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Public Speaking is a difficult task. It takes skills to write and make a well-structured speech. Each word of a speech has to be carefully thought out such that the message is conveyed to the audience clearly and impactfully.
A speech must generate attention and retention. This is where the conclusion comes to the rescue. A conclusion must reflect back to the entire speech and form analysis of the same.
Remember, the conclusion is what your audience hears in the end. Hence, it must be powerful enough so that listeners can carry the message home with them.
The transition of a speech from the introduction to the body and finally towards the conclusion must be chronological. The flow must be smooth and not uncanny and abrupt. If you fail to give a well-crafted end to your speech, then it becomes incomplete and will lose its essence.
Your conclusion must not be about summarising the entire speech. Rather, it must squeeze the content and form a proper analysis of your words. Your conclusion must be the voice of the core idea of your speech.
The formation of a good conclusion may seem like a tough task. So, here are a few pointers that can help you in forming a good conclusion:
1. Summarize with Value Judgement: The conclusion must convey the central idea of the speech creatively allowing the audience to imbibe the gist of the message. You can summarize your content. However, the summary must neither be too long nor too short.
A lengthy summary will distract your audience because of unnecessary repetition. Similarly, a short conclusion will make your words sound abrupt and uncalled for leading to a negative impact on the audience.
The introduction and the body of the speech convey the main content that makes the speech. So, the conclusion can be a quick recap to keep that content intact in the audience's mind along with a value judgment, that should be the main essence of your speech.
2. End your Speech with a Quotation: A powerful quotation always catches the attention of the listeners. Hence, ending your conclusion with a quote that resonates with your content will generate awe in the audience.
A powerful quotation works because it comes from experienced and famous individuals who are experts in their fields. By adding their famous speeches to your content, you fuse life in your words and add credibility to your speech. People are more likely to trust in you when you take help of the words of people who already have their trust.
Ending a speech with a quote is a smart move. However, it must be used properly and not abruptly.
3. End your Speech where you Started: The conclusion and the introduction of the speech must be linked with one another. The link completes your speech in a full circle that helps in giving a wholesome structure to your content.
However, your conclusion cannot be a reiteration of the introduction into the conclusion. It must have a unique, creative approach that gives wings to your introduction. It is much like tying the knots of the topic that are introduced in the beginning.
4. End your Speech with a Question:Ending a speech with a rhetorical question raises an urge in the listeners to think and ponder on your question. You can conclude your speech by asking such questions. It will make the audience think about your idea and speech more carefully, even after they go home. It is an effective trick to leave a long-lasting impact on your audience because such questions will never leave the listener's minds.
By ending a speech on an interrogative note, you generate curiosity in your audience's mind. They may look for answers and may even try to get in contact with or follow you for solutions. Hence, it will also help you strike a long term connection with your audience.
Frequent use of technical jargons may make your speech complicated causing the main idea to slip from listener's minds. Hence, it is important that you brush up the main points of your speech clearly and crisply in your conclusion. Remember, if the speech is about a topic that needs straight attention then the conclusion can be framed with a direct approach rather than beating about the bush.
6. Elevate the Energy in the Room: After listening to a long speech, the audience's mind is bound to get weary. Hence, one good trick to catch their attention and generate retention again is by building energy towards the end. This can be done by adding a bit of humor element or asking yes/no questions from the audience. Any activity that makes them move a bit without causing chaos can be done to capture the audience's attention.
Concluding a speech on a positive note and leaving the audience with a fresh mind is a very good trick in framing a conclusion. It can be a difficult task to form a humorous conclusion or a conclusion that contains a story that keeps the audience listening to the very last moment but the hard work is worth the impact for audience, then, is bound to remember you.
Framing a conclusion is a difficult task, but it is well worth it if done rightly. It demands creativity and efforts. There is a lot of room for imagination to keep the listeners engage. Remember, your conclusion is the last bit that your audience will hear. Hence, make it powerful and long-lasting.
Written by - Nivedita Kundu
Edited by - Vasudha Sabharwal
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