7.3: The Conclusion

The Why of a Conclusion

Think about the last time you heard a memorable speech, chances are, it ended with a powerful message that stuck with you. Conclusions are just as important as introductions because they leave the final impression on the audience. A strong conclusion reminds listeners of the main points, reinforces the message, and gives a clear call to action or takeaway. For example, in Malala Yousafzai’s speech to the United Nations, she ends by stating, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world,” a line that continues to be quoted (United Nations, 2013).  A recent study highlights the importance of strong speech conclusions, emphasizing the "recency effect", the psychological phenomenon where individuals better recall the last items presented. This effect underscores the significance of crafting impactful endings in speeches to enhance audience retention. In the article, Willingham discusses how the recency effect influences memory retention, particularly in educational settings, reinforcing the idea that conclusions play a pivotal role in how information is remembered (Willingham, 2015).

A conclusion to a speech is vital because it leaves the audience with a lasting impression. It reinforces the main points and helps listeners remember the key message. A strong conclusion provides closure, signaling that the speech is coming to an end in a clear and confident way. It also offers the speaker a final chance to inspire, persuade, or motivate the audience. Without a clear conclusion, the speech may feel incomplete or unfocused. In short, a well-crafted conclusion brings everything together and strengthens the overall impact of the speech.

The Conclusion

The great thing about the conclusion is that it is simply the introduction in reverse.  This is because it reinforces your message and leaves a lasting impression on your audience. It gives you the opportunity to summarize your key points and remind listeners why your topic matters. A strong conclusion also helps provide a sense of closure, signaling that the speech is coming to an end in a thoughtful, organized way. Without a clear conclusion, your message may feel unfinished or forgettable, weakening the overall impact of your presentation.

Format of the conclusion to an outline

Summary (write it out as a complete sentence or paragraph) 

Why important (remind audience why the topic is important)

Clincher (i.e. end with something interesting or simply “thank you for listening”)

Effective techniques for creating impactful clinchers to conclude a speech

• Call to Action – Encourage the audience to take a specific step or apply what they've learned (e.g., “So next time you see someone struggling, don’t hesitate to lend a hand.”).
• Memorable Quotation – End with a powerful quote that reinforces your message (e.g., “As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’”).
• Thought-Provoking Question – Leave the audience thinking with a deep or reflective question (e.g., “What kind of world do you want to help create?”).
• Vivid Image or Metaphor – Use a strong image or metaphor that ties back to your speech (e.g., “Let’s be the spark that ignites a wave of change.”).
• Repetition of a Key Phrase – Repeat a central phrase or theme for emphasis and rhythm (e.g., “We can make a difference. We will make a difference.”).
• Personal Story or Anecdote – Conclude with a short, meaningful story that brings your message full circle.
• Humor – Leave them smiling with a light, appropriate joke or funny insight related to your topic.
• Vision for the Future – Paint a hopeful or inspiring picture of what could happen if your message is embraced.
• Powerful Statistic or Fact – Close with a surprising or impactful statistic that reinforces your message.
• Simple Gratitude – A sincere “Thank you for listening” can be effective when paired with a confident and heartfelt tone.

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

• Summary: In this speech, I explained why it’s important to start investing early, how college students can get started with simple tools, and how to avoid mistakes while building consistent habits.
• Why Important: Investing doesn’t have to wait until you have a high-paying job starting now, even with just a little, can lead to significant growth and financial independence.
• Clincher: So the next time you buy a $7 coffee, ask yourself, what if I invested that money instead? Your future self might just thank you.

Key Takeaways 

• An effective conclusion reinforces your main message and leaves the audience with a lasting impression.
• Using powerful clincher techniques, such as quotes, calls to action, or vivid imagery can make your speech more memorable.
• A well-structured conclusion brings closure to your speech and helps the audience understand why your message matters.

Exercises

• On the topic of "beginning investing for a college student", fill in the appropriate information for a conclusion: Summary, Why Important, Clincher.
• Conclusion Rewrite Exercise: Students are given the body of a sample speech and must write their own conclusion, including a summary, the significance of the topic, and a strong clincher. They then compare their versions with peers to evaluate which conclusions are most impactful and why.
• Clincher Challenge: Students brainstorm and write three different types of clinchers, a quote, a call to action, and a thought-provoking question for the same topic. This helps them practice ending a speech memorably and reinforces the different strategies available for strong conclusions