A SPEAKER

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A SPEAKERS GUIDEBOOK4TH EDITIONCHAPTER 15

• Developing the Conclusion

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Writing the Conclusion

• Write the conclusion after the body and
  introduction, so that you will be able to tie it
  all together.
• Planning and practicing helps you make a good
  impression and finish your speech with a bang.

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Functions of the Conclusion

• Signals to the audience that the speech is coming
  to an end
• Provides closure on the topic
• Challenges the audience to respond
• Summarizes the main points
• Reiterates the most important idea of your speech

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Question

• What is the first step of the conclusion?
• A. Challenges the audience to respond
• B. Reviews main points
• C. Repeats the thesis or central idea
• D. Signals the ending of the speech
• E. Provides closure to the topic

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Order of the Conclusion

• Conclusion
• Forewarning and review (thesis restated)
• Indicate most important idea
• Relate back to introduction story if appropriate
• Strong closing statement

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Signal the Close of Speech

• A forewarning is a type of signpost that
  demonstrates to the audience that the speech is
  coming to an end.
• Common signpost phrases are
• In conclusion,
• As I end my speech,
• Let me conclude with this
• Once you signal the close, say your last few
  sentences and . Audiences do not like it when
  speakers talk long after the forewarning.

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Ways to Make the Conclusion Memorable

• End with a quotation, poem, or song lyric
• Tell a story that finishes the opening story
• Pose a rhetorical question
• Make a startling closing statement
• Issue a challenge or call to action
• Link back to the introduction to give the feeling
  of coming full circle with your topic

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Summarizing Your Main Points

• A good conclusion completes the last step of the
  speech process by summarizing the main points.
  The speaker should reiterate the main points to
  help the audience remember the parts, and then
  should emphasize the most important concept.

REVIEW Take your preview sentence from your
introduction and rewrite it as a summary by
changing the verb tense.
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Challenge the Audience to Respond

• An informative speech challenges the audience to
  put the knowledge gained to use in their daily
  lives.
• Persuasive speeches demand audiences to take
  action or to change their beliefs on the topic.
• The conclusion should demonstrate the relevance
  of the topic to the audience to motivate the
  audience to respond.

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Guidelines for Preparing the Conclusion

• Complete a full-sentence and key-word outline of
  your conclusion.
• Look through your research for material you can
  use in your conclusion.
• Keep the conclusion brief. The general rule is no
  more than 15 of the time allotted for the entire
  speech.
• Time your conclusion when practicing.
• Revise the conclusion until you get the delivery
  right.

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Question

• If your required speech time limit is 5 minutes,
  approximately how long should your conclusion be?
• A. 0-15 seconds
• B. 15-30 seconds
• C. 30-45 seconds
• D. 45-90 seconds
• E. 90-120 seconds

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Chapter 15 Key Terms for Review

• call to action