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The Ultimate Guide to Giving a Thank You Speech: Examples and Tips

Are you feeling anxious about giving a thank you speech? I get it – public speaking can be nerve-wracking. But, fear not! I have been there too, and after years of practice and research, I’ve put together the ultimate guide to help you craft and deliver a memorable thank you speech. Whether it’s for an event or acknowledging the support of friends and family , this guide has got you covered. So, let’s get started on making your next thank you speech one to remember !

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Practice makes perfect . Practicing your thank you speech helps build confidence and improves delivery. Use a mirror, record yourself, or rehearse in the actual setting to get comfortable.
• Be genuine and specific when expressing gratitude. Mentioning specific examples of how someone helped you makes your speech more impactful and meaningful.
• Connect with your audience from the start. Acknowledge their presence and effort to attend, making them feel valued and important right from the beginning.
• Share personal stories or anecdotes to make your thank you speech relatable and memorable. This approach strengthens your connection with the audience.
• Proper preparation is key for a successful delivery. Prepare an outline, maintain good eye contact, use positive body language, manage nervousness, speak clearly at a moderate pace, use expressive gestures, take pauses when necessary, and handle mistakes gracefully .

Express gratitude and honor

Showing gratitude is key in a thank you speech. I learned this both from my own experiences and while crafting the ultimate guide on giving thank you speeches. It’s about honoring those who’ve supported, encouraged, or helped us reach our goals.

In every thank you speech, it’s crucial to acknowledge these individuals sincerely and specifically.

I start by greeting the audience warmly before expressing genuine appreciation for the honor or opportunity given to me. Sharing personal stories makes my gratitude more impactful, connecting with my audience on an emotional level.

By thanking specific people for their unique contributions, I show true acknowledgment and respect for their support and encouragement in my journey.

Understanding the Purpose of a Thank You Speech

Understanding the Purpose of a Thank You Speech is essential. It’s about acknowledging the audience and connecting the gesture to a bigger picture.

Acknowledge the audience

Starting your thank you speech by acknowledging the audience sets a welcoming tone . You show them their presence matters. Say something like, “I’m thrilled to see so many familiar faces here today.” This makes everyone feel included and important right from the start.

You must also recognize the effort people made to attend . Mention, “Your support by just being here is greatly appreciated.” It instantly connects you with your listeners , making your words more impactful.

Acknowledging the audience isn’t just polite; it’s crucial for making your speech memorable and engaging.

Connect the gesture and reward to a bigger picture

When expressing gratitude, connect the gesture of thanks to a bigger purpose or impact . Show how the act of thanking someone is part of a larger cycle of kindness and support in our lives.

By linking the gesture and reward to a wider context , such as the impact on your work, relationships, or community, you create a more meaningful and resonant thank you speech that goes beyond simple words of appreciation.

Now let’s dive into how to write an impactful thank you speech for different occasions.

How to Write a Thank You Speech

Identify who to thank and reflect on what you are thanking them for. Express the significance of their gifts or support .

Identify who to thank

When crafting a thank you speech, it’s crucial to identify everyone who deserves appreciation. This includes colleagues, friends and family members , as well as any other supporters or benefactors .

Acknowledging their contributions is an important part of delivering a meaningful thank you speech that truly expresses gratitude. Now let’s delve into reflecting on what you are thanking them for in the next section.

Reflect on what you are thanking them for

In my thank you speech, I reflect on the reasons for expressing gratitude . It’s essential to articulate why we are thankful, whether it’s for support during a difficult time or acknowledgement of hard work and dedication.

This provides depth and sincerity to the expression of appreciation. By reflecting on what we are thanking them for, we ensure that our gratitude is specific and heartfelt , making it more meaningful for both the speaker and the audience .

By thoughtfully considering what we’re thanking others for, we can craft a genuine message that resonates with our listeners. Whether it’s acknowledging their unwavering support through challenging times or recognizing their outstanding contributions , reflecting on the reasons behind our gratitude brings authenticity to our thank you speech.

Express the significance of their gifts or support

Now, let’s talk about why it’s important to express the significance of the gifts or support you’ve received. When acknowledging someone’s contribution , it’s crucial to explain how their help made a difference.

This helps them understand the impact they’ve had and reinforces your gratitude . By highlighting the value of their support, you show sincerity and deepen your connection with your audience.

It also adds depth to your speech and makes it more meaningful for both you and your supporters.

Remember, expressing the significance of their gifts or support can elevate your thank you speech from a simple acknowledgment to a heartfelt recognition that resonates with everyone involved.

Delivering a Thank You Speech

Prepare and practice for a successful delivery . Read on to learn more about tips for delivering a thank you speech!

Preparation and practice

To prepare for delivering a thank you speech, I recommend practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself to improve your delivery. Start by preparing an outline with key points and practice speaking naturally without memorizing every word.

Remember to focus on maintaining good eye contact , using positive body language, and managing any nervousness through controlled breathing . Additionally, rehearse in the actual setting if possible to get comfortable with the space and equipment you’ll be using during your speech.

After preparation comes practice; this is where confidence grows. Aim for clarity and articulate speech by slowly pronouncing each word while keeping a steady pace. Practice expressing gratitude sincerely and avoid rushing through your words during the real thing.

Tips for a successful delivery

After thorough preparation and practice, it’s time to focus on delivering your thank you speech. Maintain good posture and make eye contact with the audience to establish a connection.

Speak clearly and at a moderate pace so everyone can follow along without feeling rushed or bored. Engage your audience by using expressive gestures and varying your tone of voice to emphasize key points.

Remember to breathe and take pauses when necessary – this allows for impactful delivery while maintaining composure.

To ensure an engaging delivery, be genuine in expressing gratitude, letting it shine through in every word you say. By being authentic, you’ll captivate your audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression.

Examples and Templates

Explore diverse sample thank you speeches for various occasions and learn how to personalize your speech – for more insights, read the full blog!

Sample thank you speeches for different occasions

Here are some sample thank you speeches for different occasions. For a graduation speech , I would begin by thanking the faculty and staff for their dedication to our success. Then, I will express my appreciation to my fellow students for their friendship and support.

In a thank you speech at an event, start with thanking the organizers for their hard work and attention to detail. Next, recognize the guests for attending and making the event memorable.

When it comes to acknowledging colleagues , emphasize how their collaboration has contributed to success in challenging projects or tasks. When expressing gratitude towards friends and family , share heartfelt anecdotes or memories that illustrate why they hold a special place in your heart.

Tips for personalizing your speech

Consider sharing personal stories or anecdotes to make your speech more relatable and impactful. Relate the gratitude you’re expressing to specific instances or experiences that made a difference.

Connect with your audience through genuine emotion and sincerity , using language that feels natural to you.

When thanking people, be specific about their contributions . Highlight particular instances where their support was especially meaningful. This specificity adds depth and authenticity to your expression of gratitude, making it resonate more with both the recipients and the audience.

The Ultimate Guide to Giving a Thank You Speech: Examples and Tips offers practical advice. Dr. Avery Thomas, a renowned expert in communication and public speaking with over 20 years of experience, assesses the guide’s utility.

Holding a PhD in Communications from Stanford University, Dr. Thomas has contributed significantly to speechwriting methodology.

Dr. Thomas highlights the guide’s structured approach for crafting speeches that genuinely express gratitude while connecting on a personal level with the audience. According to him, incorporating personal stories as suggested enhances relatability and impact.

He praises the safety measures concerning ethical acknowledgments and transparency about sources of inspiration or help received . Dr. Thomas points out that adherence to such principles ensures speeches are respectful and inclusive.

For daily use, he recommends practicing components of the guide in everyday interactions to bolster confidence and grace when publicly expressing thanks.

Dr. Thomas gives a balanced view on its applicability compared to other resources available, noting its straightforwardness but urging readers also to seek experiences outside their comfort zone for growth.

His final judgment declares this guide exceptionally helpful for beginners in public speaking by providing solid foundations for effective thank-you speeches .

Ryan Nelson is the founder of Speak2Impress, a platform dedicated to helping individuals master the art of public speaking. Despite having a crippling fear of public speaking for many years, Ryan overcame his anxiety through diligent practice and active participation in Toastmasters. Now residing in New York City, he is passionate about sharing his journey and techniques to empower others to speak with confidence and clarity.

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How to Write a Meaningful Appreciation Speech

Updated 09/9/2022

Published 06/15/2020

Kate Wight, BA in English

Contributing writer

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 .

There are many ways to show someone that you appreciate them. You can buy them a gift. You can write them a thank-you note. And in some cases, you can give a speech in their honor. There are plenty of occasions when you may find yourself in a position to give an appreciation speech.

Jump ahead to these sections: 

• Steps for Writing an Appreciation Speech

Sample Appreciation Speeches

If you’re graduating from high school or college, you might give a speech thanking friends and family members for their support.

If you own a business, you might tell your employees “ thank you for your support ” as part of a speech. Speeches can also be a great way to say “ I appreciate you ” to the people in your life who support you.

Here, we break down the steps that go into crafting an excellent appreciation speech. We also include excerpts of speeches from an assortment of occasions and audiences to draw inspiration from. 

Step 1: Know Your Audience — And Your Place

Your speech will depend on a variety of factors. But the most important ones to consider are the setting and the crowd. If your speech is a casual toast between friends over a bottle of wine, it will be a lot more casual.

You can rely on personal anecdotes and the language you use will be more personal. If you’re giving a formal speech in front of colleagues though, your tone will be very different. Your speech will be a lot more structured and concise. 

Step 2: Create an Outline

Whether your appreciation speech is long or short, it’s always a good idea to craft an outline ahead of time. This will help you make sure you don’t forget to mention anything you want to cover. Overall, most speeches will break down like the following:

• Introduction: In an introduction, you will let the audience know who you are and give a preface of what you plan to say. For instance, if you’re recognizing a specific person in an appreciation speech, give a quick rundown of why they’re worthy of appreciation.
• Body: Here, you’ll flesh out the points you made in your introduction. You can give more specific examples of things the subject of your speech has done, and you’ll expand on why those actions deserve gratitude. 
• Conclusion: In this final section, you can reiterate the points you made earlier in the speech. 

Step 3: Grab People’s Attention with Gratitude

Start with a strong opening line. In a more formal speech, a quote about gratitude can be an excellent way to set the tone. In a more casual speech, you can avoid a quote. However, you should still stick with the theme of gratitude.   

Step 4: Be Personal and Specific

In casual and formal speeches alike, you should feel free to be specific. If you’re giving a speech in honor of one person, you can list all of the things they do that deserve appreciation. If you’re thanking other people for their support, you can list the ways they helped you.

Personal anecdotes are a lot more engaging for listeners. They will also help you feel more connected to your material. The more connected you feel, the more confident you’ll be in speaking. These personal anecdotes can be funny, poignant, or a blend of the two. Again, this will largely be dictated by your audience and the setting of your speech.    

Step 5: Practice Makes Perfect

For a casual speech like an appreciation toast, you can probably get away with speaking off the cuff. But any kind of pre-planned appreciation speech definitely benefits from repeated practice.

The more comfortable you are with the speech, the easier it will be for you to deliver it. If you don’t know your speech inside and out, there’s a good chance that you can be tripped up by certain words or turns of phrase. 

Step 6: Time Yourself

When you’re practicing your speech, you should also be timing yourself. This means you should have a stopwatch going while you read your speech aloud. Speeches can be deceptive.

A few pages don’t seem like they should take that long to read. If you only read them over in your head, that can reinforce the notion that your speech isn’t that long. But it takes a lot longer to read something aloud than it does reading it to yourself.

If you don’t practice it out loud ahead of time, you may panic in the middle of your actual delivery. If you fear your speech is taking too long, you might start to read faster and faster, which could make the speech incomprehensible. Practicing it out loud can help you hit your ideal time target without having to rush.   

Step 7: Keep Your Notes Handy

Even if you’ve practiced your speech until it’s practically etched into your brain, you always want to keep notes or an outline with you. No matter how much you practice, you may find yourself freezing up in the moment. If you don’t have notes handy, you might flounder. On the other hand though, you also shouldn’t keep your whole speech with you.

If you do, you might find yourself relying on it like a security blanket. You may end up just reading the whole speech straight from the paper without engaging with your audience at all. Both ends of the spectrum are too extreme, so it’s best to find a happy medium. Some people just keep their outline with them.

Other people write out the first sentence of each paragraph to jog their memory and help them orient themselves. As you practice, you’ll find the method that works best for you.

Step 8: Do a Test Run in Front of an Audience

Practicing for a speech on your own is important. But once you feel more comfortable with the speech, you should practice in front of someone. Ideally, you’ll rehearse it in front of people several times until you can keep your nervous responses in check.

This means delivering the speech without your heart racing and your speech speeding up to match.   

Step 9: Weed Out Any Trouble Spots

Every time you practice your speech, you should be refining it until you can’t improve it any further. One of the big things you should be looking out for is your usage of filler words or speech disfluencies.

Speech disfluencies encompass those little noises like “um”, “er”, and “uh” that we tend to use when we aren’t confident. These can make people tune out because your discomfort makes them feel awkward in turn.

As you practice, pay attention to places where you’re inserting those disfluencies. Keep practicing them until you become comfortable enough to leave them out. Or, rewrite those sections so they come to you more naturally.  

Step 10: End On a Good Note

Above all else, remember that this speech is intended to be a positive thing. An appreciation speech should make someone’s day .

Remember to end the speech by reaffirming specifically why you are showing appreciation.    

Now that we’ve gone into what makes a good appreciation speech, let’s see some examples. These are just excerpts from longer speeches, but they may help demonstrate the sort of content you might be looking for. 

Example of appreciation speech for graduation

“As I look around at all my classmates, I realize how much I appreciate you all. Many of us have relied on each other to make it through school and to our graduation day. We supported each other during tough times. We used each other’s examples to fuel us towards getting better grades. When someone was in danger of not graduating, we pulled together to get everyone to the finish line. We all owe a lot to our families for their support. But we should also be sure to appreciate ourselves.” 

Example of appreciation speech for friends

“I’d like to take a moment to raise a glass in appreciation for Bethany. Everyone here has one thing in common — Bethany’s friendship. She has always had an uncanny knack for finding people in need of a community and bringing us together. From there, we’ve been able to find the other things that connect us. But if it weren’t for Bethany, most of us would have missed out on enriching, life-changing friendships. Bethany — here’s to you!”

Example of appreciation speech for employees or a boss

“As the year draws to an end, I’m proud to announce that it’s the company’s strongest year yet. We have grown by leaps and bounds and still managed to maintain profitability. Our client satisfaction scores have never been higher. And each and every one of you has played a role in our success.

"I want to thank our sales division for going above and beyond in meeting our clients’ needs. I want to thank our marketing department for creating materials that are very transparent about our mission. I want to thank the managers for leading their divisions by example. I could stand up here and tell you a half dozen things I appreciate about every person in this room, but I’m sure you’re all ready to hit the buffet line. So I’ll conclude by saying that I appreciate all of your contributions, and am so proud to be on a team with each and every one of you.”

Example of appreciation speech for mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa

“Hello everyone! I’d like to thank all of you for coming here today in celebration of Grandma Joy and Grandpa Bill’s 50th wedding anniversary. As most of you know, I’ve never had a relationship last more than a year. Fifty years is an absolutely mind-boggling level of commitment to someone like me. 

"There are so many reasons to love and appreciate Joy and Bill. There’s all the basic grandparent stuff. Joy taught me how to make amazing cookies and Bill taught me how to change a tire. But they also took me in when my home life was less than ideal. And when they realized some of my friends also had difficult lives at home, they opened up their den as a safe space. On any given day, you could find at least two or three misfit teenagers sleeping on their fold-out couch. 

"Grandma and Grandpa, I’ll never be able to let you know how much I appreciate you. I know you probably don’t think you even did anything special. But you have made so many lives worth living thanks to your compassion and generosity. Thank you for always being there for others, just like you’ve been there for each other for five decades.”

Show People You Appreciate Them Through Meaningful Speeches

There are many ways to show gratitude . An appreciation speech is just one of them. Whether you’re giving a short toast or a lengthy speech, you can communicate your gratitude for someone.

These steps and examples should help you craft an excellent speech. Ultimately though, just remember to be sincere and personal. That’s the real key to successfully showing appreciation. 

Categories:

• Condolences & What To Say

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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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50 Speech Closing Lines (& How to Create Your Own) | The Ultimate Guide

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Writing

While speech openings are definitely one of the most important components of a speech, something that is equally as important is the way you conclude your speech.

There are few worse ways to end your speech than with a terse ‘thank you’–no elaboration or addition whatsoever.

Speech endings are just as crucial to the success of your speech as speech openings, and you must spend just as much time picking the perfect ending as you do to determine your best possible speech opening.

The words you speak at the beginning and end of your speech are words that your audience will pay the most attention to, and remember longer than any other part of your speech.

Speech endings can put even the most experienced speaker in flux, and increase their anxiousness manifold as they sit there attempting to figure out the perfect way to end your speech.

If you’re someone who’s in flux about your speech ending too, don’t worry. We’ve got some amazing ways to conclude your speech with a bang!

1. Circling Back To The Beginning

The idea behind circling back to the beginning of your speech is to reinforce the idea of your speech being a complete whole. By circling back to the beginning and connecting it to your ending, you let the audience understand that the idea of your speech is complete & standalone.

Circling back to the beginning of your speech also acts as an excellent way of reinforcing the central idea of your speech in the audience’s mind, and makes it more likely that they will remember it after the speech ends.

Need more inspiration for speech opening lines? Check out our article on 15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines & Tips To Create Your Own.

How To Circle Back To The Beginning

The easiest way to do this is to set up your beginning for the conclusion of your speech. That is, if you’re saying something like, say, a story or joke in the beginning, then you can leave your audience in a cliffhanger until the ending arrives.

Another great way to circle back to the beginning is by simply restating something you said at the start. The added knowledge from attending the rest of your speech will help the audience see this piece of information in a new–and better–light.

1. Will Stephen

Ending Line: “I’d like you to think about what you heard in the beginning, and I want you to think about what you hear now. Because it was nothing & it’s still nothing.”

2. Canwen Xu

Speech Ending: My name is Canwen, my favorite color is purple and I play the piano but not so much the violin…

Think of a memorable moment from your life, and chances are you’ll realize that it involved a feeling of happiness–something that we can associate with smiling or laughter. And what better way to generate laughter than by incorporating the age-old strategy of good humor.

The happy and lighthearted feeling you associate with good memories is the kind of emotional reaction you want to create in your audience too. That’s what will make your speech stick in their memory.

Done incorrectly, humor can be a disaster. Done right, however, it can entirely transform a speech.

Humor doesn’t only mean slapstick comedy (although there’s nothing wrong with slapstick, either). Humor can come in many forms, including puns, jokes, a funny story…the list is endless.

How To Incorporate Humor In Your Speech Ending

The simplest way to incorporate humor into your speech ending is by telling a plain old joke–something that’s relevant to your topic, of course.

You can also tell them a short, funny anecdote–may be an unexpected conclusion to a story you set up in the beginning.

Another way would be by employing the power of repetition. You can do this by associating something funny with a word, and then repeating the word throughout your speech. During the end, simply say the word or phrase one last time, and it’s likely you’ll leave off your audience with a good chuckle.

1. Woody Roseland

Ending Line: “Why are balloons so expensive? Inflation.”

2. Andras Arato

Ending Line: “There are three rules to becoming famous. Unfortunately, nobody knows what they are.”

3. Hasan Minhaj

Ending Line: “And you want to know the scariest part? Pretty soon every country on the earth is going to have its own TLC show.”

4. Sophie Scott

Speech Ending: In other words, when it comes to laughter, you and me baby, ain’t nothing but mammals.

5. Tim Urban

Speech Ending: We need to stay away from the Instant Gratification Monkey. That’s a job for all of us. And because there’s not that many boxes on there. It’s a job that should probably start today. Well, maybe not today, but, you know, sometime soon.

6. Hasan Minhaj

Speech Ending: Showing my legs on TV is probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done. And keep in mind last week I went after the Prince of Saudi Arabia.

3. Question

The idea behind posing a question at the end of your speech is to get the wheels in your audience’s minds turning and to get them thinking of your speech long after it has ended. A question, if posed correctly, will make your audience re-think about crucial aspects of your speech, and is a great way to prompt discussion after your speech has ended.

How To Add Questions To Your Speech Ending

The best type of questions to add to your speech ending is rhetorical questions. That’s because, unlike a literal question, a rhetorical question will get the audience thinking and make them delve deeper into the topic at hand.

Make sure your question is central to the idea of your speech, and not something frivolous or extra. After all, the point of a question is to reinforce the central idea of your topic.

1. Lexie Alford

Speech Ending: Ask yourself: How uncomfortable are you willing to become in order to reach your fullest potential?

2. Apollo Robbins

Speech Ending: If you could control somebody’s attention, what would you do with it?

Quotes are concise, catchy phrases or sentences that are generally easy to remember and repeat.

Quotes are an age-old way to start–and conclude–a speech. And for good reason.

Quotes can reinforce your own ideas by providing a second voice to back them up. They can also provoke an audience’s mind & get them thinking. So, if you add your quote to the end of your speech, the audience will most likely be thinking about it for long after you have finished speaking.

How To Use Quotes In Your Speech Ending

While adding quotes to your speech ending, make sure that it’s relevant to your topic. Preferably, you want to pick a quote that summarizes your entire idea in a concise & memorable manner.

Make sure that your quote isn’t too long or complicated. Your audience should be able to repeat it as well as feel its impact themselves. They shouldn’t be puzzling over the semantics of your quote, but its intended meaning.

1. Edouard Jacqmin

Speech Ending: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

2. Chris Crowe

Speech Ending: “It’s more certain than death and taxes.”

3. Olivia Remes

Speech Ending: I’d like to leave you with a quote by Martin Luther King: “You don’ have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.”

4. Tomislav Perko

Speech Ending: Like that famous quote says, “In twenty years from now on, you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.

5. Diana Nyad

Speech Ending: To paraphrase the poet, Mary Oliver, she says, “So, what is it? What is it you’re doing with this one wild and precious life of yours?”

5. Piece Of Advice

The point of giving a piece of advice at the end of your speech is not to pull your audience down or to make them feel bad/inferior about themselves. Rather, the advice is added to motivate your audience to take steps to do something–something related to the topic at hand.

The key point to remember is that your advice is included to help your audience, not to discourage them.

How To Add Piece Of Advice To Your Speech Ending

To truly make your audience follow the advice you’re sharing, you must make sure it resonates with them. To do so, you need to inject emotions into your advice, and to present it in such a manner that your audience’s emotions are aroused when they hear it.

Your advice shouldn’t be something extra-complicated or seemingly impossible to achieve. This will act as a counter-agent. Remember that you want your audience to follow your advice, not to chuck it away as something impossible.

Our article, 15 Powerful Speech Ending Lines And Tips To Create Your Own , is another great repository for some inspiration.

1. Ricardo Lieuw On

Speech Ending: “Learn something new, or a new way of approaching something old because there are a few skills are valuable as the art of learning.”

2. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

Speech Ending: “If we want to improve the competence level of our leaders, then we should first improve our own competence for judging and selecting leaders.”

3. Sharique Samsudheen

Speech Ending: “Some people love money, some people hate money, some people crave money, some people even kill for money. But what they miss is they just need to learn how to manage money well, and that will give them financial freedom.”

4. Kate Simonds

Speech Ending: Teens, you need to believe in your voices and adults, you need to listen.

5. Melissa Butler

Speech Ending: When you go home today, see yourself in the mirror, see all of you, look at all your greatness that you embody, accept it, 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.

6. Iskra Lawrence

Speech Ending: Speak to your body in a loving way. It’s the only one you got, it’s your home, and it deserves your respect. If you see anyone tearing themselves down, build them back up And watch your life positively grow when you give up the pursuit of perfection.

6. Contemplative Remark

As the name itself suggests, contemplative remarks are intended to make your audience contemplate or mull over something. The ‘something’ in question should be the idea central to your speech, or a key takeaway that you want them to return home with.

The idea is to get your audience thinking and to keep them thinking for a long, long time.

How To Add A Contemplative Remark To Your Speech Ending

To add a contemplative remark to your speech ending, you first need to figure out your key takeaway or main theme. Then, you want to arrange that as a question, and propose it to your audience at the end of your speech.

Remember that your question shouldn’t be something too wordy or complicated to understand. As with the quotes, you don’t want your audience stuck on the semantics. Rather, you want them to focus on the matter at hand.

1. Lisa Penney

Speech Ending: “So I invite you to pay more attention to your thoughts & consider the legacy you leave behind.”

2. Grant Sanderson

Speech Ending: “Some of the most useful math that you can find or teach has its origin in someone who was just looking for a good story.”

3. Greta Thunberg

Speech Ending: “We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up & change is coming whether you like it or not.”

4. Bill Eckstrom

Speech Ending: Now, think about this: it’s not the complexity-triggering individuals or events you should fear the most, but it’s your own willingness to accept or seek discomfort that will dictate the growth of not just you, but our entire world.

5. Robert Hoge

Speech Ending: Choose to accept your face, choose to appreciate your face, don’t look away from the mirror so quickly; understand all the love, and the life, and the pain that is the part of your face, that is the art of your face. Tomorrow when you wake up, what will your choice be?

7. Personal Anecdote

Personal anecdotes, as the name suggests, are anecdotes that are personal to the speaker or instances from their life. Personal anecdotes are a great way to incorporate the magical powers of storytelling in your speech, as well as to make a personal connection with the audience. Using personal anecdotes, you can hit two birds with one stone!

How To Add Personal Anecdotes To Your Speech Ending

To add personal anecdotes to your speech ending, you need to filter through your life experiences to find out ones that directly relate to your topic at hand. You don’t want to include an anecdote, no matter how compelling it is, if it doesn’t relate to your topic.

Remember to not keep your anecdote too long. Your audience will most likely lose their attention if you do so.

1. Sheila Humphries

Speech Ending: “Why do you go work for these people?” My answer to them was, “If I could help one child make it in this world, it’ll be worth it all.”

8. Call To Action

A call-to-action is one of the absolute best ways to conclude a speech with a bang. A well-written speech should aim to alter the audience’s mind or belief system in some way and to make them take an action in that direction. One crucial way to assure your audience does this is by using a call to action.

How To Add A Call To Action To Your Speech Ending

A call to action comes right before the ending of your speech to provide your audience with a clear idea or set of instructions about what they’re supposed to do after your talk ends.

A call to action should provide a roadmap to the audience for their future steps, and to outline clearly what those future steps are going to be.

1. Armin Hamrah

Speech Ending: “So tonight, after you finish your Math homework & before you lay your head down on that fluffy pillow, bring a piece of paper and pen by your bedside…”

2. Graham Shaw

Speech Ending: “So I invite you to get your drawings out there & spread the word that when we draw, we remember more!”

3. Andy Puddicombe

Speech Ending: You don’t have to burn any incense, and you definitely don’t have to sit on the floor. All you need to do is to take out 10 minutes out a day to step back, familiarize yourself with the present moment so that you get to experience a greater sense of focus, calm, and clarity in your life.

4. Amy Cuddy

Speech Ending: Before you go into the next stressful evaluative situation, for two minutes, try doing this in the elevator…

5. Jia Jiang

Speech Ending: When you are facing the next obstacle or the next failure, consider the possibilities. Don’t run! If you just embrace them, they might become your gifts as well.

9. Motivational Remark

As the name clearly explains, a motivational remark motivates your audience to carry out a plan of action. It ruffles the audience’s mind and emotions and has a powerful impact on the steps that your audience will take after you’ve finished speaking.

How To Add A Motivational Remark To Your Speech Ending

The key to a good motivational remark is to inspire your audience. Your motivational remark should act as a ray of hope to your audience and positively inspire them to take a desired course of action.

Your motivational remark should not be negative in any way. You don’t want to guilt or coerce your audience into doing something or feeling a certain way. You want to leave them on a positive note to move forward with their life.

1. Khanh Vy Tran

Speech Ending: “No matter what you’re going through right now & no matter what the future holds for you, please don’t change yourself. Love yourself, accept yourself & then transform yourself.”

2. Mithila Palkar

Speech Ending: “Get a job, leave a job, dance, sing, fall in love. Carve your own niche. But most importantly: learn to love your own randomness.”

3. Andrew Tarvin

Speech Ending: “Anyone can learn to be funnier. And it all starts with a choice. A choice to try to find ways to use humor. A choice to be like my grandmother, to look at the world around you and say WTF–wow, that’s fun.”

4. Laura Vanderkam

Speech Ending: There is time. Even if we are busy, we have time for what matters. And when we focus on what matters, we can build the lives we want in the time we’ve got.

5. Julian Treasure

Speech Ending: Let’s get listening taught in schools, and transform the world in one generation into a conscious listening world, a world of connection, a world of understanding, and a world of peace.

6. Mariana Atencio

Speech Ending: Let’s celebrate those imperfections that make us special. I hope that it teaches you that nobody has a claim on the word ‘normal’. We are all different. We are all quirky and unique and that is what makes us wonderfully human.

10. Challenge

Much like a call to action, the aim of proposing a challenge at the end of your speech is to instigate your audience to take some desired course of action. A challenge should make an appeal to your audience’s emotion, and motivate them to meet it.

How To Add A Challenge To Your Speech Ending

To apply a challenge effectively to your speech ending, you need to make sure that it’s something relevant to your topic. Your challenge should drive the central topic of your speech forward, and make your audience engage in real-life steps to apply your idea in the real world.

While its always a good idea to set a high bar for your challenge, make sure its an achievable one too.

1. Jamak Golshani

Speech Ending: “I challenge you to open your heart to new possibilities, choose a career path that excites you & one that’s aligned to who you truly are.”

2. Ashley Clift-Jennings

Speech Ending: So, my challenge to you today is, “Do you know, would you even know how to recognize your soulmate?” If you are going out in the world right now, would you know what you are looking for?

11. Metaphor

Metaphors are commonly used as a short phrase that draws a comparison between two ideas in a non-literal sense. People use metaphors quite commonly in daily life to explain ideas that might be too difficult or confusing to understand otherwise. Metaphors are also great tools to be used in speech, as they can present your main idea in a simple and memorable way.

How To Add Metaphors To Your Speech Ending

To add a metaphor to your speech ending, you need to first decide on the main idea or takeaway of your speech. Your metaphor should then be organized in such a way that it simplifies your main idea and makes it easier for your audience to understand & remember it.

The key is to not make your metaphor overly complicated or difficult to retain and share. Remember that you’re trying to simplify your idea for the audience–not make them even more confused.

1. Ramona J. Smith

Speech Ending: “Stay in that ring. And even after you take a few hits, use what you learned from those previous fights, and at the end of the round, you’ll still remain standing.”

2. Shi Heng YI

Speech Ending: “If any of you chooses to climb that path to clarity, I will be very happy to meet you at the peak.”

3. Zifang “Sherrie” Su

Speech Ending: “Are you turning your back on your fear? Our life is like this stage, but what scares are now may bring you the most beautiful thing. Give it a chance.”

12. Storytelling

The idea behind using stories to end your speech is to leave your audience with a good memory to take away with them.

Stories are catchy, resonating & memorable ways to end any speech.

Human beings can easily relate to stories. This is because most people have grown up listening to stories of some kind or another, and thus a good story tends to evoke fond feelings in us.

How To Incorporate Stories In Your Speech Ending

A great way to incorporate stories in your speech ending is by setting up a story in the beginning and then concluding it during the end of your speech.

Another great way would be to tell a short & funny anecdote related to a personal experience or simply something related to the topic at hand.

However, remember that it’s the ending of your speech. Your audience is most likely at the end of their attention span. So, keep your story short & sweet.

1. Sameer Al Jaberi

Speech Ending: “I can still see that day when I came back from my honeymoon…”

2. Josephine Lee

Speech Ending: “At the end of dinner, Jenna turned to me and said…”

Facts are another excellent speech ending, and they are used quite often as openings as well. The point of adding a fact as your speech ending is to add shock value to your speech, and to get your audience thinking & discussing the fact even after your speech has ended.

How To Add Facts To Your Speech Ending

The key to adding facts to your speech ending is to pick a fact that thrusts forward your main idea in the most concise form possible. Your fact should also be something that adds shock value to the speech, and it should ideally be something that the audience hasn’t heard before.

Make sure that your fact is relevant to the topic at hand. No matter how interesting, a fact that doesn’t relate to your topic is going to be redundant.

1. David JP Phillips

Speech Ending: 3500 years ago, we started transfering knowledge from generation to generation through text. 28 years ago, PowerPoint was born. Which one do you think our brain is mostly adapted to?

14. Rhethoric Remark

Rhetoric remarks are another excellent way to get the wheels of your audience’s minds turning. Rhetoric remarks make your audience think of an imagined scenario, and to delve deeper into your topic. Rhetoric remarks or questioned don’t necessarily need to have a ‘right’ or one-shot answer, which means you can be as creative with them as possible!

How To Add Rhethoric Remarks To Your Speech Ending

Since rhetorical questions don’t need to have a definite answer, you have much freedom in determining the type of question or statement you wish to make. However, as with all other speech endings, a rhetorical question shouldn’t be asked just for the sake of it.

A rhetorical question should make your audience think about your topic in a new or more creative manner. It should get them thinking about the topic and maybe see it from an angle that they hadn’t before.

Rhetorical questions shouldn’t be too confusing. Use simple language & make sure it’s something that the audience can easily comprehend.

1. Mona Patel

Speech Ending: Pick your problem, ask “What if?” Come up with ideas. Bring them down. Then execute on them. Maybe you’re thinking, “What if we can’t?” I say to you, “What if we don’t?”

2. Lizzie Velasquez

Speech Ending: I want you to leave here and ask yourself what defines you. But remember: Brave starts here.

Another great way to end your speech with a literal bang is by using music! After all, if there’s something that can impact the human mind with just as much force as a few well-placed words, it’s the correct music.

How To Add Music To Your Speech Ending

To add music to your speech ending, you must make sure that the music has something to do with your speech theme. Remember that you’re not playing music in your concert. The piece of music that you choose must be relevant to your topic & work to have a contribution in your overall speech.

1. Tom Thum

Speech Ending: *ends the TED Talk with beat boxing*

16. Reitirate The Title

The title of your speech is its most important component. That’s why you need to pay careful attention to how you pick it, as it is something that your viewers will most likely remember the longest about your speech.

Your title will also act as a guiding hand towards how your audience forms an initial idea about your speech and is what they will associate your entire speech with.

By repeating your title at the end of your speech, you increase the chances that your audience will remember it–and your speech–for a long time.

How To Retierate The Title In Your Speech Ending

Your title is something that your audience associates your entire speech with. However, you don’t want to simply add the title in your speech end for the sake of adding it. Instead, make it flow naturally into your speech ending. This will make it seem less forced, and will also increase the chances of your audience remembering your entire speech ending and not just the title of your speech.

1. Ruairi Robertson

Speech Ending: I feel we can all contribute to this fight worth fighting for our own health, but more importantly, our future generations’ health by restoring the relationship between microbe and man. There is SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

Need more inspiration for speech closing lines? Check out our article on 10 Of The Best Things To Say In Closing Remarks.

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To sum up, speech endings are just as imperative to the success of your speech as speech openings, and you must spend just as much time picking the perfect ending as you do to determine your best possible speech opening. The words you speak at the beginning and end of your speech are words that your audience will pay the most attention to, and remember longer than any other part of your speech.

Still looking for inspiration? Check out this video we made on closing remarks:

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• How to End a Speech: What You Need for 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, ensuring that the audience’s attention is maintained throughout.

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. It’s crucial to leave a lasting impression with a powerful conclusion.

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.

To ensure that your conclusion is as powerful as it can be, you must plan it word for word, including a strong closing statement.

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. It is also crucial to restate a key idea to reinforce your message and leave a lasting impression.

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. Reinforce your key points by summarizing the main message, ensuring it leaves a lasting impression. Closing the speech effectively can evoke emotions and make a significant impact on the audience.

Here’s a Speech 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!”

Consider ending with a thought-provoking question to challenge the audience to think differently and inspire them to take action.

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 repetition helps make your message memorable and ensures that your key points leave a lasting impression.

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. Using effective body language, such as maintaining eye contact, smiling, and using open gestures, can make your story more impactful and leave a lasting impression.

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.”

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.”

A memorable statement like this can make the humor more effective by condensing the core message into a crisp and authentic sound bite.

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. Here are some practical tips for selecting and delivering a poem: choose a poem that resonates with your message, practice your delivery to ensure it flows naturally, and use appropriate pauses to emphasize key lines.

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 for A Lasting Impression

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 then 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 to reinforce your main message and leave a lasting impression.

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. A strong closing statement is crucial in signaling the end of your speech, leaving a lasting impression, and ensuring that the audience remembers the key points. 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. Using effective body language, such as maintaining eye contact, smiling, and using open gestures, can signal to the audience that it is time to begin clapping.

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.

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’ve given a moving talk and really connected with your audience, someone will stand up and applaud. To encourage a standing ovation, make your message memorable by using repetition of your keyword or phrase and incorporating relevant visuals or metaphors to leave a lasting impression on the audience. 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. Using positive body language, such as maintaining eye contact, smiling, and using open gestures, can leave a lasting impression on the audience.

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.

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Guide: How to Say Thank You at the End of a Speech

Expressing gratitude is an essential part of delivering a speech. Ending your speech with a heartfelt thank you not only shows appreciation to your audience but also leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re addressing a formal or informal gathering, this guide will provide you with various ways to say thank you, along with tips, examples, and regional variations where necessary.

Table of Contents

Formal Ways to Say Thank You

When giving a speech in a formal setting, whether it’s a conference, a business meeting, or a corporate event, it’s crucial to maintain professionalism. Here are several formal ways to express gratitude:

1. Conveying Sincere Appreciation

One of the simplest and most effective ways to say thank you at the end of a formal speech is by expressing your sincere appreciation directly. For example:

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone here for their kind attention and support.”

2. Acknowledging Contributions

In a formal setting, it’s important to recognize the contributions and efforts of important individuals or organizations. Show your appreciation for their involvement by stating something like:

“I want to extend my deepest thanks to our sponsors for making this event possible and to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to its success.”

3. Recognizing the Importance of the Audience

Acknowledging the significance of the audience’s presence and attention is crucial. It conveys respect and helps to establish a connection. Consider something like:

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to speak before such an esteemed audience today. Your presence is truly humbling, and I appreciate your patience and engagement throughout.”

Informal Ways to Say Thank You

Delivering a speech in a more relaxed or casual setting allows for a less formal approach to expressing gratitude. Here are a few informal ways to say thank you:

1. Using Humor

If appropriate for the occasion, incorporating humor can bring a light-hearted touch to your thank you. For instance:

“Before I conclude, I want to say a big thank you to my team for their support. Without them, my speech would have been as exciting as watching paint dry!”

2. Sharing Personal Gratitude

When addressing a more intimate or friendly audience, it can be meaningful to express personal gratitude towards specific individuals who have influenced or supported you. Consider something like:

“Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my parents, whose unwavering support and encouragement have helped me reach this point. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

3. Being Relatable and Reflective

In an informal setting, it’s often effective to connect with the audience on a personal level. Share your reflections and appreciation by saying something like:

“As I stand here, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Each person in this room has played a part in shaping who I am today, and I will forever cherish the memories we’ve created together.”

Tips for Delivering a Memorable Thank You

To make your expression of gratitude impactful, consider the following tips:

1. Maintain Eye Contact

While expressing your thank you, maintain eye contact with the audience. This gesture helps establish a connection and shows your sincerity.

2. Use Emotion in Your Voice

Let your voice reflect the emotions behind your gratitude. Whether it’s genuine excitement, appreciation, or humility, your tone can enhance the impact of your words.

3. Keep it Concise

A well-structured thank you should be concise and to the point. Avoid rambling or going off on tangents that may distract from your main message.

Examples of Thank You Speech Endings

To further illustrate how to say thank you at the end of a speech, here are a few examples for both formal and informal situations:

1. Formal Examples:

• “In closing, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to each and every one of you present here today. Your support has been invaluable, and I am truly grateful.”
• “Before I conclude, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire organizing committee for their tireless efforts in making this event a resounding success. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed.”

2. Informal Examples:

• “To wrap things up, I want to give a special shout-out to my friends in the front row. Thank you all for being my biggest fans and always pushing me to be the best version of myself.”
• “Lastly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported me on this journey. You’ve been there through thick and thin, and I am eternally grateful for your unwavering belief in me.”

Remember, regardless of the occasion or setting, concluding your speech with a well-crafted thank you is a powerful way to leave a lasting impression on your audience. Expressing genuine gratitude will not only make you memorable but also strengthen the connections you’ve established. So, go forth and end your speeches with heartfelt appreciation!

Related Guides:

• How to Say a Conclusion in a Speech
• Guide: How to Say Conclusion in Speech
• How to Say Part of Speech in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide
• How to Say Speech Language Impairment in Spanish
• How to Say Thank You at the End of a Speech
• How to Say Thank You in Speech: A Comprehensive Guide
• How to Say Thanks After a Speech: A Comprehensive Guide
• Guide: How to Say Your Name in a Speech

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Peyton Vicki

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• How to end a speech effectively

How to end a speech memorably

3 ways to close a speech effectively.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

Knowing how, and when, to end a speech is just as important as knowing how to begin. Truly.

What's on this page:

• why closing well is important
• 3 effective speech conclusions with examples and audio
• 7 common ways people end their speeches badly  - what happens when you fail to plan to end a speech memorably
• How to end a Maid Honor speech: 20 examples
• links to research showing the benefits of finishing a speech strongly

Why ending a speech well is important

Research *  tells us people most commonly remember the first and last thing they hear when listening to a speech, seminar or lecture.

Therefore if you want the audience's attention and, your speech to create a lasting impression sliding out with:  "Well, that's all I've got say. My time's up anyway. Yeah - so thanks for listening, I guess.",  isn't going to do it.

So what will?

* See the foot of the page for links to studies and articles on what and how people remember : primacy and recency.

Three effective speech conclusions

Here are three of the best ways to end a speech. Each ensures your speech finishes strongly rather than limping sadly off to sure oblivion.

You'll need a summary of your most important key points followed by the ending of your choice:

• a powerful quotation
• a challenge
• a call back

To work out which of these to use, ask yourself what you want audience members to do or feel as a result of listening to your speech. For instance;

• Do you want to motivate them to work harder?
• Do you want them to join the cause you are promoting?
• Do you want them to remember a person and their unique qualities?

What you choose to do with your last words should support the overall purpose of your speech.

Let's look at three different scenarios showing each of these ways to end a speech.

To really get a feel for how they work try each of them out loud yourself and listen to the recordings.

1. How to end a speech with a powerful quotation

Your speech purpose is to inspire people to join your cause. Specifically you want their signatures on a petition lobbying for change and you have everything ready to enable them to sign as soon as you have stopped talking.

You've summarized the main points and want a closing statement at the end of your speech to propel the audience into action.

Borrowing words from a revered and respected leader aligns your cause with those they fought for, powerfully blending the past with the present.

For example:

"Martin Luther King, Jr said 'The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.'

Now is the time to decide. Now is the time to act. 

Here's the petition. Here's the pen. And here's the space for your signature.

Now, where do you stand?"

Try it out loud and listen to the audio

Try saying this out loud for yourself. Listen for the cumulative impact of: an inspirational quote, plus the rhythm and repetition (two lots of 'Now is the time to...', three of 'Here's the...', three repeats of the word 'now') along with a rhetorical question to finish.

Click the link to hear a recording of it:  sample speech ending with a powerful quotation .

2. How to end a speech with a challenge

Your speech purpose is to motivate your sales force.

You've covered the main points in the body of it, including introducing an incentive: a holiday as a reward for the best sales figures over the next three weeks.

You've summarized the important points and have reached the end of your speech. The final words are a challenge, made even stronger by the use of those two extremely effective techniques: repetition and rhetorical questions.

"You have three weeks from the time you leave this hall to make that dream family holiday in New Zealand yours.

Can you do it?

Will you do it?

The kids will love it.

Your wife, or your husband, or your partner, will love it.

Do it now!"

Click the link to listen to a recording of it: sample speech ending with a challenge . And do give it a go yourself.

3. How to end a speech with a call back

Your speech purpose is to honor the memory of a dear friend who has passed  away.

You've briefly revisited the main points of your speech and wish in your closing words to  leave the members of the audience with a happy and comforting take-home message or image to dwell on.

Earlier in the speech you told a poignant short story. It's that you return to, or call back.

Here's an example of what you could say:

"Remember that idyllic picnic I told you about?

Every blue sky summer's day I'll see Amy in my mind.

Her red picnic rug will be spread on green grass under the shade of an old oak tree. There'll be food, friends and laughter.

I'll see her smile, her pleasure at sharing the simple good things of life, and I know what she'd say too. I can hear her.

"Come on, try a piece of pie. My passing is not the end of the world you know."

Click the link to hear a recording of it: sample speech ending with a call back . Try it out for yourself too. (For some reason, this one is a wee bit crackly. Apologies for that!)

When you don't plan how to end a speech...

That old cliché 'failing to plan is planning to fail' can bite and its teeth are sharp.

The 'Wing It' Department * delivers lessons learned the hard way. I know from personal experience and remember the pain!

How many of these traps have caught you?

• having no conclusion and whimpering out on a shrug of the shoulders followed by a weak,  'Yeah, well, that's all, I guess.',  type of line.
• not practicing while timing yourself and running out of it long before getting to your prepared conclusion. (If you're in Toastmasters where speeches are timed you'll know when your allotted time is up, that means, finish. Stop talking now, and sit down. A few seconds over time can be the difference between winning and losing a speech competition.)
• ending with an apology undermining your credibility. For example:  'Sorry for going on so long. I know it can be a bit boring listening to someone like me.'  
• adding new material just as you finish which confuses your audience. The introduction of information belongs in the body of your speech.
• making the ending too long in comparison to the rest of your speech.
• using a different style or tone that doesn't fit with what went before it which puzzles listeners.
• ending abruptly without preparing the audience for the conclusion. Without a transition, signal or indication you're coming to the end of your talk they're left waiting for more.

* Re  The 'Wing It' Department

One of the most galling parts of ending a speech weakly is knowing it's avoidable. Ninety nine percent of the time it didn't have to happen that way. But that's the consequence of 'winging it', trying to do something without putting the necessary thought and effort in.

It's such a sod when there's no one to blame for the poor conclusion of your speech but yourself! ☺

How to end a Maid of Honor speech: 20 examples

More endings! These are for Maid of Honor speeches. There's twenty examples of varying types: funny, ones using Biblical and other quotations... Go to: how to end a Maid of Honor speech    

How to write a speech introduction

Now that you know how to end a speech effectively, find out how to open one well. Discover the right hook to use to captivate your audience.

Find out more: How to write a speech introduction: 12 of the very best ways to open a speech .

More speech writing help

You do not need to flail around not knowing what to do, or where to start.

Visit this page to find out about  structuring and writing a speech . 

You'll find information on writing the body, opening and conclusion as well as those all important transitions. There's also links to pages to help you with preparing a speech outline, cue cards, rehearsal, and more. 

Research on what, and how, people remember: primacy and recency 

McLeod, S. A. (2008).  Serial position effect .  (Primacy and recency, first and last)  Simply Psychology.

Hopper, Elizabeth. "What Is the Recency Effect in Psychology?" ThoughtCo, Feb. 29, 2020.

ScienceDirect: Recency Effect - an overview of articles from academic Journals & Books covering the topic.

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Farewell Speech Examples: How to Say Goodbye with Grace

As much as we’d like our goodbyes — whether to a job, a loved one, or a chapter in our lives — to be extended and leave us with a lasting feeling of warmth and appreciation, that isn’t always the case.

A well-crafted farewell speech has the potential to turn any difficult goodbye into a fond farewell, leaving all parties feeling gracious and grateful. To guide you in bringing your goodbye to its highest form, let’s delve into the art of delivering a good farewell speech.

What is a Farewell Speech?

A farewell speech is a way to mark one’s departure from an organization, group, or event. It’s typically delivered by someone who is leaving or has recently left their role or position in the organization and is typically intended to say thank you and express empathy and gratitude for the audience.

Farewell speeches often include a call to action for those who remain in the group or organization, providing insights and advice that can help the group move forward even after the speaker leaves.

The debate about what constitutes an effective farewell speech depends largely on the context of the particular situation.

On one hand, some people argue that a simple goodbye and thank you are all that is needed in order to properly bid farewell. They might argue that more than this would be repetitive and unhelpful as it would not add any new information or create any additional value.

On the other hand, others argue that a more detailed goodbye and send-off provides more closure, comfort, and support, allowing those remaining to better process the change and find growth opportunities in it.

No matter the approach taken, however, it’s important to recognize that farewell speeches are important moments for both those who are leaving and those who are staying; they provide an opportunity for reflection on memories shared, lessons learned, and relationships formed—all of which contribute to making an impactful farewell experience.

With this in mind, the next section will discuss what makes an effective farewell speech.

Quick Answer

A farewell speech is an important way to mark one’s departure from an organization, group, or event. It usually includes gratitude and a call to action for those who remain in the group. Farewell speeches often include a reflection on memories shared, lessons learned, and relationships formed. What constitutes an effective farewell speech depends on the situation but it should provide closure and comfort.

What Makes an Effective Farewell Speech?

The delivery and content of a farewell speech can significantly influence the sentiment behind goodbye messages. It’s important for sendoff speakers to emphasize gratitude and to express their appreciation for the time spent with colleagues, friends, or family.

A successful farewell speech should be heartfelt, sincere, and thoughtful. When crafting a farewell speech, speakers may want to consider incorporating elements like humour, humility, and inspiration in order to add depth to their words.

Additionally, touch upon shared emotions to convey the bond between both parties. Focusing on these three elements allows for a memorable sendoff that will stick with the crowd in attendance.

Humour is an effective way of connecting with the audience and lightening the atmosphere; providing some levity amongst more serious anecdotes. Self-deprecating remarks can be a way of connecting with colleagues in a more intimate way; showing you are equally as human as they are.

On the flip side, too much humour can sometimes come across as insincere and hinder the speaker’s attempt at conveying genuine emotion; arguably one of the key components of an effective farewell speech.

Moreover, include inspirational stories which feature distinct examples of gratitude within them—this will create greater authenticity and leave guests feeling impacted by your words.

As aforementioned, it’s vital for goodbyes to incorporate appreciation for time spent together—evoke specific memories and draw attention to individuals when necessary rather than speaking in generalities.

Ensure that your words make an impact on those who need to hear them. With these in mind, it’s possible to craft a successful transition from one stage of life to another through an effective farewell speech that is full of grace and gratitude.

Having addressed what makes an effective farewell speech, we’ll next discuss how best to show appreciation in sending off messages.

Showing Appreciation

Showing appreciation is a key element of any farewell speech. Expressing gratitude for the years spent in each other’s company conveys respect and admiration for all that has been accomplished.

When it comes to including words of acknowledgement and appreciation, many people choose to highlight the special moments shared, celebrate the successes seen, and offer thoughtful acknowledgements or simple thank yous.

However, there are opposing opinions on how to best show appreciation. Some suggest keeping dedications to a minimum so as not bore listeners with too much detail while others believe a more thorough approach can help create lasting memories and nostalgia.

The most important thing is to be mindful of your audience and what feels right based on the relationship that the farewell speech is celebrating.

If appropriate, consider having a moment at the end of your speech where you thank everyone individually while explicitly naming their individual contributions. A more public approach can include a round of applause directed at individuals who have had an impact on you along your journey.

In conclusion, expressing appreciation in a farewell speech provides an opportunity for reflection and celebration of meaningful experiences. Celebrating the occasion marks a special moment in time as one move forward in life or career.

Celebrating the Occasion

When someone is leaving their current role, it is important to take some time to celebrate and recognize their achievements. Celebrating the occasion acknowledges their contribution, gives thanks for their hard work, and shows gratitude for their time.

It can be a meaningful gesture that highlights the value of the departing employee or colleague, and can also be an inspiring opportunity for those who remain in the position.

In planning a celebration for the person’s departure, consider what would best suit their personality and interests. A simple going-away party, a framed thank-you card, or another creative form of recognition might be just the right way to say goodbye.

However, it is also important to consider how this celebration could affect morale and productivity within the team. If there is already tension in the workplace due to changes in leadership or a reorganization of roles, then holding a celebratory event could serve to further emphasize inequalities among employees or even create an uncomfortable environment.

When deciding how best to celebrate someone’s departure, it is important to assess both potential positive and negative implications of any action and plan accordingly. Doing so ensures that both the departing employee or colleague is properly recognized as well as all other members of the team feel respected and appreciated for their own contributions.

By acknowledging this balance appropriately, it will help ensure that everyone feels included and appreciated when saying goodbye. From here we can move on to discuss how to use a farewell speech to inspire your audience.

Inspiring Your Audience

In order to move an audience and leave a lasting impression, it is important to ensure that your farewell speech is both inspirational and meaningful. To do this, consider talking about how much the experience meant to you, how much you have enjoyed and learned from your friends and colleagues, or highlighting the greatest accomplishments of the group.

Additionally, use personal anecdotes that reflect the experiences of everyone in the audience. This will not only inspire emotions in them but also allow them to connect with each other as they share similar memories.

If applicable, provide words of wisdom to encourage resilience and success in the future. Show gratitude for being part of something special, even if it may be difficult to say goodbye.

By doing so, you can instill hope rather than sadness in the audience with your kind words. By expressing solidarity and understanding, your message can picture a bright future on which everyone can look forward to despite leaving their respective positions.

Ultimately, it’s important to speak positively during a farewell speech so as to leave a good impression in people’s minds when departing. Inspiring your audience will also help them remember you fondly and feel positive about their time spent together.

As such, wrap up your speech with an example or phrase that gets repeated by people long after they heard it or send out a meaningful message that serves as an uplifting reminder for all who were present.

Now that we have discussed how to inspire an audience through a farewell speech it’s time to focus on what such speeches could be like. In the next section, we will cover examples of farewell speeches so you can get some great ideas on what to include in your own address.

Example of a Farewell Speech

When you’re leaving your current position at work, it’s customary to deliver a farewell speech. These speeches provide a meaningful way to say goodbye and reflect on the successes of your time spent in the role.

Here is an example of an effective farewell speech that can be tailored to your experience and the tenor of your workplace:

“Good morning everyone! I want to thank you all for being here today. As many of you know, today is my last day with [Company Name], and I wanted to take a few moments to say a few words about my experience here.

This company has been a great home for me during the last [insert length of time]. During my time here, I learned countless skills , met fantastic people, and made memories to last a lifetime. Working with all of you has been an incredible honor – you have always demonstrated kindness and strong work ethic. I’m sure the business will continue to grow under the capable leadership of [current leader].

I have enjoyed every minute of my time here and I wish this team tremendous success as they move forward. Remember: no matter what happens in life, don’t forget to find joy in what we do. Thank you so much for your support – now let’s celebrate!”

Farewell speeches are a great opportunity for reflection and sentimentality but it’s important to balance it out with humor or positivity depending on the setting.

On one hand, some people might opt for deeper reflections on their journey and how each person has played a part in their development, while others may choose to keep their speeches lighthearted and upbeat.

Regardless of which option works best for your audience, remember that these farewell speeches provide valuable opportunities to build connections before departing from an organization or team.

At the same time, it’s important not to let the farewell speech drag on too long – keep the message brief yet meaningful. This allows present colleagues to receive appreciation without disrupting daily workflow.

Prefer a longer example? Here’s one from George Washington to the people of the USA .

Crafting Your Own Farewell Speech follows similar guidelines – find the right mix between reflection and positivity in order to create an effective speech that resonates with its audience.

Crafting Your Own Farewell Speech

Crafting your own farewell speech is a task that should not be taken lightly. It requires thought and honest reflection to craft a meaningful and memorable goodbye speech.

Your words should pay tribute to the experience you have had while connecting emotionally with your audience. Crafting your own farewell speech gives you the opportunity to directly address how hard it was to leave and acknowledge the contributions made both by yourself and others in the organization.

When deciding on how to create a memorable farewell speech, there are two paths one can take. On one hand, those looking for guidance might want to find existing templates filled with the right sentiments that they can customize to fit their needs.

Alternatively, those who prefer writing from scratch can develop their own narrative thread, drawing on their own words of wisdom and emotions as they feel them in the moment.

When constructing a self-made speech, it’s important to remember brevity is key. Each word should have intent and purpose; it’s better to be thoughtful than wordy.

Bear in mind that this moment presents an opportunity for closure and for celebration for accomplishments along the journey you embarked upon together.

It’s also worth mentioning any lessons learned or valuable experiences gained during this transition. As daunting as this may sound, it can be immensely rewarding when done well.

Having taken into account both sides of creating a farewell speech, next is brainstorming potential topics that can serve as inspiration for crafting an effective goodbye message.

Brainstorm Topics

Brainstorming topics for a farewell speech allows you to come up with an effective way to express your gratitude and appreciation when saying goodbye. This is important because it helps you maintain dignity, respectfulness and meaningfulness in the words you choose to say.

Before delivering a heartfelt farewell, it’s important to consider what areas are worth mentioning.

You should focus on three main topics when creating a farewell speech: the past, the present, and the future.

When reflecting on “the past ,” you should focus on acknowledging your successes and accomplishments while working there. This helps to reinforce that your contributions did not go unnoticed and were appreciated by those around you.

It helps to inspire and motivate others with the knowledge of your success in the workplace. Consider thanking coworkers for helping you achieve your goals over time; collaborative efforts often go underappreciated and focusing on why their help was beneficial can be a pleasant surprise.

Another important topic to consider is “the present ”; this is where you can express your gratitude and thank everyone who has helped you through this long journey of leaving the company.

Provide sincere thanks to coworkers and colleagues who have been key in making it possible for you to depart gracefully.

Consider being transparent about what you have learned during your years in the organization and how these learnings will propel you forward into new opportunities or ventures.

Finally, mention how much the people in the organization mean to you, as well as how much they will be missed—this will help solidify that relationships were built during your stay at the company and that they won’t easily be forgotten or taken for granted.

Lastly, “the future ” focuses on optimism, hope, and reaffirms resilience—even in times of change. Here, emphasize any newfound strength that was built during this experience, as well as talk about future aspirations or goals with optimism.

Lastly, send off a few encouraging words for those left behind reminding them that great things can still occur despite difficulty or instability occurring at work due to your departure from the team.

With these three topics outlined it’s now time to choose your words carefully with precision so that the final speech resonates all of these concepts entirely; leading into a memorable goodbye for those who will hear it spoken aloud.

Choose Your Words Carefully

When crafting your farewell speech, it is important to choose your words carefully. Each word should invoke not only emotion, but also provide a level of understanding for the audience. It is essential that you communicate your message perfectly and with clarity.

To begin, strive to craft an introduction with strong language that grabs the attention of your listeners. This could range from using metaphors or analogies to compare yourself to a superhero or time traveler depending on the audience’s sense of humor and interests.

Anticipate potential questions from the audience and provide thoughtful answers in advance.

Be sure to include gratitude during your speech even if it’s uncomfortable. Doing so will make you look professional and acknowledge how much you appreciate any help given to you over the years. Showing appreciation will surely leave a lasting impression.

Try to close strong, offering perspectives to the colleagues who remain and looking ahead to new possibilities instead of focusing on sadness or regret. Reassure them that they too can pursue their dreams and opportunities just as you have, conveying optimism in the process.

Furthermore, reflect on your newfound clarity while providing an outlook full of positivity; emphasizing the benefits you may reap going forward regardless of any hardships faced along the way.

Choose your words carefully when preparing for a farewell speech; it will be key in making sure this moment shines.

Consider tips such as designing an introductio n full of strong language, expressing gratitude, and providing an optimistic outlook for those remaining when constructing your own dream goodbye speech.

As a final step before delivering it, practice speaking with emotion and deliver the speech body language that conveys both warmth and sincerity. With these strategies, you can say goodbye with grace and gratitude.

This next section looks at how best to deliver a farewell speech with emotion; from preparing beforehand to finding ways to connect with the audience on an emotional level while delivering it.

Deliver the Speech With Emotion

Delivering a farewell speech with emotion can make or break the impact of the speech. On one hand, some might say that showing too much emotion is not professional and may take away from the gravity of the situation.

For example, if someone gets overly emotional in a workplace setting, it could create an uncomfortable atmosphere. The speaker would need to maintain a certain level of composure to keep the focus of the audience and to remain professional.

On the other hand, delivering a farewell speech without emotion does not give justice to the heartfelt emotions connected to this particular occasion. Heartfelt tales of memories and personal experiences paired with earnest gratitude and respect should be expressed with intensity and feeling.

Audiences tend to connect more deeply with speeches that are delivered with genuine emotion rather than one filled with boring facts and statistics.

It is important to find balance in your delivery style between staying professional while also expressing your feelings fully in order to truly convey the gravity of the occasion.

A blend of stoic delivery and heartfelt emotions will ensure that everyone in attendance can both respect your professionalism while connecting on an emotional level with you as well.

As we have seen, it is important to strike a balance between staying professional while delivering a farewell speech with emotion – finding this balance will help ensure that everyone in attendance appreciates your sincere sentiments and respects your level of composure at the same time.

In the following section, we will discuss how to bid adieu in an effective conclusion to your farewell speech.

Conclusion: Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye can be one of the most emotionally fraught experiences in a person’s life. It is a moment when all of the hard work, dedication, and fond memories come flooding back in a flood of mixed emotions.

Farewell speech examples can provide structure and guidance for those who are preparing their own speeches. There are many different types of farewell speeches, from those that are funny and lighthearted to those that are more reflective and sombre.

No matter which type of speech you decide to write or deliver, always remember to express your utmost gratitude towards the people who have helped you during your time with them. Aim to make your speech memorable by ending it on an emotional high note. Above all else, strive to keep it sincere and meaningful.

It is often said that endings can be bittersweet, however, with proper planning and preparation through reviewal of some farewell speech examples, your own farewell speech can be both graceful and positive.

When the words come from the heart they will often linger with your friends or colleagues long after they are gone. With this in mind, remember to make goodbyes count – not only for yourself but for the people around you as well.

Answers to Common Questions with Detailed Explanations

How should i structure my farewell speech.

Structuring your Farewell Speech is important as it can help to make sure that your thoughts and sentiments are expressed in an organized manner. There are several steps that you can take to ensure that your speech is well-structured: 1. Acknowledge the occasion and thank people for being there – After beginning with a warm welcome, state the reason for gathering and express gratitude to everyone present for attending the function. 2. Take time to share memories – Many farewell speeches are full of nostalgia so use this time to reminisce about moments from the past, stories from shared experiences, fond memories of work or successes achieved together. 3. Show Gratitude – Take some time to express appreciation for colleagues and associates for their support, friendship, and guidance throughout your tenure. Express any sorrow you may have in leaving. 4. Thank & Recognize those who Inspire You – Use this opportunity to thank anyone who has deeply inspired you or been influential in facilitating your success thus far. 5. Conclude with Encouraging Words – Retrospect on what was accomplished and speak positively about what lies ahead both for yourself and other colleagues.

What are some of the key elements of a successful farewell speech?

The key elements of a successful farewell speech are to leave your audience with appreciation and gratitude, reflect on your best memories, thank those who have impacted your journey, highlight accomplishments and share a few wise words or memorable quotes .

Start by thanking everyone in the room for attending and taking the time to celebrate with you. Make sure to express your appreciation and gratitude for the unique experience that this role brought you.

Reflect on some of the best moments you experienced while fulfilling this role, focusing on what you learned and how these experiences shaped and motivated you.

Next, thank those who influenced your journey, like mentors, colleagues and friends. Acknowledge their support and ask them to continue providing advice when needed.

Highlight your successes, as they demonstrate how much work was put into achieving these goals , which should be cause for celebration!

Lastly, offer a few nuggets of wisdom or quotes that resonated with you from this experience – not only will it make people think, but it can also leave a lasting impression.

By following these tips and sharing heartfelt words of appreciation and wisdom, you can create a memorable farewell speech that celebrates your accomplishments while looking towards the future.

What are some tips for delivering a memorable farewell speech?

Delivering a memorable farewell speech is no easy feat, but it can be done with a little practice , creativity, and confidence. Here are a few tips to help you make your speech stand out:

1. Know your audience – Keep in mind who will be listening to your speech and tailor it accordingly. Are they colleagues? Friends? Family? Making sure that your speech resonates with the people you’re addressing is key for delivering a compelling message.

2. Be personable – Letting some of your personality shine through in your speech is key for making it memorable. Personal anecdotes, humor, and quotes are all great ways to do this.

3. Focus on the present – Make sure that you address the present feelings of those in attendance instead of solely dwelling on the past or future. Remind everyone why their current relationship has been special and unique and emphasize what brought everyone together in the first place.

4. Avoid cliché phrases – Goodbye speeches often contain phrases like “it’s been a pleasure” or “I wish you all the best” but these can come across as insincere if overused. Instead, try to come up with thoughtful compliments or memorable expressions that reflect the spirit of your goodbye.

5. Leave on a high note – A memorable goodbye speech should end with a moment of gratitude and optimism; this will stay in everyone’s minds as you leave them for good. Express how glad you have been to work or connect with these specific people and express hope for successful futures for them all (including yourself).

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Employee Appreciation

Tips & Examples for the Best Employee Appreciation Speech

Use this employee appreciation speech guide to show your people you appreciate them and reduce turnover.

Thomas Mirmotahari

Jun 2, 2022

In this Post

Appreciation is more than just saying thank you. A well-written employee appreciation speech can show your employees their efforts don’t go unnoticed. ‍

Employee appreciation speeches can re-awaken your team’s passion for their work and connect them to the company’s larger purpose. They can also show that you deeply understand your team, celebrate their successes, and empathize with their daily struggles.‍

So, how does one go about writing such a speech? In this article, we will show you exactly how you can say thank you in a truly memorable way.

Why Give An Employee Appreciation Speech?

Workplace appreciation should be seen as an investment rather than simply a nice gesture.‍

Your people are invaluable assets that need to be nurtured and cared for. With a bit of appreciation, their engagement and dedication will increase over time. ‍

In fact, showing that you appreciate your employees can decrease your company’s turnover rate. Research shows that 66% of employees would quit their jobs if they didn’t feel appreciated. ‍

Additionally, employee appreciation can also help your team better understand their roles in the company. This can help ensure each employee understands exactly what is expected of them, which will boost their engagement and performance.‍

If you want to attract more talented employees, employee appreciation is absolutely critical. It’s a necessary step towards building a healthy company culture, which is a great selling point to any prospective employee. ‍

Furthermore, studies suggest there’s a definite correlation between appreciation and positive long-term mental effects for both the giver and the receiver. So, giving a beautiful employee appreciation speech can also benefit your mental wellbeing!‍

This list of benefits shows that investing your time in appreciating your employees is worthwhile. By learning how to deliver employee appreciation speeches that increase employee engagement, you can create a positive culture that your employees genuinely love. 

Employee Appreciation Speech Guidelines

Below, we outline some guidelines that will help you master the basics. 

Step 1: Get Your Audience’s Attention With A Thoughtful Greeting

More often than not, people expect boring speeches at company gatherings. Therefore, you can easily grab your employees’ attention by catching them off guard with a witty intro. ‍

After lightening up the mood with some humor, explain why you’re excited to be gathered with the team.‍

Conclude your introduction by highlighting the importance of your employees, just like in the employee appreciation speech example below.‍

“After a long, relaxing weekend, I wasn’t exactly jumping for joy when my alarm went off this morning. 

However, after a bit of caffeine made its way into my system, I remembered that, unlike for most people, Monday is my favorite day of the week.

I get to start my week all over again at an incredible company that holds values I truly believe in.

More importantly, I get to share yet another week with the best people anyone could ever ask for, and for that, I have each and every one of you to thank.” 

Step 2: Elaborate On Specific Employee Behaviors You Appreciate

When trying to connect with your employees, it helps to be really specific. Instead of referring to vague acknowledgments of dedication and hard work, be specific when talking about an employee’s actions. ‍

Doing so shows that you are paying attention and that your employees’ efforts are noticed. This also can inspire your employees to repeat the praised behaviors and will encourage others to follow suit.‍

Give short anecdotes about a specific employee’s behavior so that everyone listening can become invested in the story you are telling. End this section of the speech by generalizing and mentioning how everyone’s efforts add to the greater wellbeing of the company. ‍

“Yesterday, I got an email notification reminding me of an upcoming meeting that I hadn’t had time to prepare for. It was an important meeting to discuss the marketing budget of one of our biggest clients. 

In a panic, I quickly called upon Jessica, who was the marketing manager of this account. 

She informed me that she’d already drawn up an Excel sheet listing all the client's requirements and estimated fees. With a huge sigh of relief, I realized we were perfectly prepared for the meeting. 

This is just one instance of exceptional proactive behavior that I have witnessed from you over the last few months. Thank you again, Jessica.”

Related: How To Write An Employee Appreciation Email

Step 3: Mention the Effects of Your Employees’ Behaviors 

In this part of the speech, you have to connect the actions of your employees back to the company’s mission. ‍

You don’t necessarily have to discuss a specific sales metric or piece of financial data, but, if you have that info on hand, you are more than welcome to do so.‍

Alternatively, you can talk about how these specific employee actions will support your company’s mission.‍

“Lara’s bold and dynamic approach to her work resulted in one of our most successful budget meetings to date. In fact, we managed to sign a two-year contract! 

The client has also agreed to schedule another budget meeting for one of their sister companies, which means we could be drawing up another contract real soon. 

As you all know, we want to grow our client base by 200% each year, and with a proactive and dedicated group like this one, we might just exceed that target.”

Step 4: Say Thank You

Be sure to conclude your employee appreciation speech by injecting some heartfelt emotion into your topic of discussion. It will allow your employees to take in what you are trying to convey. ‍

To do this, set some time aside to truly ponder why you are grateful for your employees. Take what comes to mind and mention it, like in the employee appreciation speech example below. You can even add a great employee appreciation quote to the mix to end your speech on a poetic note.‍

“Mandy’s dedication to her work is just one example of the exceptional work ethic that all of you have portrayed during these last couple of months. 

I could stand here for hours talking about how each and everyone here goes beyond what is expected to make sure we grow as a company. I am truly amazed and inspired by all of you. It is both an honor and a privilege to work alongside you. 

Thank you for everything you do. Here's to many more months of exceptional work and lots of laughs!”

Final Thoughts

Your employee appreciation speech doesn’t have to be complicated. Just make sure it is personable and that it comes from the heart. Saying thank you every once in a while is a great way to boost team morale , and a well-crafted appreciation speech will allow you to do just that.‍

Be sure to make eye contact with your employees as you thank them, and don’t rush through your thoughts. To make an impact with your words, you have to make each one count.‍

If the situation calls for it, end your speech with a toast to your team. It will make the moment even more special and let your team know that you truly celebrate their hard work!

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Home » Blog » General » Expressing Appreciation: A Quick Speech on the Importance of Gratitude

Expressing Appreciation: A Quick Speech on the Importance of Gratitude

Are you looking for a way to cultivate gratitude in your life? Do you want to express appreciation to those around you but struggle to find the right words? In this blog post, we will explore the power of gratitude and how you can deliver a short speech on gratitude to convey your appreciation effectively.

Understanding Gratitude

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It is a deep sense of appreciation for the people, experiences, and things that enrich our lives. When we practice gratitude, we acknowledge the goodness in our lives and recognize the contributions of others.

Research has shown that practicing gratitude has numerous benefits for our well-being. It improves our mental health, strengthens our relationships, and enhances our resilience and optimism. By expressing gratitude, we can create a positive ripple effect in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The Art of Expressing Appreciation

Verbalizing our gratitude is a powerful way to express appreciation. A short speech on gratitude allows us to convey our heartfelt thanks and make a lasting impact. Here are some tips to help you deliver an impactful speech:

• Begin with a warm greeting: Start your speech by acknowledging the audience and expressing your gratitude for their presence.
• Express specific reasons for appreciation: Be specific about what you are grateful for and why. This shows that you have taken the time to reflect on the person’s actions or qualities that you appreciate.
• Share personal anecdotes or experiences: Personal stories add depth and authenticity to your speech. They help create a connection with your audience and make your gratitude more relatable.
• Use sincere and heartfelt language: Choose your words carefully to convey your genuine appreciation. Speak from the heart and let your emotions shine through.
• Conclude with a positive note: End your speech on a positive and uplifting note. Leave your audience feeling inspired and appreciated.

The Impact of Gratitude on Oneself

Practicing gratitude has a profound impact on our own well-being. It enhances our self-awareness and self-esteem, allowing us to recognize our own strengths and accomplishments. Gratitude also increases our mindfulness and present moment awareness, helping us savor the joys of life and find contentment in the present.

Furthermore, gratitude cultivates a positive mindset. By focusing on the good in our lives, we train our brains to see the positive aspects of every situation. This positivity not only improves our mental health but also attracts more positivity into our lives.

The Impact of Gratitude on Others

Expressing gratitude not only benefits ourselves but also has a profound impact on the people around us. When we express appreciation, we strengthen our relationships and social connections. Our words of gratitude make others feel valued and appreciated, deepening the bond between us.

Gratitude also promotes empathy and compassion. When we acknowledge the contributions of others, we develop a greater understanding of their experiences and challenges. This empathy allows us to offer support and kindness, creating a positive and supportive environment for everyone.

Incorporating Gratitude into Daily Life

To make gratitude a part of your daily life, consider incorporating these practices:

• Gratitude journaling: Set aside a few minutes each day to write down things you are grateful for. This practice helps shift your focus towards the positive aspects of your life.
• Expressing appreciation through handwritten notes or messages: Take the time to write a heartfelt note or message to someone you appreciate. Your words will have a lasting impact and show the depth of your gratitude.
• Engaging in acts of kindness and gratitude towards others: Look for opportunities to show kindness and gratitude to those around you. Small gestures, such as offering a helping hand or a kind word, can make a big difference.

Gratitude is a powerful tool for fostering social emotional learning and enhancing our well-being. By expressing appreciation through short speeches on gratitude, we can create a positive and meaningful impact in our lives and the lives of others. Start your journey towards gratitude today and experience the transformative power it holds.

Ready to start expressing your gratitude through short speeches? Start your EverydaySpeech Free trial today and unlock a world of social emotional learning resources to support your journey towards gratitude.

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Thank You Speech After an Event

Thank you speech generator after an event.

As they say, “no man is island.” In any given occasion, there will always be people who exerted so much effort for its success. An event cannot be successful without people who devote their time and resources just to make sure everything is perfect. At the same time, people who attend and gather for the event are still very much a big part of its success. You may also see presentation speech examples & samples.

You feel like words are not enough to express the gratitude you towards everyone responsible for the event, but to those concerned, sometimes it is more than enough. You acknowledge everyone’s hard work and say a couple of thank yous to everyone involved from the organizers, laborers, decoration in-charge, waiters, etc. You may also like how to start a speech .

In fact, it is only right to publicly express your gratitude and let everyone know the roles and responsibilities everyone partook just to make the event a success. And you as the coordinator, host or recipient must highlight the key everyone played just to make the event happen. You may also check out speech examples in doc .

Preparation for a Thank You Speech

In general, this type of speech is not spontaneous. You will have knowledge about this beforehand. You will be given ample amount of time to consider what to say and how to exactly say what you mean. You may also see

A thank you speech is very much suitable for any occasion. It can be a birthday party, retirement get together, induction event, etc. Although reasons for an event may vary, you can always start by saying, “Thank you for coming to my event; Thank you for the award; Thank you for all your presents…”

It is important to keep these three content areas in your speech:

• These are the people you want to personally and publicly thank since they have an important role for the success of your event. Note that of their names in ranking with the first one as the most important. You may also like special occasion speech examples & samples.
• Avoid being general in your speech. State specific reasons as to what exactly are you thanking the person or group for. Aside from making your speech shorter this way, it also gives your speech more meaning.
• As mentioned before, always be specific. Explain how what the favor or gift meant to or how it helped you. This is you chance to compliment and/or praise them. You may also check out speech examples for students .

Conference Thank You Speech Sample

Size: 390 KB

Graduation Thank You Speech

Size: 421 KB

How to Write a Thank You Speech

Like any form of writing you need the basic three parts in your speech. Here’s how to write each parts of the speech:

1. The Introduction

Typically, this is where you explain the reason as tho why there is an event as of the moment. Just like in any writing, your introduction opens up your whole speech. This also where you typically greet everyone. In addition, you explain why there is a need for you to thank everyone. You may also check out leadership speech examples & samples.

In the introduction, you can always narrate a small story leading to the day of the event. Short stories that relate to the event help people understand your experience better. Aside from its entertainment value, it helps people relate and empathize with you and your experiences.

2. Body of the Speech

In this part of the speech, you slowly make your way into thanking the people who has helped you. Start by thanking the people on top of your list and make your way down to the last one. Always allot as much time thanking them according to their importance for you. But generally, always make time in thanking everyone. You might be interested in introduction speech examples & samples.

You can also add and insert quotations that directly relate to you or reflect the relationship you have with these people. Not only are quotations great filler, they also add sentimental value to your speech. It may sound a bit old school but it is just another way of expressing gratefulness.

3. The Conclusion

The conclusion basically wraps up your entire speech. This is where you summarize the entirety of your speech in the shortest possible way. You summarize the main points you have made during the speech and finish. You can also add some wise parting words and a compliment of you wanting to work with the same people again. Remember to always end your speech in a high note; reiterate how thankful you really are and wish everyone a good day or night. You may also see tribute speech examples & samples.

It is also very important to remember that generally thank you speeches are not as lengthy as you want it to be. It is best to not get carried away with your emotions and only include significant people in you list and then thank the rest as a group or as a whole.

Just like in awarding ceremonies like the Oscars, winning artists are only given a few minutes to receive, acknowledge and thank all the people for their award. Like what you see, artists usually bring a short list containing a list of people they want to publicly thank, so should you. You may also like motivational speech examples & samples.

Awarding Ceremony Thank You/Acceptance Speech Sample

Size: 233 KB

Welcome and Thank You Speech Sample

Size: 2245 KB

How to Give a Thank You Speech

Although this type of speech is seldom spontaneous, you can have a couple of days even weeks to rehearse your speech; spontaneous speeches are more difficult. But sometimes even though you have rehearsed it, nerves always get in the way and get the best out of you. Here’s an easy guide how to flawlessly deliver your thank you speech:

1. Always be prepared

Even though you do not expect to be given the chance to express you thanks say in awarding ceremonies where you expect not to win, always prepare a short speech, just in case. You can never know when or where you’ll be given a chance to thank the important people in you life especially in events where you are actually a part of. You may also see steps in speech composition .

In this sense, there is no point in not preparing when you already know you are tasked to do the thank you speech at the end of you event. Just because you are familiar with the people you’re about to recognize does not mean you should not prepare. In order to avoid blabbering, always prepare your speech beforehand and practice, practice, practice.

2. Make a list

If you want to specifically thank and mention some people, make sure you do not forget the most important ones. Make a list to make sure you have all the right people to include in you message and that you have not forgotten anyone. Forgetting people like your assistant that has contributed and helped you so much, can cause offense and can be embarrassing in you end. Make sure you review and check you list. You may also like wedding speech examples & samples.

3. Thank everyone in the room

Although you already have a list of people you want to thank, you have to thank all the people present before anything else. Appreciate their presence and support in swift but sincere way. You can go like, “I appreciate all of you coming out, especially in this weather. I’m so grateful to have people in my life like you.” You may also check out how to conclude a speech .

4. In case you forget someone, send them a personal thank you

In a scenario where you forgot to thank someone special, apologize and send them something after the event. It can be distasteful and can hurt the person’s emotions when they know they’ve helped you be where you are. Send them a card or any gift, not only because you forgot to thank them publicly but because they done a good job and has helped you along the way. You might be interested in dedication speech examples .

Wedding Thank You Speech Sample

Size: 353 KB

Welcoming Thank You Speech Example

File Format

Size: 235 KB

Thank You Speech Tips

Here are some tips to make your thank you speech effective and flawless:

• Keep it short.
• Abandon formalities and intro, dive right into the speech.
• Tell 1-3 stories that highlight the successes of the past year.
• Talk about your hopes and dreams for the future.
• Write as if you are conversing with one person.
• End with a 1-2 line toast that summarizes your feelings.
• Don’t wait until the last minute before writing.
• Actually speaking is better than just practicing.
• Do it early at the party.
• Have something significant to say.
• Don’t be too verbose.

Inauguration Thank You Speech Sample

Size: 175 KB

Art Exhibit Thank You Speech Example

Size: 287 KB

In conclusion, a thank you speech helps you publicly express the unending gratitude you feel for those who have supported and helped you. It expresses your thoughts as to how you cannot be where you are now if not for these important people. Sometimes, you can only have a single shot at doing this so better do it right and actually try to do it right. You may also see speech templates and examples .

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5 Tips for Writing Meaningful Thank-You Notes

• Sally Susman

Showing gratitude can help build a work culture where people feel valued and respected.

Thank-you notes are a powerful professional tool for leaders. The author — a senior communications professional at Pfizer — shares her experiences learning about the power of thank-you notes from her high-powered mentor and seeing how it benefitted their business, professional relationships, and personal well-being. She also posits five principles of thank-you note-writing: Take time to reflect; thank those who are often forgotten; be specific; make it matter; and it’s never too late.

When I received a new bicycle from my grandparents as a kid, my mother wouldn’t let me out of the house to take it for a spin before I sat down and wrote them a thank-you note. I remember grumbling over this at the time, but thank-you notes have since become a passion of mine.

• SS Sally Susman is Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Pfizer and co-chair of the International Rescue Committee. She is the author of Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World (Harvard Business Review Press, 2023). Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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A Heartfelt Thank You Speech for the Unforgettable Celebration

Every beautiful event must come to an end, and in the case of weddings, a wedding thank you speech is important. Guests came all the way to celebrate with you, your parents made sacrifices, and your spouse joined you. Appreciation goes a long way to making everyone happy.

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However, there are rules and outlines for binding thank you speeches, which we have discussed in this post. So if you’re looking for guidance and samples that work, read this post.

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Thank You Speech Wedding Inspiring Examples

Follow the thank you wedding speech examples below to show your appreciation for everyone. These speeches should be directed at the guests who spared their time, parents who were there all the way, and spouse who stays forever. The speech’s ideas are heartfelt, powerful, and have some humor to lighten the serene atmosphere.

These examples can also be adopted by couples with a little tweak. Hence, you can use these ideas as inspiration to write yours or adopt and personalize them.

Our closest family and friends, we would like to greet you on our special day and thank you for being here. Each of you has played a pivotal role in our love story, so your presence makes this day even more special. We have spent the last 10 months planning our wedding and we couldn’t have done it without your help. This is very valuable for us! Despite some moments that today didn’t go 100% as we planned, for example, we forgot our vows at home and tried to remember them on the go (which probably made the moment even more emotional for us), we are glad that everything turned out so great! Raise your glass and we’ll raise a toast to each and every one of you here today.

I want to thank everyone for being with us today. Many of you have come a long way to get involved and we thank you for your time and effort. As we embark on this next chapter of our lives, we are so grateful that we have your love and support. We would like to thanks our parents for their continued support and encouragement. Each of you did everything in your power to ensure that our wedding day went exactly as we imagined. To our guests: our day would not be complete without you. Thank you very much for coming. Cheers!

My new husband and I would like to welcome all of you and thank you for sharing this special occasion with us. We especially want to thank our parents. To my mom and dad, who not only helped plan my dream wedding, but also made sure I felt nothing but joy and love growing up. Our dear guests! This day wouldn’t be so enjoyable if you weren’t here to celebrate with us. My dear husband, you made me the happiest woman in the world and I am very grateful to you for this. You helped make all my dreams come true, including this wedding – after all, I started planning it when I was only 8. And now I understand that everything turned out exactly the way I imagined! So many wonderful people gathered at our wedding – thank you all for being with us today!

Today my family has grown larger and not only my new husband entered it, but also his parents and siblings. I am so happy that you are now part of my family! Thank you for everything! Mother and father! You supported me all my life and showed by your example what a real family should be! You have no idea how much I love you and how grateful I am for everything! Thanks to you, today I feel exactly as I always dreamed of! Thank you for making this day the way I wanted it to be! My dear husband, I promise to do everything in my power to make our world a happy one–because I know you will, too! You are the kindest and most powerful person I have ever known! I also want to say thank you to all our guests who are here today to share this wonderful day with us – I know many of you come from other countries and have come a very long way – this is incredibly valuable and means a lot to both of us! I propose to raise a glass to all of you, to all of my beloved people. You make me happy and this day is so fantastic thanks to you!

Thank You Speech For Wedding: Tips And Recommendations

jennyyoonyc via Instagram

Be Emotional

Add some humor.

Lighten up the atmosphere with some humor so that the guests would laugh a bit. You can incorporate a very short story of not more than one minute. A punchy one-liner with enough humor to liven the audience is also perfect. Make sure your story is relevant to the wedding day and your one-liner is easy to understand without explanation. Also, avoid dark humor or vulgar words.

Prepare In Advance

We always advise that you write your speech in advance, memorize, edit and keep it safe. And if possible, say your speech without a paper but keep it organized. However, you must also incorporate some elements of the wedding so that the speech becomes personalized and relevant in real-time. Mention names, situations, times, and elements specific to your wedding during your speech.

Be Relaxed And Calm

It can be a couple’s speech.

This is a bride speech, but of course, you call your spouse to the stage in the middle of your speech and the both of you can continue. And even if he doesn’t come up to join you, use the word “we” as you speak to represent both of you. The unison between both of you is what the guests should see as you start your journey forever.

Wedding Thank You Speech Outline

lorenzoaccardi.photography via Instagram

Welcome Guests

To write the perfect wedding thank you speech sample, you must follow an outline that starts with welcoming the guests. Remind them that you appreciate the sacrifice of their presence at your event today. Don’t mention any names as all guests are equally important. Appreciate them for their good wishes, the gifts, and everything they’ve done to make the day successful.

Describe Your Feelings

Say some words about specific people.

Don’t fail to mention specific people who have greatly impacted your life and the day. If you have a great relationship with your parents, talk about their contribution. Remind them that your spouse is the center of your day. Talk about his parents too and that friend who went above and beyond to make things happen. Appreciate them in your speech and they’ll feel seen and important.

Say Some Words Of Gratitude To All The Guests

Finish your speech by telling them where to get all the food and booze if it’s a buffet. Or you can tell them to relax and enjoy themselves as the refreshments go round. Make announcements inviting them to the after-party if it’s open to all. Also, wish them journey mercies back to their hotels and homes. Then sign off with a toast and your new name to make everyone smile.

What Not To Say In Your Speech At Wedding

chelseawhitephotog via Instagram

Don’t Add Some Bad Memories

For your wedding reception thank you speech, you must sieve and censor your words. Avoid including anything that brings up bad memories in your speech, even if it’s said in good faith. Desist from telling guests how your parents hated your spouse at first, or how you stuck by your spouse through his infidelity until he chose you. The guests really don’t want to know about your internal problems.

Do Not Cry Too Much

The truth is that your wedding event isn’t a funeral and you could get the guests worried by crying too much. So no matter how emotional you are, be in control. Let the excitement you feel be contagious and let the guests see your joy radiating. A few tears here and there, and that’s enough.

Do Not Joke Too Much

Another thing to note is that your wedding isn’t a circus or comedy show. So while it’s okay to add some humor and fun to your speech, don’t go overboard. It’s easy to lose the essence of your speech by making lots of jokes, especially those in bad taste. Moderation is key and a joke is one too many. Keep it as subtle as possible.

Do Not Make It Too Long And Boring

Your guests came to the party, to have fun, mix up, celebrate with you and eat to their hearts fill. So don’t over-stretch the timing of your speech, making it long and boring. The guests would lose interest and you’d be there rambling. Hit your most important points within the first one minute and wrap them up as quickly as possible.

What do you say in a thank you speech for a wedding?

Express gratitude for guests’ presence and contributions. Acknowledge their role in making the day special. Mention specific ways they’ve added joy. End with heartfelt thanks for sharing in the celebration.

What do you say in a wedding thank you?

Begin with appreciation for attendance and well-wishes. Express gratitude for gifts, specifying the thoughtful gestures. Convey excitement about shared memories and the start of a new chapter together.

How do you thank everyone at a wedding?

Circulate and personally thank guests for being part of the celebration. Acknowledge their efforts and offer genuine gratitude. Be attentive, approachable, and make everyone feel appreciated for contributing to the joyous occasion.

Thank you for reading. Please let us know how we did.

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Long and Short Thank You Speech for an Event in English

February 8, 2024 by Prasanna

Thank You Speech for an Event: There are many occasions in our life when we finally achieve what we want. The moments of victory and triumph where every ounce of effort seems worth it. Be it an award or a title, we all do secretly imagine going up on stage and speaking a few words but what if all of this actualizes? What if you really need to go to the stage and say a few words?

Students can also find more  English Speech Writing  about Welcome Speeches, Farewell Speeches, etc

Long and Short Thank you Speeches for an Event in English for Students and Children

A thank you speech needs to be an impactful one. This moment will always have a special place in your heart and you need to make sure you give a heartfelt and special speech. You can either give a long thank you speech for an event or keep it short and sweet. Short Thank You Speech for an Event is helpful for students of classes 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. Long Thank You Speech for an Event is helpful for students of classes 7,8,9 and 10.

Short Thank You Speech for an Event 200 Words in English

Success comes to those who try, it comes to those who are not afraid to fail.

A very good morning/ afternoon to all.

These are the words that kept me going all these years as I imagined achieving this award. It was not an easy ride. There were ample difficulties and obstacles on the way. Some broke me to the point that I was ready to give up. But there were some things that would not let me. Something inside me that wanted to try more, something inside me that gave me hope and the willpower to continue. Sometimes, failures damage us so much that we fail to realize the valuable lessons they bring along with them.

I thank my younger self for focusing on the goal and not the hurdles. I thank my younger self for believing in himself when no one else did. I thank my younger self for being there no matter how tough the going got. I thank my younger self to always have the sense to distinguish an obsession from a dream.

I am what I made of myself and for that, I thank myself the most.

But no matter how self-sufficient I was, I could not achieve anything without the loving and unconditional support of my mother who never left my side even when things did not make sense to her the way she knows them. I thank my dearest friends for understanding my lifestyle and never forcing me to be someone I was not. I thank my wife and my children for being the pillars of support. I thank my father for making these hands strong enough to be able to lift this ward today. I thank all my teachers and mentors for guiding me on the right path. With this, I take your leave, with the award that made me live my ordinary life in an extraordinary way!

Long Thank You Speech for an Event 600 Words in English

Very good morning to everyone present here today.

I have the urge to pinch myself for this moment seems unbelievable.10 long years I have toiled relentlessly and waited for this opportunity. I have pictured myself holding this award, crying with joy and speaking continually, almost ranting my heart to the audience. But today, I am at a loss of words. This moment seems so elusive that I now fail to fathom how it makes me feel.

A small-town boy with a rug sack over his shoulders walked the cobbled streets of Kota. His face weather-beaten but his lucid eyes gleaming in broad daylight. His tender feet hardened by the long walk but his energy that would defy every obstacle.  From being that boy with high goals and unachievable dreams of being a man who achieved them, the journey has been a mixed bag of feelings. A mixed bag of hopes and disappointments, victories and failures, doubts and confidence, criticism, and validation. I would not say the path was an easy one to tread on and I would not say I am extraordinary. I firmly believe that anyone who sets out to achieve something still does better than those who do not even strive.

I was not quite gifted with a high IQ or a very sharp and quick mind. I know at this point you’d seem to doubt whether I am worthy of this achievement or not but I have ample reason for why I stand here today even without the brightest of minds. I stand here because I worked hard, I gave in my all to my goal. I made many sacrifices on the way, some that made me question my goal entirely. Some thought I was crazy, chasing behind something only for the sheer joy of attaining it. People told me it won’t feel good the day I actually make it happen. People warned me that the chase was way more fun than the reward. As I receive this prestigious award, I agree with them today. I do not feel good, in fact, I do not feel anything except tremendous joy and gratitude for everything and everyone who helped me reach this milestone.

I would like to thank my mother for her unconditional support, my friends Ram, Varun, among others for their regular reassurances. And I would want to thank my wife the most, who was there with me when I was still a dreamer and is here with me to live that dream. In the end, I would like to thank god almighty himself. He gave me difficult tests but he also gave me the courage to overcome them, he gave me doubts and red flags but also gave me the willpower to emerge from them. I thank god for his guidance and his love.

To everyone who has been a part of my life and a part of this journey, I wholeheartedly thank you and express my gratitude. Every drop in the ocean counts and I would never forget those who helped me sail through troubled waters for they deserve a part of this reward.

10 Lines on Thank You Speech for an Event

• A thank you speech is generally delivered by someone who has either achieved/ won something or is taking over a post.
• To write a good thank you speech for an event, you need to prioritize your expressions and people you are thankful for.
• Brevity is the key to an impactful speech. The speech should have all the elements and still be interesting.
• Start with general salutations and add a story for a unique take.
• Do not deflect from the topic while narrating events.
• In case there are a lot of people you want to mention, use categories instead of individual names.
• Do not sound too boastful or proud. Maintain a humble and grateful tone throughout.
• Do not be too formal in deliverance.
• Add a personal touch to the speech with anecdotes, memories and series of events.
• Make sure to not be repetitive.

FAQ’s on Thank You Speech for an Event

Question 1. What is a thank you speech?

Answer: Thank You speech for an event is the one delivered to express gratitude and joy on receiving an award, title, or post.

Question 2. Is a thank you speech just meant for expressing gratitude?

Answer: It is formally meant for expression of gratitude but can also hover on experiences, life lessons, and personal anecdotes.

Question 3. Does a thank you speech have to be formal?

Answer: A thank you speech for an event is not necessarily formal, you can add some funny stories or jokes in it.

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Gratitude Reconsidered: Thankfulness Is More Than a Warm Feeling

The best expressions of gratitude enhance the world we live in..

Posted August 16, 2024 | Reviewed by Tyler Woods

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• Psychological studies demonstrate the benefits of gratitude for physical and emotional well-being.
• Better forms of gratitude also contribute to other people, relationships, and society itself.
• Consider three issues: To whom are we grateful? What are we grateful for? How do we express gratitude?

In a classic study of American character, sociologist Robert Bellah and his Harvard colleagues documented that an individualist mythology dominates the way most of us think about our lives. Although we acknowledge significant connections to other people, we feel that we should be the agents of our own destiny. Being an adult means taking care of oneself and a small circle of loved ones. Responsibility begins and ends with the self.

Those “habits of the heart,” to use Alexis de Tocqueville’s phrase, run deep. And they are perpetuated not only by social institutions—think of the ways that economics, education , healthcare, and even religion center on individual enterprise—but also by language and cultural mores. The respondents in the Harvard study had difficulty talking about the well-being of broader communities and of seeing their lives in those terms. Ideas of “we the people” surrendered to those of “I” and “me.”

Gratitude as an alternative commitment

A different approach to life is emphasized by psychological studies of gratitude. In essence, gratitude is the condition of being thankful for the good things that happen to us. More than that, gratitude acknowledges that many of those things are caused by external factors, sources we cannot control. When we say or “give” thanks, we reciprocate, in that small way, the blessings bestowed upon us.

Many people have trouble feeling and expressing gratitude. To be sure, such people are usually polite enough. With little effort, they exchange courtesies in social situations. They smile amiably. The words “please” and “thank you” flow easily from their lips. However, they do not feel profoundly grateful for the blessings that have come their way.

Sometimes, that attitude is just a kind of personal laziness or, more generously, a falling out of the habit of being attentive to others. More commonly, it is wrapped in a belief system that identifies one’s own efforts as the principal cause of good fortune. That “attribution bias ,” as it is sometimes called, has a secondary feature. The believer holds that it is only their failures that are caused by external factors, perhaps bad luck, the “system,” or the mischief of other people.

As the reader will note, this worldview is largely a strategy of self-protection. Adherents treat their successes as evidence of their own capabilities and resolve. They see misfortunes as occasions to solidify their defenses.

However, psychological research on gratitude suggests the limitations of this thinking. To cite a longitudinal study of 49,000 nurses published this year, the habitual practice of gratitude—reminding oneself to be thankful to others for the good things that happen in life—had numerous positive effects. These included such physical benefits as lower blood pressure, better sleep, a stronger immune system, and less risk of mental decline. The nurses in the high-gratitude group even lived longer than their less appreciative peers.

More generally, practicing gratitude counters mental health challenges like anxiety and depression . It facilitates the formation of social bonds. It enhances empathy. Critically, it turns the mind from negative thoughts to acknowledgments that the world is not hostile territory. Every day, or so the practitioner learns, there are good things that happen to us. Treasuring the relationships that produced those outcomes is the surest route to happiness .

I support this research tradition’s emphasis on the benefits of gratitude. Although we should not minimize life’s difficulties and disappointments, we also should not forget our positive relationships. We should extend ourselves to people, including strangers. We should note—in writing or otherwise—the good things that happen each day.

Having made those points, I think it is critical to avoid a style of gratitude that is little more than vague self-affirmation. To be sure, we all want to feel liked and supported, to feel that the world is on our side. However, the best practice of gratitude demands a clear set of commitments.

To whom are we grateful?

In my region of the country, “Thank You Jesus” signs are a common sight in the front yards of rural homes. Elsewhere, one may see “Thank God” or “Thank Science” ones. I’ve no intention here of questioning the centrality of faith traditions in people’s lives. Nor do I dispute the fundamental premise of most organized religions: that one should be grateful for the life that God has granted them and that they should express that gratitude through various forms of offering.

However, these signs seem more like announcements than confessions. Like political posters, they proclaim the directions of one’s support, whom one stands with and for. By extension, they distinguish the displayer from others, such as the “unchurched” or those who are unwilling to bear witness in this way.

Again, gratitude to the supernatural is a profound matter. It anchors lives, more significantly in bad times than in good ones. Coherently organized, it helps people avoid an existence that is little more than wandering through a succession of meaningless presents. At best, gratitude of this sort is a posture of humility in the face of the universe.

That said, gratitude shouldn’t be a platitude. Public display shouldn’t outpace personal introspection. Thankfulness shouldn’t be a wedge to separate believers from ingrates.

Note also that commitment to a deity—or to some other, even more abstractly conceived form of universal coherence—sometimes substitutes for thankfulness to the more proximate people who make one’s life worthwhile. Let the reader decide which is easier: declaring one’s debt to the supernatural or looking into the eyes of a friend or family member and telling them what they have meant to you.

Pointedly, gratitude shouldn’t be a way to remind ourselves how lucky we are. It shouldn’t just be “transactional,” that is, a semi-automatic response to happy occurrences. It should, instead, reinforce the relationships that provide a positive trajectory to our lives.

What are we grateful for?

In his oft-quoted anthem Invictus , the Victorian poet William Ernest Henley raged against life’s difficulties. “I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul,” he wrote. Others take a similar, if less extreme, approach. That is, they are satisfied to be the people they are and happy to acknowledge any pertinent source of that circumstance. Several of my students over the years held that viewpoint. They claimed to have “won the genetic lottery,” which meant having families that granted them intelligence , good looks, a comfortable environment, and sound economic prospects. Note, as well: they had no intention of changing any of those qualities. They simply wanted to acknowledge their good fortune.

One of the dangers of gratitude is that it can be self-serving. It may focus on our own circumstances rather than on the circumstances of other people, who indeed may have produced the advantages we now enjoy. Like those students, we give thanks for “our” health, job, and general life stability. Pointedly, “we” are the frame of reference here. Let others make their own declarations.

At its best, gratitude centers on the well-being of those in our broader circles of concern. The wider—and less self-interested—those commitments, the better. Being grateful that our team won the big game is merely contented partisanship. Better forms of gratitude (and hope) are spent on those who’ve endured military invasions, natural disasters, and the scourges of disease. It is that broadly human or “public” soul that must be unconquerable.

How do we express gratitude?

Acknowledging gratitude has significant therapeutic benefits. Personal reflection—whether through meditation , journaling, or some other technique—helps people clarify where they stand in their own social relationships, the wider society, and the cosmos. By affirming positive aspects of our lives, we can turn our attention more productively to the negative issues that need attention.

Private acknowledgments of this sort are useful, but they should lead to conversations with the people who’ve helped us. There is even a place for public testimonials, open declarations of the contributions that various people have made to their communities.

Verbal expressions are not to be underestimated. But all of us are clear that there are times to do more than this. Sometimes, the contributors themselves need help. Labor, money, referrals to other sources of support, or just time spent with someone are the ways we express our concern.

In sum, expressions of gratitude should not be occasions to make ourselves feel good. Ideally, they are open attempts to improve the world we live in. Let our work—more than our confessions—be the vehicle by which we feel better about our own possibilities.

Bellah, R. et al. (1985). Habits of the Heart . Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.

Chen, Y. et al. (2024). "Gratitude and Mortality Among Older US Female Nurses.” JAMA Psychiatry . Published online July 3, 2024. Doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.1687.

Koehler, J. (2023). “Cultivating a Gratitude Habit for Improved Well-Being.” www.psychologytoday.com . (Posted November 23, 2023).

Unanue, W. (2019). “Reciprocal Relationship Between Gratitude and Life Satisfaction: Evidence from Two Longitudinal Field Studies. Frontiers in Psychology 2019: 10: 2480.

Thomas Henricks, Ph.D., is Danieley Professor of Sociology and Distinguished University Professor at Elon University.

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When does Kamala Harris speak at the Democratic convention? What to know and how to watch.

The 2024 Democratic National Convention begins Monday in Chicago as Democrats look to make their pitch to voters across the country.

The past few months have been tumultuous for Democrats, spanning from President Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27, to him deciding not to seek reelection and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.

In addition to Harris and her vice presidential nominee, Minnesota governor Tim Walz , other Democratic heavyweights are expected to take the stage at the convention this week.

Obama is expected to speak Tuesday night while former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to speak Wednesday night before Walz gives his address.

Here's what to know about when Harris is scheduled to speak at the 2024 DNC.

DNC Day 1 live updates: What to expect in Chicago – and how to watch

Joe Biden's legacy: Biden has changed course over his 50-year career. None of that compares to his 2024 choice.

When will Kamala Harris speak at 2024 DNC?

Kamala Harris is expected to accept the Democratic Party's presidential nomination on Thursday night.

Who is speaking at the DNC?

President Joe Biden  and first lady Jill Biden will headline the first night on Monday, which Harris is expected to attend following her bus tour through Pennsylvania. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also set to speak Monday after a welcome from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver a welcome address ahead of speeches by second gentleman Doug Emhoff and former President Barack Obama Tuesday evening.

Former first lady Michelle Obama will also speak sometime this week, where she will highlight the importance of civic engagement and voting, according to the DNC.

When is the 2024 DNC?

The DNC is scheduled to run August 19-22 at the United Center in Chicago.

How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC

The convention will  air live on its website , from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.

USA TODAY will provide livestream coverage on YouTube  each night of the DNC, Monday through Thursday.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X  @GabeHauari  or email him at [email protected].

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Jill Biden’s speech at convention honors President Biden and marks an end for the first lady, too

CHICAGO (AP) — Jill Biden once said that she knew marrying Joe Biden – then a senator from Delaware — would mean “a life in the spotlight that I had never wanted.”

On Monday night, now very accustomed to that spotlight, the first lady will stand before the Democratic National Convention to do her part to highlight her husband’s 50 years of public service as his presidency begins to draw to a close.

Her words will mark the beginning of an end for her, too.

Before the president walks across the stage at the United Center to deliver the keynote speech on the convention’s opening night, the first lady will use her address to speak to his character and reiterate her support for Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a person familiar with the first lady’s remarks. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a speech not yet delivered.

Jill Biden will urge Americans to unite with “faith in each other, hope for a brighter future, and love for our country,” said the person, quoting from the first lady’s prepared remarks.

President Biden endorsed Harris shortly after he dropped out of the presidential race in July, and she has succeeded him as the Democratic Party’s nominee.

In the weeks before Biden decided to leave the race, the first lady had declared that she was “all in” on her husband’s reelection plan, even as Democrats began calling on him to drop out following his disastrous performance in a debate against Republican Donald Trump on June 27.

Biden himself had brushed aside those calls, repeatedly insisting that he was staying in the race. His wife, one of his fiercest supporters and defenders, backed him up.

“For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” the first lady told a crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina, on July 8. “That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in, too.”

Biden pulled the plug on his campaign on July 21.

The first night of the four-day Democratic convention was rearranged after Biden bowed out. Now it will honor his record of public service, including six terms as a U.S. senator from Delaware, eight years as vice president and one four-year term as president.

Jill Biden was with her husband through it all and now both are figuring out what they want to accomplish in the time they have left in the White House.

During the remaining months of the administration, which ends in mid-January, aides say Jill Biden will continue to work on her favored causes: supporting military families through her Joining Forces initiative, reducing cancer’s toll through the Biden Cancer Moonshot, advancing research into women’s health under an effort launched in November 2023, and increasing opportunities for education.

She is also expected to campaign for Harris this fall.

The first lady charted a new path for presidential spouses when she became the first to hold a paying job outside the White House. She is an English and writing professor at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has taught since 2009, and has been working on her lesson plans for the coming fall semester, aides said.

As first lady, Jill Biden traveled to over 40 states, over 200 towns and cities, and 19 countries, most recently leading a delegation to support Team USA at the Olympic Games in France.

She spent the first year of the administration traveling around the United States encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

In 2022, she traveled to Ukraine after Russia’s military invasion to show U.S. support for Ukrainians.

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How to Deliver a Great Vote of Thanks Speech

Last Updated: February 28, 2023 Fact Checked

Opening Your Speech

Thanking people, concluding your vote of thanks, expert q&a.

This article was reviewed by Tami Claytor and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 492,648 times.

Giving a vote of thanks can feel intimidating at first, but we’re here to make it easy. In your speech, you’ll thank everyone who’s helped make your event a success, such as the organizers or guest speakers. You’ll typically give a vote of thanks at a public event, conference, or special occasion as the event is coming to a close. We’ll walk you through all the steps to giving a fantastic vote of thanks. When your moment comes, you’re going to do a fabulous job, so let’s get started!

Things You Should Know

• Open your speech by addressing your audience and identifying yourself.
• Thank the people who contributed to your event, like guest speakers, organizers, and participants.
• End your speech by thanking everyone again.
• Keep your speech short and concise.

• “Maya Angelou said, ‘Be present in all things, and grateful for all things.’”
• “Good evening, distinguished guests.”
• “Rumi said, ‘Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.’”
• “First, I’d like to thank everyone for being here.”

• “My name is Jane Doe, and I’m the chairman of the School Anti-Bullying Committee. It is my honor and privilege now to give a vote of thanks to all those who helped make this assembly happen.”
• “I’m Camille Harris, and I’m the organizer of today’s event. On behalf of the Oakville Food Bank, I have the honor of giving our vote of thanks today.

• “We would not be here without the hard work of the Anti-Bullying Committee. Thank you to our volunteers for working so hard to make today happen.”
• “I’ll start by thanking the Oakville City Council for bringing us all together today. Thanks to their generosity, this event has been made possible.”

• “I'd like to thank the teachers for taking time away from their curriculum to allow students to hear this message. This assembly would be impossible without your support.”
• “I’d like to thank Mr. Gomez for speaking at tonight's event, and I want to thank all of you for your contributions.”
• “Thank you to our guest speaker Dr. Wu for sharing her research on recycling and repurposing used materials. I’d also like to thank our event organizers for planning tonight’s dinner, and our volunteers for setting up and cleaning up after the event. Without them, tonight wouldn’t be possible.”

• Instead of, “Mr. Phillips, I cannot thank you enough for letting us use your room to practice. Your generosity and kindness toward our committee has been overwhelming, and we would be nothing without you,” try: “Mr. Phillips, our committee is so grateful to you for letting us use your classroom to practice when we had nowhere else.”

• “Dr. Wu’s tips for befriending bullies really stuck out to me because it reminded me that our club’s goal is to spread kindness.”
• “Mr. Gomez’s comments about generosity really spoke to me. When we give, we truly create a community.”

• “I would like to thank everyone who helped our committee make this anti-bullying assembly a reality. We are trying to make our halls a safe, friendly space for all students who walk down them, and it's events like these that help us achieve that.”
• “I’d like to extend my genuine thanks to all of you for helping our organization provide food to people in need. Without you, there'd be a lot more hungry bellies in our community.”

• “Again, I’m grateful for each and every one of you.”
• “One last time, I’d like to express my appreciation to everyone who worked on this event.”
• “I’d like to end by thanking all of you one last time.”

• “Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to be here today and for listening to me speak. I am so grateful for this opportunity. Have a great weekend!”
• “Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight.”

• Talk to the person you’re thanking ahead of time so you can get their name correct. [12] X Research source Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 6

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.comm.pitt.edu/structuring-speech
• ↑ https://resources.mylamdatutor.com/blog/speaking-in-public-vote-of-thanks-speech
• ↑ https://www.theclassroom.com/do-acknowledgement-speech-8568794.html
• ↑ https://portal.clubrunner.ca/826/page/tips-for-thanking-a-guest-speaker
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1114517/

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Gov. JB Pritzker Hints at the Possibility of a Third Term in Office

In the middle of his second term, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker hinted during a speech to party faithful Monday morning that he’s game to run again.

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“It seems crazy, but it’s true that when I serve out just the end of this second term I will be the longest serving Democratic governor in the history of Illinois ,” Pritzker said. “I’m not suggesting that I want to try to beat (former Gov.) Jim Thompson’s 14-year record. My wife’s not here. I don’t want anybody talking to her about this. But she is my term limit. So, if all of you want to talk to her, convince her one way or another.”

Thompson, a Republican, was governor of Illinois from 1977-1991.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said he welcomes the 59-year-old Pritzker staying on as governor, and believes that First Lady M.K. Pritzker would be good with it too.

“I think it means stability,” Welch said. “I think it means continued progress. We continue to move Illinois forward. The governor has said those comments to me several times before, so I’ve had an opportunity to kind of lobby his wife a few times and say, ‘Hey ‘I’d love for him to go for a third term.’ And I think I got a smile, and a wink and an OK that he could do that.”

Democratic governors preceding Pritzker fell short of two full terms. Gov. Rod Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office during his second term. His successor, Gov. Pat Quinn, won the top office in 2010 but lost his reelection bid four years later.

Prior to that, as Pritzker noted, Republicans were in charge for a long stretch.

“Everyone knows of course that we’re a big blue state in the middle of the country,” Pritzker said. “But what many people don’t know is that, what you all know, which is over the last 50 years we’ve had more Republican governors than we have had Democratic governors. And more years of Republican rule in the governorships than we’ve had Democratic governors.”

Democratic Gov. Otto Kerner Jr., won two terms and served from 1961 until May of 1968, when he resigned to become a federal judge, while Democratic Gov. Henry Horner, who was inaugurated in 1933, died in August of his second term.

Pritzker had been in the running to be on the presidential ticket as nominee Kamala Harris’ running mate.

The day she announced she chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to run as vice president, journalists asked Pritzker about his future ambitions, including a third term or interest in a potential Cabinet post should Harris win the White House.

At the time, Pritzker demurred.

“It’s not something I’ve contemplated,” Pritzker said of a possible Cabinet post. “I really do love the job that I have.”

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said she urges Pritzker to run again, and said that she appreciates his working with the General Assembly to raise the minimum wage and pass protections for reproductive health care.

“I think it would be great if he would run again,” Duckworth said. “Remember that we’ve had six balanced budgets and nine credit upgrades under this governor. We were named the Midwest Hydrogen Hub. We’ve got the new quantum center that he’s brought in. He’s been a real partner to me.”

The support is a far cry from when Pritzker, who has poured hundreds of millions of own money into his own and other Democratic campaigns in Illinois and elsewhere, first ran for governor.

In 2018, Pritzker won 45% of the vote in a six-way primary, besting businessman Chris Kennedy of the Kennedy political dynasty and then state senator, now Evanston mayor, Daniel Biss.

“Back in 2018, our party was not exactly begging me to run for governor. No one was crying out for a white, Ukrainian American, Jewish, billionaire,” Pritzker said during his morning speech. “I get it, I get it.”

Pritzker said he’s a Democrat because when his ancestors arrived in Chicago as refugees from Ukraine, a social service agency helped them find a place to live, and they benefitted from a public education.

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What time does 2024 DNC start? What is Democratic National Convention schedule today? Watch

The 2024 Democratic National Convention 's main programming is about to get underway.

Here's everything you need to know from who is speaking today to the schedule and how to watch .

DNC 2024: Which Hoosiers will be at the Democratic National Convention? Here's Indiana's delegation

When is the 2024 Democratic National Convention?

The Democratic National Convention runs Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, through Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.

What time does the 2024 DNC start today?

The Democratic National Convention's main programming is slated for 5:30 to 10 p.m. CT / 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET, Aug. 19, 2024. Coverage is expected to start at 5:15 p.m. CT / 6:15 p.m. ET.

Who is 2024 DNC speaker Hadley Duvall? What to know about tonight's Democratic National Convention speaker

Watch 2024 DNC live

2024 DNC schedule today: List of speakers at Democratic National Convention, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024

The speakers are presented in order as they are scheduled to appear at the podium from 5:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

• Minyon Moore , Chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Committee
• The Honorable Jaime R. Harrison , Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
• The Honorable Brandon Johnson , Mayor of Chicago
• The Honorable Peggy Flanagan , Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
• The Honorable Lauren Underwood , Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois
• Rich Logis , Former Donald Trump Voter
• The Honorable Robert Garcia , Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, California
• Lee Saunders , President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
• April Verrett , President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
• Brent Booker , General President of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA)
• Kenneth W. Cooper , International President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
• Claude Cummings Jr. , President of the Communications Workers of America (CWA)
• Elizabeth H. Shuler , President of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
• The Honorable Mallory McMorrow , Michigan State Senator
• The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo , United States Secretary of Commerce
• The Honorable Kathy Hochul , Governor of New York
• Shawn Fain , President of the United Automobile Workers
• The Honorable Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, New York
• The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton , Former United States Secretary of State
• The Honorable James E. Clyburn , Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, South Carolina
• The Honorable Jamie Raskin , Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Maryland
• The Honorable Jasmine Crockett , Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Texas
• The Honorable Grace Meng , Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, New York
• Amanda and Josh Zurawski , Texas
• Kaitlyn Joshua , Louisiana
• Hadley Duvall , Kentucky
• The Honorable Andy Beshear , Governor of Kentucky
• The Honorable Reverend Raphael G. Warnock , United States Senator, Georgia
• The Honorable Chris Coons , United States Senator, Delaware
• Dr. Jill Biden , First Lady of the United States
• Ashley Biden
• The Honorable Joe Biden , President of the United States

Where is the 2024 Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Convention is at the United Center , 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago.

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What channel is the 2024 DNC on?

The Democratic National Convention can be viewed on multiple channels. Each television network will handle coverage slightly differently.

Here's a breakdown of the major networks and their coverage plans for the DNC:

• C-SPAN  will carry the entire convention uninterrupted for all four days.
• CBS News ' primetime coverage of the convention will air Monday through Thursday from 8-11 p.m. ET and be anchored by "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell.
• ABC News  will air one hour of primetime coverage from 10-11 p.m. ET on Monday and Tuesday, and two hours on Wednesday and Thursday, from 9-11 p.m. ET. ABC News Live, the network's streaming news channel, will stream primetime coverage from 7 p.m. to midnight all four days.
• Fox News  will present a nightly hourlong special titled "Fox News Democracy 2024: The Democratic National Convention" each day Monday through Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
• CNN  will provide nearly 24/7 live on-air coverage of the DNC, including special live coverage each night from 8 p.m.-midnight ET with "CNN Democratic National Convention."
• NewsNation  will have special primetime coverage entitled "Decision Desk 2024: The Democratic National Convention," which will air each day from 8 p.m. to midnight ET. It will be co-anchored by Chris Cuomo, Elizabeth Vargas and Leland Vittert.
• NBC News  will stream the convention on its streaming platform, NBC News Now, as part of its "Decision 2024" broadcast. Coverage will air from 10-11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 9-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and will be led by Lester Holt and Savannah Guthrie,  according to the New York Times .
• MSNBC  will air special coverage from 8 p.m. to midnight each night and will also livestream all four days of the convention on its YouTube channel, the New York Times reports.

Where to find 2024 DNC live stream

The Democratic National Convention can be viewed via live stream at demconvention.com .

Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter:  @ChrisFSims .