The conclusion of a speech is your last chance to make an impression on your audience. Words and phrases near the end of the speech are most likely to stick in listeners' minds, so insert or repeat any catchy messages here. For those whose attention wandered during the speech, the conclusion offers a chance to catch up and salvage their understanding.
While writers are often discouraged from making statements such as "In conclusion" or "To conclude," speakers are permitted to directly signal the commencement of their concluding remarks. A reader can see the impending bottom of a document, but listeners rely upon verbal cues to know when the end is near. For a more subtle ending signal, restate your thesis or introductory statements while returning to the original mood and tone.
Once you have recaptured the audience's full attention, briefly restate the points from the body of the speech. Since auditory information is more difficult to process than written information, it is normal to repeat your main ideas several times throughout your talk. Connect your key points to each other, and to the thesis of your speech, in as few words as possible. Demonstrate how your main arguments and facts support your conclusion.
In your closing, thank your audience for their attention and participation. If you have speculative statements or suggestions for moving forward, they fit well at the very end of the conclusion. Even if the content of your speech is dire, try to end on a positive note by calling the audience to action. Craft the last line of your speech carefully; like your opening, it should be polished, on-topic and memorable.