By Dave Gilman
One of the most crucial elements of a great speech is how you end it. A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impression, reinforces your message, and ensures your audience walks away inspired or motivated.
Here are five ways you can close your speeches more effectively, ensuring your message resonates with your listeners long after you finish speaking.
Number 1. Call to Action
An effective way to end a speech is to challenge your audience to take action. For example: “Tonight, as you leave this room, I want you to make one small change that brings you closer to your dream. Just one step. Will you do it?” By issuing a call to action, you leave your audience with something tangible to consider and act upon.
Number 2. End With a Story
Just as a story can be a great way to open a speech, it can be just as powerful to close one. “When I was a child, my grandmother gave me a simple piece of advice. I didn’t realize it then, but those words would shape my entire life…” A compelling story at the conclusion of your speech ties everything together and provides a memorable takeaway.
Number 3. Use a Powerful Quotation
Quotations can be impactful ways to conclude a speech. Here’s an example: “In the words of Winston Churchill, ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’” A well-chosen quote that reinforces your speech’s message can leave your audience inspired and reflective.
Number 4. End With a Rhetorical Question
A rhetorical question can make your audience think deeply about your message. For instance: “If not now, when? If not you, who?” This type of closing engages your audience and encourages them to reflect on your speech’s core message beyond your final words.
Number 5. Refer Back to Your Opening
One of the most effective ways to close a speech is to tie it back to how you started. If you opened with a story, question, or statistic, revisiting it at the end creates a sense of closure and reinforces your theme.
For example, if your speech began with, “Last year, I stood at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take,” you might conclude with, “Today, I stand before you knowing that every step taken, no matter how small, leads to progress.” This technique brings the audience full circle and leaves a strong impression.
In summary, the five possible ways that you can close your next speech are:
1. Call to Action
2. End With a Story
3. Use a Powerful Quotation
4. End With a Rhetorical Question
5. Refer Back to Your Opening
Remember, a strong closing ensures your speech doesn’t just end—it resonates. It’s the last thing your audience hears, and often, the first thing they remember