Speak up! 8. The structure of oral presentations: The Conclusion

8.The structure of oral presentations: The Conclusion

Conclusion

A powerful conclusion reinforces your message and leaves a lasting impression. In public speaking, especially in technical fields, the conclusion is your final chance to clarify key points, inspire action, or summarize your contribution clearly and confidently.

An effective conclusion:

  • Signals that the presentation is ending

  • Summarizes the main message or takeaway

  • Ends with impact—through a call to action, a thought-provoking idea, or a memorable closing line

In this section, you will explore how to close a presentation with structure, confidence, and purpose.

EFFECTIVE WAYS TO END A PRESENTATION

  Summary of Key Points

Use when: You want to reinforce what the audience should remember.

Example:

“To recap: 5G isn’t just faster—it’s more efficient, more scalable, and critical for the future of connected systems.”

Use when: You want your audience to do something (e.g., explore, support, apply, think further).

Example:

“If we want to build inclusive digital infrastructure, we need to start investing in rural connectivity now—not in five years.”

Use when: You want to leave the audience thinking or questioning something deeper.

Example:

“The technology exists. The knowledge exists. So, what’s stopping us from using it to make a real difference?”

Use when: You want to inspire or present a hopeful outcome.

Example:

“Imagine a world where every device, no matter how small, is part of a smarter, greener network. That’s the future we’re building.”

 

Use when: You want to lend authority or add elegance to your closing.

Example:

“As Alan Kay once said, ‘The best way to predict the future is to invent it.’ So let’s invent it—together.”

Use when: You want to connect personally and show passion or responsibility.

Example:

“This isn’t just a research topic for me—it’s the reason I chose engineering: to solve real problems that matter.”

Use when: You started with a question, story, or image—circle back to complete the arc.

Example (callback to intro):

“Remember the overloaded network I mentioned at the start? With the solution I just shared, that scenario doesn’t have to happen again.”

Use when: You want to be bold and memorable.

Example:

“The signal is clear—now it’s time we listen.”

  Practising the conclusion

  Sasha Luccioni AI is dangerous but not for the reasons you think.
  Gary Marcus: The urgent risks of runaway AI — and what to do about them

  • Play the last 1–2 minutes of both TED Talks

  • Identify:

    • How the speaker signals the end

    • What the main takeaway is

    • How the speaker tries to leave a memorable impact

Discussion Prompts:

  • Was it effective?

  • What would you do differently?

  Crafting the final line

For each statement, craft a closing line using one of these strategies:

  • Call to Action

  • Rhetorical Question

  • Vision of the Future

  • Quotation

  • Return to Introduction

  • Powerful One-Liner

 “AI is changing the way we make decisions.”

 “5G will revolutionize mobile communication.”

 “Access to digital infrastructure is unequal.”

“Cybersecurity is a growing global threat.”

“Machine learning is only as good as the data we feed it.”

 “Engineering must respond to climate change.”

1. Statement: “AI is changing the way we make decisions.”

  • Call to Action:
    “Let’s make sure the way we design AI reflects the kind of society we want to build.”

  • Rhetorical Question:
    “If we trust machines to make decisions—how do we make sure they’re fair?”

  • Vision of the Future:
    “One day, AI will not just process our choices—it will help us make wiser ones.”

2. Statement: “5G will revolutionize mobile communication.”

  • Call to Action:
    “It’s time for engineers and policymakers to prepare—not react—to what’s coming.”

  • Rhetorical Question:
    “If 5G can change how we connect—what will it mean for who gets left behind?”

  • One-Liner:
    “With 5G, speed isn’t the only thing increasing—so is responsibility.”

3. Statement: “Access to digital infrastructure is unequal.”

  • Call to Action:
    “Let’s design networks that don’t just connect—but include.”

  • Quotation:
    “‘Technology is best when it brings people together.’ That’s the future we must aim for.”

  • Vision of the Future:
    “Imagine a world where no child misses class because of a lack of Wi-Fi.”

4. Statement: “Cybersecurity is a growing global threat.”

  • Call to Action:
    “Every line of code, every engineer, every choice—we must all help secure the future.”

  • Rhetorical Question:
    “If we don’t build trust into our systems—why would anyone trust them?”

  • One-Liner:
    “No system is secure—until we make it so.”

5. Statement: “Machine learning is only as good as the data we feed it.”

  • Call to Action:
    “Let’s train systems that reflect reality—but also protect fairness.”

  • Return to Introduction:
    “We started with biased outputs. We end with a reminder: data shapes decisions.”

  • Vision of the Future:
    “When we fix the data, we can start fixing the world it influences.”

6. Statement: “Engineering must respond to climate change.”

  • Call to Action:
    “Design with the planet in mind—because your blueprint becomes someone’s future.”

  • Rhetorical Question:
    “If not engineers, then who? If not now, then when?”

  • One-Liner:
    “Every wire, every watt—must move us toward a cleaner tomorrow.”

Which conclusion works best?

  Answer every question

Topic: 5G Network Deployment [Select the right options]

  Answer every question

Topic – Climate-Aware Engineering [Select the right options]

  Answer every question

Topic – Cybersecurity in Smart Devices [Select the right options]

  Answer every question

Topic – AI in Healthcare [Select the right options]

  Answer every question

Topic – Satellite Internet in Rural Areas [Select the right options]

  Answer every question

Topic – Engineering Ethics [Select the right options]

  Answer every question

Topic – Internet of Things (IoT) [Select the right options]

Fill in the final line

  Answer every question

“If we don’t build AI systems that reflect our values, ____?[Select the right option]

  Answer every question

“In the world we want to build, your data will be ____[Select the right option]

  Answer every question

“Every tower we build, every wire we install, ____[Select the right option]

  Answer every question

“As robots become part of our everyday workspaces, we must ask ourselves: ____[Select the right option]

  Answer every question

“In the age of algorithms, transparency isn’t optional—it’s ____[Select the right option]

  Answer every question

“What we build today will shape ____[Select the right option]

  Answer every question

“We have the tools, we have the data—now we need ____"[Select the right option]