Public Speaking - 7 Effective Ways To Close Your Speech

What impression do you leave your audience with? How do you close your speech? An effective speaker uses the best way to close their speech to achieve their purpose from a variety of closes.

To be effective the close of the speech is a surprise to the audience, that is, the speaker does not give any closing signals such as saying "In conclusion...." If the speaker telegraphs his finish in this way it causes the speaker two issues (1) the audience now focuses on the fact that they are finishing and (2) may speakers continue speaking and do not finish up, compounding the issue.

An audience is pleased when you finish up without warning and by using one of following effective closes you will leave the audience with the right impression of you and your speech:

1. The Sum It Up Finish

The speech is concluded by summarizing the main points of the speech. This close is started by saying something like "You'll remember that..." and then by listing of the highlights of the speech. Do not introduce the finish with the closing signal "To summarize my speech..." This closing is effective because the audience will remember the highlights of the speech long after you have concluded your speech.

2. Finish With A Question

A definite question is put to the audience to get them thinking of an answer. With it being at the end of the speech the audience is more likely to remember it and do something about it.

3. Finish With A Quotation or Poem

The poem or quotation is used to support the speech and is relevant to it.

Usually a poem should be brief and easily understood by the listener, they normally won't have the patience to interpret its' meaning.

A quotation should sum up the essential thoughts of the speech in a few words. Short statements are more easily remembered by the audience.

4. Give Something Away

This is particularly useful where you are selling something. By either reducing the price or giving something additional at no extra cost to persuade the audience to take action.

5. The Story Close

The story can be serious or humorous. The story must be interesting (it should include some drama, action, suspense and human interest) to be effective and leave the audience wanting a little more. If telling a funny anecdote or story, leaving the audience laughing will finish the speech on the right note.

6. The Alternative close

In this close the audience is left with two different courses of action to take. For example in a political speech could be ended "You have the choice to take a chance on the untried methods of the other party or to continue with the party that has delivered on its promises.

7. Plea for Action

Use this close when you want the audience to take a certain action and you want it done now e.g. "Therefore act now, sign the petition before you leave this room."

An effective speaker does not telegraph their finish, they pleasantly surprise the audience. They will select the close that is appropriate to the purpose of their speech. They will use a variety of closes.

Try not to limit yourself to one type of close. To increase you effectiveness as a speaker, try out something different in your next speech by answering this question: Which close is the most effective way to finish up my speech? And give it a go.

To learn more about effective speaking when presenting to groups and in conversation visit http://www.SelfConfidentSpeaking.com to receive a free preview of The Art of Great Conversation

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