134 CHAPTER 10^ Introductions and Conclusions
End Memorably
Plan your final statement carefully so that you leave a positive and memorable impres-
sion. Here are a few guidelines:
• Many of the strategies for gaining audience attention—such as rhetorical questions,
use of quotations or examples, and use of humor—are similarly effective for conclud-
ing with impact.
• Consider using parallel construction. That is, if you began with a story, end with a
story; if you began with a rhetorical question, end with a rhetorical question, and so
on. Not only is this effective, but it is another way to provide psychological closure.
• In persuasive speeches, it’s common to issue a challenge and call people to action.
• Commemorative speakers typically conclude by reinforcing a larger cultural theme
or value.
Elisia Choi (see Chapter 9) emphasizes the importance of the ending statement:^26
I spend a significant amount of time thinking about my concluding statement. Many
speakers often don’t think about what their last sentence will be and as a result, end
their speeches abruptly. I try to set myself apart by making sure my last sentence is
powerful, memorable, and impactful.
These three examples show effective conclusions for an informative, persuasive, and
commemorative speech:
Informative purpose. Homelessness affects thousands of people in Portland, and
Nightstrike is an organization that deals with this issue in the way their motto states:
Loving People Because People Matter.^27A good introduction and
conclusion are like bookends
that hold the main points of
the speech together.^25
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