UTPUT
On his website, the American present alio its guru Charlie F. El ray, talks about his strategies Tor good conclusions.
Microsoft internet dtpiartr
Chjiile T. I !.ot
Make a good last impression!
Don't forget that last impressions are just as important as first impressions. I personally think the end of your talk is even more important than the beginning because people tend ta remember most the last thing that they are totd.
Make them listen I
When you mowe from the main part to the conclusion, use a sentence that signals to the audience that now they r$ally have to sit up and listen!
Mate a tesring impression!
Your conclusion is the place to make sure that you have planted the key ideas of your talk In your listeners' minds. Don't miss this opportunity!
Here are some of my strategies for effective conclusions:
1 Summarize trie main paints
This the most widely used method but twrrrrrring!! However, sometimes you will find it's the best strategy. Just sum up the main points you have covered in the middle section.
2 Quote a famous person
Quote som et h i n g f ro rn a famous person that fits the content of you r ta I k a nd use it as a fin a! statement. You can find lots of quotations on the Internet. If you can't find one. make it up. As Jong as it fits, no one will ever know.
3 Ask a prDvocative question or make a surprising statement
Ask a question which surprises, shocks or provokes your audience - anything to make them think and to make a lasting impression. Or you can just say something unusual, unexpected, or even shacking to help support your key points.
4 U se the ' sand wich' tech n iq ue
Think of your presentation as a sandwich with two slices af bread (introduction + conclusion) and the cheese in the middle (main part). The 'sandwich' strategy means that you have a connection between the beginning and the end of your talk. If, for example, you start telling a joke or (funny) story in the introduction, stop at an exciting moment and move on to the main part. Then finish the story/joke in the conclusion.
5 Thank the audience
Fugeddabowdit!* Forget standard phrases such as 'Thank you very much for your attention' or 'Thank you for listening'. Altera good presentation, it is the audience who should be thanking you!
* - Forget about it.
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over to you
Which tips do you think are the most useful? Which are not useful af all? Why do you think that? Can vou think of any other strategies for making good conclusions?
How might cultural differences between you and the audience affect the way you end a presentation? Do you remember a conclusion you found particularly effective? What did the presenter do?