1. Informative Speeches Barry 2010
Conclusions
Informative Speeches
Barry 2010

2. Your final impression will linger with your audience.
The Conclusion
Remember: Your closing remarks present your last chance to drive home your ideas (think about your residual message).
Your final impression will linger with your audience.
From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

3. A successful conclusion meets the following objectives:
Lets the audience know you are ending the speech
Reinforces the audience’s understanding of, or commitment to, the central idea
From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

4. Signal the end of your speech.
Speeches that end abruptly leave the audience feeling startled and unfulfilled.
You may use a signal phrase: “In conclusion,” or “Let me close by saying.”
From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

5. You may also choose a “dissolve” ending: Example, Reading Part 2
Signal the End
You may choose to build in force to the end with a crescendo ending: Example, Reading Part 1
You may also choose a “dissolve” ending: Example, Reading Part 2
Second “dissolve” ending: Reading Part 3
From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

6. Reinforce the Central Idea
Reinforce your central idea.
Summarize your speech.
The easiest way to end a speech is to restate the main points.
While there are more imaginative ways to end a speech, this can be effective.
Effective Example: Reading Part 4 (Listen for the main points)
From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

7. Reinforce the Central Idea
End with a quotation.
It is best to use a brief quotation.
Find a quotation that matches with and captures your central idea.
Effective Example: Reading Part 5
From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

8. Reinforce the Central Idea
Make a dramatic statement.
You can craft your own powerful closing words instead of relying on a quotation.
Effective Example: Reading Part 6
Effective Example: Reading Part 7
From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

9. Reinforce the Central Idea
Refer to the introduction.
This method gives your speech unity by causing your audience to reflect back to its introduction.
Effective Example: Reading Part 8 and 9
From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

10. Reinforce the Central Idea
Take note: more than one method of reinforcing the central idea could be combined within the same conclusion.
Many of the more emotional methods of concluding have more of a place with a persuasive speech that is trying to elicit action, but could still be effective in an informative speech.
From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas