Consider the following conclusions.  Comment upon them.  It would be interesting to try to decide the length of the speeches from which they are taken, then look at the originals, all of which are easily procurable at libraries.

That is in substance my theory of what our foreign policy should be.  Let us not boast, not insult any one, but make up our minds coolly what it is necesary to say, say it, and then stand to it, whatever the consequences may be.

    THEODORE ROOSEVELT at Waukesha, 1903

The foregoing is quite matter-of-fact.  It contains no emotional appeal at all.  Yet even a strong emotional feeling can be put into a short conclusion.  From the date and the circumstances surrounding the next the reader can easily picture for himself the intense emotion of the audience which listened to these words from the leader of the free states against the South.

Neither let us be slandered from our duty by false accusations against us, nor frightened from it by menaces of destruction to the government, nor of dungeons to ourselves.  Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it.

    ABRAHAM LINCOLN:  Cooper Union Speech, 1860

While the student planning his own speech must determine exactly what he shall put into his conclusion—­depending always upon his material and his purpose—­there are a few general hints which will help him.

The Retrospective Conclusion.  A conclusion may be entirely retrospective.  This means merely that it may refer back to the remarks which have been delivered in the body of the speech.  A speaker does this to emphasize something he has already discussed by pointing out to his audience that he wants them to remember that from what he has said.  Conclusions of this kind usually have no emotional appeal.  They are likely to be found in explanatory addresses, where the clearness of the exposition should make hearers accept it as true.  If a man has proven a fact—­as in a law court—­he does not have to make an appeal to feeling to secure a verdict.  Juries are supposed to decide on the facts alone.  This kind of conclusion emphasizes, repeats, clarifies, enforces.  The first of the following is a good illustration of one kind of conclusion which refers to the remarks made in the speech proper.  Notice that it enforces the speaker’s opinions by a calm explanation of his sincerity.

I want you to think of what I have said, because it represents all of the sincerity and earnestness that I have, and I say to you here, from this platform, nothing that I have not already stated in effect, and nothing I would not say at a private table with any of the biggest corporation managers in the land.

    THEODORE ROOSEVELT at Fitchburg, 1902

The next, while it is exactly the same kind in material, adds some elements of stronger feeling.  Yet in the main it also enforces the speaker’s opinion by a clear explanation of his action.  From this conclusion alone we know exactly the material and purpose of the entire speech.