what you just told ‘em.’
#2 – Challenge Close
Challenge your audience to a pply what you have told them in the speech.
If you were concluding a speech on the importance of taking action, you could say:
“Let’s turn from spectators into participants. Let’s recall the inspiring words of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who said: ‘Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to remain with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.’ We have too much to do to sit on the sidelines. We need you to step out of the gray twilight into the bright sunshine so that we can all see the dawn of a new day.”
#3 – Echo Close
“ Last words crystallize your thoughts, galvanize your message, and mobilize your audience. ”
Focus on one word in a quotation and emphasize that word to echo your final point.
For example, consider the five echoes of the word “do” in this ending to a speech on the importance of getting involved in the education process:
“More than 450 years before the birth of Christ, Confucius said: ‘What I hear, I forget; what I see, I remember; what I do , I understand.’ Let’s do it together. We’ve heard what we have to do . We’ve seen what we need to do . Now is the time to do it, and, together, we can do it.”
#4 – Repetitive Close
Find a phrase and structure it in a repetitive format that strikes the cadence of a drummer, building to a crescendo ending of a motivational speech:
“Architects cannot renovate it. Businesses cannot incorporate it. Churches cannot inculcate it. Developers cannot innovate it. Engineers cannot calculate it. Governments cannot legislate it. Judges cannot adjudicate it. Lawyers cannot litigate it. Manufacturers cannot fabricate it. Politicians cannot appropriate it. Scientist cannot formulate it. Technicians cannot generate it. Only you can orchestrate it.”
#5 – Title Close
Give your speech a provocative title that encapsulates your message memorably. Then, use the title of your speech as your closing words to stir your audience to think more fully about what they just heard, reinforcing the title of the speech that you referenced earlier.
Hint : Try writing the ending of your speech first to better construct the title.
#6 – Sing Song Close
Ask the audience to repeat a phrase that you used several times in your speech.
Let say your phrase is: “Together, we can win.” You repeat that phrase over and over again. Then just before your close, you say: “I know that all of you are talented, all of you are driven. I know that none of us can do this alone, but (pause) Together (pause) we can (pause until the audience responds.)
#7 – Callback Close
Refer back to a story you told where some activity was not fully completed . Then pick up the story and close it around your theme.
For example:
“Remember those bubbles that four year old held so gently in his hands? Well now those same gentle hands are now poised skillfully around the hearts of hundreds of people. Today he is a heart surgeon.”
#8 – Movie Close
For example, in concluding a speech on the maturity of a product line and the need to leave the past behind and create new and different products, an executive concluded a speech with a reference to growing pangs. The speaker alluded to the final scene in the movie Summer of ‘42 . The main character is Hermie. Now an adult he is reminiscing about his lost adolescence.
“ ‘Life is made up of small comings and goings. And for everything we take with us, there is something that we leave behind. In the summer of ’42, we raided the Coast Guard Station 4 times. We saw 5 movies. And we had 9 days of rain. Benji broke his watch. Oskie gave up the harmonica. And in a very special way, I lost Hermie, forever.’ So too this year, in a very special way, we have lost our old company in a very special way. Now we are moving on to a stronger, more mature company.”
#9 – Quotation Close
Use a famous quotation to harness the audience’s attention, much like turning on a spotlight.
For example, if you were concluding a speech on the importance of maintaining self confidence in the face of adversity, you could say:
“We have to be like the bird –the bird that author Victor Hugo one observed – the bird that pauses in its flight awhile, on boughs too light, – on a branch that is likely to break– feels that branch break, yet sings, knowing she hath wings.”
#10 – Third Party Close
Take the use of a quotation up a notch with the Third Party Close. Leverage the use of a quotation in context of your message. Use the premise of that quotation to frame your finale so that it serves as a launching pad to lift your message high for the audience to more fully appreciate.
If you were concluding a speech on the importance of embracing change, you could say:
Change has become a way of life to a better life. We have to recall the insight of President Abraham Lincoln, on the brink of Civil War and fighting the near 100-year long tradition of slavery in the United States dating back to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who owned slaves. Lincoln looked change directly in the eye and said: “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present and future. As our circumstances are new, we must think anew and act anew.” And so must we. We need to look at this old issue in a new way, not simply for today but to make our tomorrows more rewarding, more fulfilling, and more compelling because of the change we make today. With your help, we can think anew and act anew on the issue before us today.”
Your Speech Ending Challenge
May you think anew about ending your speeches. Try one of these 10 techniques and turn the podium into your personal fireworks platform.
Fire off spectacular ideas with blazing after thoughts. Light up your audience with insight. Fire your most poignant salvos in the fleeting seconds of your speech. And make sure your message resounds in your audience’s ears… with a bang!
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25 comments.
A very nice example for “#5 – Title Close” is Mark Hunter’s winning speech http://www.markhunter.com.au/sinkFullOfGreenTomatoes.aspx
Great posting — lots of good closings. In my experience, endings where you circle back to the beginning are particularly effective, as are endings that get the audience to do something (small) that’s relevant to your topic — one that the author doesn’t consider.
Great article, Pete. I especially like #7 – The Callback Close. I am a speech coach and recently blogged about how to end a presentation. Like you, I also chose fireworks as my image and metaphor. I would appreciate your feedback! http://sarahgershman.blogspot.com/2010/07/end-with-fireworks.html
Thanks, Sarah
I LOVE THE ECHO CLOSE!
This are great points that will help me a lot. I’m enrolled in NOVA CST-100 and I have a speech do this Wednesday. I’ll make sure to use this helpful tips since i have a tendency of starting my speeches strong but not being able to close strong. Thank you.
Thank you for publishing tips on how to make a provocative closing speech. Your article has helped me a lot. More power and Mabuhay!
These are brilliant! Thanks so much! Kathleen
So true! It is so awesome!
You could also end your speech or essay with a poem, like #9.
Was looking for an ending for a speech that i had to give to Drs, nurses on their cultural evening celebrations and i found wonderful thoughts here. Appreciate all who have contributed.May this effort put in reach many more.
Just read CALLBACK CLOSE. A fascinating one for me and many of the others.
I’m trying to write a speech about the extinction of the Moa bird and I don’t know how to finish it.
These are awesome! Thanks a million! 🙂
Awesome!!!!!!
very helpful. I fired up to write a powerful ending to my speech!
I think that all of these are really good ways to end your speech but, there are so many to choose from, that its really hard to choose like just one.
Awesome advice learned a lot. Was very insightful and helpful.
This was really a blast. I prefer number three”the echo close”. It was the one that drew my attention and I think I will always use it when ending my debate. Thank you
Yes, your comment reminds me of the ending to a poem by one of the world’s favorite authors, Robert Frost’s “Stopping by the woods on snowy eve…” (Or something to that effect: unable to take the time to look it up but think this is the ending: “…and miles to go before I sleep. Miles to go before I sleep.” Thanks for reminding me of it with your comment…;-)
This was very useful info i loved it
#6 ‘Sing song close’ works wonders. I had tried it during my speech & it was an instant action with the audience participation.
Thanks so much for your experience, examples and wisdom on how to better communicate, the key to understanding and even world peace.
I like the your speech ending challenge
DLungan, this is one of the best, if not the best article I have read on the topic. Thank you for sharing!
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9 Blog Links
Pivotal Public Speaking » 10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang — Oct 13th, 2009
10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang | Speech Topics — Jul 6th, 2011
Public Speaking: Making Your Last Words Last « LEADERSHIP MINTS — Sep 19th, 2011
Three Simple Tips on How to Deliver a Powerful and Persuasive Speech | Art Marketing - Maria Brophy — Jan 31st, 2012
2. Effective opening and closing | The Perfect Presentation — May 16th, 2012
Kissing Sleeping Beauty With More Than Lip Service « LEADERSHIP MINTS — Jun 13th, 2012
End Your Speech on a High Note » BNI Marin Chapter – Network 54 – Join Today — Aug 6th, 2012
The Big Finish, or how to end a speech with oomph. « Speak for Yourself — Feb 13th, 2013
Strengthening Your Q & A Punch « LEADERSHIP MINTS — Jul 18th, 2013
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- Closing your Speech with Impact (4 Keys)
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![how to end your speech](https://craigvalentine.com/wp-content/uploads/MIP19-300x200.jpg)
Craig Valentine at MIP Conference
Closing your speech with impact can open up the doors of opportunities because what you say last determines how your audience members feel once they walk out of the doors and go back to their lives. You can give a wonderful speech but if the ending is weak, your audience will walk away feeling like the speech wasn’t very strong. So here are 4 tools you can use to strengthen your closing and henceforth your speech.
Before you close your speech, you should signal that you are closing. Tell the audience that the end is near. Be more creative than saying, “In conclusion” or “In summary” or something to that effect.
I like to use picture words such as “Let’s wrap this message up” or “As we come to the end” or “I’ll leave you with this…” Whatever you do, let them know you are closing because here’s what will happen:
They’ll listen again!
That’s right. People have been trained to know that your closing means you are most likely going to reiterate your message and so their antennas go up and they often begin to take notes.
As you move into your closing, make sure you call back to each of the major points you made. For example, listen to this quick wrap-up of one of my new keynotes. Listen for the 3 Ls (my main points) as well as how I let them know the speech is coming to a close.
Important Point: You can either call back first or signal first depending on what makes better sense for the flow of your speech. In this case, you heard me call back first and then signal that I’m closing.
You just heard me call back to my main points. However, there is also another very important way to review your message. Have them say it! I blogged about this before, so click this link for details on how to get your audience to say your message.
Questions and Answers (Q & A)
You have probably heard me say, “Never end with the Q & A.” Why? It’s because people remember best what they hear first and what they hear last. Your message needs to be the absolute last thing in their ears. Therefore, it’s okay to have a Q & A, but just don’t end with it. Have it about 90% of the way through your speech. Listen to this quick audio of what happened to me when I didn’t heed this advice and I closed with the Q & A.
[audio:https://craigvalentine.com/wp-content/uploads/Questions1.mp3|titles=Questions]
Lasting Anchor
Finally, once you’ve signaled that you’re closing, called back to your major points, and held a Q & A if appropriate, it’s time to move into your lasting anchor, which will most likely be a story. However, just like you should have be doing throughout your entire speech as you transition from one point to the next, it’s extremely important to tease them before you tell them .
They’re probably wondering, “I already have got the message so why should I listen to this last piece?”
Your answer is the tease. Tease them to let them know what’s in it for them to stick around mentally for this last piece. Listen to how I tease and then go into my final story. This is for my 4 Rs to Remarkable Results In Leadership message.
[audio:https://craigvalentine.com/wp-content/uploads/Tease.mp3|titles=Tease]
Once you tease them before you tell them, go ahead and give them a powerful closing story that provides them with hope and proof that your message will work for them. In doing so, you will close your speech in a way that opens doors for more engagements.
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30 Examples: How to Conclude a Presentation (Effective Closing Techniques)
By Status.net Editorial Team on March 4, 2024 — 9 minutes to read
Ending a presentation on a high note is a skill that can set you apart from the rest. It’s the final chance to leave an impact on your audience, ensuring they walk away with the key messages embedded in their minds. This moment is about driving your points home and making sure they resonate. Crafting a memorable closing isn’t just about summarizing key points, though that’s part of it, but also about providing value that sticks with your listeners long after they’ve left the room.
Crafting Your Core Message
To leave a lasting impression, your presentation’s conclusion should clearly reflect your core message. This is your chance to reinforce the takeaways and leave the audience thinking about your presentation long after it ends.
Identifying Key Points
Start by recognizing what you want your audience to remember. Think about the main ideas that shaped your talk. Make a list like this:
- The problem your presentation addresses.
- The evidence that supports your argument.
- The solution you propose or the action you want the audience to take.
These key points become the pillars of your core message.
Contextualizing the Presentation
Provide context by briefly relating back to the content of the whole presentation. For example:
- Reference a statistic you shared in the opening, and how it ties into the conclusion.
- Mention a case study that underlines the importance of your message.
Connecting these elements gives your message cohesion and makes your conclusion resonate with the framework of your presentation.
30 Example Phrases: How to Conclude a Presentation
- 1. “In summary, let’s revisit the key takeaways from today’s presentation.”
- 2. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s move forward together.”
- 3. “That brings us to the end. I’m open to any questions you may have.”
- 4. “I’ll leave you with this final thought to ponder as we conclude.”
- 5. “Let’s recap the main points before we wrap up.”
- 6. “I appreciate your engagement. Now, let’s turn these ideas into action.”
- 7. “We’ve covered a lot today. To conclude, remember these crucial points.”
- 8. “As we reach the end, I’d like to emphasize our call to action.”
- 9. “Before we close, let’s quickly review what we’ve learned.”
- 10. “Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to our next steps.”
- 11. “In closing, I’d like to thank everyone for their participation.”
- 12. “Let’s conclude with a reminder of the impact we can make together.”
- 13. “To wrap up our session, here’s a brief summary of our discussion.”
- 14. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to present to you. Any final thoughts?”
- 15. “And that’s a wrap. I welcome any final questions or comments.”
- 16. “As we conclude, let’s remember the objectives we’ve set today.”
- 17. “Thank you for your time. Let’s apply these insights to achieve success.”
- 18. “In conclusion, your feedback is valuable, and I’m here to listen.”
- 19. “Before we part, let’s take a moment to reflect on our key messages.”
- 20. “I’ll end with an invitation for all of us to take the next step.”
- 21. “As we close, let’s commit to the goals we’ve outlined today.”
- 22. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s keep the conversation going.”
- 23. “In conclusion, let’s make a difference, starting now.”
- 24. “I’ll leave you with these final words to consider as we end our time together.”
- 25. “Before we conclude, remember that change starts with our actions today.”
- 26. “Thank you for the lively discussion. Let’s continue to build on these ideas.”
- 27. “As we wrap up, I encourage you to reach out with any further questions.”
- 28. “In closing, I’d like to express my gratitude for your valuable input.”
- 29. “Let’s conclude on a high note and take these learnings forward.”
- 30. “Thank you for your time today. Let’s end with a commitment to progress.”
Summarizing the Main Points
When you reach the end of your presentation, summarizing the main points helps your audience retain the important information you’ve shared. Crafting a memorable summary enables your listeners to walk away with a clear understanding of your message.
Effective Methods of Summarization
To effectively summarize your presentation, you need to distill complex information into concise, digestible pieces. Start by revisiting the overarching theme of your talk and then narrow down to the core messages. Use plain language and imagery to make the enduring ideas stick. Here are some examples of how to do this:
- Use analogies that relate to common experiences to recap complex concepts.
- Incorporate visuals or gestures that reinforce your main arguments.
The Rule of Three
The Rule of Three is a classic writing and communication principle. It means presenting ideas in a trio, which is a pattern that’s easy for people to understand and remember. For instance, you might say, “Our plan will save time, cut costs, and improve quality.” This structure has a pleasing rhythm and makes the content more memorable. Some examples include:
- “This software is fast, user-friendly, and secure.”
- Pointing out a product’s “durability, affordability, and eco-friendliness.”
Reiterating the Main Points
Finally, you want to circle back to the key takeaways of your presentation. Rephrase your main points without introducing new information. This reinforcement supports your audience’s memory and understanding of the material. You might summarize key takeaways like this:
- Mention the problem you addressed, the solution you propose, and the benefits of this solution.
- Highlighting the outcomes of adopting your strategy: higher efficiency, greater satisfaction, and increased revenue.
Creating a Strong Conclusion
The final moments of your presentation are your chance to leave your audience with a powerful lasting impression. A strong conclusion is more than just summarizing—it’s your opportunity to invoke thought, inspire action, and make your message memorable.
Incorporating a Call to Action
A call to action is your parting request to your audience. You want to inspire them to take a specific action or think differently as a result of what they’ve heard. To do this effectively:
- Be clear about what you’re asking.
- Explain why their action is needed.
- Make it as simple as possible for them to take the next steps.
Example Phrases:
- “Start making a difference today by…”
- “Join us in this effort by…”
- “Take the leap and commit to…”
Leaving a Lasting Impression
End your presentation with something memorable. This can be a powerful quote, an inspirational statement, or a compelling story that underscores your main points. The goal here is to resonate with your audience on an emotional level so that your message sticks with them long after they leave.
- “In the words of [Influential Person], ‘…'”
- “Imagine a world where…”
- “This is more than just [Topic]; it’s about…”
Enhancing Audience Engagement
To hold your audience’s attention and ensure they leave with a lasting impression of your presentation, fostering interaction is key.
Q&A Sessions
It’s important to integrate a Q&A session because it allows for direct communication between you and your audience. This interactive segment helps clarify any uncertainties and encourages active participation. Plan for this by designating a time slot towards the end of your presentation and invite questions that promote discussion.
- “I’d love to hear your thoughts; what questions do you have?”
- “Let’s dive into any questions you might have. Who would like to start?”
- “Feel free to ask any questions, whether they’re clarifications or deeper inquiries about the topic.”
Encouraging Audience Participation
Getting your audience involved can transform a good presentation into a great one. Use open-ended questions that provoke thought and allow audience members to reflect on how your content relates to them. Additionally, inviting volunteers to participate in a demonstration or share their experiences keeps everyone engaged and adds a personal touch to your talk.
- “Could someone give me an example of how you’ve encountered this in your work?”
- “I’d appreciate a volunteer to help demonstrate this concept. Who’s interested?”
- “How do you see this information impacting your daily tasks? Let’s discuss!”
Delivering a Persuasive Ending
At the end of your presentation, you have the power to leave a lasting impact on your audience. A persuasive ending can drive home your key message and encourage action.
Sales and Persuasion Tactics
When you’re concluding a presentation with the goal of selling a product or idea, employ carefully chosen sales and persuasion tactics. One method is to summarize the key benefits of your offering, reminding your audience why it’s important to act. For example, if you’ve just presented a new software tool, recap how it will save time and increase productivity. Another tactic is the ‘call to action’, which should be clear and direct, such as “Start your free trial today to experience the benefits first-hand!” Furthermore, using a touch of urgency, like “Offer expires soon!”, can nudge your audience to act promptly.
Final Impressions and Professionalism
Your closing statement is a chance to solidify your professional image and leave a positive impression. It’s important to display confidence and poise. Consider thanking your audience for their time and offering to answer any questions. Make sure to end on a high note by summarizing your message in a concise and memorable way. If your topic was on renewable energy, you might conclude by saying, “Let’s take a leap towards a greener future by adopting these solutions today.” This reinforces your main points and encourages your listeners to think or act differently when they leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some creative strategies for ending a presentation memorably.
To end your presentation in a memorable way, consider incorporating a call to action that engages your audience to take the next step. Another strategy is to finish with a thought-provoking question or a surprising fact that resonates with your listeners.
Can you suggest some powerful quotes suitable for concluding a presentation?
Yes, using a quote can be very effective. For example, Maya Angelou’s “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” can reinforce the emotional impact of your presentation.
What is an effective way to write a conclusion that summarizes a presentation?
An effective conclusion should recap the main points succinctly, highlighting what you want your audience to remember. A good way to conclude is by restating your thesis and then briefly summarizing the supporting points you made.
As a student, how can I leave a strong impression with my presentation’s closing remarks?
To leave a strong impression, consider sharing a personal anecdote related to your topic that demonstrates passion and conviction. This helps humanize your content and makes the message more relatable to your audience.
How can I appropriately thank my audience at the close of my presentation?
A simple and sincere expression of gratitude is always appropriate. You might say, “Thank you for your attention and engagement today,” to convey appreciation while also acknowledging their participation.
What are some examples of a compelling closing sentence in a presentation?
A compelling closing sentence could be something like, “Together, let’s take the leap towards a greener future,” if you’re presenting on sustainability. This sentence is impactful, calls for united action, and leaves your audience with a clear message.
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How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
What is an em dash.
The em dash (—) can function like a comma, a colon, or parenthesis. Like commas and parentheses, em dashes set off extra information, such as examples, explanatory or descriptive phrases, or supplemental facts. Like a colon, an em dash introduces a clause that explains or expands upon something that precedes it.
The Em Dash Indicates a New Direction
- An em dash can mark an abrupt change or break in the structure of a sentence.
Mabel the Cat was delighted with the assortment of pastries the new bakery featured, but Harry the Dog—he felt otherwise.
- An em dash can indicate interrupted speech or a speaker’s confusion or hesitation.
“Of course you have a point,” Mabel murmured. “That is—I suppose it is concerning.”
The Em Dash as Comma or Parenthesis
- Em dashes are used in place of commas or parentheses to emphasize or draw attention to parenthetical or amplifying material. In this particular task, em dashes occupy a kind of middle ground among the three: when commas do the job, the material is most closely related to what’s around it, and when parentheses do the job, the material is most distantly related to what’s around it; when dashes do the job the material is somewhere in the middle.
And the wide range of its hours of operation—6 a.m. to 6 p.m.—certainly showed concern for customers’ manifold circumstances.
- Dashes set off or introduce defining phrases and lists.
A regular selection of three kinds of croissants—plain, almond, and chocolate—was heartening, both Mabel and Harry agreed.
- An em dash is often used in place of a colon or semicolon to link clauses, especially when the clause that follows the dash explains, summarizes, or expands upon the preceding clause in a somewhat dramatic way.
Harry would never forget the Tuesday that Mabel called him from the bakery, her voice brimming with excitement—the bakery had added cheese Danishes to its selection.
- An em dash or pair of dashes often sets off illustrative or amplifying material introduced by such phrases as for example , namely , and that is , when the break in continuity is greater than that shown by a comma, or when the dash would clarify the sentence structure better than a comma.
The bakery was truly phenomenal. Although they did miss the mark somewhat with the pineapple upside-down cake Mabel ordered—that is, the cake had clearly been baked right-side up.
- An em dash may introduce a summary statement that follows a series of words or phrases.
Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, snickerdoodle, both macarons and macaroons—the panoply of cookie varieties was impressive as well.
- A dash often precedes the name of an author or source at the end of a quoted passage—such as an epigraph, extract, or book or film blurb—that is not part of the main text. The attribution may appear immediately after the quotation or on the next line.
“One cannot underestimate the effect a good bakery can have on a person’s well-being.” —Mabel the Cat, The Websterburg Reporter
The Em Dash in the Company of Other Punctuation Marks
- If an em dash appears at a point where a comma could also appear, the comma is omitted.
Within its first year, Mabel and Harry had sampled all of the bakery’s offerings—all 62 items—and had also decided that the exercise was worth repeating.
- When a pair of em dashes sets off material ending with an exclamation point or a question mark, the mark is placed inside the dashes.
Mabel tried, despite her dolefulness—for how could she be otherwise?—to bake her own bread but each loaf that emerged from her oven tasted vaguely of tears.
- Dashes are used inside parentheses, and vice versa, to indicate parenthetical material within parenthetical material. The second dash is omitted if it would immediately precede the closing parenthesis; a closing parenthesis is never omitted.
The bakery’s reputation for scrumptious goods (ambrosial, even—each item was surely fit for gods) spread far and wide.
Em dash vs en dash
- Remembering that the em dash is the length of a capital M, it will surprise no one that the so-called “en dash” is the approximate length of a capital N, –. The en dash is the least loved of all; it’s not easily rendered by the average keyboard user (one has to select it as a special character, whereas the em dash can be conjured with two hyphens), so it’s mostly encountered in typeset material. (A hyphen does its job in other text.) It is most often used between numbers, dates, or other notations to signify “(up) to and including.”
The bakery will be closed August 1–August 31. The bakery is open 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. The exceedingly complex recipe spans pages 128–34. Mabel and Harry lived elsewhere 2007–2019.
Note that one does not need words like from and between in these cases. The phrase “open 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.” can be read as “open between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.” or as “open from 6:00 a.m. to/until 6:00 p.m.”
- If you want to be official about things, use the en dash to replace a hyphen in compound adjectives when at least one of the elements is a two-word compound.
the post–Cold War era
The thinking is that using a hyphen here, as in “the post-Cold War era,” risks the suggestion that post attaches only to Cold . It’s unlikely, though, that a reader would truly be confused.
- The en dash replaces the word to between capitalized names, and is used to indicate linkages such as boundaries, treaties, and oppositions.
a Boston–Washington train the pie–cake divide
- A two-em dash, ——, is used to indicate missing letters in a word and, less frequently, to indicate a missing word.
The butter-stained and crumb-embedded note was attributed to a Ms. M—— of Websterburg.
- A three-em dash, ———, indicates that a word has been left out or that an unknown word or figure is to be supplied.
Years later it was revealed that the Websterburg bakers had once had a bakery in ———, a city to the south. But the water quality there was prohibitive to the creating of decent bagels.
While we said above that the em dash, also called the “common dash,” is the most common of the true dashes, hyphens show up more frequently in text. They have a variety of uses.
- Hyphens are used to link elements in compound words .
a baker-owner
- In some words, a hyphen separates a prefix, suffix, or medial element from the rest of the word.
Websterburg’s pre-bakery days a bread-like scone jack-o'-lantern sugar cookies
- As we noted above, a hyphen often does the job of an en dash between numbers and dates, providing the meaning "(up) to and including."
pages 128-34 the years 2007-2019
- A hyphen marks an end-of-line division of a word.
Mabel and Harry don’t like to linger on their memories of Webster- burg’s pre-bakery days.
- A hyphen divides letters or syllables to give the effect of stuttering, sobbing, or halting speech.
"M-m-mabel, the cheese Danish is divine!”
- Hyphens indicate a word spelled out letter by letter.
Let’s not even talk about August, when the bakery is c-l-o-s-e-d.
The em dash is sometimes considered a less formal equivalent of the colon and parenthesis, but in truth it’s used in all kinds of writing, including the most formal—the choice of which mark to use is really a matter of personal preference.
Spacing around an em dash varies. Most newspapers insert a space before and after the dash, and many popular magazines do the same, but most books and journals omit spacing, closing whatever comes before and after the em dash right up next to it. This website prefers the latter, its style requiring the closely held em dash in running text.
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Dustin Lynch Speaks on Those Lindsay Hubbard Dating Rumors
Lindsay was romantically linked to the country singer in 2023, shortly after she split from Summer House 's Carl Radke.
![how to end your speech](https://www.bravotv.com/sites/bravo/files/styles/16_9_medium/public/media_mpx/thumbnails/bravo-video.nbcuni.com/image/NBCU_Bravo/554/539/SH815_OPTION_3_FINAL_proxy_SD_thumb_2.jpg?itok=ngBV39Dd)
Dustin Lynch confirmed he and Lindsay Hubbard have a “great” relationship — but it’s strictly platonic.
How to Watch
Watch Summer House on Bravo Thursdays at 9/8c and next day on Peacock . Catch up on the Bravo app .
The country music star shared the update on Thursday, June 6, during CMA Fest 2024 in Nashville. Before kicking off his eponymous pool party, Dustin took some time to speak with an Us Weekly reporter, who asked about those old dating rumors involving him and the Summer House cast member.
“Oh, it’s so much — I mean, rumors get started. We’ve been through years of this stuff,” Dustin said with a laugh. “No, we’re great friends. I’m so pumped she’s got a house here [in Nashville] now that’s doing great. She’s making some new friends here in town. It was a great experience to, uh — I haven’t been in the Bravo world ever, but to see what that fanbase is like is intense.”
What sparked the Lindsay Hubbard and Dustin Lynch rumors?
![Lindsay Hubbard Reacts to Carl Radke’s Stepfather Lindsay Hubbard Reacts to Carl Radke’s Stepfather](https://www.bravotv.com/sites/bravo/files/styles/scale_862/public/media_mpx/thumbnails/bravo-video.nbcuni.com/image/NBCU_Bravo/704/698/LindsaySolo2.jpeg?itok=P1NkZKLB)
Lindsay and Dustin were romantically linked in late 2023, shortly after Lindsay split from her ex-fiancé, Carl Radke . The dating rumors seemingly stemmed from Lindsay’s November 8, 2023, appearance on the Viall Files podcast , where she was pressed about the kind of guy she was looking for.
“Do you like country singers?” host Nick Viall asked. “Dustin Lynch? He’s on the market.”
“He says hi, by the way,” Lindsay replied with a smirk. “Anyone else?”
More from Bravo:
Amanda Batula Has a Surprising Defense for Lindsay Hubbard Against Kyle Cooke
Lindsay Hubbard's Relationship History From Everett Weston to Carl Radke
We Have an Update on Lindsay Hubbard's Living Situation Following Her Split from Carl Radke
Andy Cohen questions Lindsay about mystery "country singer"
Carl radke reveals the six-figure cost he paid after canceling his & lindsay's wedding.
The comments, naturally, got the rumor mill running — so much so that Lindsay was asked about a mystery “country singer” on the November 28, 2023, episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen .
“Well, you know, let’s just say we have bros in different area codes,” said Lindsay, who was in the Clubhouse audience at the time.
“Very good. I like this,” host Andy Cohen said. “I want you to have fun with everybody.”
“I am,” Lindsay said with a laugh.
Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke end their engagement
![how to end your speech Lindsay Hubbard Carl Radke](https://www.bravotv.com/sites/bravo/files/2024/05/lindsay-hubbard-carl-radke.jpg)
Lindsay and Carl were set to tie the knot in November of 2023, but the latter called off the engagement just months before the ceremony. Lindsay has maintained she was “blindsided” by the decision, which she described as a “betrayal. But, as seen in Part 1 of the Summer House Season 8 reunion (June 6), Carl wasn’t convinced that his ex was all that heartbroken — at least, not anymore.
“You’re happy now,” Carl said during the tense sitdown. “Lindsay, you’ve been dating someone since January . You have the apartment . I paid half the rent for nine months. I’ve been courteous. I’ve done everything I’ve been legally bound to do. I also paid over $125,000 for the wedding. I took care of the apartment and the wedding. You did not.”
“You took care of the cancellation fees because you canceled!” Lindsay fired back. “Do you want a pat on the back for that?”
Lindsay Hubbard says her new boyfriend is a former flame
Lindsay hubbard bought 3 wedding dresses before carl radke split: "buyer’s remorse".
Lindsay confirmed she is now in a new relationship, but has kept her beau’s identity under wraps. She spoke about her boyfriend during the May 21 episode of the Bitch Bible podcast , saying she had previously dated him in late 2020.
“He’s wonderful. I actually met him and went out with him three-and-a-half years ago,” she said. “Some of my friends call it a boomerang, where you go out the first time, the timing wasn’t right, and they come back around. So, that’s basically what happened.”
- Lindsay Hubbard
Summer House
- Relationships
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Pat Sajak has said goodbye to "Wheel of Fortune" fans, thanking the TV audience "for allowing me into your lives" for 41 seasons as host of the syndicated game show.
In a poignant video ending Friday's season finale, Sajak's final spin of the wheel, he spoke directly to the TV audience.
"Well, the time has come to say goodbye," he said. "It's been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade. And I've always felt that privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game."
The end of an era Pat Sajak set for final 'Wheel of Fortune' episode after more than four decades
But Sajak said that "Wheel of Fortune," with its global reach, became more than a game. The game show became an event "where families came together along with friends and neighbors and entire generations," Sajak said. "What an honor to have played even a small part in all of that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives."
On June 6, his longtime co-host Vanna White gave a tearful farewell to Sajak with her own video, saying, "I love you, Pat." White will continue on "Wheel of Fortune." In September, Ryan Seacrest will take over as host.
Sajak gives his final farewell to 'Wheel of Fortune' host Vanna White
During his farewell, Sajak thanked the "Wheel of Fortune" crew, which includes his daughter Maggie Sajak, who works as the show's social correspondent. Sajak ended the speech by thanking his four-decade show partner, White, whom he called "my professional other half."
"She takes the show very seriously but not herself. I shudder to think what these 40-plus years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves playing the prima donna role," said Sajak. "Vanna is as sweet and unassuming as she seems."
Vanna White Sends tearful farewell to Pat Sajak on 'Wheel of Fortune': 'I love you, Pat!'
The duo have been friends on and off "Wheel of Fortune" for more than four decades.
"We've seen a lot of changes in each other's lives over the years but we've always been there for each other," said Sajak. "While I will very much miss working with her, I take solace in the fact that we live about five miles apart. So we'll see plenty of each other. She's a very special woman and I know you're all pleased she'll be back next season."
What happened in Pat Sajak's final 'Wheel of Fortune'?
"Wheel of Fortune" started Sajak's final episode by going back to Sajak's first, on Dec. 28, 1981, when the then-unknown Los Angeles TV weatherman took over the show, then on NBC in daytime, from Chuck Woolery.
“Please do not adjust your sets at home. Chuck Woolery has not shrunk,” Sajak told viewers. "I’ve been fortunate enough to wander onto the set of a very successful program."
The clip ended as Sajak, in a suit, walked onto the chandelier-adorned set arm in arm with White, wearing a dazzling over-the-shoulder gown. "Wow, I'm all grown up," Sajak said, addressing the throwback clip. "Way grown up. Thanks for the memories."
During the word puzzle games, Sajak even took a rare turn at the famed wheel, which the three contestants turned to determine how much money they're playing for.
"It's been a long time since I've spun the wheel," Sajak said, before ignoring his own low spin and stipulating that each contestant would receive $5,000. "It's not my money; let's give them all $5,000!"
Will we see Pat Sajak after the 'Wheel of Fortune' finale?
Sajak will officially stay on the "Wheel of Fortune" for three years as a consultant. But fans will be able to watch him this summer, in "Wheel of Fortune" reruns.
"You'll still see plenty of me in the next months," said Sajak. "The jokes will be the same, but I'd appreciate it if you'd laugh again anyway."
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Who’d Want to Give a Commencement Speech Anymore?
Executive communications experts say the gig is becoming a harder sell for business leaders.
![how to end your speech Steve Jobs, wearing a black graduation gown with a red satin ribbon at the collar.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/05/28/multimedia/28db-commencements-vjgk/28db-commencements-vjgk-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)
By Sarah Kessler , Lauren Hirsch and Michael J. de la Merced
Tim Cook has delivered at least seven commencement addresses since becoming the chief executive of Apple. The superstar Taylor Swift, whose concerts have been credited with lifting local economies, addressed New York University’s graduation ceremony in 2022. Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Dimon — they’ve all given graduation speeches more than once.
They’re obviously not doing it for the money (and typically there isn’t any). Instead, speakers have long seen graduation ceremonies as offering something increasingly rare: a stage where a large group of people gather to hear speakers impart wisdom, advice or whatever else they want to talk about.
The appeal of being a commencement speaker, however, seems to be waning.
Just three Fortune 50 chief executives appear to be commencement speakers this year, as colleges have faced campus protests over the war in Gaza, student arrests and wealthy alumni threatening to break ties with their alma maters over antisemitism.
“The idea of C.E.O.s going out aggressively and speaking anywhere near this environment on campuses, it just doesn’t seem like the moment for them to be doing that,” said David Murray, the executive director of the Professional Speechwriters Association.
C.E.O.s are tired of talking. At a recent meeting of executive speechwriters, Murray said one takeaway stood out. As one presenter put it, “ Less is more, in ’24.”
Murray highlighted the sentiment in the Professional Speechwriters Association’s May newsletter: “Folks will increasingly keep their leaders out of the spotlight,” he wrote, describing the current moment as one in which “even formerly anodyne messages encouraging employees to vote” sound partisan to some.
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5. Melissa Butler. Speech Ending: When you go home today, see yourself in the mirror, see all of you, look at all your greatness that you embody, accept it, love it and finally, when you leave the house tomorrow, try to extend that same love and acceptance to someone who doesn't look like you. 6.
Select a friendly face in the audience and look straight at that person. If it is appropriate, smile warmly at that person to signal that your speech has come to an end. Resist the temptation to: Shuffle papers. Fidget with your clothes or microphone. Move forward, backward, or sideways.
Three effective speech conclusions. Here are three of the best ways to end a speech. Each ensures your speech finishes strongly rather than limping sadly off to sure oblivion. You'll need a summary of your most important key points followed by the ending of your choice: a powerful quotation. a challenge. a call back.
A speech closing is not just about the words you say, but it is also the way you say it. Change the pace near the end of your speech. Let your tone alone should signal the end is near. It is about deliberate voice control, don't let your voice weakly away. In the next section, I will cover these ways to end your speech:
For example, you are a financial consultant talking to a crowd 15 years away from retirement. During your speech, share your company's approach to investment or a portfolio of your products. 5. The Backward-looking Close. Besides the forward-looking close, there is also a backward-looking close.
That will help you to act like a pro in your presentation. 2. End with a Powerful Quote. Quotes can be a powerful tool to end a speech, as they can encapsulate your message and leave a lasting impression. Choose a quote that relates to your topic and resonates with your audience. For instance, if you were giving a motivational speech, you could ...
1. The Summary Close - Let's talk turkey. This close is about the most straightforward, direct, and unequivocal one in the list. In the annals of how to close a presentation speech, it also could be called the "recap" close. If you opt to close a speech with a summary, you want to be clear with your biggest idea and convey to the ...
4. Repeat a certain phrase to make it memorable. If there's a main point you want the audience to remember, repeat it throughout your speech. Then when you get to the end of your speech, make it your final line for a stronger impact. Keep the line short so that it's easy to remember. [4]
There are a few ways to approach this technique: Set up a question at the beginning of your speech and use your ending to answer it. Finish a story you started, using the anecdote to demonstrate your message. Close with the title of the presentation - this works best with a provocative, memorable title.
Putting together and delivering an effective speech takes time and the right strategy. One of the most challenging aspects is figuring out how to end a speech effectively. You might have prepared a fantastic opening and delivered a compelling message, but if you fail to wrap up your speech in a powerful and memorable way, your audience may leave feeling unsatisfied or even forget what you said ...
Learn how to end a speech with more impact with 2 key steps. The best public speakers use this technique. And get your Free pdf Download with 7 Tips for More...
Moreover, your title could be in the form of a provocative question, or employ an alliteration to make it really interesting and memorable. 5. Position with power. End your speech with a powerful bang by making a bold statement that links back to your talk. Employ strong words or unique turns of phrase.
One of my favorites techniques, however, is using a call to action because the closing of a speech is your chance to motivate your audience. Here are three ways to use it: 1. A Direct Call to Action. A speech or presentation without a call to action is a speech or presentation probably not worth giving. The close of your speech should clearly ...
3. The Personal Close: Many speakers discuss their personal connection to the speech topic well before the close. But if you don't plan on highlighting your own ties to the topic sooner, doing so at the end can serve as a powerful final rapport builder. 4. The Bookend Close: Just as matching bookends are used at the beginning and end of a row ...
Use the title of your speech as your closing words. Last words linger, crystallizing your thoughts, galvanizing your message and mobilizing your audience. Just as comedians should "leave 'em laughing," speakers should "leave 'em thinking." (Hint: Try writing the ending of your speech first to better construct the title.) 2. The Circular Close.
Avoid new information. Whatever you do, don't introduce new points or topics in your final words. Your conclusion is the place to round up what you've told the audience and reinforce your message - not introduce new ideas. Adding in new information right at the end can feel disjointed and leave your listeners feeling confused.
Your conclusion is the most important part of your speech and the most important part of your conclusion is your final message (residual message). You'll fin...
Let say your phrase is: "Together, we can win.". You repeat that phrase over and over again. Then just before your close, you say: "I know that all of you are talented, all of you are driven. I know that none of us can do this alone, but (pause) Together (pause) we can (pause until the audience responds.)
Before you close your speech, you should signal that you are closing. Tell the audience that the end is near. Be more creative than saying, "In conclusion" or "In summary" or something to that effect. I like to use picture words such as "Let's wrap this message up" or "As we come to the end" or "I'll leave you with this…".
30 Example Phrases: How to Conclude a Presentation. 1. "In summary, let's revisit the key takeaways from today's presentation.". 2. "Thank you for your attention. Let's move forward together.". 3. "That brings us to the end. I'm open to any questions you may have.".
A two-em dash, ——, is used to indicate missing letters in a word and, less frequently, to indicate a missing word. The butter-stained and crumb-embedded note was attributed to a Ms. M—— of Websterburg. A three-em dash, ———, indicates that a word has been left out or that an unknown word or figure is to be supplied.
Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke end their engagement Lindsay and Carl were set to tie the knot in November of 2023, but the latter called off the engagement just months before the ceremony.
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President Biden laid out a plan to reach a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas and end the war in Gaza in a speech on Friday, offering details of the Israeli proposal for the first time.. Why it matters: Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas reached a deadlock three weeks ago. Biden, CIA Director Bill Burns, national security adviser Jake Sullivan and other senior U.S. officials ...
C.E.O.s are tired of talking. At a recent meeting of executive speechwriters, Murray said one takeaway stood out. As one presenter put it, "Less is more, in '24." Murray highlighted the ...