Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me give me liberty or give me death.”Īt the Democratic National Convention in 1896, William Jennings Bryan concluded his stirring speech against the gold standard in national currency with the words that have become the title of his speech: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. Patrick Henry concluded a stirring speech on Mawith this: On the brink of the American Revolution, the colonists were debating the war.
You can learn from these to spark your creative energy and capture the spirit of ending with a bang.
SPEECHES ABOUT CHANGE HOW TO
No wonder that only seven of the 217 speeches listed in William Safire’s anthology Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History conclude with “thank you.” Examples of How to End a SpeechĬonsider these examples of resounding speech conclusions from Patrick Henry, William Jennings Bryant and Winston Churchill. It takes creative thinking and a compelling delivery to end your speech with a mighty climax that relegates the perfunctory “thank you” as superfluous. This article shows you how to close your speech with a bang.Ĭall Attention to the Close of Your SpeechĬontrary to the prevailing practice of too many politicians and business and community leaders, the most influential speakers don’t end their speeches with a perfunctory and mundane “Thank you.” That’s too easy.
With the flair of a fireworks finale, you’ll trigger spontaneous applause to a well-rehearsed, well-timed, and well-executed performance - a performance that reflects all the anticipation of a logger’s cry: Timbeerrrrrrrrrrr! Instead of firing off a perfunctory “thank you,” consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the podium. End your speech with an attitude, not a platitude.