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Organizing the Conclusion.. It may be short but it could ruin your speech.

The conclusion brings a speech to a close. It is the last opportunity for the speaker to accomplish the purpose of the speech. In an informative speech, the speaker wants the audience to remember the information that was presented. Emphasizing a main point gives that idea importance and increases the chance of the audience remembering it. Summarizing a group of main points reinforces an audience’s retention of those points. Both of these devices – emphasis and summary – are discussed in greater detail in the chapter on informative speaking. They are the main concluding devices used for an informative occasion.

When engaged in persuasion, use the conclusion to make a specific call for action or to ask for a specific change in attitude by audience members. All the reasons and arguments presented in the body of a persuasive speech support the specific appeal in the conclusion. In essence, the persuasive speaker draws conclusions for the audience: “Because of these reasons, this specific action is necessary.” A second part of the conclusion to a persuasive speech includes visualizing what the desired result will be or energizing the call for action with an appeal. Not only do listeners need to know what to do, they need to be motivated to do it. Appeals to emotion and restatements of benefits act as motivational devices that energize persuasive conclusions.

Both informative and persuasive speeches need a strong last line to add a sense of finality and closure to the speech. Just as speaker’s first words are vital for capturing attention, the last words are the most memorable.Nowadays there are a long list of words and phrases that you could easily get from the internet, so there is really no excuse for not getting good ones to end your speech. The last line of the speech should encapsulate the thesis of the speech. A memorable quotation from an authorative source, a strong visual image, or an assertive statement creates a lasting impression with audiences. You should take advantage of the last line of the conclusion to impress your listeners with a strong and striking statement since it is the final word.