Effective Conclusions

· Signal the end of the speech
This perks the audience back up and prepares them that you will be finishing.

· Provide a sense of closure
Your audience should be left with a feeling of completeness and all lose ends should be tied up.

· Don’t give new information in the conclusion
The conclusion is not the place to bring up new information do that in the body of the speech. If you bring up new points and ideas in the conclusion the audience will not have a sense of closure.

· Only review points, do not add to them
Again, and develop all your points in the body of the speech. The only new information might include where to get additional information.

· Refer to your introduction
Reminding them of your introduction adds a sense of completion and is a very natural way to provide closure.

· End with a bang, not a whimper

End strong, or your audience will be left with less than an optimal final impression. Standing there and saying, "That’s it" does not make a lasting impression on your audience.

Compliments of Frank P. Connelly, DTM
Candidate for International Director
Region 8, 2001 – 2003

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