What is the purpose of closing remarks in a speech?

The closing remarks, or conclusion, of a speech emphasize the primary message that the speaker wants to convey. These final words help the audience remember the main points that were made.

Closing remarks are important and not easy to write. If they are left out, the speech ends suddenly, which leaves the audience hanging. If the conclusion is too long, or it if is unfocused, the audience loses the main idea. When the ending takes an apologetic tone, such as worrying that the talk has gone on too long, the impact of the speech is diminished. New information should never be brought into the conclusion, because its significance is lost within the summary of all the other points.