1. Organizing Your Speech
Part 2
The Conclusion

2. The Conclusion
A conclusion wraps up what you have to say in a neat communication package.
Two parts to a conclusion:
The summary
The clincher or final impression

3. “The Power of Laughter”
The Conclusion
“The Power of Laughter”
In conclusion, you have seen how laughter can make you a more productive and effective worker, a more sensitive friend and family member, and even a healthier person. I think that after hearing that laughter can actually help us overcome serious illness and can help terminally ill patients live two to four years longer, we should all start to smile. So, let’s establish and maintain a “laughing attitude.” We can all do it—and it costs nothing.
Therefore, the words that you heard at the beginning of this speech, “Let a smile be your umbrella,” might be sound advice. Go ahead and laugh. Hopefully, the world will laugh with you!

4. “The Power of Laughter”
The Conclusion
“The Power of Laughter”
In conclusion, you have seen how laughter can make you a more productive and effective worker, a more sensitive friend and family member, and even a healthier person. I think that after hearing that laughter can actually help us overcome serious illness and can help terminally ill patients live two to four years longer, we should all start to smile. So, let’s establish and maintain a “laughing attitude.” We can all do it—and it costs nothing.
The Summary- effectively summarizes the major points of the speech and restates the thesis

5. “The Power of Laughter”
The Conclusion
“The Power of Laughter”
Therefore, the words that you heard at the beginning of this speech, “Let a smile be your umbrella,” might be sound advice. Go ahead and laugh. Hopefully, the world will laugh with you!
The clincher or final impression

6. The Conclusion The Summary
First part of your conclusion
“In other words” (aka: Common Sense Summary) Strip down the main ideas, or major areas of analysis, and reword them in common sense language
Might include a particularly memorable or hard-hitting detail
Avoid becoming too repetitive
Reword and restate your speech thesis
Summary should be a quick wrap-up; so, get to the point and then move on.

7. The Conclusion The Clincher or Final Impression
Your final statement:
Ends your speech
Clinches your argument
Makes a memorable final impression
The tone and nature of your speech should determine your final clincher

8. The Conclusion The Clincher or Final Impression
The types of attention getters used in an intro can be effective for your final lines as well:
Asking a question
Making a startling statement
Giving a quotation
Telling a story
Describing an illustration or striking incident
Making a reference
Additional options:
Epigram—Summary with wit or brief, clever statement
Appeal—emphasize the main point by associating it with the drives or emotions that stir the audience to acceptance
Challenge—ask audience to take specific action that will further their involvement in the issue
Picture of better things to come—used if body of speech exposes weaknesses or expresses disapproval of established things

9. The Conclusion The Clincher or Final Impression
Consider ending the speech the way you started it
Ex: If you begin your speech with a quiz, you might end your speech by answering those questions for your audience in a creative, insightful manner.
Ex: If you begin your speech with a quotation, you could end with a quotation that makes a similar point or one that accentuates your major points
Whatever you choose, keep in mind the following:
They must fit the mood of your speech
They must make sense
They should bring some finality to your speech so that your audience realizes that you have finished