A speech that builds toward an exciting conclusion employs which of the following patterns?

A speech that builds toward an exciting conclusion utilizes the climactic pattern. This structure is designed to create anticipation and excitement, leading to a peak moment that captivates the audience. In a climactic speech, ideas are organized to gradually intensify, culminating in the most impactful or dramatic point, typically at the conclusion.

This approach engages the audience emotionally and intellectually, allowing them to feel the buildup of tension or interest as the speaker develops their message. In contrast, other patterns such as temporal would organize content chronologically, while pyramidal might prioritize presenting the most important information at the beginning. The anticlimactic pattern, on the other hand, would subvert expectation by leading to a less impactful conclusion, which is not suitable for a speech aiming to leave the audience with an exciting or thrilling ending. Thus, the effectiveness of the climactic pattern lies in its ability to keep the audience invested right up to the final moments of the speech.