UNIT 4: CONCLUSION
Unit Objectives
In this unit the learner will:
- End a presentation according to formal standards.
- Apply strategies to present the main points of the conclusion effectively.
- Anticipate the audience’s questions and deal with them during and after the presentation.
- Consider the need to reform questions.
Time for the Conclusion
"A poorly executed closing statement can completely undermine an otherwise successful presentation" (Herrity, 2023)[1].
According to the book "Oxford English for Presentations"[2], in the conclusion the presenter must:
- Signal the end of the presentation.
- Summarize the key points.
- Highlight one important point (optional).
- Explain the significance (optional).
- Make your final statement.
- Recommend or suggest something.
- Invite questions.
- Thank the audience.
Additionally, effective conclusions should:
- Pose a final question to create engage the audience until the end and keep them thinking about the talk after they leave.
- Quote a well-known person.
- Refer back to the beginning of the presentation.
- Call the audience to action
Now, watch this video to learn a bit more about the previous strategies:
Time for Questions
The following advice on how to deal with questions during and after the presentation is provided by the book "Oxford English for Presentations"[2]:
- Most of the questions that will be asked can be anticipated when you know your topic well and know who your audience is. Making a list of questions you expect to be asked can be a good strategy.
- You may be unwilling to answer a question because it is not the right time or you think the question is irrelevant. When avoiding answering a question try to use a friendly tone of voice and reply politely. Proper answers could be:
- If you don't mind, I'd prefer not to discuss that today.
- Perhaps we could deal with this after the presentation/at some other time.
- I'm afraid that's not really what we're here to discuss today.
- When you do not know the answer to a question it is better to be honest and say so. Expressing your intention to look into the answer or referring the person to a good source or authority is a good solution.
- Even if you have asked the audience to save the questions for the end, you may be asked questions during the presentation. Some of them can and should be answered on the spot, especially if something you have said has been misunderstood. However, you may choose to postpone unwelcome questions or comments.
- If a question requires a longer answer, you should remind the audience what you were talking about before the interruption.
- Reformulating a question before answering it is a good strategy because it gives you time to think and allows you to make sure you have understood the question. In addition, it allows the other participants to hear the question (again) and gives you the chance to change the tone of the question if necessary, e.g. by making it less aggressive.
| The question is: | You reformulate to make it: | By: |
|---|---|---|
| NEGATIVE
Isn't there a better solution? |
POSITIVE
What would be a better solution? |
Leaving out negative words such as: no, never, none |
| AGRESSIVE
Do you honestly believe...? |
NEUTRAL
You're asking whether I think... |
Avoiding words which sound aggressive or have a negative meaning such as: honestly, really, disaster |
Activities
This article called "How to Conclude a Presentation: Tips and Examples" from Indeed.com further elaborates on the previous ideas. Read it carefully and think about your previous experience when stating conclusions during presentations.
- Have you ever used any of the strategies given in the article while stating your conclusion?
- Is there any of the strategies mentioned that you find most interesting and effective?
Time to Check What you Have Learnt!
Which of the following is correct? Choose A, B, or C.
1) Closing remarks should:
A. Be brief and impactful
B. Only thank the audience
C. Be long and impactful
2) In the conclusion you should:
A. Restate all the points you said you covered in the presentation
B. Restate only the most relevant points of the presentation
C. Make your final statement without restating any of the points covered
3) The end of your presentation:
A. should not circle back around to the beginning of the presentation
B. should circle back around to the beginning of the presentation when it has more than 20 slides
C. should always circle back around to the beginning of the presentation
4) A call-to-action:
A. should be a strong and decisive statement included only in the conclusion of some presentations
B. should be a strong and decisive statement appearing in the conclusion of any presentation
C. can be perceived as an order by the audience, and hence should be avoided
5) Your tone of voice should:
A. Be neutral during the whole presentation
B. Decrease during the conclusion
C. Pick up during the conclusion
ANSWER KEY: Watch the video below and check your answers
- How to Prepare and Be Prepared for In-class Presentations
- Unit 1: Presentation Overview
- Unit 2: Introduction
- Unit 3: Main Part
- YOU ARE NOW ON UNIT 4: CONCLUSION