What is a good way to end a speech?

As the introduction sets the stage, your conclusion seals the deal. The question, “How to end a speech?” is an essential query that each presenter or speaker must ask, given the final words’ impact and weight on your audience. 

Since your final words eventually have a lasting effect, you have to make a striking thought to the people. Your speech’s ending is your last opportunity to reiterate the fundamental idea, inspire the listeners, motivate a group to take action, change an individual’s perspective, or make a final impression on them. 

If you are still wondering how to end a speech that can appease your audience, then be worry-free because this guide can help you. Read through this article to learn how to end a maid of honor speech, a graduation speech, and more because it contains the best tips and examples. 

Why is a Conclusion Important?

The audience is more likely not to forget the latest thing a speaker said due to the “Recency Effect” in learning. Hence, the conclusion in a speech serves as a signal to the audience that it is nearing the end, helping them recall the entire topic’s essential points. 

You can’t just suddenly stop speaking in front of your listeners because that will disappoint and confuse them. It is best to ensure that they are left satisfied and knowledgeable about your speeches by closing them smoothly. 

Additionally, it is vital always to link your conclusion back to your introduction. The most effective way to do this method is through going back to your attention grabber or “hook.”

At the end of your speech, it is where most of your audience’s lasting impression of everything you have said will form. Thus, if you are asking how to end a speech, then use its conclusion as an opportunity to secure the necessary components to your listeners’ minds. 

Without the presence of a satisfactory conclusion, you might confuse, disappoint, or even leave the audience unconvinced. With these thoughts, we can tell that it has a two-fold purpose: to signal the speech’s end and reinforce the speaker’s message to the people. 

The Key Elements of a Good Conclusion

When contemplating how to end a speech, remember that your introduction is the appetizer, while your conclusion is its dessert. Conclusions must round off the topic and set off a strong impression on people’s minds. 

To create a conclusion that will satisfy and sum up all the vital information from your speech, consider these three key elements:

1. Reiterate the main idea

What is the central idea of your message? That is a secure place to start your conclusion. 

Above all, you have directed each part of your speech to support your topic, subject, or information. To start your conclusion, by all means, reiterate your speech’s main idea. 

Of course, it would be best if you make it different and fresh to the listeners. You do not want to repeat it verbatim and make the audience feel like you are just redoing things. 

Somewhat loosen it up a bit as you prepare to remind your audience why they would be well-provided to adopt your viewpoint on the topic or follow your suggestion. 

2. Summarize three primary points

Another vital element to answer your question on how to end a speech is summarizing. For your overall summary, getting three main points is a good benchmark.

You do not have to restate each argument or claim you have made because you can eventually pick three that you think are the most remarkable. In regards to your main idea, do not be dry and monotonous.

Avoid merely repeating three points; instead, show your audience how those points made your claim or speech stronger. Draw them together into a single special force, supplementing weight to your primary idea. 

3. Close on a high note

Leave your audience pleased and satisfied, but also wanting more. When you are closing your conclusion, consider ending it on a capturing, thought-provoking concept. 

You may want to give rise to a rhetorical question or state a notable quote from your research. From time to time, good quotations serve as illustrations, stating what we want to mention with a bit of confidence and style. 

Another method to add some “food for thought” to your speech’s conclusion is to connect your primary idea to a more in-depth scenario. Also, note that your speech’s closing line is one that needs extra effort. 

It is the portion that acts as your last opportunity to make it stick, so never introduce new information in your ending. Additional information can confuse your listeners and take them away from the essential features of a conclusion, which are:

• Restatement of your primary idea
• Summary of three main points
• Remarkable closing line

What are the Considerations on How to End a Speech?

When you imagine how to end a speech or presentation, there are several things to consider when it comes to their close, which includes:

• Is your ending engaging?
• Does your conclusion restate your message?
• Have you identified the next step you want your listeners to take with clarity?

Too often, speakers or presenters believe that people will infer what they should act next. The reality or truth is that even the most talented speaker can benefit from setting off a clear call to action to their audience. 

When it is particular, uncomplicated to perform, and aligns with the audience’s concerns, needs, and wants, they are more likely to take upon your persuasion, especially if you are making a persuasive speech. 

Always take into account that an impactful ending encourages, empowers, and motivates the people. To know more about how to end a speech, see the best tips in the next part. 

What are some Good Ways to End a Speech?

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A study shows that when they need to recall information, they best remember the beginning and the end. Therefore, it is essential to leave an impact on your speech’s closing because people will mostly think of that part. 

Here are seven different ways to choose and make an unforgettable ending for your audience if you still doubt how to end a speech in the most appealing way. 

1. The Summary Close

This method on how to end a speech is about the most direct, specific, and straightforward one on the list. The history of how to end a speech or presentation also refers to this as “recap” close.

If you opt to end your speech with a summary, clarify your most significant idea and convey to the listeners that it is what you want them to take. However, that does not imply that your summary close is not engaging. 

2. The Surprise Close 

Several best movie endings of all time were surprising conclusions, outright shockers, and wicked twists. Why do you think they are so memorable?

It is because the viewers or the audience did not expect that ending. When we experience something we did not anticipate, it turns out that our brains are more active. 

In other cases, we might have also expected a different or another scenario for the conclusion. Hence, we become notably accustomed to what comes next when a pattern breaks.

Closing a speech with a hint of surprise on its ending is like signaling your audience to listen to you. 

3. The Illustrative Close

Another method to close your speech is to do it in this way. The artistry in an illustrative close comes from your skill to correct the following:

• case study
• fable
• first or third person anecdote
• apocryphal

Additionally, it can also refer to another storytelling device representing your illustration of the primary points you created during your speech. Many speakers use this manner at the start and end of their talks.

4. The Forward-looking Close

This method of closing a speech is a better option if you are talking about suggestions for future trends that could bear your topic. To help your audience visualize what you desire to accomplish, make a vibrant and vivid picture of it because it is essential.

For example, you are a financial consultant talking to a crowd 15 years away from retirement. During your speech, share your company’s approach to investment or a portfolio of your products. 

5. The Backward-looking Close

Besides the forward-looking close, there is also a backward-looking close. In this way, you move away from the future and go into the past instead.

Let’s say you are wondering how to end a maid of honor speech as the bride’s sister and has spent so many years and memories with her. During your message, you can recall those moments. Then, from those past happenings, close your speech by wishing her a happy future with her husband. 

6. The Metaphor Close 

Regarding how to end a speech, you might feel like you are drowning in options. However, if you carefully look at your topic or subject and what you need to convey, you will eventually find that it is easy as pie.

Welcome to the metaphor close, and yes, I just used some metaphors in the earlier part. Perhaps, you had noticed them already before I pointed it out.

Metaphors are figures of speech that indirectly compare two figuratively similar things but distinct. You do not take it in a literal sense that you are drowning in options, but you can feel that way. 

If you still don’t know how to end a graduation speech, this method may be one of your best options.

7. The Provocative Close

Provocative refers to the tendency to provoke, stimulate, or excite. Of course, as the speaker or presenter, you are hoping to encourage your audience, but using a provocative close snaps them to attention.

Check the table for some examples of how to end a speech provocatively. 

How to End a PowerPoint Presentation?

When you provide cluttered visual presentations, instead of offering an illustration that draws the people in, you can use PowerPoint to make a memorable close.

You can encourage and bring out their curiosity through powerful visualization. To help you with this matter, we have provided options regarding how to end a speech with a PowerPoint slide. 

Here are a couple of samples of what you can project:

1. A humorous image but has a profound significance.
2. A photo that is supposedly unrelated to your speech subject or topic and needs your explanation.
3. A line graph that shows two possible outcomes, which the audience may get involved in orinvolved or not.

How Should You End a Presentation Slideshow?

Since you have learned what you can project in your PowerPoint presentation and how useful it is to end your talk, let us get into several essential tips on how you should finish a formal presentation slideshow.

Here are ways you can do to make it memorable and impactful to your audience:

1. Have a clear and concise message

To close your formal presentation slideshow, bring your fundamental message to the forefront and align it with your objectives. You must give your final message down to a notable point so that your audience can walk away, remembering what you have said.

1. Utilize the best final PowerPoint slide

Your final slide will differ according to the type of presentation you are delivering. 

For example, if you are still having second thoughts regarding how to end a maid of honor speech uniquely, maybe you can opt to make a slideshow presentation for your sister’s wedding. Especially when you are too nervous about public speaking, there are creative ways to give your speech. 

You only have to ensure that you are using a powerful final PowerPoint graphic slide to showcase your concluding information. Of course, you should fit its theme at the event. 

1. Use animation to highlight something.

Adding a hint of animation in your presentation or slideshow is one of the best ways to bring out the significant element onto your slide at the perfect period. A program like PowerPoint has features, such as built-in animations that you can efficiently utilize. 

How to End a Speech Dos and Don’ts

After discussing the key elements of ending a speech and ways to close your presentation, we should tackle how to end a speech’s dos and don’ts.

We have compiled a few things that you must consider. See them in this table:

How to End Your Speech Examples (video examples)

If you are looking for the best examples of closing a speech, we have made your work easier. Be worry-free about thinking about how to end a maid of honor speech, graduation address, and other presentations. 

How to End a Graduation Speech

Here are four tips on how to end a graduation speech that would give you big applause from the crowd:

1. Plan every word of your closing remarks.
2. Close it with a story.
3. Insert a little humor and make the audience laugh.
4. Close your graduation speech with inspiration. 

How to End a Maid of Honor Speech

Are you worried regarding how to end a maid of honor speech? The following are the typical phrases used for the maid of honor speech ending:

• Let us all toast for the happiness of the newly-wedded couple!
• Best wishes to the happy and lovely couple!
• Please raise your glasses in honor of the bride and groom.
• Cheers to the newlyweds!
• Wishing years of bliss to the bride and groom!
• What a beautiful wedding day indeed, so let us make a toast to wherever their lives may lead.

How to Close a Sales Presentation

Another how-to end a speech example we have is closing a sales pitch. An outstanding presentation turns quite off if you do not make an effort to create a great closing. To make your customers eager to purchase, try these ending tips that we recommend.

• Go back to your opening idea.
• Close it with a challenge to your audience.
• Indulge your listeners into a metaphorical mission.
• Share a story.
• End your speech with a quote.

To get additional sales presentation tips, you can check this video:

Conclusion

In making your speech’s ending, do not make your conclusion to be only an afterthought. It should support all the things you have said in your talk and remind the audience why your topic matters. 

Leave the people nodding in agreement or satisfied by ending your speech remarkably. Yes, you can’t win everybody over your talk, but you can significantly make them pause and think.

We hope this article has imparted enough knowledge and answered your question on how to end a speech.  Download the Orai speech app for an AI-powered speech coach for interactive and fun lessons!

Good luck with your presentation!

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