• Part 1 symbol pink circle
    getting started
  • Part 2 symbol blue triangle
    fundamentals
  • Part 3 symbol green square
    content
  • Part 4 symbol purple triangle
    delivery
  • Part 5 symbol three blue circles
    engaging your audience
  • Part 6 symbol orange asterisk
    speaking to inform
  • Part 7 symbol pink diamond
    speaking to persuade
  • Part 8 symbol green star
    speaking occasions

Tips for Ending Effectively

Taking time to create a well-planned, well-delivered conclusion may be the last thing you want to worry about as you near the end of the preparation process. But we know that last impressions linger—the last thing you say can be just as important as the first. The following tips will help you plan a strong conclusion.

MATCH THE MOOD OF YOUR PRESENTATION

We often tell students, “Don’t go for fireworks without a reason to celebrate.” In other words, don’t tack on an irrelevant or inappropriate ending. If you have given a serious speech about the need for better childcare, don’t end with a tasteless joke about naughty children. If you have explained how to operate a new and complicated machine, you probably shouldn’t conclude with flowery poetry. Match the mood and method of your ending to the mood and style of your presentation.

HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

What if you issue a call for action and no one in your audience acts? Don’t expect more from your audience than is reasonable. Only an inexperienced speaker would expect everyone in an audience to immediately sign an organ donation card following a presentation. Most audiences will not act when called on unless the request is carefully worded, reasonable, and possible. Don’t conclude by demanding something from your audience unless you are reasonably sure that you can get it.

END WHEN YOU SAY YOU WILL END

How do you react when you hear a speaker say, “And in conclusion . . . ,” and then take 10 minutes to finish speaking? A prolonged conclusion can frustrate an audience that expects the speech to end. The announced ending of a presentation—signaled by phrases such as “In conclusion” or “Let me close by”—should be used only when the ending of your speech will follow in less than a minute. When you say you are going to end, end.