Which aspect of a speech often signals to the audience that the speaker is concluding?

Using transitional phrases is a key aspect of signaling to the audience that a speech is concluding. When speakers employ phrases like "In conclusion," "To wrap things up," or "Finally," they effectively signal to the audience that they are transitioning from the body of the speech to the closing remarks. These phrases create a clear cue that the speaker is summarizing their points and preparing to leave the audience with final thoughts. This helps maintain audience engagement by clearly structuring the flow of the speech and making it easier for listeners to follow along as the conclusion approaches.

In contrast, changing the topic might confuse the audience, as it interrupts the logical flow and does not indicate a conclusion. A rising tone of voice often conveys excitement or emphasis, which is more characteristic of developing a point rather than concluding one. While repeating main points can reinforce the speaker's message, it typically occurs in the body of the speech and does not serve as a definitive signal that the speech is coming to an end.