Public Speaking; Conclusions

After completing and discussing our notes from last class, please return to the lab to fine-tune and polish your speech. Please be prepared to print out and share your speech with others as you begin practicing for your performance.

Once you are done writing your speech, find at least 2 other students and share your speech with them by "performing it" to them. Each person you share with should provide commentary on your worksheet. Turn in your worksheet with your partners' comments to me along with a draft of your speech at the end of class today.

A few tips on writing conclusions:

• A summary is a popular method for closing a speech. Usually, in a summary you want to restate your purpose or thesis and cover the MAIN points of your speech. "As you can see...", "In summary...", "To conclude...", "It is important to remember...", etc.
• Your conclusion may also create a strong anecdote (story), analogy, or simile. You can use this in combination with the summary ending style: "As you can see, X is to Y, as [topic] is to [main point]", or "Like X is to Y, it is important to remember that...", etc.
• An emotionally charged or idealized statement may be a great way to end your speech.
• Leave your audience with a startling or effective image.
• You may conclude your speech with a call to action. Ex. "Let us not just sit here listening to this speech, but take these points and do something valuable with them...", "As I conclude my speech, I want to urge all of you to...", "Act now!"
• It is polite to thank the audience at the conclusion of your speech.

How to Write a Speech Conclusion

HOMEWORK: Complete your draft of your speech and be prepared to work and rehearse it Friday. Next class, please come directly down to the commons 3rd period to attend our field trip to Geva. Please bring a bagged lunch and dress appropriately for walking to the theater.