Q&A for How to Conclude a Speech

Addressing your audience is key. I find that the best ways to do this are using rhetorical questioning, relating to your audience, and choosing the right vocabulary. By asking rhetorical questions, you provoke the audience to think about the topic of your speech. Relating to the audience is a really effective way to address them, because you give them a sense of validation for experiencing a common problem, and you will also grab their attention. Ensure your vocabulary doesn't sound stiff. Don't just insert more complex synonyms to make yourself sound smarter, because it won't necessarily work. Make sure your words flow; don't make yourself sound like a robot.

Explain how the challenges have benefited you or someone you know.

Try memorizing general talking points rather than a verbatim speech. That way, you only have to remember the general gist of your speech, and because you're improvising, you won't be as worried, since it won't sound like you've forgotten the content.

You could end with: "Thank you for your time and for listening to me!" Or, try summarising the past paragraphs and merge them into one sentence.