best ending speech quotes

11 Types of Closing Remarks Everyone Needs to Use In a Speech

Quoting Yehuda Berg, ‘Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity .’

Your closing remarks in a speech help the audience remember the main points of your address and the reason you gave it. It’s a summary of your most essential points. As a result, more people will remember what you say at the beginning and end of your speech than anything said in between.

If you don’t end your speech with a power statement or call-to-action, it loses its appeal and the power you’ve built up. Closing remarks keep you from leaving your audience feeling confused and let down.

This guide can assist you if you want to design a Ted-style talk that can land you future speaking opportunities. Here are 11 of the finest closing remarks examples for speeches.

1. Using the Circle Concept to End Your Speech

The circle concept involves taking listeners on an adventure and bringing them back to where they began. In other words, you refer to the material you started your speech with by restating it at the end of your talk. Most speakers use quotes from movies, in-demand books, or popular phrases.

Our client, Christine Ramsay, often uses the circle concept in her speeches. One particular example is in a speech she gave on ‘The Extraordinary Power of Neurodiversity’ where she starts her address by quoting the famous movie, Toy Story: ‘To infinity and beyond’

She concludes her speech with the exact same statement. This ending encourages her audience to release the inner brilliance and extraordinary powers of neurodivergent individuals for the benefit of all!

2. Using Humour In Speeches

Humour is an effective instrument in any speaker’s repertoire when used correctly, and it can have enormous benefits:

• It establishes a connection with the audience
• It energizes and keeps people interested
• It has the potential to provide emotional relief to the audience
• It aids the audience in remembering your points
• It gives the audience a favorable opinion of the speaker

Maya Angelou best describes the impact emotions can have on a speech when she says,

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

So, whatever statement your speaker is attempting to convey, adding humor to the mix will make it a more prosperous and unforgettable speech. It will also give the audience the opportunity for better takeaways from speeches.

This is especially true if they choose to inject some humor into the speech’s closing remarks.

3. The Rule of Three Closing Remarks in a Speech

The Rule of Three is a useful method that helps you say what you want to say more clearly by highlighting your points and making your message easier to remember.

People are usually good at recognizing patterns; three is the lowest number to make a pattern. It can also have the most impact if you say it in the right tone of voice at the close of a speech. When information is given in groups of three, we remember it better than when in groups of, say, four or five.

Two very famous examples of using the rule of three in a speech are:

“ Friends, Romans, Countrymen. Lend me your ears. ” – Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

“ Government of the people, by the people, for the people. ” – Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg speech

4. Tell a Story

Storytelling is a great way to make your speech stand out. Because stories connect with us as people, a short story can be an effective way to end an address. But it has to be pertinent to your speech and not go on for too long.

Using this method, you could end your speech with the same story you began in the introduction. This approach is mainly better for strong emotional appeal speech.

For example, Michelle Obama’s DNC speech was praised for its emotional appeal by discussing her life story of growing up on Chicago’s South Side and leaving an extensive law career for public service.

5. Finish Your Speech Using a Poem

Poetry effectively conveys your message as it helps you leave a mark on your audience’s minds. You can conclude your talk using a poem that sums up everything you’ve said. You can either create your own or choose one that works best with your speech. Keep in mind that if you choose one, quote the source.

While reciting a poem, use inflections of emotion and drama by raising your voice on a key phrase and pausing when necessary for emphasis.

6. Closing Off With a Quote to Remember

Another way to end is using quotes in speeches related to the topic of the address. Consider whether your goal was to finish on a compelling or enlightening note when you use a quote.

Some quotations call for action, whereas others will summarize or provoke thought. Quoting strengthens your ideas. A quote adds a second voice to your claims, making them more powerful.

7. Using Questions as Closing Remarks

Questions can become overwhelming for an audience if used too much throughout a speech. However, asking one at the end of the address is effective because your question will linger in the minds of your audience.

One example of a compelling closing remark question is what President Jimmy Carter asked during his campaign debate in 1980. Reagan asked the audience , “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” Since then, this message has become a frequent question during every campaign season.

8. Throw Your Audience a Challenge

In addition to questions, challenges are exemplary alternative closing remarks. A challenge is an invitation to participate in an activity that requires extra effort.

What do you want your audience to do? Would you like them to take action? Such as voting, donating, signing up, or hiring you for their following speech?

By answering these questions, you can distinguish between a good speech and one that gets people to act.

For example, a presenter could conclude a speech on the importance of fund-raising by giving the audience a challenge to raise 15% more than their initial forecasts.

Make a challenge that is both ambitious and reasonable at the same time. The challenge should be seen as something to work towards but not impossible.

9. Use Inspiration With Your Closing Statement

Inspire means to move or excite.  An inspirational concluding remark aims to stir someone’s emotions in a specific way that appeals to the audience’s values and emotions.

What’s the number one thing someone wants to hear about? Themselves, of course. So, if you want to inspire your audience, your content should be about them and how they can blossom.

When drafting your speech, create an image of your audience’s viewpoint and how your talk can help them reach that vision. Then, you can use stories or personal past experiences to relate to your audience and bring your message to life.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed — we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”

One example of using inspiration in a closing statement is Martin Luther King Jr.’s “ I Have A Dream Speech. ” He paints the picture of what life could be like if black and white people worked together. In doing so, he inspires thousands of individuals to make a difference in their communities.

10. Use Factual Evidence to End Your Speech

Your audience may yawn if you only use facts in a speech; however, they can empower a speech if you use them at the right time.

Using facts as a speech closing remark can help you re-engage your audience and keep them captivated. Only include facts pertinent to your topic. For example, Barack Obama used facts and logic to convince the audience of his views.

This is particularly apparent when he spoke in honor of the late Nelson Mandela during a speech in South Africa. In that speech, he mentions:

“You have to believe in facts. Without facts, there’s no basis for cooperation.” Throughout the many speeches, he gives facts and issues to rally the American public to action.

11. Using an Appeal to Conclude Your Speech

The best approach to composing an impactful emotional appeal is understanding who you’re attempting to persuade. Use these questions if you’re having difficulty understanding your audience :

• What is their current state of mind?
• What is the focus of their emotions?
• Why are their feelings being guided in this manner?

Finally, remember that persuasion depends on you, the speaker, and your audience. If you can plug into an audience’s emotions during your speech, you’ll be more effective at touching their hearts and convincing them of your points.

Give Your Speech That Final Punch!

Your closing remarks can empower an audience, depending on your speech. That can include asking them to do something, changing their attitude toward a specific individual or topic, or simply making them understand what you’re trying to say.

Nonetheless, your closing remarks aim to leave the audience optimistic about you and the topic of the speech. According to poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.”

Do you need help with your closing remarks in a speech? Then, book a session with us today! We provide premium public speaking training!

Check out more great articles from the Thought-Leader Blog covering TEDx Talks, success mindsets, and everything else in between

How to Get a TED Talk

How to prepare a ted talk, how to market yourself effectively, how to become a keynote speaker, how to speak professionally.

52 Best Man Quotes That Are Funny And Sincere And Perfect For Your Toast

Best Best Man Quotes

Love quotes for best man speech, best most interesting man quotes, good quotes for best man speech, romantic quotes for best man speech.

The best man is the most important person for the groom during the wedding, aside from the bride!

In a wedding, everything that is connected to the groom should be known by the best man. It is the best man who has to take care of nearly everything as the groom has got his hands full.

It is an important role to be a best man as it represents responsibility, so, be sure to be ready to take up all the responsibilities if you say yes.

If you don't want to take up such a big role, it is okay to say no to the groom when he asks you to be the best man for him.

Also, the best man has to give a speech and  read the messages from the people who could not attend the wedding but have sent their best wishes.

The scariest and the most fun part of the wedding is the speech. If you are a best friend, you can add up the incidents you both did as teens and get some good best man quotes to make the speech look good and funny.

You have to not talk only about the groom but also the bride. After all, it is going to be the bride and groom wedded to be a couple.

For your help, we have collected quotes for best man speeches where you can find funny best man quotes too, and also best man toasts quotes. If you like this, check out 50th wedding anniversary quotes or [Dwight Schrute quotes].

Here you can find some of the best best man speech quotes.

1. "The most precious possession that ever comes to a man in this world is a woman’s heart."

- Timothy Titcomb, 'J. G. Holland.'

2. "What I say is that, if a man really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow."

- A.A. Milne, 'Winnie-The-Pooh.'

3. "My speech is going to be like a mini-skirt: long enough to cover the essentials and short enough to hold your attention."

- Anonymous.

4. "It's a funny thing that when a man hasn't anything on earth to worry about, he goes off and gets married."

- Robert Frost.

5. "Marriage is not just spiritual communion. It is also remembering to take out the trash."

- Joyce Brothers.

6. "Never go to bed on an argument. Stay up and fight."

- Phyllis Diller.

7. "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."

- Emily Bronte.

8. "Love one another and you will be happy; it is as simple and as difficult as that."

- Michael Leunig.

9. "Love does not consist of gazing at one another but looking outward in the same direction."

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

10. "To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage."

11. "May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future."

12. "A man is already halfway in love with any woman who listens to him."

- Brendan Francis.

13. "There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion than a good marriage."

- Martin Luther.

In this category, you will find best man toast quotes and also, best man speech ending quotes with some love quotes.

14. "Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly."

- Rose Franken.

15. "A good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude."

- Rainer Maria Rilke.

16. "Here's to the groom, a man who keeps his head though he loses his heart."

17. "Before we raise our glasses to the happy couple, I’d like to make a toast to wives and lovers everywhere – may they never, ever cross paths!"

18. "There is only one happiness in life – to love and be loved."

- George Sand.

19. "Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."

- Aristotle.

20. "It’s not as great a day for the bride as she thinks. She’s not marrying the best man."

21. "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction."

22. An archeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is in her."

- Agatha Christie.

23. "I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life."

- Rita Rudner.

24. "Love is the greatest refreshment in life."

- Pablo Picasso.

25. "My advice to you is to get married. If you find a good wife, you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher."

- Socrates.

Here, we have clubbed great best man quotes for a friend who wants to address bride and groom in the toast.

26. "We never live so intensely as when we love strongly. We never realize ourselves so vividly as when we are in the full glow of love for others."

- Walter Rauschenbusch.

27. "There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day, knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps."

- Ronald Reagan.

28. "It is written: When children find true love, parents find true joy."

29. "In a great romance, each person plays a part the other really likes."

- Elizabeth Ashley.

30. "Marriage is like putting your hand into a bag of snakes in the hope of pulling out an eel."

- Leonardo DaVinci.

31. "For one more time, I’m going to ask everyone to charge their glasses and – for those who still can – stand, and raise a glass to the newlyweds."

32. "It's tough to stay married. My wife kisses the dog on the lips, yet she won't drink from my glass."

- Rodney Dangerfield.

33. "You know you are in love when you see the world in her eyes, and her eyes everywhere in the world."

- David Levesque.

34. "Be presidents of each other's fan clubs."

- Tony Heath.

Here, you will find the best man speech closing quotes for friends who want to be funny and give a good toast to the bride and groom at their wedding.

35. "Marriage is like a game of chess except the board is flowing water, the pieces are made of smoke and no move you make will have any effect on the outcome."

- Jerry Seinfeld.

36. "Love is being stupid together."

- Paul Valery.

37. "A marriage is always made up of two people who are prepared to swear that only the other one snores."

- Terry Pratchett.

38. "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."

- Mignon McLaughlin.

39. "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other."

- Audrey Hepburn.

40. "Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow Internet service to see who they really are."

- Will Ferrell.

41. "To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with."

- Mark Twain.

42. "Love is blind — marriage is the eye-opener."

- Pauline Thomason.

43. "They say you don’t marry the person you can live with, you marry the person you can’t live without. That sums up these two perfectly. To the happy couple."

44. "One of the best things about love is just recognizing a man’s steps when he climbs the stairs."

Read best man speeches quotes in this section. Also, find best man wedding quotes for the best friend who wants to show his friendship through the part of the toast for the wedding.

45. "I love you so much, and I really hope you'll feel the same about me after you hear my speech."

46. "The more you invest in a marriage, the more valuable it becomes."

- Amy Grant.

47. "If you want your wife to listen to you, then talk to another woman; she will be all ears."

- Sigmund Freud.

48. "Marriage is like a cage; one sees the birds desperate to get in, and those inside equally desperate to get out."

- Michelle de Montaigne.

49. "It doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other."

- Robin Williams, 'Good Will Hunting.'

50. "If I get married, I want to be very married."

51. "What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined…to strengthen each other…to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories."

- George Eliot.

52. "We are asleep until we fall in love!"

- Leo Tolstoy, 'War And Peace.'

Here at Kidadl , we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for best man quotes, then why not take a look at thank you wedding quotes, or Thelma And Louise quotes?

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With a diverse range of experience in finance, administration, and operations, Divya is a diligent worker known for her attention to detail. Born and raised in Bangalore, she completed her Bachelor's in Commerce from Christ University and is now pursuing an MBA at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Bangalore. Along with her professional pursuits, Divya has a passion for baking, dancing, and writing content. She is also an avid animal lover who dedicates her time to volunteering for animal welfare causes.

1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.

2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.

3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.

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Blog > Powerful Quotes for your PowerPoint Presentations

Powerful Quotes for your PowerPoint Presentations

07.24.20   •  #powerpointtips.

One of the most powerful ways to begin a presentation is to start by sharing a influential and morable quote that relates to the message of your talk. This can loosen up the beginning, consciously encourage important things while speaking or end the presentation with a meaningful conclusion and underline the main topic again.

This will bring liveliness and power to your presentation and create a more pleasant environment for your audience!

Quotes can be funny, inspirational, profound, successful, motivational, meaningless or basically everything! The most important thing is that they fit the today´s topic, correspond to the situation. This means, that they are appropriate and reinforce the actual theme.

If you are looking for great lines you can use in your PowerPoint or other presentations, you are perfectly right here! Read the following article to get inspired and to find a suitable citation you can use for your speech in school, work, business or anywhere and to leave an unforgettable impression on your presentation.

To save time, we have already created PowerPoint Templates below, which you can download for free!

According to time:

Quotes for Beginning

Quotes while presenting, quotes for ending.

According to category:

In case you need more specific citations, have a look at different sections of quotes:

Inspirational / Motivational

With quotations to open your presentation you can represent yourself in a great authentic and relaxed way. The audience gets an exciting insight into the upcoming topic and in the best case can relate with the citation and thus build a sympathetic bond to you as the presenter. And all this is achieved by just one simple sentence.

Powerful quotes to start your presentation

• "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Mark Twain
• "If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough." – Albert Einstein
• "Words may inspire but action creates change." – Simon Sinek
• "Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." - Bob Marley
• "A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." – David Brinkley
• "Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games." - Babe Ruth | Baseball Legend
• "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." - Bill Gates
• "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently." - Warren Buffett
• "The golden rule for every business man is this: Put yourself in your customer’s place." - Orison Swett Marden
• "You can't blame gravity for falling in love." - Albert Einstein

Using powerful citations while speaking makes your presentation much more exciting and memorable. A meaningful quotation gives your words much more power and emphasis and can additionally emphasize important things. Furthermore, if a listener hears a mentioned citation of your presentation one more time, he will most likely remember you.

Powerful quotes to reinforce essential topics

• "Some entrepreneurs think how can I make a lot of money? But a better way is to think how can I make people’s lives a lot better? If you get it right, the money will come." - Richard Branson
• "When Henry Ford made cheap, reliable cars people said, ‘Nah, what’s wrong with a horse?’ That was a huge bet he made, and it worked." - Elon Musk
• "Please think about your legacy, because you’re writing it every day." – Gary Vaynerchuck
• "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid." - Albert Einstein
• "When you find an idea that you can’t stop thinking about, that’s probably a good one to pursue." – Josh James
• "Don’t worry about failure, you only have to be right once." – Drew Houston
• "You just have to pay attention to what people need and what has not been done." - Russel Simmmons
• "If people like you they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you they’ll do business with you." – Zig Ziglar
• "Don’t build links. Build relationships." – Rand Fishkin
• "There is no great genius without some touch of madness." – Seneca

With citations you have the opportunity to clarify the topic just dealt with in one sentence and it is highly recommended to use this chance. Your audience will remember the end best, as it is the shortest, so it should be well chosen and memorable. It should also match your personality as well as the theme and be catchy.

Powerful quotes to close your presentation

• "100 percent of the shots you don’t take, don’t go in." – Wayne Gretzky | Hockey Legend
• "When I’m old and dying. I plan to look back on my life and say ‘Wow, an adventure’ not, ‘Wow, I sure felt safe.’" – Tom Preston Werner
• "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been." – Wayne Gretzy
• "It isn’t what we say or think that denies us, but what we do." – Jane Austen
• "Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be someone; get action." – Theodore Roosevelt
• "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." – Barack Obama
• "You have to go wholeheartedly into anything in order to achieve anything worth having." – Frank Lloyd Wright
• "It always seems impossible until it’s done." – Nelson Mandela
• "I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work." – Thomas Edison
• "If you think you are too small to make an impact try going to bed with a mosquito in the room." - Ekaterina Walter

Best citations by category

• "Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value." - Albert Einstein
• "Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion." - Tony Hsieh
• "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." - Walt Disney
• "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." - Albert Einstein
• "He who only does what he can will always remain what he is." - Henry Ford

• "Success is like being pregnant, everybody congratulates you, but nobody knows how many times you got fucked." - Author unknown
• "If you want your children to listen, try talking softly to someone else." - Ann Landers
• "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
• "Anger is a hot coal that you hold in your hand while waiting to throw it at someone else." - Buddha

• "Either you run the day or the day runs you." - Jim Rohn
• "It's the will not the skill." - Jim Tunney
• "Happiness is the real sense of fulfillment that comes from hard work." - Joseph Barbara
• "I have never done that before so I should definitely be able to do it!" - Pippi Longstocking
• "The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work." - Harry Golden

• "Paying attention to simple little things that most men neglect makes a few men rich." - Henry Ford
• "The prize for success is that it unlocks harder challenges with more at stake for next time." - Author unknown
• "The opposite to good design is always bad design. There is no such thing as no design." - Adam Judge

• "A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do." - Bob Dylan
• "The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it." - Henry Ford
• "If you want to be happy, be happy." - Leo Tolstoy
• "So far you have survived 100% of your worst days." - Author unknown
• "Great Lessons are only learned when the stakes are high." - Georgina Hobart

• "When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity." - John F. Kennedy
• "When in doubt, don't." - Benjamin Franklin
• "The higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk." - Marcus Tullius Cicero
• "Easy choises, hard life. Hard choices easy life." - Jerzy Gregorek
• "What you begrudge others will be withheld from yourself." - Author unknown

Now you have 60 quotes you can incorporate into your presentation to stand out from the everyday, all-too-familiar phrases that everyone knows.

But remember: Under no circumstances should they be discriminatory, racist or offensive, so you need to make yourself known in advance through your audience.

Leave your personal impression and convince your audience with simple but incredibly strong lines!

Free PowerPoint Templates

In addition, we have already created some PowerPoint templates for you, which you can download for free. Simply replace the existing quotes or image if you want and adapt the slides to your presentation!

What are good quotes for starting a presentation?

By opening your presentation with a quote you can represent yourself in an authentic way. The audience gets an exciting insight into the upcoming topic and in the best case can relate with the quote and thus build a sympathetic bond to you as the presenter. And all this is achieved by just one simple sentence. Here is a list of good quotes to begin a presentation .

What are good quotes for ending a presentation?

With citations you have the opportunity to clarify the topic just dealt with in one sentence and it is highly recommended to use this chance. Your audience will remember the end best, so it should be well chosen and memorable. It should also match your personality as well as the theme and be catchy. Here is a list of good quotes to finish a presentation .

What are powerful quotes for a PowerPoint presentation?

One of the most powerful ways to begin a presentation is to start by sharing a influential and memorable quote that relates to the message of your talk. This can loosen up the beginning, consciously encourage important things while speaking or end the presentation with a meaningful conclusion and underline the main topic again. We have collected 60 powerful quotes for your PowerPoint presentation .

Related articles

About the author.

Philipp Angerer

Philipp is a creative supporter at SlideLizard in marketing and design. There he uses his imagination and provides creative freshness, also in blog articles.

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9 Closing a Speech: End with Power and Let Them Know It is Time to Clap

Open Your Speech With a Bang Close It With a Slam-Dunk Westside Toastmasters

“Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending,” according to poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The first few words of your speech make the audience want to listen and the last few sentences help them decide what they feel about you and your topic. In this chapter, I will explain the function of a conclusion, the format of a conclusion, and I will give you numerous examples of ways to end your speech. Most of this chapter is dedicated to showing you good examples of different types of speech closings. Let’s get started by talking about the purpose of the closing.

A Strong Closing Does Many Things

• Summarizes the points. By restating your points your audience is more likely to remember them.
• Tells the audience when to clap. Let’s face it, it is so awkward when you are done with your speech, and no one claps. Being clear the end is near, relieves the audience of the pressure of wondering if they are clapping at the right time.
• Provides resolution. Your speech should give the audience a sense of resolve or a sense of being challenged.

The Formula for Closing Most Speeches

• Transition statement to ending.
• Review the main points–repeat the thesis.
• If it is a persuasive speech, tell the audience what you want them to do or think.
• Provide a closing statement.

Restate the Thesis

Tell them what you are going to say, say it, tell them what you have said. This speech pattern is useful in most types of speeches because it helps the speaker to remember your key points. As you build your closing, make sure you restate the thesis. A good rule of thumb is to write it in such a way that if the audience were asked to restate the main points, their answer would match closely with your thesis.

EXAMPLE Watch as Stella Young gives her thesis and then restates her thesis at the end of the speech as she wraps up. The thesis of the talk in the introduction: We’ve been sold the lie that disability is a Bad Thing, capital B, capital T. It’s a bad thing, and to live with a disability makes you exceptional. It’s not a bad thing, and it doesn’t make you exceptional. Restates the thesis of the talk at the closing: Disability doesn’t make you exceptional but questioning what you think you know about it does.

Stella Young, I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtPGrLoU5Uk

This next example is from a student’s speech. It is easy to pull out one sentence that clearly summarizes the main points of her speech. Following her summary, she winds the speech down into a thoughtful conclusion and ends with three powerful words.

Now is the time to separate the war on drugs from the war on addiction. T oday you’ve heard the problems, impacts, and solutions of criminalizing addictions. Bruce Callis is 50 years old now. And he is still struggling with his addiction. while you all are sitting out there listening to this, I’m living with it. Bruce Callis is my father and for my entire life, I have watched our misguided system destroy him. The irony here is that we live in a society where we are told to recycle. We recycle paper, aluminum, and electronics. But why don’t we ever consider recycling them most precision think on Earth– the human life. Student Tunnette Powell, Winner of the 2012 Interstate Oratorical Association Contest.

Closing Phrases

After you restate your thesis, you should carefully deliver your closing phrases.  Your closing should provide a resolution to your speech and/or it should challenge the audience. Frantically Speaking writer Hrideep Barot suggests  “a conclusion is like tying a bow or ribbon to a box of your key ideas that your audience will be taking along with them.”

A speech closing is not just about the words you say, but it is also the way you say it. Change the pace near the end of your speech. Let your tone alone should signal the end is near. It is about deliberate voice control, don’t let your voice weakly away.

In the next section, I will cover these ways to end your speech:

End with powerful words End with a quote End with a graphic End with parallel construction End on a positive note End with a challenge End with a question End with inspiration End with well-wishing End with humor End with a call to action End with a feeling of resolve End with a prop

The best way to teach you about advanced closings is to show not tell. For this section, I will briefly explain each type of closing and then provide a video. Each video is queued so you can play the video and watch the closing statement.  I included a transcript under each video if you want to follow along.  It will be most beneficial for you to watch the clip and not just read the text. By watching, you will have a chance to hear the subtle changes in the speaker’s voice as they deliver their closing statements.

End with Powerful Words

As you design your closing, look at the last three to five words and examine them to see if they are strong words. Oftentimes, you can rearrange a sentence to end with a powerful word. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

Watch this clip for how BJ Miller ends with a powerful thought and a powerful word. 

Parts of me died early on, and that’s something we can all say one way or another. I got to redesign my life around this fact, and I tell you it has been a liberation to realize you can always find a shock of beauty or meaning in what life you have left, like that snowball lasting for a perfect moment, all the while melting away. If we love such moments ferociously, then maybe we can learn to live well — not in spite of death, but because of it. Let death be what takes us, not lack of imagination. BJ Miller, What Really Matters at the End of Life

End by Circling Back to the Opening

Another type of ending is to circle back to what you said in the beginning. You can revisit a quote, share the end to an illustration that was begun in the beginning, or you can put away a prop you got out in the beginning.

Watch this clip for how Zubing Zhang begins and ends with the same quote to circle back around to the main idea. 

She starts by telling a story of bungee jumping off the world’s highest platform and how she saw a sign with a quote that says, “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.” After telling her own story about pushing her emotional limits, she circles back around at the end by saying, “As the words said high on the bungee platform, “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.”

Yubing Zhang, Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone. 

End With Quote

If you end your speech with a quote, attend to the following.

• Always say the author of the quote before the quote for example, “I want to leave you with a leadership quote ‘What you do has far greater impact than what you say,’ Steven Covey.” The problem with this ending is that “Stephen Covey” are the last two words of the speech and that is boring. Consider instead this ending. “I think Robin Sharma said it best ‘Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration.'” In this arrangement, the last three words are powerful–influence and inspiration.
• Provided context for the quote before or after. Make sure the quote is meaningful and not just an easy way to end.

Watch this clip for how Sir Ken Robinson ends with a quote. Notice how he says the author and then the quote.

Also, notice how he then ties his speech to the quote with a final few sentences and ends with the powerful word–“revolution” and how he uses a strong vocal emphasis as he says his last word. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

There’s a wonderful quote from Benjamin Franklin. “There are three sorts of people in the world: Those who are immovable, people who don’t get it, or don’t want to do anything about it; there are people who are movable, people who see the need for change and are prepared to listen to it; and there are people who move, people who make things happen.” And if we can encourage more people, that will be a movement. And if the movement is strong enough, that’s, in the best sense of the word, a revolution. And that’s what we need.

Sir Ken Robinson, How to Escape Education’s Death Valley. 

End with a Graphic

You might want to use a visual to make your final point. Bringing in a picture, graphic, or object, reengages the audience to pay attention to your final ideas.

Watch this clip for how Barry Schartz uses the magic words “so to conclude” and then he creatively uses a picture of a fishbowl to narrow in on his point. Notice how his final word is spoken with urgency as he says “disaster.” (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

 So, to conclude. (He shows a picture of fish in a fishbowl) He says, “You can be anything you want to be — no limits.” You’re supposed to read this cartoon and, being a sophisticated person, say, “Ah! What does this fish know? Nothing is possible in this fishbowl.” Impoverished imagination, a myopic view of the world –that’s the way I read it at first. The more I thought about it, however, the more I came to the view that this fish knows something. Because the truth of the matter is, if you shatter the fishbowl so that everything is possible, you don’t have freedom. You have paralysis. If you shatter this fishbowl so that everything is possible, you decrease satisfaction. You increase paralysis, and you decrease satisfaction. Everybody needs a fishbowl. This one is almost certainly too limited –perhaps even for the fish, certainly for us. But the absence of some metaphorical fishbowl is a recipe for misery and, I suspect, disaster. Barry Schwartz, The Paradox of Choice

End with Parallel Construction

Parallel construction is a series of repeated phrases. It can be a powerful tool to use in a persuasive speech as it creates a feeling of importance.

Watch this clip for how Malala Yousafzai ends with a series of parallel statements to build momentum. Notice how her pace perfectly matches her words and you feel her strength when she ends with “education first.” (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

Dear brothers and sisters, we must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty, injustice, and ignorance. We must not forget that millions of children are out of schools. We must not forget that our sisters and brothers are waiting for a bright peaceful future. So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty, and terrorism, and let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education First.

Malala Yousafzai,  United Nations Youth Assembly

End on a Positive Note

Audiences are constantly evaluating a speaker to determine their attitude and motivation. As you consider your speech closing, ask yourself what type of impression do you want to leave?  Do you want to leave them with depression or hope? Sadness or promise? Most of the time, audiences will receive messages that end positively better than speeches that end negatively.

In this speech sample, Hans Rosling showed the audience some hard statistics and he even pointed fingers at the audience as part of the problem. To help them hear his main point, he wisely ends on a positive note.

Watch this clip for how Hans Rosling ends this thought-provoking talk on a positive note. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

Now, when thinking about where all this leaves us, I have just one little humble advice for you, besides everything else, look at the data. Look at the facts about the world and you will see where we are today and how we can move forwards with all these billions on our wonderful planet. The challenge of extreme poverty has been greatly reduced and it’s for the first time in history within our power to end it for good. The challenge of population growth is, in fact, already being solved, the number of children has stopped growing.  And for the challenge for climate change, we can still avoid the worst, but that requires the richest, as soon as possible, find a way to use their set their use of resources and energy at a level that, step by step, can be shared by 10 billion or 11 billion by the end of this century. I’ve never called myself an optimist, but I do say I’m a possibilist and I also say the world is much better than many of you think.

Hans Rosling, Facts about the Population.

End with a Challenge

Leave the audience with a doable personal challenge. Help them mentally make sense of all the information that you shared by helping them know how to file it away and how to use it.

Watch this clip for how Melissa Butler ends with a challenge. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

So, I challenge each of you, when you go home today, look at yourself in the mirror, see all of you, look at all of your greatness that you embody, accept it, and love it. And finally, when you leave the house tomorrow, try to extend that same love and acceptance to someone who doesn’t look like you . Melissa Butler, Why You Think You’re Ugly. 

Watch this clip as Darren LaCroix literally falls face down to anchor the point that when we fall, we “fall forward.” (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

Darren LaCroix talks about taking risks and falling down and getting back up, he literally and purposefully falls down during his speech and ends this way: What’s your next step… take it. I didn’t want to look back at my life and say you know I never did try that comedy thing, but I died debt-free. All of us are headed toward that goal we are going to teach a point where we get stuck and our feet are like in cement and we can’t move but we’re so afraid of that ouch but we forget that if we lean forward and take a risk–(He falls face down) and we fall on our face. When we get up, notice, you still made progress. So please, with me, go ahead and fall. But fall forward. Darren LaCroiz, Winning Speech delivered at National Speech Association

End with a Question

Asking a question at the end is one way to reengage the audience. It helps them think about what your topic might mean for them.

Watch this clip for how David Eagleman reminds us about why his topic is important and then ends with a question. Notice how he pauses before his final question and how he changes the pace of his speech for the final sentence. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

So I think there’s really no end to the possibilities on the horizon for human expansion. Just imagine an astronaut being able to feel the overall health of the International Space Station, or, for that matter, having you feel the invisible states of your own health, like your blood sugar and the state of your microbiome, or having 360-degree vision or seeing in infrared or ultraviolet. So the key is this: As we move into the future, we’re going to increasingly be able to choose our own peripheral devices. We no longer have to wait for Mother Nature’s sensory gifts on her timescales, but instead, like any good parent, she’s given us the tools that we need to go out and define our own trajectory. So the question now is, how do you want to go out and experience your universe?

David Eagleman, Can We Create New Senses for Humans? 

Watch this clip for how Lera Boroditsky ends with a personal note and a  powerful final question. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

I want to leave you with this final thought. I’ve told you about how speakers of different languages think differently, but of course, that’s not about how people elsewhere think. It’s about how you think. It’s how the language that you speak shapes the way that you think. And that gives you the opportunity to ask, “Why do I think the way that I do?” “How could I think differently?” And also,  “What thoughts do I wish to create?” Lera Boroditsky, How Language Shapes the Way We Think

End with Inspiration

“Inspiring your audience is all about helping them see their own vision, not yours.”

You may want to end your speech with inspiring and encouraging words. Pick words that resonate with most of your audience and deliver them in such a way that your audience feels your lift in emotion.

Watch this clip for how Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ends with an inspiring final note and a powerful last few words “regain a kind of paradise” (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity.

I would like to end with this thought:   That when we reject the single-story,   when we realize that there is never a single story   about any place,   we regain a kind of paradise.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,  The Danger of a Single Story  

Watch this clip for how Dan Pink ends with an inspiring final note. (I have the video cued to play just the closing) Let me wrap up. There is a mismatch between what science knows and what business does. Here is what science knows. One: Those 20th century rewards, those motivators we think are a natural part of business, do work, but only in a surprisingly narrow band of circumstances. Two: Those if-then rewards often destroy creativity. Three: The secret to high performance isn’t rewards and punishments, but that unseen intrinsic drive– the drive to do things for their own sake. The drive to do things cause they matter.

And here’s the best part. We already know this. The science confirms what we know in our hearts. So, if we repair this mismatch between what science  knows and what business does, if we bring our motivation, notions of motivation into the 21st century, if we get past this lazy, dangerous, ideology of carrots and sticks, we can strengthen our businesses, we can solve a lot of those candle problems, and maybe, maybe — we can change the world. I rest my case. Dan Pink, The Puzzle of Motivation

End with Well Wishing

There are several types of closings where the speaker wished the audience well.

The Benediction Close: M ay God bless and keep you…. The Presidential Close: God bless you and may God bless the USA The Congratulatory Close: I congratulate you on your accomplishment and wish you continued success. 

End with Humor

You can end on a fun lighthearted note. It is important to always run your humor by a variety of people to make sure you are funny, and your humor is appropriate.

Watch this clip for how Andrew Dunham uses humor throughout his speech and ends with a funny one-liner. (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

I wish you all the best as we begin this journey on our paths and I sincerely hope and pray that your time and success have proven to be as memorable and spiritually rewarding as mine. If not, there’s always summer school.

Andrew Dunham, Valedictorian Comes Out As Autistic During Speech

End with a Call to Action

If you are delivering a persuasive speech, let the audience know exactly what you want them to do.

End with a Feeling of Resolve

Paul Harvey made famous the line “And now you know…the rest of the story.” Your closing should allow us to know the rest of the story or to know how a situation was resolved.

Watch this clip for how Lucy Hone ends this tough but inspiring talk with a feeling of resolve (I have the video cued to play just the closing)

https://youtu.be/9-5SMpg7Q0k?t=913 If you ever find yourself in a situation where you think there’s no way I’m coming back from this, I urge you to lean into these strategies and think again. I won’t pretend that thinking this way is easy and it doesn’t remove all the pain. But if I’ve learned anything over the last five years, it is that thinking this way really does help. More than anything it has shown me that  it is possible  to live and grieve at the same time. And for that I will be always grateful. Lucy Hone, The Three Secrets of Resilient People

End with a Prop

Nancy Duarte says you should give your audience, SOMETHING THEY  will ALWAYS REMEMBER–S.T.A.R. One way to do that is with an action or statement that will have the audience talking about it for a long time. President Obama did it with a mic drop.

Memorize Your Conclusion

End on time.

Do not diminish the effect of a great speech with a bloated, aimless conclusion. Dan Rothwell.

“Times about up.”

Don’t end with any references to time. It is like a giant stop sign saying, “stop listening.”  Don’t highlight that you ran over time or that it is almost time for lunch. You want them to think about your speech, not the clock.

“Any Questions?”

You want them to feel a sense of closure for your speech.  End with something powerful and let them applaud.  After the applause, you can offer to answer questions. Similarly, projecting your last slide with the words, “Any Questions” is a weak ending.

“Let Me Add This Point I Missed”

If you forget something in the body of your speech, it is usually best to leave it out.  Most of the time you are the only one who will miss it.

“Thank You to the Team”

There is a time to thank the organizers and those who helped you but it is not at the end of your speech. Your focus should be on your audience and what they need and what they need to hear is your idea.  Send a thank you letter to the team if you want them to feel your appreciation.

“I’m Sorry”

“Sorry again for the technology issue,” “I apologize for going over time, ” “I regret I have no answer to this.” These are all negative phrases.  Keep to your topic that is what they need to hear and stay focused.

“I’ll Close with this Video”

No, you should close with talking about the big idea.

If you don’t have a plan at the end, you will ramble. “Steer clear of meandering endings they kill a story,” according to the Moth Storytelling website. “Your last line should be clear in your head before you start. Yes, bring the audience along with you as you contemplate what transpires in your story, but remember, you are driving the story, and must know the final destination. Keep your hands on the wheel!”

To Thank or Not to Thank, That is the Question

There is a debate amongst speech professionals, speech teachers, and speech coaches about whether or not you should thank the audience. Here are their main arguments.

Why You Should Not Say Thank You

• You want to end with powerful words. “Thank you” are not strong words.
• The recency effect suggests they will remember the last words you spoke. You want them to remember more than just “thank you.”
• It is not a very creative way to end.
• It can be a sign of a lazy speaker, “I have no idea how to end this, I’ve run out of good things to say so I’ll say ‘Thank you’ so you will clap now.”

Why You Should Say Thank You

• It has come to be the expected ending in many settings. Violating their expectations can cause them to have a negative reaction.
• It clearly signals you are finished so the audience knows when to clap. The relieves the pressure from both you and the audience.
• It expresses gratitude.

I will leave it up to you to decide what works for you. As for me, I plan on trying to find more creative ways to end other than just saying “thank you.”

Maximizing the Primacy Recency Effect

If I were to read you a list of thirty things on my grocery list and then asked you to list all that you can remember, chances are you would remember the first times on the list and the last items on the list ( and any ones you found interesting from the middle). When people engage in listening, they tend to remember the first and last things they hear, it is called the primacy-recency effect. T his is just one more reason that your introduction and conclusion should be so well planned out. It is those first words and last words that the audience is going to remember. 

The primacy recency effect influences, not only what people pay attention to in a speech, but also which speech we pay the most attention to in a series of speeches. For example, if there is a lineup of six speakers, the first and last speakers tend to get the most attention.

As a speaker, you can use this information to your advantage by volunteering to go first or last. If you are giving a long presentation, you can break it up by allowing the audience to move around or talk to a neighbor. When you come back from break, you have re-engaged that primacy effect and moved them back to a high state of attention.

Do You Have Everything You Need for a Strong Closing?

• Have I signaled my speech is coming to an end with my words or my voice?
• Have I restated my main points?
• If I am persuading my audience, do they know what I want them to do or think?
• Have I written the last three to five words in such a way that I end with powerful words?
• Have I memorized my closing?

Getting Off the Platform is Part of Your Closing

Plan on making a strong exit. Whether you are stepping off a stage or simply going to your seat, you should consider that the audience is watching you.

I have had students who finished their speech and then walked over to the trashcan and in a large, exaggerated movement, they threw their notecards in the trash. In our minds, we threw their message away with those cards. I’ve seen speakers, sit in their chairs and then announce, “I can’t believe my hands were shaking so much.” I’ve sat there and thought, “I didn’t notice.” I then realized that the comments they made influenced my perception of them and my perception of their topic.

You said your last word and the audience is applauding, now what? Look at your audience and smile and nod in appreciation before walking off the stage. If you will be answering questions, wait until after the applause stops to begin your question and answering period.

When practicing your speech, it is a good idea to start from your chair, walk up to a spot and then give your speech, and then walk back to your chair and sit down. Your “speech” impression begins and ends from your chair.

Key Takeaways

Remember This!

• A speech closing should include a review of the main points and a purposeful closing sentence.
• Persuasive speech endings should tell the audience specifically what they should do or think about.
• The recency effect suggests that people remember the most recent things they have heard which is one reason the closing is so important.
• Chance the pace of your speech and the tone of your voice to signal the end of the speech.

Please share your feedback, suggestions, corrections, and ideas.

I want to hear from you. 

Do you have an activity to include? Did you notice a typo that I should correct? Are you planning to use this as a resource and do you want me to know about it? Do you want to tell me something that really helped you?

Click here to share your feedback. 

Adichie, C.N. (2009). The danger of a single story. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg Standard YouTube License.

Anderson, C. (2016). TED talks: The official TED guide to public speaking. Mariner Books.

Barot, H.  Fifteen powerful speech ending lines (and tips to create your own). Frantically Speaking. https://franticallyspeaking.com/15-powerful-speech-ending-lines-and-tips-to-create-your-own/

Boroditsky, L. (2017). How language shapes the way we think.  https://www.ted.com/talks/lera_boroditsky_how_language_shapes_the_way_we_think  Standard Youtube License. 

Butler, M. (2018). Why you think you’re ugly. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imCBztvKgus  Standard YouTube License. 

Dunham. A. (2019). Valedictorian comes out as autistic during speech. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtPGrLoU5Uk  Standard Youtube License. 

Eagleman, D. (2015). Can we create new senses for humans?[Video]. YouTube  https://youtu.be/4c1lqFXHvqI  Standard YouTube License. 

Hone, L. (2019).  The three secrets of resilient people. [Video]. YouTube  https://youtu.be/NWH8N-BvhAw  Standard YouTube License. 

Jeff, P. (2009). Ten ways to end your speech with a bang. http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/10-ways-to-end-your-speech

Jobs, S. (2005). You’ve got to find what you love. https://news.stanford.edu/2005/06/14/jobs-061505/

Khanna, P. (2016). Let the head of TED show you how to end your speech with power. https://www.fastcompany.com/3059459/let-the-head-of-ted-show-you-how-to-end-your-speech-with-p

Karia, A. (2013). How to open and close a TED talk (or any other speech or presentation). https://akashkaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/HowtoOpenandCloseaTEDTalk.pdf

LaCroix, D. (2001). World champion of public speaking. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUDCzbmLV-0  Standard YouTube License. 

Mandela, N. (2011). Speech from the dock in the Rivonia trial.[Video]. YouTube https://www.nelsonmandela.org/news/entry/i-am-prepared-to-die  Standard YouTube License. 

Mandela, N. (1994). Presidential Inaugural Speech. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/nelsonmandelainauguralspeech.htm  Standard YouTube License. 

Miller, B.J. (2015). What really matters at the end of life. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.ted.com/talks/bj_miller_what_really_matters_at_the_end_of_life?language=en  Standard YouTube License. 

Moth. (2021). Storytelling tips and tricks: How to tell a successful story. https://themoth.org/share-your-story/storytelling-tips-tricks 

Obama, B. (2016). White House correspondents dinner. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxFkEj7KPC0  Standard YouTube License. 

Pink, D. (2009). The puzzle of motivation. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_the_puzzle_of_motivation  Standard YouTube License. 

Rothwell, D. (2014). Practically Speaking. Oxford University Press.Robinson, K. (2013). How to escape education’s death valley. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX78iKhInsc  Standard YouTube License. 

Rosling, H. (2014). Don’t Panic-Hans Rosling showing the facts about population.[Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FACK2knC08E  Standard YouTube License. 

Schwartz, B. (2005). The paradox of choice. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_the_paradox_of_choice  Standard YouTube License. 

Toastmasters International. (2016). Concluding your Speech. https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Concluding-Your-Speech

Young, S. (2014). I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much. [Video]. YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtPGrLoU5Uk  Standard YouTube License. 

Yousafzai, M. (2013). Malala Yousafzai addresses United Nations Youth Assembly. [Video]. YouTube https://youtu.be/3rNhZu3ttIU  Standard YouTube License. 

Zhang, Y. (2015). Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmN4xOGkxGo  Standard YouTube License. 

Media Attributions

• Audience clapping © Alex Motoc is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
• jose-aragones-81QkOoPGahY-unsplash © Jose Aragones is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license

Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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9 Tips to End a Speech With a Bang

A good talk or public speech is like a good play, movie, or song.

It opens by arresting the listener’s attention, develops point by point, and then ends strongly.

The truth is, if you don’t know how to end a speech, the overall message won’t be persuasive and your key points may get lost.

The words you say at the beginning, and especially at the end of your talk, are usually the most persuasive parts of the speech and will be remembered longer than almost any other part of your speech.

Some of the great speeches in history and some of the most memorable Ted talks have ended with powerful, stirring words that live on in memory.

How do you end a speech and get the standing ovation that you deserve?

Keep reading to discover how…

Here are 9 tips and examples for concluding a speech.

1) Plan Your Closing Remarks Word for Word

To ensure that your conclusion is as powerful as it can be, you must plan it word for word.

Ask yourself, “What is the purpose of this talk?”

Your answer should involve the actions that you want your listeners to take after hearing you speak on this subject.

When you are clear about the end result you desire, it becomes much easier to design a conclusion that asks your listeners to take that action.

The best strategy for ending with a BANG is to plan your close before you plan the rest of your speech.

You then go back and design your opening so that it sets the stage for your conclusion.

The body of your talk is where you present your ideas and make your case for what you want the audience to think, remember, and do after hearing you speak.

2) Always End a Speech With a Call to Action

It is especially important to tell the audience what you want it to do as a result of hearing you speak.

A call to action is the best way to wrap up your talk with strength and power.

Here is a Speech Conclusion Call to Action Example

“We have great challenges and great opportunities, and with your help, we will meet them and make this next year the best year in our history!”

Whatever you say, imagine an exclamation point at the end. As you approach the conclusion, pick up your energy and tempo.  This is even more important if the presentation you are giving is virtual .

Speak with strength and emphasis.

Drive the final point home.

Regardless of whether the audience participants agree with you or are willing to do what you ask, it should be perfectly clear to them what you are requesting.

3) End a Speech With a Summary

There is a simple formula for any talk:

• Tell them what you are going to tell them.
• Then, tell them what you told them.

As you approach the end of your talk, say something like,

“Let me briefly restate these main points…”

You then list your key points, one by one, and repeat them to the audience, showing how each of them links to the other points.

Audiences appreciate a linear repetition of what they have just heard.

This makes it clear that you are coming to the end of your talk.

4) Close with a story

As you reach the end of your talk, you can say,

“Let me tell you a story that illustrates what I have been talking about…”

You then tell a brief story with a moral and then tell the audience what the moral is.

Don’t leave it to them to figure out for themselves.

Often you can close with a story that illustrates your key points and then clearly links to the key message that you are making with your speech.

To learn more about storytelling in speaking, you can read my previous blog post “8 Public Speaking Tips to Wow Your Audience.”

Here’s a recap of these 4 tips in a video…

5) Make Them Laugh

You can close with humor.

You can tell a joke that loops back into your subject and repeats the lesson or main point you are making with a story that makes everyone laugh.

During my talks on planning and persistence, I discuss the biggest enemy that we have, which is the tendency to follow the path of least resistance. I then tell this story.

Ole and Sven are out hunting in Minnesota and they shoot a deer. They begin dragging the deer back to the truck by the tail, but they keep slipping and losing both their grip and their balance.

A farmer comes along and asks them, “What are you boys doing?”

They reply, “We’re dragging the deer back to the truck.”

The farmer tells them, “You are not supposed to drag a deer by the tail. You’re supposed to drag the deer by the handles. They’re called antlers. You’re supposed to drag a deer by the antlers.”

Ole and Sven say, “Thank you very much for the idea.”

They begin pulling the deer by the antlers. After about five minutes, they are making rapid progress. Ole says to Sven, “Sven, the farmer was right. It goes a lot easier by the antlers.”

Sven replies, “Yeah, but we’re getting farther and farther from the truck.”

After the laughter dies down, I say…

“The majority of people in life are pulling the easy way, but they are getting further and further from the ‘truck’ or their real goals and objectives.”

That’s just one example of closing using humor.

6) Make It Rhyme

You can close with a poem.

There are many fine poems that contain messages that summarize the key points you want to make.

You can select a poem that is moving, dramatic, or emotional.

For years I ended seminars with the poem, “Don’t Quit,” or “Carry On!” by Robert W. Service. It was always well received by the audience.

7) Close With Inspiration

You can end a speech with something inspirational as well.

If you have given an uplifting talk, remember that hope is and has always been, the main religion of mankind.

People love to be motivated and inspired to be or do something different and better in the future.

Here are a few of my favorite inspirational quotes that can be tied into most speeches.  You can also read this collection of leadership quotes for further inspiration.

Remember, everyone in your audience is dealing with problems, difficulties, challenges, disappointments, setbacks, and temporary failures.

For this reason, everyone appreciates a poem, quote or story of encouragement that gives them strength and courage.

Here are 7 Tips to Tell an Inspiring Poem or Story to End Your Speech

• You have to slow down and add emotion and drama to your words.
• Raise your voice on a key line of the poem, and then drop it when you’re saying something that is intimate and emotional.
• Pick up the tempo occasionally as you go through the story or poem, but them slow down on the most memorable parts.
• Especially, double the number of pauses you normally use in a conversation.
• Use dramatic pauses at the end of a line to allow the audience to digest the words and catch up with you.
• Smile if the line is funny, and be serious if the line is more thought-provoking or emotional.
• When you come to the end of your talk, be sure to bring your voice up on the last line, rather than letting it drop. Remember the “exclamation point” at the end.

Try practicing on this poem that I referenced above…

Read through “Carry On!” by Robert Service .

Identify the key lines, intimate parts, and memorable parts, and recite it.

8) Make it Clear That You’re Done

When you say your final words, it should be clear to everyone that you have ended. There should be no ambiguity or confusion in the mind of your audience. The audience members should know that this is the end.

Many speakers just allow their talks to wind down.

They say something with filler words like, “Well, that just about covers it. Thank you.”

This isn’t a good idea…

It’s not powerful…

It’s not an authoritative ending and thus detracts from your credibility and influence.

When you have concluded, discipline yourself to stand perfectly still. Select a friendly face in the audience and look straight at that person.

If it is appropriate, smile warmly at that person to signal that your speech has come to an end.

Resist the temptation to:

• Shuffle papers.
• Fidget with your clothes or microphone.
• Move forward, backward, or sideways.
• Do anything else except stand solidly, like a tree.

9) Let Them Applaud

When you have finished your talk, the audience members will want to applaud…

What they need from you is a clear signal that now is the time to begin clapping.

How do you signal this?

Some people will recognize sooner than others that you have concluded your remarks.

In many cases, when you make your concluding comments and stop talking, the audience members will be completely silent.

They may be unsure whether you are finished.

They may be processing your final remarks and thinking them over. They may not know what to do until someone else does something.

In a few seconds, which will often feel like several minutes, people will applaud.

First one…

Then another…

Then the entire audience will begin clapping.

When someone begins to applaud, look directly at that person, smile, and mouth the words thank you.

As more and more people applaud, sweep slowly from person to person, nodding, smiling and saying, “Thank You.”

Eventually, the whole room will be clapping.

There’s no better reward for overcoming your fear of public speaking than enjoying a round of applause.

BONUS TIP: How to Handle a Standing Ovation

If you have given a moving talk and really connected with your audience, someone will stand up and applaud. When this happens, encourage others by looking directly at the clapper and saying, “Thank you.”

This will often prompt other members of the audience to stand.

As people see others standing, they will stand as well, applauding the whole time.

It is not uncommon for a speaker to conclude his or her remarks, stand silently, and have the entire audience sit silently in response.

Stand Comfortably and Shake Hands

But as the speaker stands there comfortably, waiting for the audience to realize the talk is over, one by one people will begin to applaud and often stand up one by one.

If the first row of audience members is close in front of you, step or lean forward and shake that person’s hand when one of them stands up to applaud.

When you shake hands with one person in the audience, many other people in the audience feel that you are shaking their hands and congratulating them as well.

They will then stand up and applaud.

Soon the whole room will be standing and applauding.

Whether you receive a standing ovation or not, if your introducer comes back on to thank you on behalf of the audience, smile and shake their hand warmly.

If it’s appropriate, give the introducer a hug of thanks, wave in a friendly way to the audience, and then move aside and give the introducer the stage.

Follow these tips to get that standing ovation every time.

« Previous Post 8 Public Speaking Techniques to Wow Your Audience Next Post » 15 Ways to Start a Speech + Bonus Tips

About Brian Tracy — Brian is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement. Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined. You can follow him on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , Linkedin and Youtube .

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10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang

End your speech with an attitude , not a platitude .

Instead of firing off a perfunctory “thank you,” consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the podium.

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!

This article shows you how to close your speech with a bang.

Call Attention to the Close of Your Speech

Contrary 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. And too lazy.

It takes creative thinking and a compelling delivery to end your speech with a mighty climax that relegates the perfunctory “thank you” as superfluous. 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 Speech

“ Instead of firing off a perfunctory ‘thank you,’ consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the podium. ”

Consider these examples of resounding speech conclusions from Patrick Henry, William Jennings Bryant and Winston Churchill. You can learn from these to spark your creative energy and capture the spirit of ending with a bang.

On the brink of the American Revolution, the colonists were debating the war. Patrick Henry concluded a stirring speech on March 23, 1775 with this:

“Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me give me liberty or give me death.”

At 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:

“Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests and toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns: you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.”

In the face of a German threat of an invasion upon England in World War II, Winston Churchill on June 18, 1940 called upon all of the British to brace themselves. He concluded his speech with the words that have become the title of the speech:

“Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that if the British Commonwealth and Empire lasts for thousands of years, men will say: ‘This was their finest hour.’”

End Your Speech on a High Note

Leading speakers end their speeches like the opera star—on a high note, vocally and intellectually. Just as the comedian should leave ‘em laughing, the speaker should leave ‘em thinking. Last words linger. Last words crystallize your thoughts, galvanize your message, and mobilize your audience.

Study the following 10 templates and adapt your speech to end your speech with a bang :

“ Just as the comedian should leave ‘em laughing, the speaker should leave ‘em thinking. ”

• Bookend Close
• Challenge Close
• Repetitive Close
• Title Close
• Sing Song Close
• Callback Close
• Movie Close
• Quotation Close
• Third Party Close

#1 – Bookend Close

For a bookend speech closing, refer back to your opening anecdote or quote and say, “We have arrived, now, where we began.”

Then reiterate the message you want your audience to remember. This will achieve symmetry in the classic 3-part speech outline : Tell ‘em what you are going to tell ‘em; tell ‘em, then tell ‘em what you just told ‘em.’

#2 – Challenge Close

Challenge your audience to a pply what you have told them in the speech.

If you were concluding a speech on the importance of taking action, you could say:

“Let’s turn from spectators into participants. Let’s recall the inspiring words of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who said: ‘Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to remain with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.’ We have too much to do to sit on the sidelines. We need you to step out of the gray twilight into the bright sunshine so that we can all see the dawn of a new day.”

#3 – Echo Close

“ Last words crystallize your thoughts, galvanize your message, and mobilize your audience. ”

Focus on one word in a quotation and emphasize that word to echo your final point.

For example, consider the five echoes of the word “do” in this ending to a speech on the importance of getting involved in the education process:

“More than 450 years before the birth of Christ, Confucius said: ‘What I hear, I forget; what I see, I remember; what I do , I understand.’ Let’s do it together. We’ve heard what we have to do . We’ve seen what we need to do . Now is the time to do it, and, together, we can do it.”

#4 – Repetitive Close

Find a phrase and structure it in a repetitive format that strikes the cadence of a drummer, building to a crescendo ending of a motivational speech:

“Architects cannot renovate it. Businesses cannot incorporate it. Churches cannot inculcate it. Developers cannot innovate it. Engineers cannot calculate it. Governments cannot legislate it. Judges cannot adjudicate it. Lawyers cannot litigate it. Manufacturers cannot fabricate it. Politicians cannot appropriate it. Scientist cannot formulate it. Technicians cannot generate it. Only you can orchestrate it.”

#5 – Title Close

Give your speech a provocative title that encapsulates your message memorably. Then, use the title of your speech as your closing words to stir your audience to think more fully about what they just heard, reinforcing the title of the speech that you referenced earlier.

Hint : Try writing the ending of your speech first to better construct the title.

#6 – Sing Song Close

Ask the audience to repeat a phrase that you used several times in your speech.

Let say your phrase is: “Together, we can win.” You repeat that phrase over and over again. Then just before your close, you say: “I know that all of you are talented, all of you are driven. I know that none of us can do this alone, but (pause) Together (pause) we can (pause until the audience responds.)

#7 – Callback Close

Refer back to a story you told where some activity was not fully completed . Then pick up the story and close it around your theme.

For example:

“Remember those bubbles that four year old held so gently in his hands? Well now those same gentle hands are now poised skillfully around the hearts of hundreds of people. Today he is a heart surgeon.”

#8 – Movie Close

For example, in concluding a speech on the maturity of a product line and the need to leave the past behind and create new and different products, an executive concluded a speech with a reference to growing pangs. The speaker alluded to the final scene in the movie Summer of ‘42 . The main character is Hermie. Now an adult he is reminiscing about his lost adolescence.

“ ‘Life is made up of small comings and goings. And for everything we take with us, there is something that we leave behind. In the summer of ’42, we raided the Coast Guard Station 4 times. We saw 5 movies. And we had 9 days of rain. Benji broke his watch. Oskie gave up the harmonica. And in a very special way, I lost Hermie, forever.’ So too this year, in a very special way, we have lost our old company in a very special way. Now we are moving on to a stronger, more mature company.”

#9 – Quotation Close

Use a famous quotation to harness the audience’s attention, much like turning on a spotlight.

For example, if you were concluding a speech on the importance of maintaining self confidence in the face of adversity, you could say:

“We have to be like the bird –the bird that author Victor Hugo one observed – the bird that pauses in its flight awhile, on boughs too light, – on a branch that is likely to break– feels that branch break, yet sings, knowing she hath wings.”

#10 – Third Party Close

Take the use of a quotation up a notch with the Third Party Close. Leverage the use of a quotation in context of your message. Use the premise of that quotation to frame your finale so that it serves as a launching pad to lift your message high for the audience to more fully appreciate.

If you were concluding a speech on the importance of embracing change, you could say:

Change has become a way of life to a better life. We have to recall the insight of President Abraham Lincoln, on the brink of Civil War and fighting the near 100-year long tradition of slavery in the United States dating back to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who owned slaves. Lincoln looked change directly in the eye and said: “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present and future. As our circumstances are new, we must think anew and act anew.” And so must we. We need to look at this old issue in a new way, not simply for today but to make our tomorrows more rewarding, more fulfilling, and more compelling because of the change we make today. With your help, we can think anew and act anew on the issue before us today.”

Your Speech Ending Challenge

May you think anew about ending your speeches. Try one of these 10 techniques and turn the podium into your personal fireworks platform.

Fire off spectacular ideas with blazing after thoughts. Light up your audience with insight. Fire your most poignant salvos in the fleeting seconds of your speech. And make sure your message resounds in your audience’s ears… with a bang!

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25 comments.

A very nice example for “#5 – Title Close” is Mark Hunter’s winning speech http://www.markhunter.com.au/sinkFullOfGreenTomatoes.aspx

Great posting — lots of good closings. In my experience, endings where you circle back to the beginning are particularly effective, as are endings that get the audience to do something (small) that’s relevant to your topic — one that the author doesn’t consider.

Great article, Pete. I especially like #7 – The Callback Close. I am a speech coach and recently blogged about how to end a presentation. Like you, I also chose fireworks as my image and metaphor. I would appreciate your feedback! http://sarahgershman.blogspot.com/2010/07/end-with-fireworks.html

Thanks, Sarah

I LOVE THE ECHO CLOSE!

This are great points that will help me a lot. I’m enrolled in NOVA CST-100 and I have a speech do this Wednesday. I’ll make sure to use this helpful tips since i have a tendency of starting my speeches strong but not being able to close strong. Thank you.

Thank you for publishing tips on how to make a provocative closing speech. Your article has helped me a lot. More power and Mabuhay!

These are brilliant! Thanks so much! Kathleen

So true! It is so awesome!

You could also end your speech or essay with a poem, like #9.

Was looking for an ending for a speech that i had to give to Drs, nurses on their cultural evening celebrations and i found wonderful thoughts here. Appreciate all who have contributed.May this effort put in reach many more.

Just read CALLBACK CLOSE. A fascinating one for me and many of the others.

I’m trying to write a speech about the extinction of the Moa bird and I don’t know how to finish it.

These are awesome! Thanks a million! 🙂

Awesome!!!!!!

very helpful. I fired up to write a powerful ending to my speech!

I think that all of these are really good ways to end your speech but, there are so many to choose from, that its really hard to choose like just one.

Awesome advice learned a lot. Was very insightful and helpful.

This was really a blast. I prefer number three”the echo close”. It was the one that drew my attention and I think I will always use it when ending my debate. Thank you

Yes, your comment reminds me of the ending to a poem by one of the world’s favorite authors, Robert Frost’s “Stopping by the woods on snowy eve…” (Or something to that effect: unable to take the time to look it up but think this is the ending: “…and miles to go before I sleep. Miles to go before I sleep.” Thanks for reminding me of it with your comment…;-)

This was very useful info i loved it

#6 ‘Sing song close’ works wonders. I had tried it during my speech & it was an instant action with the audience participation.

Thanks so much for your experience, examples and wisdom on how to better communicate, the key to understanding and even world peace.

I like the your speech ending challenge

DLungan, this is one of the best, if not the best article I have read on the topic. Thank you for sharing!

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RT @ANU_RSAT: 10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang: http://t.co/vzcgJAYvp5 . How many of these will we see at #ANU3MT2014, I wonder? #phdc… — @LAS_Centre Sep 9th, 2014

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“Instead of firing off a perfunctory ‘thank you,’ consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from… http://t.co/EOIIHLDCsn — @wconferences Sep 11th, 2014

#publicspeaking End your speech with a bang & send them home buzzing: https://t.co/BepUCON9FI — @SuttonSpeakers Feb 13th, 2016

10 Ways to End Your Speech With a Bang https://t.co/KCR201YcuE by @6minutes — @BenjaminBallA Feb 21st, 2016

It’s all about how you leave them. Check out 10 ways to end your speech with a bang: https://t.co/mMBr8CVf6f — Release Your Voice (@ReleaseUrVoice) Jun 29th, 2016

Worried about ending your speech? Here are a few techniques and some great examples: https://t.co/JF6cQ71AIH — @NicoleLAckman Sep 5th, 2016

10 Ways to End Your Speech With a Bang https://t.co/1MyIXtVZDq — @MelSherwood_ May 8th, 2017

10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang https://t.co/q9PFPiPOTE via @6minutes — Meet Me Next (@MeetMeNext) Jun 23rd, 2017

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9 Blog Links

Pivotal Public Speaking » 10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang — Oct 13th, 2009

10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang | Speech Topics — Jul 6th, 2011

Public Speaking: Making Your Last Words Last « LEADERSHIP MINTS — Sep 19th, 2011

Three Simple Tips on How to Deliver a Powerful and Persuasive Speech | Art Marketing - Maria Brophy — Jan 31st, 2012

2. Effective opening and closing | The Perfect Presentation — May 16th, 2012

Kissing Sleeping Beauty With More Than Lip Service « LEADERSHIP MINTS — Jun 13th, 2012

End Your Speech on a High Note » BNI Marin Chapter – Network 54 – Join Today — Aug 6th, 2012

The Big Finish, or how to end a speech with oomph. « Speak for Yourself — Feb 13th, 2013

Strengthening Your Q & A Punch « LEADERSHIP MINTS — Jul 18th, 2013

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• Tips & news

101 Quotes to inspire speakers

Average: 4.5 ( 2 votes)

Inspiration sometimes runs dry, and for presenters feeling uninspired can lead to a poor performance.

Where do you go when you need a bit of extra lift?  Sometimes the well thought out words of history’s very best orators can be just the ticket. 

From drafting speeches, to calming your nerves right before you step into the spotlight , we’ve collected the top inspiring 101 quotes from thought leaders around the world.

Check nuggets of wisdom from Dale Carnegie , Mark Twain, Tony Robbins and Winston Churchill (we’ve even thrown in some William Butler Yeats and Seth Godin for good measure.) 

Continue reading more quotes below or  download the eBook from SlideShare . 

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams ( Tweet this )

“There are certain things in which mediocrity is not to be endured, such as poetry, music, painting, public speaking.” - Jean de la Bruyere ( Tweet this )

“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.” – Henry Ford ( Tweet this )

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” – William Arthur Ward ( Tweet this )

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou ( Tweet this )

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” –  Margaret Mead ( Tweet this )

“You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.” – John Ford  ( Tweet this )

“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.” – D. H. Lawrence  ( Tweet this )

“Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent.” – Dionysius Of Halicarnassus  ( Tweet this )

“What we say is important… for in most cases the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” – Jim Beggs   ( Tweet this )

“If you can’t write your message in a sentence, you can’t say it in an hour.” – Dianna Booher  ( Tweet this )

“There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.” – Dale Carnegie ( Tweet this )

“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain ( Tweet this )

“A good orator is pointed and impassioned.” – Marcus T. Cicero  ( Tweet this )

“Oratory is the power to talk people out of their sober and natural opinions.” – Joseph Chatfield  ( Tweet this)

“He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense.” – Joseph Conrad ( Tweet this )

“There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first, to get into your subject, then to get your subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of your audience.” – Alexander Gregg ( Tweet this )

“The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives.” – Lilly Walters  ( Tweet this )

“Best way to conquer stage fright is to know what you’re talking about.” – Michael H. Mescon  ( Tweet this )

“There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.” – Mark Twain  ( Tweet this )

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” – Alexander Graham Bell  ( Tweet this )

“90% of how well the talk will go is determined before the speaker steps on the platform.” – Somers White ( Tweet this )

“It takes one hour of preparation for each minute of presentation time.” – Wayne Burgraff  ( Tweet this )

“The most precious things in speech are the... pauses.” – Sir Ralph Richardson ( Tweet this )

“Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech.” – Martin Fraquhar Tupper ( Tweet this )

“The problem with speeches isn’t so much not knowing when to stop, as knowing when not to begin.” – Frances Rodman ( Tweet this )

“Words have incredible power. They can make people’s hearts soar, or they can make people’s hearts sore. – Dr. Mardy Grothe ( Tweet this )

“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.” – Mark Twain ( Tweet this )

“If you can’t communicate and talk to other people and get across your ideas, you’re giving up your potential.” – Warren Buffet ( Tweet this )

“If I went back to college again, I’d concentrate on two areas: learning to write and to speak before an audience. Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.” – Gerald R. Ford ( Tweet this )

“Always give a speech that you would like to hear.” – Andrii Sedniev ( Tweet this )

“If you don’t know what you want to achieve in your presentation your audience never will.” – Harvey Diamond ( Tweet this )

“Find out what’s keeping them up nights and offer hope. Your theme must be an answer to their fears .” – Gerald C Myers ( Tweet this )

“In presentations or speeches less really is more.” – Stephen Keague ( Tweet this )

“Speeches measured by the hour die with the hour”          – Thomas Jefferson ( Tweet this )

“It’s much easier to be convincing if you care about your topic. Figure out what’s important to you about your message and speak from the heart” – Nicholas Boothman ( Tweet this )

“Only the prepared speaker deserves to be confident.” – Dale Carnegie ( Tweet this )

“Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of their listeners.” – Dale Carnegie ( Tweet this )

“It is not failure itself that holds you back; it is the fear of failure that paralyzes you.” -Brian Tracy ( Tweet this )

“All you need is something to say, and a burning desire to say it… it doesn’t matter where your hands are.” – Lou Holtz ( Tweet this )

“If you don’t use stories audience members may enjoy your speech, but there is no chance they’ll remember it.” – Andrii Sedniev ( Tweet this )

“There is no such thing as presentation talent, it is called presentation skills” -David JP Phillips ( Tweet this )

“The audience only pays attention as long as you know where you are going.” - Philip Crosby ( Tweet this )

“Ask yourself, ‘If I had only sixty seconds on the stage, what would I absolutely have to say to get my message across.” - Jeff Dewar ( Tweet this )

“It’s all right to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation.” – Rob Gilbert ( Tweet this )

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, and to sit down and listen.”   – Winston Churchill ( Tweet this )

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin ( Tweet this )

“Designing a presentation without an audience in mind is like writing a love letter and addressing it: To Whom It May Concern.” – Ken Haemer ( Tweet this )

“The goal of effective communication should be for listeners to say ‘Me too!’ versus ‘So what?'” – Jim Rohn ( Tweet this )

“The royal road to a man’s heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most.” – Dale Carnegie ( Tweet this )

“To communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world, and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” – Tony Robbins ( Tweet this )

“To sway an audience, you must watch them as you speak.” – C. Kent Wright ( Tweet this )

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein ( Tweet this )

“If you can’t state your position in eight words, you don’t have a position. “ – Seth Godin ( Tweet this )

“The way something is presented will define the way you react to it.” – Neville Brody ( Tweet this )

“Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” – William Butler Yeats ( Tweet this )

“A presentation is a chance to share, not an oral exam.” – M.F. Fensholt ( Tweet this )      

“Speech is power. Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. It is to bring another out of his bad sense into your good sense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson ( Tweet this )

“Words do two major things: they provide food for the mind and create light for understanding and awareness.” – Jim Rohn ( Tweet this )

“Every speaker has a mouth, an arrangement rather neat. Sometimes it’s filled with wisdom, sometimes it’s filled with feet.” – Robert Orben ( Tweet this )

“Humor is a rubber sword – it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.” – Mary Hirsch ( Tweet this )

“If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you.” – Oscar Wilde ( Tweet this )

“Once you get people laughing, they’re listening and you can tell them almost anything.” – Herbert Gardner ( Tweet this )

“The world is waiting for your words.” – Arvee Robinson ( Tweet this )

“Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.” – Jim Rohn ( Tweet this )

“A designer knows he or she has achieved perfection, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery  ( Tweet this )

“If God is in the details, then the Devil is in PowerPoint.” – @AngryPaulRand ( Tweet this )

“The more strikingly visual your presentation is, the more people will remember it. And more importantly, they will remember you.” – Paul Arden ( Tweet this )

“All the great speakers were bad speakers at first.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson ( Tweet this )

“Communication works for those who work at it .” – John Powell ( Tweet this )

“If you wing it when speaking, you’ll get wing it results.” – Arvee Robinson ( Tweet this )

“Your smile is a messenger of your goodwill.” – Dale Carnegie ( Tweet this )

“If it takes a lot of words to say what you have in mind, give it more thought.” – Dennis Roth ( Tweet this )

“Make sure you have stopped speaking before your audience has stopped listening.” – Dorothy Sarnoff ( Tweet this )

“Many attempts to communicate are nullified by saying too much. ” - Robert Greenleaf ( Tweet this )

“If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.” - Winston S. Churchill ( Tweet this )

“The most valuable of all talents is never using two words when one will do.” -Thomas Jefferson ( Tweet this )

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.” -John Wooden ( Tweet this )

“Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.” - Charles de Gaulle ( Tweet this )

“Creative thinking is merely intelligent plagiarism.” - Aristotle ( Tweet this )

"Always be yourself and have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and try to duplicate it." -Bruce Lee ( Tweet this )

“Successful leaders see the opportunities in every difficulty rather than the difficulty in every opportunity.” - Reed Markham ( Tweet this )

“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.” - Zig Ziglar ( Tweet this )

“A talk is a voyage with purpose and it must be charted. The man who starts out going nowhere, generally gets there.” - Dale Carnegie  ( Tweet this )

“I have not failed. I’ve simply discovered 10,000 ways that don’t work.” - Thomas Edison ( Tweet this )

“Buried deep within each of us is a spark of greatness, a spark than can be fanned into flames of passion and achievement. That spark is not outside of you it is born deep within you.” -James A. Ray ( Tweet this )

“The energy level of the audience is the same as the speaker’s. For better...or for worse.” -Andras Baneth ( Tweet this )

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation." -Arthur Ashe ( Tweet this )

“Our language is the reflection of ourselves. A language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers.” - Cesar Chavez ( Tweet this )

“I do not speak of what I cannot praise.” - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe  ( Tweet this )

“If you're not comfortable with public speaking - and nobody starts out comfortable; you have to learn how to be comfortable - practice. I cannot overstate the importance of practicing. Get some close friends or family members to help evaluate you, or somebody at work that you trust.” -Hillary Clinton ( Tweet this )

“Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes ( Tweet this )

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” - Eleanor Roosevelt ( Tweet this )

As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” - Bill Gates ( Tweet this )

"Good transitions can make a speech more important to the audience because they feel they are being taken to a positive conclusion without having to travel a bumpy road." - Joe Griffith ( Tweet this )

"When speaking in public, your message - no matter how important - will not be effective or memorable if you don't have a clear structure." - Patricia Fripp ( Tweet this )

“The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” -Lady Bird Johnson ( Tweet this )

“The best way to conquer stage fright is to know what you are talking about.” -Michael H. Mescon ( Tweet this )

“Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today.” - Robert McKee ( Tweet this )

“If something comes from your heart, it will reach the heart of your audience.” — فوزیه کوفی (Fawzia Koofi)‎ ( Tweet this )

How do we achieve our dreams and goals as a speaker? The inspiring story of Dale Carnegie's road to success

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Speech Conclusion: 12 Ways to End a Presentation the Best Way

If you’ve learned anything about speech writing, you’ll know that there’s a recommended formula to use in designing the best presentation.

Essentially, your talk should have a short opening where you engage your audience , a middle part where you coherently cover the details of your speech topic and an ending that neatly sums everything up .

Remember, people have come to hear you talk when there are definitely other ways that they could be spending their time.

They’re looking to be entertained, or moved in some way. They want to leave the room better informed, educated and possibly curious to study more about your subject.

Therefore, you owe it to your listeners to put together the best presentation that you can – that includes a dynamite finish that they’ll reflect on afterwards.

Let’s take a closer look at how to approach the task. We’ll begin by discussing what not to do .

How NOT to End Your Speech: What Not to Do

Sure, when your talk is coming to an end you might be feeling relieved to have gotten through what you have to say without any obvious missteps.

It’s understandable if you’re ready to quickly exit stage left, and take your seat again with the audience members. After all, you’ve earned that privilege – right?

This is a natural temptation and another good reason why you really must take the time to write a proper wrap up.

Having said that, when it comes to crafting an effective ending, it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. Here’s what not to do.

 Regurgitating remarks

We’ve already mentioned that the ending is the place where you sum up the main message of your speech in some fashion.

However, you don’t want to repeat so much of your talk that your audience’s eyes start to glaze over.

Going on too long about what you’ve already said is a definite no-no. People may just think that you’re doubting their intelligence!

Taking a tangent

As well, you mustn’t go off on a tangent and introduce some new thoughts that are unrelated to what you’ve just spent some time telling listeners.

This will only confuse people.

Furthermore, the participants may second guess what your topic really was all about, and whether they’ve heard you properly.

Stopping abruptly

Take care not to finish abruptly. People need to know by what you say that you’re getting ready to wind things up.

It should not come as a shock that it’s already time for them to applaud.

Trailing off 

You also shouldn’t stop with a whimper, so to speak.

You voice has to remain clear and strong right up until you’ve delivered your last statement. Keep the volume up and don’t mumble!

Offer an apology

Seriously! Don’t do this!

It could be that you believe your speech wasn’t up to your own standards. Maybe you got off track a little, or missed making a minor point that you’d intended.

Whatever it is, your listeners in all likelihood didn’t notice. Even if they did, they’ve already moved on and forgiven you.

Therefore, you certainly don’t want to draw their attention to anything that you felt wasn’t up to par.

12 Best Ways to End a Speech to be Remembered

Be mindful that your final comments are probably going to be the most memorable part of your talk.

As people file out of the auditorium or meeting room, what you said last will be ringing in their ears. In addition, they may be sharing their reaction to your words with others in attendance.

Therefore, you want to leave them with a good impression.

Now that you can appreciate the importance of finishing off your presentation well − and some of the pitfalls to avoid – you’re ready to learn about a number of great ideas for speech endings.

Following are the different ways you can go.

1. Paraphrase the main points

Take a minute to recap the main points of your presentation.

Tell people again what you just told them, but be sure to do it in a very succinct way.

While you shouldn’t just say verbatim what you’ve relayed already, it’s quite acceptable to repeat a phrase or sentence from your opening as a way to reinforce your main point. Whatever you choose, keep it short.

One approach to paraphrasing is to package the information in three points.

It has been shown that patterns of three can have some staying power in the minds of listeners. Here are a few examples that illustrate this:

“...government of the people, by the people, for the people.” – Abraham Lincoln

“I came. I saw. I conquered.” – Julius Caesar

Basically, paraphrasing reinforces the main message of your talk so that those participating are much more likely to bring it to mind later on.

2. Give them a take-away

This approach is somewhat similar to the above idea. It involves giving people the single most important message that you want them to leave with.

Since you’re asking them to focus on only one thought, they’re more apt to commit it to memory.

Plus, boiling the information you’ve just delivered down to a central idea can be very impactful.

Listeners will take to heart that there’s one single take-away they should really pay attention to. They’re more likely to recall the main point you made, and even relay it in conversation with colleagues, friends and family.

One very effective method of doing this is to tell your audience upfront that you want them to recall something. For instance, you could preface your point with one of these phrases:

“When you leave here today, I want you to remember . . .”

“If you take anything away from my presentation today, it should be that . . .”

And say your point.

3. Call them to action

This is a very popular way to end a speech and, no wonder, when you think of how it can affect those listening.

Essentially, you’re going to ask people to do something as a result of absorbing your talk.

Maybe they’ve been swept away by the inspiration you’ve demonstrated in telling them a moving story of overcoming adversity. Perhaps they’re intrigued by the new ideas you’ve presented to manage personal stress.

At the end of your speech, the time is ripe to call them to an action of some sort. Here are some examples, using slightly different approaches:

“The next time you look at the stars in the night sky, I urge you to think about how incredibly vast is our universe.”

“When you see another television commercial about hunger, are you going to change the channel, or are you going to call the number on the screen and make a donation?”

Demanding something of your audience will cause them to reflect on your presentation and especially so when they next find themselves in the situation you’ve described.

Regardless of whether or not they decide to follow through on what you’ve asked, they’ll be thinking of what you said.

4. Repeat the title

Here’s a simple idea that you might have seen used.

Granted, we’ve already explained why you shouldn’t regurgitate your speech in your closing remarks.

However, just repeating the title of your speech can be a great way to sum up and refocus the audience on what your presentation was about.

Of course, this calls for creating an excellent title that will stand on its own as a representation of your talk.

Moreover, your title could be in the form of a provocative question, or employ an alliteration to make it really interesting and memorable.

5. Position with power

End your speech with a powerful bang by making a bold statement that links back to your talk.

Employ strong words or unique turns of phrase. This can be accomplished by writing out your closing statement and searching for synonyms for certain words that will convey more emotion, or spark increased interest.

Emphasize what you have to say with a confident posture that matches.

Another approach to show your power is to make a grand physical gesture. If, for example, your closing statement is “What I want the whole world to know is . . .” you could spread your arms wide in a circle to suggest that you’re reaching out across the globe.

Listeners will remember your words for the strength and enthusiasm behind them.

6. Use your body language

If you’ve done any public speaking, you’ll already appreciate the importance of experimenting with body language . The right posture and gestures can convey so much!

It’s just as critical to display impactful body language at the end of your speech since this is the last thing people will see.

What you do physically on stage should help your audience recall you for the right reasons.

Certainly, you can take a little bow and then walk confidently away from the podium. However, wouldn’t it make people recall you and what you told them better if you did something different?

Maybe you want to shimmy off stage with a dance move, skip or give a few low sweeping bows while blowing kisses to the audience? Use your imagination and find something that fits with your speech topic .

In the following video, Vikram did a somersault to conclude his speech and the audience went wild! (starts at 6:42)

7. Use a prop or visual

If you’ve brought a prop on stage and referred to it earlier in your speech, bring the attention of your participants back to it as you make your closing remarks.

Perhaps you’ve rolled a little suitcase behind you when you first walked to the podium as a visual about the personal baggage that we all carry. Well, grab the handle and give the case a little twirl to bring the audience’s eyes back to it.

Have you arrived on stage wearing a funny wig? You’ve probably set it aside so as not to distract from your words, but pop it back on your head at the end of your speech to help people make a connection to your entire message.

At the start of the following speech recording, the 2014 World Champion of Public Speaking Dananjaya Hettiarachchi pulled out the petals of a flower and threw them into a trash can. At the end of his speech, he pulled out a whole flower from the trash can to make a point. 

It was a 'wow' moment.

There are other options for leaving people with a visual that they’ll remember. Here are a few:

• Display a photograph – Try an eye-catching picture on a screen behind you that represents your talk. It could be an image of an endangered species or a clean shoreline if your topic was about the environment, for example.
• Unveil a hidden prop – Removing a cover from a prop that participants haven’t seen can indelibly lodge it in their mind’s eye (i.e., a scale model of building you’ve spoken about).
• Project a cartoon – Finish your speech with a funny cartoon or short video. This is entertainment that people really enjoy.
• Throw something   – You could toss out a few small gifts into the audience, shower the first few rows of people with confetti or do something else entirely.

Don’t forget, your prop or visual aid should relate back to your topic. If you’re talking about a wedding , then a confetti shower could be an unforgettable finish!

8. Surprise them

There are so many amazing ways to do this. The sky might just be the limit!

Your listeners will perk up at the mention of something unexpected and take the time to reflect on how it connects to your topic.

A club member once gave a speech about online Zoom meetings, and I suggested to her to wear a formal attire for her top, and home clothes for her bottom, so that at the end of her speech, she could stand up to reveal that juxtaposition and walk away.

That would be a surprise humorous ending.

Here are a couple of other methods to consider:

• Reveal an identity   – If your speech relates somehow to your own experience, keeping this information until the end can have people tuning in. On the other hand, there could be someone in the room that you want to introduce as having had a role in your story.
• State a fact   – End your talk with a startling piece of data that’s unfamiliar to your listeners.
• Give a timeline   − A variation on offering a fact that can have added oomph is to tell people something that has happened in the world during the time they’ve been listening to you – such as the number of births.

As always, have your surprise flow from the subject of your presentation.

9. Envision the future

Give your audience your take on the future. This will ignite a sense of curiosity, especially if they start to contemplate what it might mean for them personally.

Envisioning the future could be as simple as explaining what, in your mind, comes next or what you suggest needs to happen. Prepare a few words about what action needs to be taken to make a positive change, for instance.

Alternatively, you could forecast a future time when everyone will, or won’t, be doing something. Imagining the end of all wars around the world is one example.

Make your future image compelling with lots of detail. Draw on as many senses as you can to help participants to see, smell and hear your dream for the near or longer term.

You’ll have people quickly trying to connect the dots and the meaning of your speech.

10. Share a story

Polishing off your presentation with a short anecdote is another impactful method.

It should be a brief story that relates back to your speech. Tell people a tale that illustrates the point of your talk, and ensure that it’s both captivating and relatable.

You might want to give the ending to an anecdote that you spoke about earlier in your presentation, or a piece that just wraps everything up nicely.

When you think about, people will often quickly become engrossed in a story . It makes what you have to say more digestible, and more readily recalled.

11. Show your scholarly side

Construct a noteworthy closing by harnessing the strength of a few novel ideas. The following tips can, for sure, increase the memorability of your speech:

• Connect a quote − Ending with an inspirational quote, especially if it’s one the audience is familiar with, is a solid option. You can have a bit of fun with it, but be sure that it’s something that those listening can relate to, and not miss any cultural relevance.
• Rhyme your word s  – You could try your hand at writing a few lines of original poetry, or find something else that fits the bill.
• Try a metaphor – A metaphor can breathe more life into your final message. Albert Einstein used a metaphor when he said “All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.”

Any of these ideas will leave your listeners with something catchy, or special, to remember your presentation.

12. Thank them

Here’s another suggestion for a speech ending.

Say a few words of thanks.

You might express your appreciation directly to those in attendance that have been, hopefully, hanging on your every word. Thank them for showing up and giving you their time.

Additionally, you can talk briefly about your appreciation for others who may have invited you to speak or supported your presentation in some way.

This shows people very clearly that you’ve finished speaking.

However, if you had a strong conclusion, I wouldn't suggest this as it would weaken the impact of your conclusion and Call to Action.

How to Choose the Best Ending

Some of the ideas offered might lend themselves more to particular speech purposes. For instance, if your talk is intended to inspire it’s quite appropriate to finish off with a call to action.

And, you might feel more comfortable with certain options and gravitate towards them more readily.

Maybe you’ve already tired one or two of these methods?

Whatever the case, consider how your listeners are likely to respond to these examples, and decide on the ones that will work well with your speech.

Final Thoughts on Concluding a Speech

Once you’ve selected how you’re going to end your talk, prepare your lines .

There’s actually one school of thought that it makes sense to write your ending first and then build your speech from there. So, that’s something you might want to give a shot to.

Ideally, you’ll become practiced enough at public speaking , over time, that you’ll be able to memorize what you have to say. While it doesn’t have to be exactly what you wrote when you drafted your talk , it should be close enough.

In the meantime, your closing remarks are one of the two sections in your speech (the other is your opening) where you absolutely should memorize your lines .

This will help you ace your delivery, especially if you’re trying out a new way to end a speech that’s a little outside your comfort zone.

Happy experimenting!

20 Great Quotes To Help You Deliver A Killer Speech

Want to make your next speech more powerful ? Use superb quotations and use them well. In this article, I will share 20 of my favorite quotations for beginning and professional speakers. And I will tell you when and how to use them.

But before we get into these specific sayings, here are a few introductory suggestions for using quotations when you are a keynote speaker , giving an inspirational message, annual report, sales presentation, after-dinner talk, Sunday sermon, teaching lesson, or any speech you are preparing.

• Use no more than 3 to 5 quotations in your speech. Remember that a quotation is like seasoning on a fine meal. Don’t overuse quotations in your talk. That’s like dumping an entire saltshaker worth of salt on top of your meal. Think of quotes as delicious flavor additives, not the main dish.
• Avoid using quotes that are already well known to your audience. The real (secret) power of a great quotation is its ability to surprise your listeners.
• Take the time to find the ideal quotes for your talk. Go deeper than a google search. Read inspiring books, check out relevant articles, visit your local bookstore or library. Keep a journal and collect the sayings, proverbs, quotations, and bits of wisdom that move your heart and mind.
• Whenever possible, cite the source of your quotation. Give credit where credit is due. And be sure your source is accurate. You will lose credibility if you quote George Washington as an expert on social media! If you cannot track down the original source of your quote, you can simply say, “It has been said…”
• Make sure your quotations support your main message . Sometimes it’s tempting to sneak a great quip or quote into your talk because you love it. First decide if it’s apt for what you want to communicate.

Here Are 20 of the Best Quotations for Your Next Speech Use One of These Great Quotes When You Want to…

Create laughter.

Quoting a comedian, famous wit, ancient proverb, or even a child’s wisdom can generate an instant laugh during your presentation. And trust me, your audience wants to laugh! Here’s the key: Pause before and after you share the funny quotation or short joke. A humorous quotation will surprise, shock, exaggerate, and often convey a tough truth in a way that delights.

“If you’re looking for a helping hand, there’s one at the end of your arm.” ~Yiddish Proverb

Make them THINK

A powerful quotation will give your audience food for thought. First of course, you must determine what you want your audience to understand, believe, and embrace. Then, choose a quotation that packs a punch.

“He not busy being born, is busy dying.” ~Bob Dylan

Grab their ATTENTION

Usually the shorter the quotation, the more powerful the punch. Long quotes, like long speeches, will leave your audiences yawning. To open your speech, you may want to grab your listener’s attention with a short quotation or aphorism. If you are giving a talk about dream casting or goal-setting for example, here’s a fine quotation:

“If you know what you want, you can have it.” ~RH Jarrett

Prove your POINT

You don’t have to agree with every source you quote. Sometimes who you quote, is as important as what you quote. Here’s an example. Though I obviously detest this famous leader, this quotation makes a powerful point. When I am stressing the power of passion, I sometimes share this one. Note: After I give the source—which always shocks the audience—I remind them that he was evil and that we must use the power of passion for good.

“Only a storm of hot passion can turn the destinies of people. And he alone can arouse passion who bears it within himself.” ~Adolf Hitler

Illustrate an IDEA

A good quotation is like a good story. It’s a window in your house. Use it to let the light in. Help your audience see what you are saying. A good metaphor is one of the most helpful tools in a speaker’s toolbox. To get your idea across, use a strong word picture. Imagine giving a talk to a group of schoolteachers. Your goal is to affirm them for the great work they are doing. You want to remind them that what they do—educating children—matters forever.

“A school is a building with four walls, with tomorrow inside.” ~Lon Watters

INSPIRE your audience

The best speeches lift hearts! If your goal is to motivate your audience, insert a quotation designed to inspire the dreams of your audience members. Connect with their emotions. Choose a statement that is filled with hope and encouragement. Here’s one of my favorites, because it strikes such an emotional chord:

“If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme.” ~Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio

Issue a WARNING

You can use a quotation to sound an alarm. You may want to shake your hearers into stopping/starting a behavior. The key here is choosing a quotation that lights a fire under your people. What mindset do you want them to change? What do you want them to do?

“Unassertive salespeople have skinny kids!” ~Zig Ziglar

Make people CARE

Many speakers make the mistake of thinking that their talk is primarily about content. While content is important, the best speakers transfer their conviction to an audience. Your group doesn’t want more information. They are looking for takeaways and transformation.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou

Capture an INSIGHT

Many times the quotes that will rock your speech are what I call “zingers.” What is a “zinger”? It’s a pithy statement that expresses a flash of insight. Zap your audience with a truth in capsule form. People love to read the fortune inside their fortune cookie—and often the words apply to their lives. When I am giving a speech that talks about how we learn, I love to share this one:

“I respect wisdom but I obey pain.” ~12 Step Recovery Saying

EDUCATE your attendees

Don’t make the mistake many speakers make. Never confuse a statistic with a quotation. Remember: facts tell, stories sell. Search out stories and quotations for your talk that provide “teaching moments.” Tip: Do an Amazon search for aphorism. You’ll discover some great gems and nuggets for your next speech. An aphorism, like a proverb, teaches a memorable lesson-in-a-few-words.

“Don’t expect your ship to come in—unless you’ve sent one out.” ~Belgian Proverb

STRENGTHEN your case

Know exactly what you want to say to an audience. Then you will be in a position to find the perfect quote(s) for your next keynote speech, workshop or seminar. If you are giving a talk on leadership, select a quotation from an inspiring leader. Are you motivating athletes? Choose a motivational saying from an accomplished football, basketball, or soccer player. Most importantly, know your audience. This will help you know which quotation will best support your speech.

“We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” ~Anais Nin

Make your speech MATTER

A good question to ask yourself is: “Who cares about what I am saying?” By the way, this is the very question your audience is asking when you start your speech. How does this matter to me ? Reverse engineer your speech. Think about the big takeaway you want your group to get from your presentation. Then craft your message—and the quotes that will make it pop—based on the actions you want your audience to take.

“The meaning of communication is the response you get.” ~NLP maxim

Use the power of REPETITION

One of the great speeches in U.S. history is Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. And one of the factors that makes it so powerful? MLK’s repeated use of his awesome title: “I Have a Dream.” Consider repeating a strong quotation again and again during your talk. This can help you re-state your core message. You can also hammer home a big point with a quotation that repeats certain words to great effect. Notice how Winston Churchill did this often. (“Never, never, never give in…”), He and MLK are two of the greatest orators of the 20th century. Both leaders repeated words to maximize the impact of their language.

“We are all worms. But I do believe that I am a glow-worm.” ~Winston Churchill

Enhance a CELEBRATION

Maybe you will give your speech at a wedding, an anniversary party, or an awards program. You can pump up the proceedings with a special quote. Identify a sparkling statement that will raise spirits…and maybe wine glasses. Here’s the key to doing this well: Keep the focus on who/what is being celebrated. Your quotation should amplify the purpose of the event. Honor the bride, toast the award-winner, congratulate the champion. Get clear on the reason for festivities. Your quotation should put a spotlight on what your guests are celebrating together.

“Life is short, wear your party pants.” ~Loretta LaRoche

Want to make sport of a competitor? Handle a heckler? Or lampoon an idea you don’t like? A good quote can work wonders. Just be careful about coming across as mean-spirited. Humor helps.

“Lord, help me make my enemies look ridiculous.” ~Voltaire (French Philosopher)

Increase your AUTHORITY

Don’t get the wrong idea here. Quotations are not the source of your authority, you are. But a compelling quote can boost your credibility as a speaker. Select a quote that comes from a recognized name or organization that will resonate with your audience. Quote an expert. Better yet, become one.

“I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.” ~Muhammed Ali

Speak with CONFIDENCE

Want to know a speaking secret? Your listeners aren’t paying that much attention to what you say. But they are tuned in to how you say it. They are listening for your confidence. What do you do if you don’t feel confident? Act like you are. And to take it to the next level—instill confidence in your audience too. Model it.

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.” ~Susan Jeffers

Bring CLARITY

One of the gifts you can bring people via your message is clarity. Help your audience see the path, cut through the clutter, and take decisive action. Make a statement, or share a quotation, that simplifies things for people. Sometimes this can be phrased as a question like, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” Other times you will want to give them the answer straight up. A great quote can help you do just that. You want to communicate with great clarity. And show your audience the way forward.

“If you don’t have a plan for your life, somebody else does.” ~Michael Hyatt

Issue a call to ACTION!

You can wrap-up your speech with a mighty quotation to finish strong. Make sure that your final phrase captures the heart of your main message. Don’t end on something cliché like, “Thanks for listening” or “My name is Blah Blah.” Your end quote, if you use one, should empower your audience and echo the main thrust of your talk. And get this: You want to invite your audience to take action.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing.” ~Walt Disney

Create your own CATCH PHRASE

Few people remember speeches, but many people remember speakers. Can you create an original quotation that fits your personal brand? Tap into what makes you unique. What makes your message special? The final words of your speech can remind people about who you are and what you had to say. What is your signature “sign off” sentence? It might be a parting piece of advice. It could also be a statement you design to capture the way you want the group to remember the experience you created for them.

“The tribe has spoken.” ~Jeff Probst, “Survivor”

By finding and utilizing quotations that appeal to you, you will heighten the impact of your speech. Plug one or two of the above quotations into your next speech or special presentation. Better yet, discover the pitch-perfect quotes for your talk. Weave them into your speech and speak with gusto. You’ll be glad you did. And your audience will be pleased too. You can quote me on that.

Adam Christing is a professional keynote speaker, master of ceremonies , and author . He has written four humor and personal transformation books including: Comedy Comes Clean 1 & 2: A Hilarious Collection of Wholesome Jokes, Quotes, and One-liners, Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! and Bob Dylan Can Change Your Life: 61 Ways to Invent a Legendary You.  Adam has been studying and collecting quotations for more than 25 years.

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• Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception? How to Write a Wedding Toast Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech How to Write a Best Man Toast Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech What to Know About a Newlywed Toast Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips 60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

60 Wedding Toast Quotes for Every Speech

Raise a glass and write these down.

Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and makeup artist whose work has appeared on HelloGiggles, Slate, Elite Daily, and Bustle.

Photo by David Bastianoni

In This Article

Wedding day jitters  aren’t just for the couple. If you’ve been asked to give a  wedding toast , you may feel just as nervous on the big day as the couple getting married in anticipation of your speech. Public speaking is a nerve-wracking experience on its own, but when someone you’re extremely close to asks you to give a speech on what’s supposed to be the best day of their lives, the pressure is most certainly on. 

Unless you’re a standup comedian or an exceptionally gifted writer,  writing a wedding toast  can feel like a truly daunting task. If you can’t find the words to adequately express the emotions you felt watching these newlyweds get together, tie the knot, and eventually plan a future together, don’t sweat it—just borrow someone else’s. 

Incorporating famous  wedding toast quotes and sayings into your speech is a great trick to get the audience to laugh or tug at their heartstrings, which are both qualities of a memorable toast. Sure, you’ll also want to include a few personal anecdotes, but don’t feel the need to overdo it: The best wedding toasts are short, sweet, and make everyone in the room believe in true love.

If you’re not sure where to start with writing a wedding toast , we’re here to help. Get inspired with these 60 memorable wedding quotes for every speech. 

Classic Wedding Toast Quotes

• "There is only one happiness in life: To love and be loved." — George Sand
• "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction." — Antoine de Saint-Exupery
• "The secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person. You know they’re right if you love to be with them all the time." — Julia Child
• "Where there is love there is life." — Mahatma Gandhi
• "The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now." — Rick Warren
• "A  happy marriage  is a long conversation which always seems too short." — Andre Maurois
• "There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage." — Martin Luther
• "Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead." — Oscar Wilde
• "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." — Audrey Hepburn
• "When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too." — The Alchemist
• "You don't marry the person you can live with—you marry the person you can't live without." — Unknown
• "May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day in paradise." — Rumi

Funny Wedding Toast Quotes

• "It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life." — Rita Rudner
• "Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards." — Benjamin Franklin
• "Marry a man your own age; as your beauty fades, so will his eyesight." — Phyllis Diller
• "May she share everything with her husband, including the housework." — Unknown Proverb
• "The man who says his wife can't take a joke, forgets that she took him." — Oscar Wilde
• "Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?" — Groucho Marx
• "By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher." — Socrates
• "Getting married is like trading the adoration of many for the sarcasm of one." — Mae West
• "Women marry men hoping they will change. Men marry women hoping they will not. So each is inevitably disappointed." — Albert Einstein
• "My husband and I have never considered divorce ... murder sometimes, but never divorce." — Dr. Joyce Brothers
• "Being a good husband is like being a stand-up comic. You need 10 years before you can call yourself a beginner." — Jerry Seinfeld
• "Marriages are made in heaven. But so again, are thunder and lightning." — Clint Eastwood

Romantic Wedding Toast Quotes

• "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." — Mignon McLaughlin
• "Grow old with me. The best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first was made." — Robert Browning
• " Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get—only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything." — Katharine Hepburn
• "In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine." — Maya Angelou
• "Being married is like having somebody permanently in your corner. It feels limitless, not limited." — Gloria Steinem
• "To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness." — Robert Brault
• "Love seems the swiftest but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century." — Mark Twain
• "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite." — Romeo and Juliet
• "You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." — Dr. Seuss

Famous Wedding Toast Quotes

• "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." — When Harry Met Sally
• "The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return." — Moulin Rouge
• "To me, you are perfect." — Love Actually
• "It’s like at that moment the whole universe existed just to bring us together." — Serendipity
• "Choose me. Marry me. Let me make you happy." — My Best Friend’s Wedding
• "True love is the soul's recognition of its counterpoint in another." — Wedding Crashers
• "I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone." — The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• "It doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other." — Good Will Hunting
• "May you never steal, lie, or cheat. But if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows. And if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life. And if you must cheat, then please cheat death. Because I couldn't live a day without you." — Leap Year
• "To love another person is to see the face of God." — Les Miserables
• "The heart’s not like a box that gets filled up. It expands in size the more you love." — Her

Religious Wedding Toast Quotes

• "Two are better than one." — Ecclesiastes 4:9
• "Through love serve one another." — Galatians 5:13 
• "I found the one whom my soul loves." — Song of Solomon 3:4
• "Follow the way of love." — I Corinthians 14:1
• "Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away." — Song of Solomon 8:7
• "Deep love is stronger than life." — Jewish Proverb
• "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." — 1 John 3:18
• "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." — Genesis 2:24
• "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." — Corinthians 13:4-5
• "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us." — 1 John 4:18-19
• "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." —Corinthians 13
• "Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs." —Proverbs 10:12
• "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13:13
• "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." — Matthew 19:6
• "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." — Romans 12:9
• "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." —Psalm 143:8

A Guide to Wedding Reception Toasts

Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception?

How to Write a Wedding Toast

Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech

How to Write a Best Man Toast

Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech

What to Know About a Newlywed Toast

Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips

60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

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66 Creative Toasts to End Your Best Man Speech

• Posted by by Lisa Plaitt

As the best man, you will have the duty of writing a speech for the newlyweds. During this time, you can keep it lighthearted and playful, or opt for something straightforward and simple.

No matter what, you will have to make sure that you honor the bride and groom, and wish them a happy future together. 

While you might have the best man’s speech down to a T , how do you end it with a toast? In this article we have put together 66 different ways to give your best man toast that you can adapt and change.

So, whether you are looking to make fun of the newlyweds, or want to keep it serious, here are 66 ways to raise a glass to the lucky couple. 

Toasts to the Happy Couple

• “To my best friend [NAME] and his beautiful wife/groom [NAME] – here is to a wonderful future filled with lots of love and true happiness.”
• “It has been a huge honor to be your best man. However, it has become an even bigger honor to ask everyone in this room to toast the newly married couple. To the bride and groom!”
• “Let us all wish the bride and groom many years of love and happiness. May you be the kind of friends that only lovers can be. May you love each other in the way only best friends are able to.”
• “To the happy couple, may their love story unfold like a fairytale, with many a happy ending, and not a single wicked stepmother in sight.”
• “Here’s to the couple, may their love be like a cozy fire in the winter – warm, comforting, and always there to chase away the chill.”
• “To the newlyweds – may you always look at each other with the same sparkle in your eyes as when you first met!”
• “May their marriage be filled with love, laughter, and a mutual understanding that no matter what, they will always be each other’s wingman.”
• “Let us lift our glasses in celebration of the union of two remarkable individuals. May your marriage be a testament to how you both make each other stronger, more self-assured and madly in love with one another through the years.”
• “May your marriage never feel like hard work, but instead be full of moments that are as easy as breathing. May it bring out the best in you and give you even more reason to be thankful every day.”
• “Let’s raise a glass to a love that will make even Cupid jealous, and may their marriage be filled with laughter, adventure, and all the good things in life.”

Toasts to the Groom

• “Cheers to the groom, who has found a partner in life who can tolerate his witty humor and two left feet on the dance floor.”
• “A heartfelt congrats to the groom who finally found the missing piece to his puzzle, and I have to say, she fits him like a glove – a really pretty, elegant glove.”
• “To the handsome groom, may your love for your bride continue to be the anchor that steadies you both through life’s storms.”
• “May you, dear groom, be imbued with courage, wisdom, and love to be the best husband and partner you can be.”
• “Here’s to the groom, for having great taste in women! He found his queen among a sea of frogs and convinced her that she’s a real princess. May your love story last forever, and may you live happily ever after! Now, let’s raise our glasses and drink before she run away at midnight! Cheers!”
• “Here’s to the groom: he may have once been a single man, but now he’s got two bosses!”
• “Cheers to the groom, who is finally taking the plunge after years of dating! Now that you have found your perfect match, I just hope she doesn’t change her mind and leave you heartbroken. So make sure to stay on your best behavior – no more late nights out with the boys!”
• “In honor of this special day, I’d like to offer the groom some advice: As long as you two are willing to split the remote control and always make sure there’s enough toilet paper in the house, I’m confident your marriage will last forever.”

Toasts to the Bride

• To the beautiful bride, may your happiness be as radiant and timeless as the dress you wear today.
• Here’s to the woman who stole the groom’s heart and forever captured his love.
• Let’s raise a glass to the bride, whose smile brightens up even the dreariest of days, and who, today, takes her vows with the one she loves most.
• You have brought so much light and beauty into the world and today, as you marry your soulmate, you shine brighter than ever.
• To the stunning bride, here’s to a lifetime of love and adventure, of sharing everything, and always standing by each other’s side.
• “Here’s to the bride! A woman with an eye for detail and a heart of gold. She never fails to surprise us all with her words and actions, but most especially with the way she loves our groom.”

Toasts to the Future

• “Let us toast to the remarkable bond my buddy and his partner possess. Even though it wasn’t easy, they made it through and taught us that no matter what challenges stand in the way, true love will always find a way. Cheers!”
• “Let nothing stand between the two of you—not even time or distance—and may every day bring more love than the last. Congratulations to the bride and groom! May your future be bright, beautiful, and full of blessings. Cheers!”
• “Wishing you both a lifetime of health and happiness, where you can continue to explore all that life has to offer together as one. May you keep smiling with every struggle and crying with every joy – knowing that whatever comes your way will bring even more strength to your relationship.”
• “Here’s to the beautiful journey ahead – may it always be filled with genuine happiness in each other’s arms! Congratulations!”
• “Here’s to the couple as they begin this next chapter in their lives together. May they have strength to overcome any obstacles that come their way, courage to take risks when necessary, and compassion to understand one another despite life’s differences.”
• “Let’s toast to the special bond shared between this loving couple – one filled with trust, respect and admiration. Here’s wishing them a long and happy life together as husband and wife, surrounded by family and friends who can’t help but smile when thinking about them!”

Funny Best Man Toasts

If you have created a best man speech that has plenty of funny lines that will capture the room and cause lots of laughter, then you will want to end it that way too.

Here you will find a few examples to get your inspiration flowing.

Related read: 60 Funny Wedding Wishes for Newlyweds

• “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of my best friend and his better half. I’d like to take this opportunity to raise a toast to them on such an auspicious occasion.”
• “To my best friend, I’m so happy he has found someone who loves him just as much as I do!”
• “To my dear friend [Groom’s name], who I’ve known since we were kids, I must say, it’s about time you grew up and got married. I mean, seriously, what took you so long? But, in all honesty, I couldn’t be happier for you, my friend.”
• “May their marriage be like coffee: strong, hot and never bitter!”
• “To the bride and groom, may their love be like a game of chess – always evolving, never boring, and always ending with a mate.”
• “It comes as no surprise that we were not shocked when [NAME] asked [NAME] to marry them. We knew [NAME] had found the one when he stopped playing his Playstation. To the happy couple!”
• “To the bride and groom, may they never argue over who is the real boss in their relationship, but instead always play rock, paper, scissors to settle it.”
• “For the last time, I am going to ask everyone in the room to raise their glass and – if you are still able to – stand and wish the newlyweds a happy and bright future!”
• “If you had trouble hearing me at the back – I did ask to use a microphone, but the silence at the front of the room should help to reassure you that you are not missing a thing. Here’s to the bride and groom!”

• “Before I end this speech, I want to give some advice to the best man. Always remember to say the three magical words: ‘You’re right dear’. To the bride and groom!”
• “Let’s make sure this day is just as special as possible; after all, you only get married once – or at least we hope you do.”
• “May the newlyweds find prosperity in all aspects of life, excluding a receding hairline, which seems to be an unavoidable reality.”
• “I once read that the best man’s speech should always take as long as the amount of time it takes the groom to make love. So, here is to the happy couple!”
• “Thank you everyone for keeping the clapping to a minimum today. I have a terrible hangover. I couldn’t let the groom drink alone last night, could I? Let’s raise a final glass to the new Mr and Mrs [NAME].”
• “And now that I have come to the end of my speech, it has been great to have been a part of the only few minutes the bride wasn’t able to plan. Here’s to the happy couple!”

Best Man Toasts for Brother

Sometimes your best man is your brother. Here are a few ideas to end that toast.

• “It is with great honor that I stand here today and raise a toast to my wonderful brother – may the next chapter of his life be just as amazing as the last! Cheers!”
• “To my best friend, who also happens to be my brother, and his new wife. Let’s raise a glass to the many wonderful years that are ahead. Now, let’s dance, be merry, and eat cake!”
• “It is said that as my brother’s best man I am supposed to talk about what good qualities he has, and to sing his praises. However, I won’t lie and I cannot sing. To the happy couple!”
• “So raise a glass to my bro, who has more friends than Instagram followers – but just as many likes!”
• “It became obvious that my brother had fallen in love and found the one when he spent a lot more time with [BRIDE] instead of his Xbox.”
• “Here’s to my bro! A man who knows what he wants in life, except for a wife. He was so sure of himself until that fateful day when she said yes and turned his world upside down.”
• “This day has been a long time coming. My brother has finally admitted that I am the best man.”
• “May this marriage be the beginning of a brand new chapter in your lives, and may it bring lots of love and wonderful moments that you can share together.

Toasts That Include a Quote 

If you like a good quote, then find one that suits the occasion. Here are a few to think about: 

• “To end this speech, I would like to tell you some wise words that Socrates once said: ‘My advice to you is to get married. If you find a good wife, you will be happy. If not, you will become a philosopher.’ To the newlyweds!”
• “Oscar Wilde once said: ‘The man who says his wife cannot take a joke forgets that she took him’. To the bride and groom!”
• “Just before we raise a glass to [NAME] and [NAME], here is something Pauline Thomason once said: ‘Love is blind. Marriage is an eye-opener.’ To the newlyweds!” 
• “Just like Dr. Seuss once said: ‘You know when you are in love when you cannot fall asleep because your reality is finally better than your dreams’.
• “Emily Bronte once said: ‘Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same’. To Mr and Mrs [NAME].”

Toasts to the Bridal Party

While not traditional (the groom is the one who often toasts the bridesmaids), you can also compliment them too. Here are some examples:

• “I want to say a special thank you to all the bridesmaids. They have been wonderful and helpful throughout the process and today.
• “To the bridesmaids: Here’s to you all for being there with my sister during this exciting time. May your friendship remain strong as she embarks on this wonderful journey of marriage and new beginnings.”
• “Please raise your glasses to… The bridesmaids!”
• “Here’s to two of the best bridesmaids anyone could ask for! Without you, the wedding day would not have come together as perfectly and joyfully as it did. From helping with the dress fittings to doting on the bride during her special day, I want to thank both of you for your unwavering support and friendship.”
• “To the bridesmaids – may they always stay as beautiful and graceful as they are today!”
• “To a long-lasting friendship between these beautiful ladies, who have been by each other’s side through thick and thin. May your bond be strong for many years to come.”

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose a heartfelt, humorous, or nostalgic toast, the most important thing is that your words come from the heart and reflect the love and joy of the newlyweds’ union.

With these 66 creative and meaningful toasts, you’ll have the confidence and inspiration you need to deliver a memorable and unforgettable best man speech.

So, raise your glass and make a toast to the happy couple and their beautiful future together.

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Lisa Plaitt

Hello, I’m Lisa Plaitt and I have been married to my wonderful husband for almost five years. We met almost a decade ago now and I love him more everyday. But on my wedding day - the day that was supposed to be about celebrating us - I was far too stressed to enjoy it. My husband proposed to me in spring and it was a very lowkey setting, in our backyard without anyone else around to see it. It was a perfect proposal. But then everything got real, and I was suddenly thrust into planning mode.

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Best Man Speech Quotes

Jan 8, 2018

Here’s the great thing about using quotes in your best man speech – it makes you look super cultured and smart!

All going well, by the time you get to the end of your speech, which is where quotes are typically placed, the audience will have warmed to you because of your good humour and sensitivity. At this point they are ready to receive a bit of wisdom, from you, or in the form of a quote.  Here are some great examples of Best Man speech quotes that will leave the audience feeling that bit cleverer and wiser.

“Phillip – my best friend – some words of advice in the form of a wise old poem. To keep a marriage brimming with love in the loving cup, when you are wrong, admit it and when you are right, shut up!  Phillip and Claire!”

“And now all I have left to do is to say what a privilege it is to ask everyone here to charge their glasses and – for those of you who still can! – to rise to your feet. Ladies and Gentlemen… the bride and groom.”

“Before I offer a toast to Ian and Marion I’d like to leave you with one thought: you don’t marry someone you can live with, you marry someone you can’t live without. In this case, these two really have married the right person. To the bride and groom.”

“Here’s to the two things that – without doubt – make a great marriage. Here’s to a good sense of humour , and selective hearing. Ladies and gentlemen – the bride and groom.”

“I’d like to end by toasting the bride and groom. But just before I do, I’d like to cite some lyrics from a song written many years ago but which I believe, are still meaningful today. [Speak the words, with no tune] She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And with a love like that, you know you should be glad. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the bride and groom.”

“To finish with some words from the bard: Love comforteth like sunshine after rain. So, you two, I hope your marriage is full of intermittent drizzle, followed by days of blistering heat. To the bride and groom.”

I’d like to round off now with the words of a wider man than I, Timothy Titcomb, who said “The most precious possession that ever comes to a man in this world is a woman’s heart.” This couldn’t be more true when I look at Phil & Tara. Ladies and gentlemen, to the bride and groom.

“In closing, I’d like to leave you with a traditional African saying: ‘May your love be like the misty rain, gentle coming in but flooding the river.’ Ladies and gentlemen – the bride and groom.”

“St. Augustine, an ancient philosopher once said ‘Inasmuch as love grows in you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.’ It may be old, but I’m sure you’ll agree it’s still relevant today, and none more so than with Harry & Jo. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in one last toast, to the bride and groom, those most beautiful souls, Harry & Jo.”

“A wise by the name of Antoine de Saint-Exupery man once said, ‘Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.’ Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the bride and groom.”

“I’d like to end with a quote from a 19th-century poet, Kahlil Gibran, who said ‘ Marriage is like a golden ring in a chain, whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is an eternity.’ Today we celebrate that marriage. Please join me in one final toast, to the bride and groom, Andrew and Patricia”

“Walt Whitman, an American poet once said of marriage ‘The strongest and sweetest songs yet remain to be sung.’ Here’s to the start of even sweeter times, here’s to the bride and groom. To Mark & Helen.”

“Nikki Giovanni, the famous poet, writer, commentator, activist once said ‘We love because it’s the only true adventure.’ Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses, and let’s drink to adventure, to Charles and Amy”

Get Your Best Man Speech Guide

If you’d like advice on any other parts of your speech then download our comprehensive 28-page guide to Best Man speeches including:

• How to structure your speech
• How to write a speech that’s memorable for all the right reasons
• How to actually deliver the speech (very important this part, don’t skip)
• And lastly… how to know if it’s actually any good

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• Funeral Etiquette

How to End a Eulogy with Impact: 20+ Closing Lines

Updated 12/28/2023

Published 11/5/2019

Erin Coriell, BA in Mass Communication/Media Studies

End-of-life care educator and grief worker

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .

When it comes to writing a eulogy , finding the right closing words can be the most challenging part. Typing the words might even feel like saying your final goodbye .

During the writing process, you may find yourself reminiscing about special memories, and putting them down on paper can become very therapeutic. When it’s time to write your closing remarks, though, you may be unsure what to say.

Feeling reluctant to end a eulogy is normal. It’s not easy to conclude something that celebrates the life of someone you love. We’ll share our best tips below, and f or more help with all of the complicated tasks you might be facing , check out our post-loss checklist .

Tip:  If you're hosting a  Zoom funeral  using a service like  GatheringUs , make sure to test your audio before the service, so both online and in-person guests can hear you clearly.

Jump ahead to these sections:

Use an inspirational quote.

• Inject Some Humor

Share Their Words

• Play a Song
• Share a Poem
• Be Spontaneous

Examples of Great Closing Lines for a Eulogy

• A Eulogy Isn’t Goodbye

Sometimes it’s easier to use someone else’s words to close your eulogy. Think of your loved one’s favorite writer or actor and research their quotes.

Using a quote for the ending will help relieve the pressure of “saying the right thing.” You can read a few quotes and invite the audience to reflect upon them.

After reading each quote, try to tie in your memory — or one to two sentences — explaining its relevance. It might seem relatively simple, but it’s a lovely way to conclude a eulogy.

Inject Some Humor 

Laughter can be the best medicine. If you have a funny story about your loved one, now is the time to share it. Funerals and memorials are often sad, but laughter is still appropriate.

Tell a funny story about your loved one and invite the audience to share a laugh. By laughing together, you can focus on the positive aspects of your loved one’s life.

Tip : Tell the story as if you’re having a conversation instead of reading from prepared remarks . Help yourself by only including reminders in your notes rather than the whole story.

You could jot down “a story about a camping trip” or “the first time eating a mango” to prompt you to tell the story organically. Imagine your loved one sitting in the audience, smiling and reminiscing.

If you're speaking during a virtual or online funeral , share some silly photos of the deceased with the online guests and provide commentary.

Do you know how you want to be remembered?

Let your loved ones know. Create a free Cake end-of-life planning profile and share your funeral, legacy, legal, and health choices instantly.

Ending a eulogy with your loved one’s words can be quite meaningful.

You might share a letter or card they gave you or a recipe they wrote down. Saying their words aloud can be a beautiful way to celebrate their life.

If you’re sharing a letter they wrote to you, consider emphasizing the theme of the letter. Was there something they wanted you to know, or was it a “thinking of you” note? If you read a handwritten recipe, think about printing it for your family and friends. You could also share a video of them talking.

Play a Song 

Sometimes, you don’t have the words to end a eulogy. If that’s the case, consider playing a funeral song that illustrates the life of your loved one.

You might say something like, “It’s hard to find the right words to say about someone who impacted our lives. I’d like to play a song that captures the essence of [name] . ”

Music can mend , and when we listen to it together, a bit of magic unfolds. A quiet reflection of song lyrics can serve as a healing ending to a eulogy.

Tip: If your loved one was passionate about music or there are a lot of songs that remind you of them, you can create a playlist and share it with a Spotify gift card as a unique sympathy gift for someone else who was also close to the deceased.

Share a Poem 

For some people, writing a poem can serve as a way to express feelings. If you enjoy poetry, this could be an easier way to close your eulogy.

If writing isn’t your specialty, research poems and find one that speaks to you. It doesn’t have to be death - related. Find something that makes you think of your loved one.

Maybe focus on how they lived or what they stood for in this world. Or you could pick a poem that talks about life and love. Whatever you choose, a poem can be a moving close to your eulogy.

Be Spontaneous 

If writing an ending to a eulogy feels too daunting, consider speaking off the cuff. Trust that you can share beautiful memories of your loved one straight from your heart.

People don’t rehearse when they share stories around the dinner table — they’re present in the moment.

Permit yourself to express from your heart, unrehearsed. Some of the best speeches and eulogies are the ones that are genuine and not-so-polished.

Tip : Don’t push your emotions down . It’s natural to cry during a heartfelt share.

Need more inspiration? Feel free to borrow or modify these closing lines.

Ending a eulogy for a mother or father

Ending a eulogy for a father , a mother , or any parent can evoke a lot of emotions. Allow yourself to feel. Trust you will get through it. Here are suggestions on how you might close your speech:

• What a legacy, what a life. I invite you to keep my [dad/mom] alive in your hearts. We were each touched by their presence, and we are better off for it . Thank you for being here and making my [mom/dad’s] life so meaningful.
• [Mom/dad] , you will be missed greatly. I know your presence will always be with me. Thank you for being such an incredible role model and loving me unconditionally. I hope that I have made you proud.
• This is not goodbye. As many know, my [mom/dad] had very strong faith. They believed [insert belief]. I know they are at peace now. It’s our turn to live life to the fullest and keep their legacy alive.
• “Say not in grief ‘ [he/she] is no more’ but in thankfulness that [he/she] was.” — Hebrew p roverb. [Mom/dad] , I will continue to celebrate your life in all that I do. I am so grateful to have had you as a parent.

Ending a eulogy for a brother or sister

Outliving a sibling can bring difficult emotions to the surface. Here are some eulogy endings to help you convey your feelings without becoming overwhelmed :

• As I conclude this eulogy, I’d like to share one of my favorite funny stories about [name]. We laughed a lot together. I will miss the silly times we shared. They might not like that I’m telling this story, but it’s one of my favorites [share funny memories].
• My [sister/brother] loved the song [insert title]. We used to sing it together as kids. I want to play it in their honor.
• Out of all the [brothers/sisters] in the world, you were mine. It was an honor to be your sibling . I’ll miss our talks and silly adventures. But most of all, I will miss our friendship. Thank you for being my [brother/sister] and my friend.
• “Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.” — Vietnamese proverb. Words can’t express how much I miss you. Thank you, [name], for being my best friend. You will always be a part of me.

Ending a eulogy for a friend

Saying our final goodbye in a eulogy for a friend isn’t easy. Speak from the heart and trust that what you say is enough. Consider these examples:

• [Name] always knew how to cheer me up and make me laugh. In closing, I’d like to share a few memories that still have me laughing to this day [share one to two memories]. 
• Everyone here is lucky to have known [name]. I know [name] is with us today and smiling at the beautiful memories we’ve shared. On behalf of my best friend, thank you.
• “True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable.” — David Tyson. We shared a lot of moments of silence. I want to invite each of you to take a moment of quiet reflection in honor of [name].
• Of all the people in the world, you picked me as your best friend. I wear that title with honor and gratitude. It was wonderful having you in my life. Thank you for being my partner on this grand adventure we call life.

A Eulogy Isn’t Goodbye 

When people think of a eulogy, they imagine the final words spoken about their loved one. While it's a method we use to honor our loved ones, it is just the beginning of their legacy.

After death, we can still keep them close to our hearts by reflecting on memories or with a physical reminder like a custom urn  or  cremation diamond .

A eulogy is an invitation to ignite the memories of your loved one — and to keep their presence alive. Speak their name , tell your friends about them, and allow their memory to carry you.

Grief may grow , and that’s okay. Remind yourself that it’s a natural part of the process, and welcome it. Feel your emotions and reflect on the memories of your loved one. Use it as a way to celebrate them.

Though their physical body has died, they’ll continue to live on in your mind and heart. A eulogy isn’t a goodbye — i t’s a reminder of the impact they had on your life. By remembering, you keep the bond alive.

If you need more help, check out our guides on funeral quotes for a eulogy and how to start a eulogy .

Categories:

• Funerals & Memorial Services

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35 Maid of Honor Speech Quotes to Enhance Your Toast

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning we earn commissions if you shop through the links below. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my  disclaimer  for more info.

If you think writing a maid of honor speech is tough, you’re totally right. For starters, you have to come up with a captivating opener to get the audience hooked from the jump.

Then you must keep them hanging onto your every word for the next 3-4 minutes. And just when you think the hardest part is over, here comes the ending ( dun, dun, dunnnnn )!

To help you with the beginning, middle and end of your epic toast, check out our top 35 maid of honor speech quotes broken down into five categories .

Funny Maid of Honor Speech Quotes

Looking for a few laughs? Any of these should do the trick!

“ May all your ups and downs come only in the bedroom. “

“Good evening, family and friends. I’m very happy to preside over the only five minutes of the day [BRIDE] didn’t plan.”

“Loyal, caring, sincere, honest… but that’s enough about me, I’m here to give a speech about [BRIDE]!”

“[BRIDE] knows that I’m a bit nervous about this speech, and she gave me some great advice. She said ‘Don’t try to be too charming, witty or intellectual… just be yourself!'”

“If you don’t understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child.”

“[BRIDE] please put your left hand flat on the table. [GROOM] please place your hand on top of hers. Enjoy this moment [GROOM], because it’s the first and last time in your marriage that you’ll have the upper hand.”

“[BRIDE] and [GROOM], before I finish, I’d like you to turn to face each other. You’re now looking into the eyes of the person who is statistically most likely to murder you. To the bride and groom!”

Maid of Honor Speech Quotes for Sister

Celebrating your sister and new brother-in-law? Throw in any of these quotes for an added touch!

“There is no better friend than a sister, and there is no better sister than you.”

“A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”

“Because there’s one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood.”

“The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend.”

“A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves — a special kind of double.”

“That’s the best thing about little sisters: They spend so much time wishing they were elder sisters that in the end, they’re far wiser than the elder ones could ever be.”

“Sister to sister we will always be, a couple of nuts off the family tree.”

RELATED: How Long Should a Maid of Honor Speech Be?

Speech quotes for best friend.

Tell your bestie what her friendship means to you with any of these sweet quotes!

“Good friends are hard to find and impossible to forget.”

“There are big ships and small ships. But the best ship of all is friendship.”

“Friends are the family you choose.”

“We have been friends together in sunshine and in shade.”

“There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family.”

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”

“They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.”

Sentimental Maid of Honor Speech Quotes

Want to really move the audience with your speech? Try one of these heartfelt quotes.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.”

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”

“May you have love, health & wealth; but most importantly, may you have the time to enjoy them all.”

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”

“Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.”

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

Closing Toasts

Need the perfect closing for your maid of honor speech? Try out one of these short and sweet toasts to the bride and groom!

“May your love be modern enough to survive the times and old-fashioned enough to last forever.”

“Here’s to the new husband and here’s to the new wife. May they remain lovers for all of life.”

“May ‘for better or worse’ be far better than worse.”

“Love is a friendship that has caught fire, so may your love burn bright for years to come. Here’s to my best friend and her new best friend.”

“A toast to love, laughter, and happily ever after.”

“May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door.” 

“Let’s drink to love, which is nothing—unless it’s divided by two.”

Have you checked out all our tips and still need help writing the perfect Maid of Honor speech?

Not to worry, Bridesmaid for Hire can help you craft an amazing, personal speech instantly!

Don’t believe it? Give it a try and see for yourself!

Pin for Later!

UP NEXT: 20 Questions to Help You Write Your Maid of Honor Speech

You have such a wonderful site. This page has provided me with tremendous ideas for my sister’s bridal shower.

Thank you for all you do! Wendy

Wendy, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy Modern MOH could be a valuable resource for you 🙂

Love the article and advise… really helped with writing my speech for my bestie

Very helpful! Tysm!

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167 Graduation Quotes That’ll Remind You to Follow Your Dreams

By Kristi Kellogg and Marilyn La Jeunesse

Finding the right graduation quote can be a tedious process. After four years of hard work, you want to commemorate this special moment with the right words. Something that defines who you are and sets the tone for the future. The truth of the matter is, it takes lots of blood, sweat, tears, and ramen to make it to graduation .

But, the day has finally come for you to don your hard-earned graduation robes, decorate your cap, and rewatch your favorite graduation movies to get excited for the big day. Bear your tassel proudly, and find the right motto for graduation captions on Instagram, of course. Hey, you didn’t work this hard in school just to post a captionless photo, right?

From inspirational quotes from Taylor Swift to funny graduation quotes from Timotheé Chalamet , we rounded up the best graduation quotes, best senior quotes, and graduation messages from celebrities, athletes, politicians, writers, cartoon characters and more. These thoughtful bits of advice are perfect to include in graduation cards (that go far beyond your “congratulations graduate” message), a commencement speech , or even to use for senior quotes in your yearbook. The choice is yours! Read on to discover 167 best graduation quotes.

In this article:

High school graduation quotes

Funny graduation quotes, college graduation quotes, inspirational graduation quotes, proud graduation quotes, short graduation quotes, graduation quotes for instagram, senior quotes.

• "Your life is your adventure. And the adventure ahead of you is a journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential." —Kerry Washington
• “If you can do what you do best and be happy, you are further along in life than most people.” —Leonardo DiCaprio
• "Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world." —Nelson Mandela
• "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." —Nora Ephron
• "You are about to start the greatest improvisation of all. With no script. No idea what's going to happen, often with people and places you have never seen before. And you are not in control. So say 'yes.' And if you're lucky, you'll find people who will say 'yes' back." —Stephen Colbert
• "You must have some vision for your life. Even if you don't know the plan, you have to have a direction in which you choose to go." —Oprah
• "You don’t go to university so you can punch a clock. You go to university so you can be in a position to make a difference." —Janet Napolitano
• "Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today." —Malcolm X
• "I've learned it's important not to limit yourself. You can do whatever you really love to do, no matter what it is." —Ryan Gosling
• "Fight for what makes you optimistic about the world. Find it, insist on it, dig into it, go after it." —Jennifer Garner
• "Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education." —Martin Luther King Jr.
• "You cannot dream of becoming something you do not know about. You have to learn to dream big. Education exposes you to what the world has to offer, to the possibilities open to you." —Sonia Sotomayor
• "If I must give any of you advice it would be say yes. Say yes, and create your own destiny." —Maya Rudolph
• "Your inexperience is an asset in that it will make you think in original, unconventional ways. Accept your lack of knowledge and use it as your asset." —Natalie Portman
• "Take your risks now. As you grow older, you become more fearful and less flexible … Try to keep your mind open to possibilities and your mouth closed on matters that you don't know about. Limit your 'always' and your 'nevers.' Continue to share your heart with people even if it’s been broken." —Amy Poehler
• "You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." —Steve Jobs
• "Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here." —Neil Gaiman
• "When you respect the idea that you are sharing the Earth with other humans, and when you lead with your nice foot forward, you’ll win, every time. It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, but it comes back to you when you need it." —Kristen Bell
• "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have you, you will never, ever have enough." —Oprah
• "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." —Muhammad Ali
• "Go make your big beautiful dent, and as you do so come down on the side of boldness. If you err, may it be for too much audacity, and not too little. For you really are enough. You have untold strengths and resources inside. You have your glorious self." —Sue Monk Kidd
• "It is often easier to make progress on mega-ambitious dreams. I know that sounds completely nuts. But, since no one else is crazy enough to do it, you have little competition." —Larry Page
• "Some life lessons don’t ever change. They need to be highlighted and they need to be remembered throughout our entire lives. But how you embrace them will distinguish you from the pack." —Brooke Shields
• "You and you alone are the only person who can live the life that writes the story that you were meant to tell." — Kerry Washington
• "Be the hardest working person you know. Because if you’re not, someone else will be." —Ian Brennan
• "In response to those who say to stop dreaming and face reality, I say keep dreaming and make reality." —Kristian Kan
• "It’s your turn to choose and define what success means to you. Now, others will try to define it for you, but yours is the only voice that matters." — Octavia Spencer
• Nobody else is paying as much attention to your failures as you are . . . to everyone else, it’s just a blip on the radar screen, so just move on. —Jerry Zucker
• "I am here to tell you that whatever you think your dream is now, it will probably change. And that's okay." —Conan O'Brien
• "Learn from every mistake because every experience, encounter, and particularly your mistakes are there to teach you and force you into being more who you are. And then figure out what is the next right move. And the key to life is to develop an internal moral, emotional G.P.S. that can tell you which way to go." —Oprah
• "If we’d all stuck with our first dream, the world would be overrun with cowboys and princesses. So whatever your dream is right now, if you don’t achieve it you haven’t failed and you’re not some loser." —Stephen Colbert
• "Don’t be afraid of fear. Because it sharpens you, it challenges you, it makes you stronger; and when you run away from fear, you also run away from the opportunity to be your best possible self."—Ed Helms
• “Success is not about wealth or fame, but about inner happiness and fulfillment.” —Margot Robbie
• “There are multiple sides to all of us. Who we are — and who we might be if we follow our dreams. —Miley Cyrus
• “God will never give you anything you can’t handle, so don’t stress.” —Kelly Clarkson
• "We're only here for so long. Be happy, man. You could get hit by a truck tomorrow." —​Timothée Chalamet​
• “Don’t allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put on sunglasses.” —Lady Gaga
• "Get busy living or get busy dying." —Stephen King
• "You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets." —Arnold Schwarzenegger
• "If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?" —Joe Namath
• "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." —Wayne Gretzky
• "You will stumble and fall, you will experience both disaster and triumph, sometimes in the same day. But it's really important to remember that like a hangover, neither triumphs nor disasters last forever." —Helen Mirren
• "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." —Thomas Edison
• "You have to dance a little bit before you step out into the world each day, because it changes the way you walk." —Sandra Bullock
• "Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there." —Will Rogers
• "The road to success is always under construction." —Lily Tomlin
• "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." —Robin Williams
• "Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor." —Jackson Browne
• “Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” —Elbert Hubbard
• “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” —Dolly Parton
• “Sometimes it takes a good fall to know where you stand.” —Hayley Williams
• “Success is nothing if you don’t have the right people to share it with; you’re just going to end up lonely.” —Selena Gomez
• "The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away." —Joy J. Golliver
• "That clock you hear is the sound of your own heart. Sink your teeth into this life, and don’t get let go." —Lin-Manuel Miranda
• "No job or task is too small or beneath you. If you want to get ahead, volunteer to do the things no one else wants to do, and do it better." —Bobbi Brown
• "You can’t do it alone. Be open to collaboration. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you. Spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life." — Amy Poehler
• "When we show up, act boldly, and practice the best ways to be wrong, we fail forward. No matter where we end up, we’ve grown from where we began." —Stacey Abrams
• "I celebrate you as you remember the power of grace and pride, and I challenge you to choose freedom over fear." —Janelle Monáe
• "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." —John Dewey
• "You could travel with the sheep, follow everybody else’s stuff, but then you’re not you. I guess if I want to say anything it’s ‘Be you.’ Be true to you, and that should make the ride a little more interesting." — Whoopi Goldberg
• "There will be times when your best isn’t good enough. There can be many reasons for this, but as long as you give your best you’ll be OK." —Robert De Niro
• "We may live in an age of instant messaging, instant gratification and Instagram, but there is no way to short circuit the path to success." —Tory Burch
• "Now the first suggestion is to aim high, but be aware that even before you have reached your ultimate professional destination, if you always strive for excellence, you can and should have a substantial impact on the world in which you live." —Sandra Day O’Connor
• "As you graduate, as you deal with your excitement and your doubts today, I urge you to try and create the world you want to live in. Minister to the world in a way that can change it. Minister radically in a real, active, practical, get your hands dirty way." —Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." —Henry David Thoreau
• "The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new steps of change." —Maya Angelou
• "There is nothing more beautiful than finding your course as you believe you bob aimlessly in the current. Wouldn’t you know that your path was there all along, waiting for you to knock, waiting for you to become. This path does not belong to your parents, your teachers, your leaders, or your lovers. Your path is your character defining itself more and more everyday like a photograph coming into focus." —Jodie Foster
• "Real leadership comes from the quiet nudging of an inner voice. It comes from realizing that the time has come to move beyond waiting to doing." —Madeleine Albright
• "Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It's hard work that makes things happen. It's hard work that creates change." —Shonda Rhimes
• "Don't just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table." —Barack Obama
• “Life can be heavy if you carry it all at once. Know what to keep and what to release. Decide what is yours to hold, and let all the other things go." —Taylor Swift
• “A lot of people give up just before they’re about to make it. You know you never know when that next obstacle is going to be the last one.” —Chuck Norris
• “It’s the choice. You have to wake up every day and say, ‘There’s no reason today can’t be the best day of my life’.” —Blake Lively
• “We are all deserving and we don’t need permission or an invitation to exist and to step into our power.” —Ilhan Omar
• “Your self worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.” —Beyoncé
• "No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." —Taylor Swift
• "There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer." —Rihanna
• "Understand that one day you will have the power to make a difference, so use it well." —Mindy Kaling
• "I'm continually trying to make choices that put me out of my own comfort zone. As long as you're uncomfortable it means you're growing." —Ashton Kutcher
• "It's amazing what you can get if you quietly, clearly and authoritatively demand it." —Meryl Streep
• "It's the choice. You have to wake up every day and say 'There's no reason today can't be the best day of my life.'" —Blake Lively
• "I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." —Michael Jordan
• "There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do." —Derek Jeter
• "My favorite animal is the turtle. The reason is that in order for the turtle to move, it has to stick its neck out. There are going to be times in your life when you’re going to have to stick your neck out. There will be challenges, and instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and meet them." —Ruth Westheimer
• "There is no passion to be found in playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." —Nelson Mandela
• "When someone who loves you hugs you, hug them back with two arms—don’t do the one-arm hug, because when you hug someone with two arms, it allows you to lean on somebody, and we all need someone to lean on." — Sandra Bullock
• "Frustration, although quite painful at times, is a very positive and essential part of success. —Bo Bennett
• "You can never be the best. The only thing you can be the best at is developing yourself." — Natalie Portman
• "Real courage is holding on to a still voice in your head that says, ‘I must keep going.’ It’s that voice that says nothing is a failure if it is not final. That voice that says to you, ‘Get out of bed. Keep going. I will not quit.'" —Cory Booker
• "Cynicism has never won a war, or cured a disease, or started a business, or fed a young mind, or sent men into space. Cynicism is a choice. Hope is a better choice." —Barack Obama
• "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." —Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "When people tell you not to believe in your dreams, and they say 'Why?' say 'Why not?'" —Billie Jean King
• "I encourage you to live with life. Be courageous, adventurous. Give us a tomorrow, more than we deserve." —Maya Angelou
• "There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction." — Oprah Winfrey
• "I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." —Thomas Jefferson
• “Sometimes the problem feels so big that changing one life doesn’t feel like enough. But it is.” —America Ferrera
• “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Know when to laugh at yourself, and find a way to laugh at obstacles that inevitably present themselves.” —Halle Bailey
• “Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary.” —Gerard Way
• “Every day is a new opportunity to change your life and be who you want to be.” —Demi Lovato
• "Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered." —Michelle Obama
• "Remember this: You are awesome. I’m not suggesting you be boastful. No one likes that in men or women. But I am suggesting that believing in yourself is the first necessary step to coming even close to achieving your potential." —Sheryl Sandberg
• “Don’t ever doubt yourselves or waste a second of your life. It’s too short and you’re too special.” —Ariana Grande
• "Ignore the naysayers. Really the only option is: head down and focus on the job." —Chris Pine
• "Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own." —Michelle Obama
• "The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be alone with the sky, nature, and God. For only then can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature’s beauty and simplicity." —Anne Frank
• "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." —E. E. Cummings
• "I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself." —Emma Stone
• "You don’t have to be famous. You just have to make your mother and father proud of you, and you already have." —Meryl Streep
• "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." —Mother Teresa
• “So often in life things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great good fortune.” —Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• “It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine.” —Eeyore
• “What do you have to do? What do you want to do? Tomorrow is not promised. Make plans anyway.” —Lin Manuel Miranda
• “There are no regrets in life. Just lessons.” —Jennifer Aniston
• “For the great doesn’t happen through impulse alone, and is a succession of little things that are brought together.” —Vincent Van Gogh
• "Change takes courage." —Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
• "You're never a loser until you quit trying." —Mike Ditka
• "Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions." —Albert Einstein
• “Work so hard that you never have to introduce yourself.” —Gigi Hadid
• "It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up." —Babe Ruth
• "There are no regrets in life — just lessons." —Jennifer Aniston
• "Stay hungry. Stay foolish." —Steven Jobs
• "A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman." —Melinda Gates
• "You get in life what you have the courage to ask for." —Oprah Winfrey
• "To give any less than your best is to sacrifice a gift." —Steve Prefontaine
• "Being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity." —Will Smith
• "Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement." —Matt Bondi
• "If you can’t outplay them, outwork them." —Ben Hogan
• "This above all: To thine own self be true." —William Shakespeare
• "Do. Or do not. There is no try." —Yoda
• "Be bold, be courageous, be your best." –Gabrielle Giffords
• "It is absolutely still possible to make a difference." —Michelle Obama
• “You’re not a slacker if you cut yourself some slack.” —Bill Gates
• “Be persistent and never give up hope.” —George Lucas
• “Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” —Gloria Steinem
• "It is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate." —George Burns
• “There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like you.” —Ariana Grande
• "All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." —Walt Disney
• “Started from the bottom, now we’re here.” —Drake
• "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." —Eleanor Roosevelt
• "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." —Sun Tzu
• "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." —Arthur Ashe
• "She turned her can’ts into cans and her dreams into plans." —Kobi Yamada
• "There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind." —C.S. Lewis
• "You can never be overdressed or overeducated." —Oscar Wilde
• "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible.'" —Audrey Hepburn
• "A champion is someone who gets up when he can't." —Jack Dempsey
• “Don’t you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are.” —Lady Gaga
• “Be kind to yourself a little more every day.” —Dua Lipa
• “You will screw it up sometimes.” —Taylor Swift
• “And here you are living despite it all.” —Rupi Kaur
• “If you don’t have any shadows you’re not in the light.” —Lady Gaga
• “Keep your eyes on the finish line and not on the turmoil around you.” —Rihanna
• “For every winner, there doesn't have to be a loser. In fact, most success stories are less about competition and more about collaboration.” —Michelle Yeoh
• “Time is the most valuable resource on the planet.” —Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• “Please don’t be afraid, don’t worry yourself. The end and beginning, beginning and end are connected.” —BTS’s Suga
• “Trust your gut, keep throwing darts at the dartboard. Don’t listen to the critics – and you will figure it out.” —Will Ferrell
• “Building your community is how you change the world.” —LeBron James
• “Never let anyone put you in a box or tell you what you can do. Make sure you paint your own picture and go your own path, and continue to think outside the box.” —Magic Johnson
• “If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow.” —Beyoncé
• “Embrace your uniqueness for it is what makes you truly beautiful.” —Dove Cameron
• “I’ve always done whatever I want and been exactly who I am.” —Billie Eilish
• “Don’t try so hard to fit in, and certainly don’t try so hard to be different, just try hard to be you.” —Zendaya
• “If you were born with the weakness to fall you were born with the strength to rise.” —Rupi Kaur
• “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” —Serena Williams
• “You can be everything. You can be the infinite amount of things that people are.” —Kesha
• “Do one thing every day that scares you.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
• “Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.” —Marilyn Monroe

Want more from   Teen Vogue ? Check this out: Taylor Swift’s Grad Speech: “You Will Screw It Up”

By Kristi Kellogg and Noor Brara

By Ashleigh Carter

By Kara Nesvig

By Teen Vogue

• Professional Eulogy Writing Service
• Eulogy For a Husband Example
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Professional Eulogy Writing

Eulogy writing guide, funeral speeches for a work colleague, tribute speech to dad from daughter, funeral speech writing advice, how to finish off a eulogy: the perfect ending.

• March 9, 2024

Table of Contents

Essential Elements for a Strong Eulogy Conclusion

Summary of main points, personal sentiments, message of hope or comfort, crafting a poignant, yet uplifting ending, overly focusing on grief, being too general, rushing the ending, ignoring your emotions, forgetting the message of comfort, compassionate eulogy crafting for spiritual leaders, crafting a mosaic of reverent memories, voices of reflection: client testimonials, tips for writing a memorable eulogy conclusion, examples of effective eulogy conclusions, common pitfalls to avoid when writing a eulogy conclusion, eulogy assistant: echoing hearts and spirits, frequently asked questions.

When it comes to farewells, few are as profound and heartfelt as eulogies. A eulogy is more than a speech; it's a tribute, an homage, an opportunity to honor the life of someone dearly loved and now deeply missed. It is a meaningful occasion to share stories, memories, and the significant influence a person has left on their loved ones and their world. While the task is emotionally daunting, it can also provide healing, offering closure while celebrating a life lived.

The eulogy holds immense importance as it serves several purposes. It gives us a chance to express our feelings for the departed, communicate their unique qualities, share special memories, and highlight their accomplishments. A well-delivered eulogy can bring solace to those in mourning, reminding them of the joy, love, and legacy that lives on.

A critical, often challenging part of a eulogy is its conclusion. Crafting the perfect ending can seem like a formidable task. How do you encapsulate a lifetime of memories, the depth of your relationship, and the essence of a person into a concluding paragraph? How do you find words that are comforting, memorable, and reflective of the individual you've lost?

This article aims to guide you through this task. We will explore the role of a eulogy conclusion, its key components, and how to craft an ending that leaves a lasting impact. We will provide tips to help you create a memorable eulogy conclusion, share examples of effective endings, discuss common pitfalls to avoid, and emphasize the importance of practice and delivery. Through understanding and guidance, we hope to help you navigate this difficult task with compassion and confidence.

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Writing a eulogy, especially its conclusion, can be a profound and therapeutic experience. It's a chance to express your love and admiration, to grieve, and ultimately, to start healing. While the process is undeniably emotional, it's an important step in saying goodbye. And in the quiet closure of a well-delivered eulogy, we can find comfort, strength, and a deepened connection to the person we have lost.

So, as you join us on this journey of crafting the perfect ending for a eulogy, we hope you find the advice and insights you need to give your loved one the heartfelt farewell they deserve.

A strong conclusion to a eulogy does more than end a speech—it provides closure, offers comfort, and leaves a lasting impression of the life that was. But what exactly makes a eulogy conclusion effective? Let's delve into the essential components of a compelling eulogy conclusion and learn how you can personalize them for your own speech.

The first component of a solid eulogy conclusion is a summary of the key points. Throughout the eulogy, you will have shared stories, discussed personal traits, and highlighted meaningful experiences. In your conclusion, revisit these main points in a succinct manner. You don't need to retell every story, but gently remind your audience of the essence of the life you've portrayed.

Personalizing Tip: When summarizing, keep in mind the central themes or messages you want the listeners to take away. If your loved one was known for their kindness, summarize stories that highlighted this trait. If resilience was their defining characteristic, remind the audience of the hardships they overcame. Align your summary with the overall narrative of your eulogy.

In the conclusion, it's important to share your own feelings. How has the loss affected you? What will you miss most about your loved one? What part of their legacy will stay with you forever? Expressing personal sentiments adds depth to your speech, making it more relatable and emotionally engaging.

Personalizing Tip: Be sincere and speak from the heart. There's no right or wrong way to feel or to express your feelings. Just remember that your personal experience can resonate with others, helping them to process their own grief and feelings of loss.

Lastly, aim to end your eulogy with a message of hope or comfort. This is an opportunity to uplift the audience and provide solace in a difficult time. It could be a comforting quote, an optimistic outlook on the continuation of life, or a promise to uphold the deceased's values.

Personalizing Tip: Draw on the character and beliefs of your loved one. If they were religious, you might find comfort in scripture. If they were an optimist, express hope for the future. If they were passionate about a cause, pledge to carry on their work. This not only brings comfort but keeps their spirit alive in a tangible way.

Writing a eulogy conclusion involves balancing various elements. While you are summarizing the life of your loved one, you are also expressing personal emotions and delivering comfort to your audience. It's about finding the right blend of retrospection, emotion, and forward-looking optimism.

Remember, your words hold the power to comfort and heal—to help others make sense of their loss. While writing a eulogy is undoubtedly a challenging task, it is also a beautiful opportunity to honor your loved one in the most personal and heartfelt way possible. As you craft your conclusion, infuse it with sincerity and love. After all, it's not just the final words of your eulogy, but a lasting tribute to a life well-lived.

The conclusion of a eulogy is the final chance to leave a lasting impression of your loved one in the hearts and minds of your listeners. Achieving the right balance of poignancy and upliftment, sorrow and hope, can seem daunting. However, with the right approach to language, tone, and crafting your ending, you can create a conclusion that provides comfort and honors your loved one's memory. Here are some tips to guide you.

The language you use can have a profound effect on your audience. It shapes how they feel and remember your loved one. Use clear, simple, and heartfelt language. It's okay to be informal—this isn't a lecture, but a personal reflection on someone deeply loved and missed. Using 'big words' can distance you from your audience. Instead, speak as if you were talking to a friend.

Personalizing Tip: Consider your loved one's own language. Did they have favorite phrases or sayings? Incorporating these can make your eulogy conclusion feel more authentic and close to heart.

The tone of your conclusion should match the overall feeling of your eulogy. If your eulogy has been light-hearted, don't abruptly shift to a heavy tone. Similarly, if you've maintained a serious tone, a sudden joke can feel jarring. Consistency is key.

That being said, remember that a eulogy is a celebration of life. Even in the midst of grief, it's appropriate to inject some positivity into your conclusion. A balance between acknowledging the sadness of loss and the joy of having known them often works best.

Personalizing Tip: Reflect on the tone that your loved one would have appreciated. Were they someone who appreciated humor, even in tough times? Or did they prefer solemn, profound expressions of emotion? Let their personality guide your tone.

It's common to feel that the conclusion of a eulogy should be solemn or even somber. After all, it's a speech given at a funeral, a gathering steeped in grief and loss. However, it's also an opportunity to uplift your listeners, to offer comfort, and to inspire hope.

End your eulogy by highlighting the positive impact your loved one had on their world. Talk about their legacy and how they continue to live on in the lessons they taught, the love they shared, and the memories you all carry.

Personalizing Tip: Think about what your loved one stood for or believed in. Did they value family above all? Were they passionate about helping others? Did they believe in the power of love or the strength of human spirit? Tie these values into your uplifting message.

Remember, writing a eulogy conclusion that resonates with your audience involves more than just summarizing the speech or repeating clichéd phrases. It's about connecting with your listeners on a personal and emotional level, offering them comfort, and ensuring that your loved one's memory shines through. By being mindful of your language, maintaining a consistent tone, and crafting a poignant yet uplifting ending, you can create a memorable and fitting tribute to your loved one.

To fully understand how to craft a compelling eulogy conclusion, it can be incredibly helpful to examine a few examples. Let's explore three different eulogy endings, each of which skillfully incorporates the elements of summarizing main points, expressing personal sentiments, and delivering a message of hope or comfort.

"To summarize, my father was a man of few words, but the words he did share were always kind and meaningful. He lived by the principle of love and taught us to do the same. His passing is a profound loss, but his legacy of love lives on in us, his children, and in the countless lives he touched. As we gather here to say our goodbyes, I take solace in knowing that his spirit lives on, and his teachings continue to guide us."

This conclusion is effective because it recaps the central theme of the speech—the father's love and kindness. It acknowledges the loss, but it also offers comfort in the idea of his enduring legacy. It connects with the listeners, offering solace, and honoring the father's memory.

"Jenny was more than just a sister; she was my confidante, my role model, my best friend. We've laughed together, cried together, and faced life's challenges hand-in-hand. Today, it's difficult to imagine a world without her infectious laughter and indomitable spirit. But I know that her strength lives on within me, and in all who loved her. In honoring her memory, we keep her spirit alive."

In this conclusion, the speaker eloquently sums up the core attributes of the sister—her laughter, spirit, and strength. The message is heartfelt, acknowledging the pain of loss, but also the empowerment of carrying her strength within. It's an affirmation of continuing bonds with the deceased, which is a powerful source of comfort.

"As we say goodbye to our beloved grandma, I'm reminded of her favorite saying, 'The sun always rises.' She believed in the power of resilience, of finding light even in the darkest of times. Today, as we stand amidst the shadow of loss, her words ring true. For every sunrise is a reminder of her enduring wisdom, and each day a chance to live by the values she taught us. Even though she's no longer with us, her light continues to guide us."

This conclusion leverages the grandmother's own words to craft an ending that is both poignant and uplifting. It's not just about the sadness of the loss but about the hopeful message that she has left behind. It effectively connects the grandmother's wisdom to the continued presence of her influence, offering comfort and inspiration.

Each of these conclusions is effective because they strike a balance between expressing grief and offering solace. They are personalized to the individual being remembered, connecting the listeners to their unique attributes, values, or sayings. As you prepare your eulogy conclusion, consider the specific attributes and values of your loved one, and how these can be translated into a message of hope and comfort. Through this, you can craft an ending that truly honors their memory and provides solace to those in attendance.

Concluding a eulogy in a way that encapsulates your loved one's life and provides comfort can be a challenging task. In aiming for the right balance, there are some common pitfalls that you should be mindful of. By understanding these, you can more effectively craft a meaningful and resonating ending to your eulogy.

A eulogy should indeed acknowledge the pain and grief of loss, but its purpose goes beyond that. It is also a celebration of life, an opportunity to remember and honor the individual who has passed. If the conclusion is excessively centered on grief, it can overshadow the life and legacy of your loved one. To avoid this, ensure that your ending encapsulates not just the pain of loss, but also the joys and lessons of the life lived.

A common mistake when writing a eulogy conclusion is resorting to generic statements or clichés. While it's true that certain sentiments may be universal in times of loss, your conclusion should be unique and specific to the individual. Reflect on their life, values, passions, and their impact on those around them. These reflections should guide the crafting of your conclusion.

Another pitfall is rushing the conclusion, often a result of the emotional weight of the process. Take your time in crafting your conclusion. It should be a thoughtful summation of the main points, sentiments, and messages conveyed throughout the eulogy.

It's understandable to want to maintain composure during a difficult time, but it's also okay to show your emotions. Don't shy away from expressing your feelings. Authenticity can bring a sense of comfort and connection to those listening.

It's important that your eulogy conclusion not only honors the deceased but also provides a message of comfort or hope to those in attendance. Try to include uplifting thoughts or a note of positivity that can bring solace to the grieving.

In ensuring your eulogy conclusion is both authentic and appropriate, remember that there is no 'perfect' way to write a eulogy. It's a deeply personal expression of love, grief, and remembrance. Be patient with yourself and let your feelings guide you. Listen to your heart and let it dictate the pace and tone of your writing.

Your eulogy conclusion is the last opportunity you'll have to communicate about your loved one in this specific context, make it count. Express your personal sentiments, recap the main points of the eulogy, offer comfort to the listeners, and above all, make sure it is a true reflection of your feelings for the person who has passed. Through this, you can craft a conclusion that honors their memory in the most heartfelt way.

In the quiet moments before a final farewell, encapsulating your deep emotions in words can feel as intimate as capturing the essence of a soft evening's breeze. Composing a eulogy for a spiritual leader is a journey of respect and heartfelt sincerity. Eulogy Assistant is here to gently guide you in this task, blending homage with authentic emotion, turning meaningful memories into lasting tributes.

Our team, adept in the nuanced art of eulogy writing, is dedicated to helping you create a eulogy that reflects the serene grace and insightful wisdom of your spiritual leader. Eulogy Assistant offers more than just a service; we provide a partnership, offering empathetic guidance and support as you honor a life of spiritual significance.

At Eulogy Assistant , we value the power of collaboration in creating an eulogy that resonates with emotional depth. Working with us, your personal recollections and heartfelt stories are seamlessly interwoven with our expertise, resulting in a tribute that is dignified and emotionally connecting.

Our approach is rooted in genuine dialogue and collaborative creativity. Your experiences and personal reflections are essential in painting a vivid narrative of your spiritual leader's life and legacy. This process goes beyond a mere recounting of their teachings; it's about capturing the essence of their personal connections and the impact they had on lives.

Together, we aim to craft a narrative that genuinely captures the spirit of your spiritual leader – a story that rises above standard eulogies, delving into deep respect, personal connections, and genuine emotion. Our joint efforts create a eulogy that is a heartfelt tapestry of words, reflecting the profound respect and love that your spiritual leader inspired.

The true essence of our work is mirrored in the heartfelt testimonials from those we've assisted. These sincere expressions of gratitude and recognition from individuals who found solace and guidance in our services are the sincerest testament to our dedication.

"When the task of eulogizing my spiritual leader seemed daunting, Eulogy Assistant was a beacon of support, helping me craft a tribute that perfectly captured their spirit and teachings," Johnathan shares, who found understanding and solace in our service.

Emily adds, "The compassionate and skilled support from Eulogy Assistant was invaluable during my time of grief. They guided me in crafting a eulogy that was not merely words, but a heartfelt homage that deeply resonated with everyone connected to our spiritual guide."

These testimonials underscore our commitment to creating eulogies that are heartfelt expressions of respect, honor, and lasting memory. We are privileged to be part of your journey, celebrating the unique legacies of those who have profoundly influenced our lives and crafting eulogies that serve as enduring tributes to their spiritual guidance.

Join us in creating narratives that are deeply personal, respectful, and echo the true essence of the spiritual leaders who have left a lasting impact on our lives.

What is the Importance of Concluding a Eulogy Well?

Concluding a eulogy well is crucial as it leaves a lasting impression on the audience, provides closure, and encapsulates the essence and tribute of the loved one’s life.

How Do I Start to Conclude a Eulogy?

Begin the conclusion by transitioning from the body of the eulogy with a reflective statement or a summary of the key points you have shared about the deceased.

What Key Elements Should Be Included in a Eulogy Conclusion?

Include a final tribute to the deceased, words of comfort to the audience, a personal farewell message, and, if appropriate, a thank you to those in attendance.

How Long Should the Conclusion of a Eulogy Be?

The conclusion should be brief, typically lasting no more than a minute or two, effectively wrapping up the speech without extending it unnecessarily.

What Tone is Appropriate for Concluding a Eulogy?

The tone should be solemn yet comforting, reflective, and hopeful, in keeping with the overall tone of the eulogy and the nature of the service.

Can I End a Eulogy with a Quote or Poem?

Yes, concluding with a meaningful quote, poem, or scripture that resonates with the life or beliefs of the deceased can be a powerful and poignant way to end a eulogy.

Is It Appropriate to Share a Final Personal Memory?

Sharing a final, personal memory can be a touching way to end the eulogy, especially if it encapsulates the character or the impact of the deceased.

How Can I Make the Conclusion Personal and Meaningful?

Personalize the conclusion by expressing your feelings, sharing what the deceased meant to you and others, and how they will be remembered.

Should the Conclusion Offer Comfort to the Bereaved?

Yes, offering words of comfort and hope to the bereaved can help provide solace and acknowledge the collective grief of the audience.

Can I Include a Farewell Message to the Deceased?

A direct farewell message to the deceased in the conclusion can be a heartfelt and emotional way to say goodbye and can resonate deeply with the audience.

How Do I Transition Smoothly into the Conclusion?

Transition smoothly by acknowledging the end of the eulogy, perhaps with a phrase like “In closing” or “As we say goodbye”, signaling the conclusion to the audience.

Is It Suitable to Mention the Afterlife or Spiritual Beliefs?

If it aligns with the beliefs of the deceased and the audience, mentioning the afterlife or spiritual beliefs can offer hope and consolation.

How Can I Express Gratitude in the Conclusion?

Express gratitude towards the deceased for the lessons and memories shared, and thank the audience for their presence and support.

What If I Become Emotional While Concluding the Eulogy?

If you become emotional, it’s okay to take a moment to compose yourself. Showing emotion can be a natural and genuine part of saying farewell.

Can the Conclusion Reflect on the Legacy of the Deceased?

Yes, reflecting on the legacy and the lasting impact of the deceased’s life is a fitting way to conclude and honor their memory.

How Do I End the Eulogy on a Hopeful Note?

End on a hopeful note by focusing on positive memories, the enduring spirit of the deceased, or the support and strength of the community.

Should I Encourage Others to Remember and Celebrate the Deceased?

Encouraging others to continue to remember and celebrate the deceased’s life can be a comforting and unifying way to conclude.

Can I Use a Symbolic Gesture to End the Eulogy?

Using a symbolic gesture, like a moment of silence, a toast, or lighting a candle, can be a powerful and meaningful way to conclude.

How Do I Ensure the Conclusion is Respectful and Dignified?

Ensure the conclusion is respectful and dignified by keeping it focused on honoring the deceased and by avoiding any language or anecdotes that might be inappropriate.

Is It Okay to End with an Invitation to Further Commemorate the Deceased?

Ending with an invitation to share stories after the service, or to participate in another form of commemoration, can be a fitting way to encourage continued remembrance.

Looking For Examples? Here Are Some of The Best Eulogies

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On Easter Sunday, an emotional Alex Edelman completed his final performance of Just for Us , bringing six life-changing years with the hugely acclaimed solo show to a close.

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First put on its feet all the way back in 2018, the show’s plot is thrust into motion as Edelman recalls being subjected to antisemitic comments on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Rather than blocking the offenders, he chose to keep tabs on them, until the moment when a tweet crossed his path that he couldn’t let be: “Hey, if you live in NYC and you have questions about your whiteness, come to 441 27th Avenue tomorrow night at 9:15.” It was thus that this Boston native, raised in an Orthodox Jewish family, wound up at a white nationalist gathering in Queens that left him contemplating themes of empathy, identity, belonging and community.

Set to hit HBO tomorrow in the form of an awards-contending comedy special, the show centered on this stranger-than-fiction experience of Edelman’s opened off-Broadway in 2022 before making its way to Broadway and touring around the world, winding down with a recent run of shows at Los Angeles’ Mark Taper Forum.

In conversation with Deadline, Edelman reflects on takeaways from his experience with Just for Us , and the creative contributions of its original director Adam Brace — his longtime creative partner, with whom he worked on three one-man shows, who died tragically of a stroke last summer, at just 43 years old. As he touches on encounters with Jared Kushner at synagogue, his experience learning sign language for the show and the extent of his show business ambitions, he also offers his thoughts on the Oscars speech from Jonathan Glazer that’s divided Hollywood creatives.

DEADLINE: What did you learn about yourself from working on Just for Us?

DEADLINE: How is your life different now than it was when the journey with this show began?

EDELMAN : I mean, I’m Jewish now. Back then, I was a devout member of Opus Dei, so this is a real departure for me. No. Oh God, what’s changed? I mean, look so much. I think I started the show kind of as a child, and finished a show a bit more of an adult.

DEADLINE: You’re saying you got bar mitzvahed with the show?

EDELMAN : I was not going to be the one to say that, Matt, but I absolutely thought of saying it and then decided not to. But yes, I got circumcised on the show every night, which is why it had to end. Because I only had so much left.

No, no, I’m joking, obviously. But honestly, I’ll say this. I think the show was formed with me having come out of a writers’ room on a CBS multi-cam, and as silly as this is, the grasp of structure that I was learning, as I started thinking about and writing the show, that really was helpful.

This is sort of a synthesis of my solo show, or my stand-up beginnings, with my TV writing of a more middle adulthood. I took a break from the show for a year to go into a room on a Netflix show that Jenji Kohan put me in, and the lessons I learned from Jenji came to bear on the show, also. So, I think I grew as an artist and a writer, besides just as a person. Who’s to say what’s more important?

DEADLINE: Could you talk about the show’s title and what it means to you?

EDELMAN : I mean, I just told somebody that there are 20 different reasons that could be the title of the show. I’ve always liked the ambiguity of the title…within the context of a conversation about assimilation or whiteness. My director Adam Brace used to [say] that a good solo show can oftentimes ask the question, what is our place in the world? And I think the questions about what Just for Us might mean is an extension of that.

DEADLINE: Brace was clearly very important to you. What did be bring to your work and life?

EDELMAN : For 11 years, I got to be in good conversation with the person who was one of my closest friends, and then towards the end of his life, definitely [we had] a really nice partnership. [I had] a deep and abiding love for this guy who I met as a college student, and I’ll always be so grateful to him for this thing.

Towards the beginning of the time period where Adam was no longer here doing the show, it felt like a dialogue with him, in a way, to be close to him. Then, it [became] a catechism, a dialogue with this guy who’s no longer here. That was sort of how it felt at the beginning, and even at the end, it felt like that.

Although, by the way, the community of people that was there after he passed away — his family and his partner Becca [Fuller], especially — they kept a really good grip on me and made sure that I didn’t fall completely apart. They came over for the opening of the show on Broadway.

But yeah. I got to make this crazy, beautiful thing with my closest friend, and it was our most involved work together. He came over to the U.S. four or five times to help mount it, and then he passed away, and then I had to keep doing the thing. I loved doing the thing, and I’m happy that it gets to sort of be frozen in celluloid amber. But also, I wonder how much I’ll miss that repeated dialogue with him, if that makes any sense.

EDELMAN : Oh yeah, it’s fantastic, genuinely. I only know a few words of sign language. Also, I’m not perfect at it, and people at the show who speak ASL or British Sign Language or European sign languages, oftentimes the attitude I get, which I love, is sort of like, “Nice try.” Sort of like “You speak sign language like you learned it from someone who’s not deaf,” which is true. But it’s given me a crazy appreciation for how interesting and funny the language is. My favorite [expression in sign language] is “Thank you.” It’s weirdly a gesture that feels very intimate, in a way that “Thank you” in English doesn’t quite.

DEADLINE: You also reference Jared Kushner in the show, as someone you’ve seen at synagogue, who’s very loud . Any good anecdotes there?

EDELMAN : First of all, a lot of Kushner relatives have come to see the show, with varying affection for the Kush. And he’s around. I see him sometimes. I think they live in Miami now; I don’t think they’re in New York as much anymore. But I’ll say this. I hear that he knows of the joke, is what I’m told. I don’t know if I’m going to expect a tweeted endorsement from Ivanka [Trump] anytime soon.

But when Ivanka started to convert, she was in synagogue. It was really interesting, and the rabbi who did their conversion is a very venerable rabbi in New York. When he came to the show, literally 20 people called me to tell me he was coming, and then when he came to the show afterwards, he had written a letter, and then someone had faxed the letter to someone else, who scanned it and emailed it to me. So literally every form of communication, other than telegram, was deployed in getting me the rabbi’s thoughts on the show. But he liked it, it seemed.

DEADLINE: This show has so many layers of implications for the world — particularly in a heated election year — in terms of the discussion you lead about empathy and the challenge of breaking out of our individual echo chambers. What do you think it will take for more people to at least hear those on the other side of the spectrum for them, as you’ve made a point of doing?

EDELMAN : Whenever I’m asked a question about empathy, I always ask people to consider a question themselves, which is, do you want to be right or do you want to be effective? Because the two things aren’t always the same thing, right? Sometimes, your truth, the facts that you know to be true and are sure are true — and maybe empirically, objectively true — are completely different than the reality that somebody else lives in. How do you square those two things? How do you find a way to acknowledge someone else’s lived experience without being completely delusional, to an extent that you lose yourself?

It’s a really difficult balancing act, so I think the best that you can hope for is to try to put yourself in a space where you can show up and expect to be listened to, and also show up, expecting to listen — and not with the intent of convincing, but with the intent of just being there to understand the other’s perspective.

There’s a really great interview that Christopher Hitchens did with Sean Hannity, two people who could not be more diametrically opposed, and Sean Hannity’s really going at Christopher Hitchens. And Hitchens says, brilliantly…I’m misquoting here, I’m sure. “I don’t mean to be rude” — which was a lie, by the way — “but you give me the impression of someone who’s never read the opinions of those that he disagrees with.” Because Hannity, of course, didn’t understand wherever Hitchens was coming from. And maybe Hannity would’ve been like, “Oh, no, I read this, that, or the other.” But the truth is that understanding completely the perspective of that which opposes you creates empathy, creates discourse, creates a grounding in reality, and also can sharpen your own opinions. All of those things.

DEADLINE: Expanding the conversation on empathy to the Israel-Palestine conflict, I’m curious to hear what you thought of The Zone of Interest filmmaker Jonathan Glazer’s highly polarizing speech at the Oscars. Thousands of prominent figures in the arts and elsewhere have publicly denounced it , with thousands more today taking his side . Generally speaking, how do we open a dialogue on topics this sensitive that’s constructive?

EDELMAN : I mean, Israel and Palestine is the issue that is so treacherous, and so hard to get your arms around completely, that it’s immediately become a third rail. Third rails are inherently interesting, right? All the power’s in the third rail, and that speech in particular holds such intrigue because it’s such a high-profile moment and such a challenging piece of work that he’s accepting that award for. The work and the subject matter means so much to so many people, and so watching everybody’s discourse over it, I think I long for a more interested conversation about it. Not interesting , but a more interested conversation, in terms of why we’re reacting to this the way we are. What questions does it raise? What opinions does it change? Because any answer to those questions is pretty fascinating.

I have a lot of friends who feel very strongly about it on different sides of the issue. When it comes to Israel and Palestine right now, I become very much a listener. As soon as October 7th happened, I was like, “Oh, this is going to be nightmarish. This is just going to be a freaking disaster,” and I think it has been. I don’t think it’s controversial to say that it’s just been a wrenching experience.

But again, talk about strongly felt opinions loosely held. I go back and forth. I’m extremely pushed to and fro by the news, and the opinions of my friends who feel very strongly on all sides. My friends who live on the ground, my friends who are of Palestinian descent, my friends and family who live in Israel with wildly differing political opinions. Really tough, fascinating thing.

I always said that my next show was going to be about Israel and Palestine; I think that’s probably still the case. It may take a long time to put that show together, but I’ve always been really fascinated by this thorny, poisonous topic. So, I don’t know. I watched the speech live and now am starting to get a little caught up on the reactions to it. But I’ve seen people that I love and respect on both of those letters. So, hard to square that.

EDELMAN : I want to act more. I really like being in front of the camera, which is something I wasn’t sure that I wanted, and then I got to do it a little bit, and I was like, “Oh gosh, this is really fun.” I had so much fun on Seinfeld’s movie, doing a little bit in Unfrosted . It was such a blast.

I have some writing stuff for television that I’m psyched about. I have a thing I co-wrote with Jenji Kohan, an adaptation of [the Chaim Potok novel] My Name Is Asher Lev that I’d love to get made. I’m writing sitcoms and fielding some thoughts and offers for various new work. So, like everybody else, I just want to do fun and interesting and fulfilling stuff. What a revolutionary thing to say.

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The Best Quote From Each Avenger

We love these 3000.

Despite delivering a good dose of action-packed scenes and gripping narratives, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for its memorable characters that it would obviously not exist without. Featuring a plethora of different personalities known as the treasured Avengers, which audiences, particularly fans of the franchise, can't help but root for, the MCU is understandably one of the most beloved cinematic universes.

Naturally, with so many movies under its belt and all the character development they feature, the MCU has offered fans a couple of memorable quotes that endure some of the most powerful and memorable. To celebrate all these unforgettable lines, we look back at the best quote from each Avenger , starting with Hawkeye's hilarious bit in Avengers: Age of Ultron and ending with Tony Stark's memorable sentence in Avengers: Endgame .

"The city is flying, we're fighting an army of robots, and I have a bow and arrow. None of this makes sense."

Hawkeye/clint barton, 'avengers: age of ultron' (2015).

Although generally speaking, Jeremy Renner 's character isn't as much of a fan-favorite as some other Avengers (not until his show came out anyway), Clint actually has a fair share of memorable lines in the MCU. One of his best quotes comes in Avengers: Age of Ultron , where Clint was arguably at his best (and audiences actually got a better glimpse of him as a character).

This line in particular encapsulates Clint's fun-loving personality and self-consciousness . Many Marvel enthusiasts argue, in a derogatory way, that he is not that useful, so it's fun to see Renner's character being humble and admitting that his bow and arrow aren't comparable to the superhuman powers of other Avengers like Captain America ( Chris Evans ) or Thor ( Chris Hemsworth ). It's also a hilarious quote considering that it would be a relatable thought if Age of Ultron 's scenario were ever to happen in real life.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Watch on Disney+

"If you want this suit, you’re going to have to pry my cold dead body out of it."

War machine/james rhodes, 'iron man 3'.

Despite his lack of screen time, Don Cheadle 's War Machine is getting more attention these days and proving to be one of the most badass characters in the MCU. His determination and loyalty (particularly to Robert Downey Jr .'s Tony, of course) are part of what makes him so likable. Although things have seemingly changed since Secret Invasion , it is impossible to forget the good things Rhodey has done for the Avengers team.

When he is arguing with the Sweat Shop Agent in Iron Man 3 , Rhodes makes it clear that he is absolutely not giving away his powers (meaning his precious suit). This is easily one of the most memorable Lit. James Rhodes quotes because it is a very defining one that sheds light on his strong-willed personality .

"What is grief, if not love persevering?"

Vision, 'wandavision' (2021).

Formerly known as Tony's artificial intelligence operating system, J.A.R.V.I.S., Paul Bettany 's Vision assumed human form in Age of Ultron and later found love in the arms of Elizabeth Olsen 's Scarlett Witch. Although he passed in Infinity War after destroying the Mind Stone and sacrificing himself for the greater good, the all-powerful Wanda brought him back to life in Wandavision . But at what cost?

"What is grief, if not love persevering?" is a very touching line, especially considering the context in which it is said, so no wonder it got so many people talking when the show was released. It is tragic and heartwarming all the same because it highlights Vision's understanding of humankind despite not being human , and offers audiences a thoughtful, comforting perspective on grief.

WandaVision

"that's my secret, cap. i'm always angry.", hulk/bruce banner, 'the avengers' (2012).

It's not news to anyone that Bruce Banner, the MCU counterpart of the Oscar-nominated Mark Ruffalo , and his alter ego, Hulk, weren't the best of friends. However, it is undeniable that the two shared an unmatched connection, for better or worse, and made for one hell of a team-up even when they weren't permanently merged. When Banner transformed, the others knew that they had to get out of the way.

What better phrase to sum up the Hulk (well, at least back when he was a bit less self-conscious...) than "I'm always angry"? This iconic line is said during the first The Avengers film as a reply to Captain America when Ruffalo's character is prepping for the big New York fight before taking on the Chitauri.

The Avengers

"look, when you can do the things that i can, but you don't, and then the bad things happen. they happen because of you.", spider-man/peter parker, 'captain america: civil war' (2016).

Tom Holland brings to life Gen Z's favorite version of the beloved Peter Parker, who has, throughout the years, become the most popular (and most likable) Marvel character of all time. While great responsibility comes with great power, Holland has showcased that he is more than capable of stepping into the shoes of Spider-Man, and his impeccable line deliveries — many of them comedic — are proof.

Despite his fun jokes, one of Holland's most memorable lines as the character is a very sentimental one that perfectly sums up his personality and motivations . When he's having a conversation with Tony after he finds out about his superpowers (and all the things he does with them), Peter reveals in a very genuine way that it wouldn't make sense to take advantage of his abilities — mostly because, thanks to them, he can prevent bad things from happening.

Captain America: Civil War

"you break the rules and become a hero. i do it and i become the enemy. that doesn't seem fair.", scarlet witch/wanda maximoff, 'doctor strange: in the multiverse of madness' (2022).

Olsen's character has been painted as the villain ever since Wandavision (she did imprison a good number of innocent people, after all), and in Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness fans get to see a full-on antagonistic side of her that has been corrupted by the Darkhold. Despite her good intentions, Wanda's grief blinded her in a way, which led to a tragic downfall that some fans argue she didn't deserve.

"You break the rules and become a hero. I do it and I become the enemy." The line that is said by Wanda when she calls out Benedict Cumberbatch 's Doctor Strange in the film — who had previously resorted to the Darkhold and caused an Incursion — is perhaps Olsen's character's most memorable so far . Although Wanda isn't entirely in the right here, the way Olson delivers it is top-notch.

Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness

"but what would be the point of all the pain and sacrifice if i wasn't willing to stand up and keep fighting", falcon/sam wilson, 'the falcon and the winter soldier' (2021).

Thanks to his undying loyalty and friendship, Sam Wilson has always been the right arm of Steve Rogers. Considering the character development of Anthony Mackie 's Sam throughout the movies (and now the The Falcon and the Winter Soldier show, which was a major turn point as it introduced him as the next Captain America ), it only makes sense that he would say such a powerful line.

In a conversation with his sister Sarah Wilson, played by Adepero Oduye , Sam makes a great point when asking what would be the reason for enduring such pain and sacrifice if not to stand up for himself and others. This is certainly a very Sam Wilson thing to say, proving, through his headstrong personality, that he was indeed meant to be the next Captain America .

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

"staying together is more important than how we stay together.", black widow/natasha romanoff, 'captain america: civil war'.

Despite appearing as tough as nails, it makes sense that togetherness and teamwork are a priority for the kick-ass but incredibly loving character, considering Natasha's heartbreaking background; she has been through a lot and eventually found a real family, bounded by heart and not by blood, in The Avengers . In Civil War , she makes a point to highlight how important the Avengers are to her.

"Staying together is more important than how we stay together" is one of Natasha's best lines in the MCU because it further highlights that she is a kindhearted character who values community and human connection, despite first impressions. As seen through her tragic ending, Natasha has always been one of the most caring in the franchise.

"I can do this all day."

Captain america/steve rogers, 'captain america: the first avenger' (2011), 'captain america: civil war' (2016), 'avengers: endgame' (2019).

It would be impossible not to mention Steve Roger's catchphrase as his most iconic line in the franchise, enduring one of the most referenced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the quote is said in three different films (with Civil War and Avengers: Endgame referencing Captain America: The First Avenger ), it would be impossible to forget the first time Rogers said that he could "do this all day" while standing up to a bully in Brooklyn when he was a much smaller man.

Despite its re-use value, what's so great about this quote is that it pretty much sums up Steve's strong-assured personality really well , perfectly annotating his resilience in the face of challenges: he is a noble man of his word who won't give up until he gets what he wants/does what he believes is right.

Captain America: The First Avenger

"everybody wants a happy ending. right but it doesn’t always roll that way.", iron man/tony stark, 'avengers: endgame' (2019).

While Robert Downey Jr.'s character has had his own fair share of iconic MCU quotes (let's not forget "I am Iron Man," which he insisted on repeating near his deathbed, consequently making everyone reach out for the tissues), one of his most memorable is also said in Endgame and sheds light on how not every story has a conventional happy ending — and that is okay.

Throughout the entire franchise, Stark has always proven to be an extroverted realist not afraid to say things as they are, which is exactly why he didn't back down against Steve when Civil War 's Sokovia Accords broke up their friendship . As evident, despite his big ego, Stark wasn't the kind of delusional character that did not see things the way they were, and this line — quite moving given the context in which is said — pinpoints exactly it.

Avengers: Endgame

NEXT: Assemble! Every 'Avengers' Movie, Ranked

Dawn Staley thanks Caitlin Clark: 'You are one of the GOATs of our game.'

Dawn Staley entered rare territory when she won her third national championship on Sunday. After her South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 , she became the fifth coach in Division I women's college basketball history to capture three titles and she did it finishing a perfect 38-0.

But her opponent also made history this season. Iowa's Caitlin Clark became college basketball's all-time leading scorer and smashed several other records in her senior year. She is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft next week and has already become a household name with her long list of sponsorships.

In her national championship speech, Staley applauded Clark, who finished with 30 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the finale, for the impact she's made in women's college basketball.

"I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport," the coach said. "She carried a heavy load for our sport and it just is not gonna stop here on the collegiate tour. But when she is the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, she's gonna lift that league up as well. So Caitlin Clark if you're out there, you are one of the GOATs of our game. We appreciate you."

A day earlier, Staley said to be in the GOAT conversation , a player has to have a ring. “I mean, she’s really damn good regardless,” Staley said of Clark. “But winning the championship would seal the deal."

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA basketball bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.

Before taking the stage to receive the trophy, Staley was choked up with emotion while speaking with ESPN's Holly Rowe. She pinched her eyes and bent over while Aliyah Boston, her former player and current WNBA star who had broadcast duties this week, put her arm around her for support.

When she finally caught her breath, Staley explained how part of why this title feels so special is because last year, South Carolina's undefeated season was squashed by Iowa in the Final Four. In the revenge tour, the Gamecocks had a completely new starting five, including senior center Kamilla Cardoso and transfer guard Te-Hina Paopao .

"I'm so incredibly happy for our players. It doesn't always end like you want it to end, much like last year, but my freshies are at the top of my heart because they wanted this," Staley said while her players were Swag Surfin' behind her. "I hope we can erase whatever pain they had last year experiencing not being able to finish it here."

The Gamecocks are the tenth team in Division I women's college basketball history to finish a season undefeated. Staley was awe-struck at how they bounced back.

"They made history. They etched their names in the history books when this is the unlikeliest group to do it," Staley said. "God is funny like that. He's funny. He rips your heart out and he makes you believe. He makes you believe the unimaginable."

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Dawn Staley Broke Down in Tears in Emotional Postgame Interview After South Carolina’s Title Win Over Iowa

• Author: Kristen Wong

In this story:

The women’s NCAA tournament wrapped up on Sunday with a fairytale ending for Dawn Staley and the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks , who beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 87—75, to secure its third national title in school history and become the 10th undefeated champion in Division I history.

After the final whistle, Staley struggled to find the words to describe what she was feeling and needed a minute to compose herself. In the postgame interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, the Gamecocks coach teared up on camera and appeared to be completely overwhelmed with emotions.

“I’m so proud, so proud,” Staley told Rowe. “I am so incredibly happy for our players. It doesn’t always end like you want it to end, much like last year… I’m just super proud of where I work, I’m super proud of our fans. It’s awesome. It’s unbelievable.”

Dawn Staley was very emotional in an interview with ESPN on ABC's Holly Rowe after South Carolina won the National Championship. 🏀🏆 pic.twitter.com/Pk7JmutV1D — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 7, 2024

This past season, Staley’s Gamecocks bulldozed their way to a perfect 38-0 record one year after falling short to Iowa in the Final Four. Despite trailing Iowa by as many as 11 points in the first quarter, South Carolina avenged last year’s semifinals loss with an all-around dominant performance in which four players recorded double figures; freshman Tessa Johnson led the way with 19 points while star center Kamilla Cardoso had 15 points and 17 rebounds.

Staley, the AP Coach of the Year, now boasts a 109—3 record in her last three seasons at South Carolina and becomes the fifth coach to win three championships, joining Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey and Tara VanDerveer.

“You have to let young people be who they are,” continued Staley. “But you also have to guide them and help navigate them. When young people lock in and have a belief and have a trust, and their parents have that same trust, this is what can happen. They made history. They etched their names into history books.”

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15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines (And How to Create Your Own)

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Writing

Powerful speech opening lines set the tone and mood of your speech. It’s what grips the audience to want to know more about the rest of your talk.

The first few seconds are critical. It’s when you have maximum attention of the audience. And you must capitalize on that!

Instead of starting off with something plain and obvious such as a ‘Thank you’ or ‘Good Morning’, there’s so much more you can do for a powerful speech opening (here’s a great article we wrote a while ago on how you should NOT start your speech ).

To help you with this, I’ve compiled some of my favourite openings from various speakers. These speakers have gone on to deliver TED talks , win international Toastmaster competitions or are just noteworthy people who have mastered the art of communication.

After each speaker’s opening line, I have added how you can include their style of opening into your own speech. Understanding how these great speakers do it will certainly give you an idea to create your own speech opening line which will grip the audience from the outset!

Alright! Let’s dive into the 15 powerful speech openings…

Note: Want to take your communications skills to the next level? Book a complimentary consultation with one of our expert communication coaches. We’ll look under the hood of your hurdles and pick two to three growth opportunities so you can speak with impact!

1. Ric Elias

Opening: “Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.”

How to use the power of imagination to open your speech?

Putting your audience in a state of imagination can work extremely well to captivate them for the remainder of your talk.

It really helps to bring your audience in a certain mood that preps them for what’s about to come next. Speakers have used this with high effectiveness by transporting their audience into an imaginary land to help prove their point.

When Ric Elias opened his speech, the detail he used (3000 ft, sound of the engine going clack-clack-clack) made me feel that I too was in the plane. He was trying to make the audience experience what he was feeling – and, at least in my opinion, he did.

When using the imagination opening for speeches, the key is – detail. While we want the audience to wander into imagination, we want them to wander off to the image that we want to create for them. So, detail out your scenario if you’re going to use this technique.

Make your audience feel like they too are in the same circumstance as you were when you were in that particular situation.

2. Barack Obama

Opening: “You can’t say it, but you know it’s true.”

3. Seth MacFarlane

Opening: “There’s nowhere I would rather be on a day like this than around all this electoral equipment.” (It was raining)

How to use humour to open your speech?

When you use humour in a manner that suits your personality, it can set you up for a great speech. Why? Because getting a laugh in the first 30 seconds or so is a great way to quickly get the audience to like you.

And when they like you, they are much more likely to listen to and believe in your ideas.

Obama effortlessly uses his opening line to entice laughter among the audience. He brilliantly used the setting (the context of Trump becoming President) and said a line that completely matched his style of speaking.

Saying a joke without really saying a joke and getting people to laugh requires you to be completely comfortable in your own skin. And that’s not easy for many people (me being one of them).

If the joke doesn’t land as expected, it could lead to a rocky start.

Keep in mind the following when attempting to deliver a funny introduction:

• Know your audience: Make sure your audience gets the context of the joke (if it’s an inside joke among the members you’re speaking to, that’s even better!). You can read this article we wrote where we give you tips on how you can actually get to know your audience better to ensure maximum impact with your speech openings
• The joke should suit your natural personality. Don’t make it look forced or it won’t elicit the desired response
• Test the opening out on a few people who match your real audience. Analyze their response and tweak the joke accordingly if necessary
• Starting your speech with humour means your setting the tone of your speech. It would make sense to have a few more jokes sprinkled around the rest of the speech as well as the audience might be expecting the same from you

4. Mohammed Qahtani

Opening: Puts a cigarette on his lips, lights a lighter, stops just before lighting the cigarette. Looks at audience, “What?”

5. Darren Tay

Opening: Puts a white pair of briefs over his pants.

How to use props to begin your speech?

The reason props work so well in a talk is because in most cases the audience is not expecting anything more than just talking. So when a speaker pulls out an object that is unusual, everyone’s attention goes right to it.

It makes you wonder why that prop is being used in this particular speech.

The key word here is unusual . To grip the audience’s attention at the beginning of the speech, the prop being used should be something that the audience would never expect. Otherwise, it just becomes something that is common. And common = boring!

What Mohammed Qahtani and Darren Tay did superbly well in their talks was that they used props that nobody expected them to.

By pulling out a cigarette and lighter or a white pair of underwear, the audience can’t help but be gripped by what the speaker is about to do next. And that makes for a powerful speech opening.

6. Simon Sinek

Opening: “How do you explain when things don’t go as we assume? Or better, how do you explain when others are able to achieve things that seem to defy all of the assumptions?”

7. Julian Treasure

Opening: “The human voice. It’s the instrument we all play. It’s the most powerful sound in the world. Probably the only one that can start a war or say “I love you.” And yet many people have the experience that when they speak people don’t listen to them. Why is that? How can we speak powerfully to make change in the world?”

How to use questions to open a speech?

I use this method often. Starting off with a question is the simplest way to start your speech in a manner that immediately engages the audience.

But we should keep our questions compelling as opposed to something that is fairly obvious.

I’ve heard many speakers start their speeches with questions like “How many of us want to be successful?”

No one is going to say ‘no’ to that and frankly, I just feel silly raising my hand at such questions.

Simon Sinek and Jullian Treasure used questions in a manner that really made the audience think and make them curious to find out what the answer to that question is.

What Jullian Treasure did even better was the use of a few statements which built up to his question. This made the question even more compelling and set the theme for what the rest of his talk would be about.

So think of what question you can ask in your speech that will:

• Set the theme for the remainder of your speech
• Not be something that is fairly obvious
• Be compelling enough so that the audience will actually want to know what the answer to that question will be

8. Aaron Beverley

Opening: Long pause (after an absurdly long introduction of a 57-word speech title). “Be honest. You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”

How to use silence for speech openings?

The reason this speech opening stands out is because of the fact that the title itself is 57 words long. The audience was already hilariously intrigued by what was going to come next.

But what’s so gripping here is the way Aaron holds the crowd’s suspense by…doing nothing. For about 10 to 12 seconds he did nothing but stand and look at the audience. Everyone quietened down. He then broke this silence by a humorous remark that brought the audience laughing down again.

When going on to open your speech, besides focusing on building a killer opening sentence, how about just being silent?

It’s important to keep in mind that the point of having a strong opening is so that the audience’s attention is all on you and are intrigued enough to want to listen to the rest of your speech.

Silence is a great way to do that. When you get on the stage, just pause for a few seconds (about 3 to 5 seconds) and just look at the crowd. Let the audience and yourself settle in to the fact that the spotlight is now on you.

I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something about starting the speech off with a pure pause that just makes the beginning so much more powerful. It adds credibility to you as a speaker as well, making you look more comfortable and confident on stage. 

If you want to know more about the power of pausing in public speaking , check out this post we wrote. It will give you a deeper insight into the importance of pausing and how you can harness it for your own speeches. You can also check out this video to know more about Pausing for Public Speaking:

9. Dan Pink

Opening: “I need to make a confession at the outset here. Little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret. Something that I’m not particularly proud of. Something that in many ways I wish no one would ever know but that here I feel kind of obliged to reveal.”

10. Kelly McGonigal

Opening: “I have a confession to make. But first I want you to make a little confession to me.”

How to use a build-up to open your speech?

When there are so many amazing ways to start a speech and grip an audience from the outset, why would you ever choose to begin your speech with a ‘Good morning?’.

That’s what I love about build-ups. They set the mood for something awesome that’s about to come in that the audience will feel like they just have to know about.

Instead of starting a speech as it is, see if you can add some build-up to your beginning itself. For instance, in Kelly McGonigal’s speech, she could have started off with the question of stress itself (which she eventually moves on to in her speech). It’s not a bad way to start the speech.

But by adding the statement of “I have a confession to make” and then not revealing the confession for a little bit, the audience is gripped to know what she’s about to do next and find out what indeed is her confession.

11. Tim Urban

Opening: “So in college, I was a government major. Which means that I had to write a lot of papers. Now when a normal student writes a paper, they might spread the work out a little like this.”

12. Scott Dinsmore

Opening: “8 years ago, I got the worst career advice of my life.”

How to use storytelling as a speech opening?

“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.” Steve Jobs

Storytelling is the foundation of good speeches. Starting your speech with a story is a great way to grip the audience’s attention. It makes them yearn to want to know how the rest of the story is going to pan out.

Tim Urban starts off his speech with a story dating back to his college days. His use of slides is masterful and something we all can learn from. But while his story sounds simple, it does the job of intriguing the audience to want to know more.

As soon as I heard the opening lines, I thought to myself “If normal students write their paper in a certain manner, how does Tim write his papers?”

Combine such a simple yet intriguing opening with comedic slides, and you’ve got yourself a pretty gripping speech.

Scott Dismore’s statement has a similar impact. However, just a side note, Scott Dismore actually started his speech with “Wow, what an honour.”

I would advise to not start your talk with something such as that. It’s way too common and does not do the job an opening must, which is to grip your audience and set the tone for what’s coming.

13. Larry Smith

Opening: “I want to discuss with you this afternoon why you’re going to fail to have a great career.”

14. Jane McGonigal

Opening: “You will live 7.5 minutes longer than you would have otherwise, just because you watched this talk.”

How to use provocative statements to start your speech?

Making a provocative statement creates a keen desire among the audience to want to know more about what you have to say. It immediately brings everyone into attention.

Larry Smith did just that by making his opening statement surprising, lightly humorous, and above all – fearful. These elements lead to an opening statement which creates so much curiosity among the audience that they need to know how your speech pans out.

This one time, I remember seeing a speaker start a speech with, “Last week, my best friend committed suicide.” The entire crowd was gripped. Everyone could feel the tension in the room.

They were just waiting for the speaker to continue to know where this speech will go.

That’s what a hard-hitting statement does, it intrigues your audience so much that they can’t wait to hear more! Just a tip, if you do start off with a provocative, hard-hitting statement, make sure you pause for a moment after saying it.

Silence after an impactful statement will allow your message to really sink in with the audience.

Related article: 5 Ways to Grab Your Audience’s Attention When You’re Losing it!

15. Ramona J Smith

Opening: In a boxing stance, “Life would sometimes feel like a fight. The punches, jabs and hooks will come in the form of challenges, obstacles and failures. Yet if you stay in the ring and learn from those past fights, at the end of each round, you’ll be still standing.”

How to use your full body to grip the audience at the beginning of your speech?

In a talk, the audience is expecting you to do just that – talk. But when you enter the stage and start putting your full body into use in a way that the audience does not expect, it grabs their attention.

Body language is critical when it comes to public speaking. Hand gestures, stage movement, facial expressions are all things that need to be paid attention to while you’re speaking on stage. But that’s not I’m talking about here.

Here, I’m referring to a unique use of the body that grips the audience, like how Ramona did. By using her body to get into a boxing stance, imitating punches, jabs and hooks with her arms while talking – that’s what got the audience’s attention.

The reason I say this is so powerful is because if you take Ramona’s speech and remove the body usage from her opening, the entire magic of the opening falls flat.

While the content is definitely strong, without those movements, she would not have captured the audience’s attention as beautifully as she did with the use of her body.

So if you have a speech opening that seems slightly dull, see if you can add some body movement to it.

If your speech starts with a story of someone running, actually act out the running. If your speech starts with a story of someone reading, actually act out the reading.

It will make your speech opening that much more impactful.

Related article: 5 Body Language Tips to Command the Stage

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Final Words

So there it is! 15 speech openings from some of my favourite speeches. Hopefully, these will act as a guide for you to create your own opening which is super impactful and sets you off on the path to becoming a powerful public speaker!

But remember, while a speech opening is super important, it’s just part of an overall structure.

If you’re serious about not just creating a great speech opening but to improve your public speaking at an overall level, I would highly recommend you to check out this course: Acumen Presents: Chris Anderson on Public Speaking on Udemy. Not only does it have specific lectures on starting and ending a speech, but it also offers an in-depth guide into all the nuances of public speaking. 

Being the founder of TED Talks, Chris Anderson provides numerous examples of the best TED speakers to give us a very practical way of overcoming stage fear and delivering a speech that people will remember. His course has helped me personally and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to learn public speaking. 

No one is ever “done” learning public speaking. It’s a continuous process and you can always get better. Keep learning, keep conquering and keep being awesome!

Lastly, if you want to know how you should NOT open your speech, we’ve got a video for you:

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