What should a speaker do during the conclusion of a speech?

During the conclusion of a speech, it's essential for a speaker to summarize key points and provide a clear sense of closure for the audience. This allows listeners to recall and reinforce the main ideas presented throughout the speech, ensuring they leave with a solid understanding of the message. Summarizing also helps to stitch together the various elements discussed, reinforcing the central theme or objective of the talk.

Providing closure is vital because it signals to the audience that the speech is coming to an end, allowing them to mentally prepare for that conclusion. This can also involve a call to action or an impactful closing statement that resonates with the audience long after the speech is over. In this way, the conclusion serves not just as a wrap-up, but as a powerful moment that can leave a lasting impression.

Introducing new ideas during the conclusion can confuse the audience and detract from the effectiveness of the speech. Extending the speech without a clear end can lead to disinterest or frustration among listeners, while encouraging more questions than answers can create ambiguity rather than clarity. Hence, summarizing key points and providing closure is the most effective approach in concluding a speech.