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End your speech with an attitude, not a platitude. Instead of firing off a perfunctory “thank you,” consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the podium. With the flair of a fireworks finale, you’ll trigger spontaneous applause to a well-rehearsed, well-timed, and well-executed performance — a performance that reflects all the anticipation of a logger’s cry: Timbeerrrrrrrrrrr! This article shows you how to close your speech with a bang. Call Attention to the Close of Your SpeechContrary to the prevailing practice of too many politicians and business and community leaders, the most influential speakers don’t end their speeches with a perfunctory and mundane “Thank you.” That’s too easy. And too lazy. It takes creative thinking and a compelling delivery to end your speech with a mighty climax that relegates the perfunctory “thank you” as superfluous. No wonder that only seven of the 217 speeches listed in William Safire’s anthology Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History conclude with “thank you.” Examples of How to End a Speech“Instead of firing off a perfunctory ‘thank you,’ consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the podium.” -- Peter Jeff Consider these examples of resounding speech conclusions from Patrick Henry, William Jennings Bryant and Winston Churchill. You can learn from these to spark your creative energy and capture the spirit of ending with a bang. On the brink of the American Revolution, the colonists were debating the war. Patrick Henry concluded a stirring speech on March 23, 1775 with this:
At the Democratic National Convention in 1896, William Jennings Bryan concluded his stirring speech against the gold standard in national currency with the words that have become the title of his speech:
In the face of a German threat of an invasion upon England in World War II, Winston Churchill on June 18, 1940 called upon all of the British to brace themselves. He concluded his speech with the words that have become the title of the speech:
End Your Speech on a High NoteLeading speakers end their speeches like the opera star—on a high note, vocally and intellectually. Just as the comedian should leave ‘em laughing, the speaker should leave ‘em thinking. Last words linger. Last words crystallize your thoughts, galvanize your message, and mobilize your audience. Study the following 10 templates and adapt your speech to end your speech with a bang: “Just as the comedian should leave ‘em laughing, the speaker should leave ‘em thinking.” -- Peter Jeff
#1 – Bookend CloseFor a bookend speech closing, refer back to your opening anecdote or quote and say, “We have arrived, now, where we began.” Then reiterate the message you want your audience to remember. This will achieve symmetry in the classic 3-part speech outline: Tell ‘em what you are going to tell ‘em; tell ‘em, then tell ‘em what you just told ‘em.’ #2 – Challenge CloseChallenge your audience to apply what you have told them in the speech. If you were concluding a speech on the importance of taking action, you could say:
#3 – Echo Close“Last words crystallize your thoughts, galvanize your message, and mobilize your audience.” -- Peter Jeff Focus on one word in a quotation and emphasize that word to echo your final point. For example, consider the five echoes of the word “do” in this ending to a speech on the importance of getting involved in the education process:
#4 – Repetitive CloseFind a phrase and structure it in a repetitive format that strikes the cadence of a drummer, building to a crescendo ending of a motivational speech:
#5 – Title CloseGive your speech a provocative title that encapsulates your message memorably. Then, use the title of your speech as your closing words to stir your audience to think more fully about what they just heard, reinforcing the title of the speech that you referenced earlier. Hint: Try writing the ending of your speech first to better construct the title. #6 – Sing Song CloseAsk the audience to repeat a phrase that you used several times in your speech. Let say your phrase is: “Together, we can win.” You repeat that phrase over and over again. Then just before your close, you say: “I know that all of you are talented, all of you are driven. I know that none of us can do this alone, but (pause) Together (pause) we can (pause until the audience responds.) #7 – Callback CloseRefer back to a story you told where some activity was not fully completed. Then pick up the story and close it around your theme. For example:
#8 – Movie CloseMake a reference to a well-known movie or book.For example, in concluding a speech on the maturity of a product line and the need to leave the past behind and create new and different products, an executive concluded a speech with a reference to growing pangs. The speaker alluded to the final scene in the movie Summer of ‘42. The main character is Hermie. Now an adult he is reminiscing about his lost adolescence.
#9 – Quotation CloseUse a famous quotation to harness the audience’s attention, much like turning on a spotlight. For example, if you were concluding a speech on the importance of maintaining self confidence in the face of adversity, you could say:
#10 – Third Party CloseTake the use of a quotation up a notch with the Third Party Close. Leverage the use of a quotation in context of your message. Use the premise of that quotation to frame your finale so that it serves as a launching pad to lift your message high for the audience to more fully appreciate. If you were concluding a speech on the importance of embracing change, you could say:
Your Speech Ending ChallengeMay you think anew about ending your speeches. Try one of these 10 techniques and turn the podium into your personal fireworks platform. Fire off spectacular ideas with blazing after thoughts. Light up your audience with insight. Fire your most poignant salvos in the fleeting seconds of your speech. And make sure your message resounds in your audience’s ears… with a bang! What techniques or strategies were used in the closing part of the speech?Here are 9 tips and examples for concluding a speech.. 1) Plan Your Closing Remarks Word for Word. ... . 2) Always End a Speech With a Call to Action. ... . 3) End a Speech With a Summary. ... . 4) Close with a story. ... . 5) Make Them Laugh. ... . 6) Make It Rhyme. ... . 7) Close With Inspiration. ... . 8) Make it Clear That You're Done.. What are 5 techniques to consider when delivering a speech?Use your voice expressively and meaningfully.. Minimize the uhs, ums, likes and y'knows.. Enunciate words clearly. Don't mumble or garble them.. Speak with appropriate loudness and speed. Consider audience, place and topic.. Use variations in speed, inflections, and force to enhance your meaning and hold audience attention.. How do you signal closure in a speech?3 phrases to use as a signal to the end in your presentation conclusion. “This brings me to the end of my presentation. To summarize my main points,…”. “Well, that is all I have for today. Let me now summarize what I talked about…. ”. “I have now come to the end of my presentation. In summary, I spoke about…”. What techniques can be used in a speech?The Top 5 Persuasive Techniques for Speeches. 5 persuasive techniques for speeches: Rhetorical questions. ... . Rhetorical questions. A rhetorical question is a question that you ask for dramatic effect, instead of acquiring answers. ... . Personal anecdotes. ... . Tricolon. ... . Inclusive language. ... . Emotive language.. |