While many schools teach kids public speaking as an integral part of their curriculum, there are often very few that actually teach them the art of concluding their speech effectively. A good round of applause after a speech is concluded is a great boost for young children delivering speech at large gatherings. But to get a loud applause, it is imperative that the child, as a speaker, leaves the audience completely mesmerised by the words he chooses to conclude his speech. Mastering the art of speech conclusion is not difficult, if a few critical pointers are kept in mind while preparing the speech. Some of these points are discussed below:
Referencing back to an anecdote: For a befitting and effective speech conclusion, it is a great idea to refer back to an anecdote or a quotation that was used to begin the speech in order to reiterate the message that the speaker wants the audience to remember. A ‘call back’ conclusion helps the listeners connect to the point from where the speech took off and prepare them for the ending rather than dropping their attention off abruptly with a ‘Thank you’.
Summarising the speech: The real motive of a speech is to convey the most important ideas of a particular topic in an effective manner. Therefore, schools that conduct sessions on public speaking for children must teach them how to summarize the main points of their speech effectively in order to make them memorable. While concluding a speech, it is important to reemphasise on the central idea of the topic creatively, so as to not make the content sound monotonous and boring.
Motivating the audience: The real art of public speaking for kids lies in keeping the listeners hooked on to what the young speakers have to say. The speech conclusion, therefore, must also be equally engaging. Asking a question to the audience, reminding a fact or statistic or challenging them to think or act differently are a few highly effectual ways to motivate the listeners and conclude a speech successfully. Ending the speech with a great quotation or even a famous movie-quote that provides ample ‘food for thought’ is another effective way to harness the audience’s attention and turn the spotlight on the speaker.
A creative and well-thought-of speech conclusion leaves a lasting final impression on the listeners. While learning public speaking at school, children must try out a variety of ways to conclude their speech and even rehearse them to generate the positive response from the audience on the final day of delivery. Public speaking at school, when incorporated in the curriculum can play a significant role in grooming young children and making them more confident in expressing their ideas and opinions in front of a public. In this context, a befitting conclusion that is well received by the audiences can provide a great positive feedback for the children, boost their interest in the art and exercise and really help them prune their public speaking skills in a finer manner.
