The Art of the Conclusion: Leaving a Lasting Impression
End Your Speech with Power and Purpose.
This guide provides techniques for crafting memorable conclusions that resonate with your audience.
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I once delivered a well-researched speech but ended it by mumbling, “…so, yeah, that’s it.” The energy evaporated. I had a strong message but no ending, leaving the audience unsatisfied.
This guide prevents that moment. The conclusion is your last chance to make an impact, governed by the recency effect: people remember best what they hear last. A powerful conclusion solidifies your message and makes your entire informative speech memorable.
The Three Parts of a Conclusion
1. Signal the End
Start with a transition like “In conclusion” or “To summarize.” This tells the audience you’re wrapping up and prevents an abrupt ending.
2. Summarize Main Points
Briefly restate your thesis and main points. Do not introduce new information. This reinforces your message and aids memory.
3. Provide a Memorable Closing (Clincher)
This is your final, memorable sentence that provides closure. The clincher echoes in the audience’s mind. The next section details techniques for crafting an effective one.
7 Powerful Conclusion Techniques
1. The Call to Action
This is essential for persuasive speeches but can also be used in informative ones. Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do with the information you’ve provided. Make it specific and actionable.
Example: “So tonight, before you go to bed, take just five minutes to download one of the language apps we discussed. Your journey to fluency can start right now.”
2. Bookending (Closing with a Reference to the Introduction)
This technique creates a satisfying sense of closure. Refer back to the story, statistic, or question you used in your introduction. If you started with a problem, show how your speech provided the solution.
Example: “Remember that feeling of being lost in a foreign city that I described at the beginning? With these tools, you’ll never feel that way again. Instead, you’ll feel the thrill of connection.”
3. End with a Powerful Quotation
Just as a quote can open a speech, it can also close one. Choose a quote that perfectly encapsulates your message. Deliver it with conviction.
Example: “In the end, as Steve Jobs said, ‘The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.'”
4. Ask a Provocative Question
Leave your audience with a thought-provoking question that encourages them to continue thinking about your topic long after you’ve finished. As research in communication studies confirms, questions that stimulate curiosity can enhance message processing.
Example: “We have the technology and the resources. The only question left is: will we choose to act?”
5. Visualize the Future
Paint a vivid picture of what the future could look like if the audience adopts (or ignores) your message. Use descriptive, sensory language.
Example (Positive): “Imagine a decade from now, our city’s skyline is not defined by smoke, but by the quiet hum of wind turbines and the gleam of solar panels.”
Example (Negative): “If we continue on our current path, the vibrant coral reefs we’ve seen today will be nothing more than a memory in a textbook for our children.”
6. Conclude with a Story or Anecdote
A final, brief story that illustrates your main point can provide a powerful emotional conclusion. It should be short, impactful, and clearly linked to your thesis.
Example: “Let me tell you about Sarah. She used the one technique we discussed today, and last week, she ran her first marathon. That journey started with a single step. What step will you take?”
7. The Simple, Confident Summary
In some formal or technical settings, the most effective conclusion is a clear, confident restatement of your main idea. After your summary, deliver your thesis one last time with conviction and hold your final gaze with the audience.
Example: “Therefore, as we have seen, the evidence is clear. A diversified investment strategy is not just an option; it is essential for long-term financial security.”
Conclusion Pitfalls to Avoid
- Introducing New Information: A conclusion summarizes; it doesn’t add new points, which confuses the audience.
- Ending Abruptly: Avoid abrupt endings like “…so, that’s it.” Use a signal, summary, and clincher for a smooth close.
- A Long Conclusion: Keep it concise. A conclusion that drags on dilutes your message and impact.
- Ending with “Any Questions?”: Don’t end with “Any questions?”. Deliver your clincher, pause, then invite questions.
Our Speech Writing Experts
Our writers craft memorable conclusions that make your message stick.
Zacchaeus Kiragu
Research & Academic Writing
Zacchaeus helps craft logical conclusions that summarize main points and end with a powerful statement.
Julia Muthoni
Public Health & Communication
Julia crafts compelling calls to action and narratives to help you end your speech in a way that inspires your audience.
Student Feedback
“The ‘bookending’ technique was a game-changer. I used a story in my intro and came back to it in the end. It made my whole speech feel complete and professional.”
– Maria G., Business Student
“I never knew how to end my speeches. The writer helped me craft a powerful call to action that left a real impression on my classmates.”
– Alex P., Communications Major
“My conclusions were always so weak. Learning the three parts—signal, summary, clincher—gave me a simple formula that works every time.”
– Kevin T., Engineering Student
Conclusion FAQs
How is an informative conclusion different from a persuasive one?
The main difference is the clincher. An informative conclusion reinforces facts, while a persuasive conclusion ends with a call to action.
What if I run out of time for my conclusion?
Never skip your conclusion. It’s better to cut a body point during practice. If short on time, give a brief summary and your clincher. A rushed conclusion is better than an abrupt ending.
Should I write out my conclusion word-for-word?
Write your full conclusion in the preparation outline. Use keywords for speaking notes, but it’s helpful to memorize the final sentence (the clincher) for a confident delivery.
End Your Speech with Impact
A powerful conclusion ensures your message is remembered. Use these techniques to give your final words impact.
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