The conclusion of an essay or research paper is crucial for tying together your arguments and leaving a lasting impression on your reader. It is your final opportunity to reinforce your thesis and emphasize the importance of your ideas. In this guide, you’ll learn the critical steps to writing a powerful conclusion that resonates with your audience, whether for an essay, research paper, or any other academic writing.
Why a Conclusion is Important
The conclusion serves as the final word on your topic. It provides you with the opportunity to:
- Summarize your main arguments: Reinforce your points in the essay.
- Leave a lasting impact: A strong conclusion makes your essay memorable.
- Relate your discussion to the broader world: Show how your ideas extend beyond the paper.
A well-written conclusion answers the “so what?” question, showing why your argument matters and its implications for the topic, field of study, or real-life situations.
The 5 Essential Elements of a Strong Conclusion
Writing an effective conclusion requires more than simply repeating your introduction. Here are five key components that every conclusion should have:
1. Restate Your Thesis
While restating your thesis in the conclusion is essential, avoid copying it verbatim from the introduction. Rephrase your thesis using new words and reinforce your argument by summarizing the key points.
Example:
Weak: “In conclusion, recycling is important for the environment.”
Strong: “Given the rapid depletion of natural resources and increasing pollution levels, recycling is one of the most effective ways to safeguard the environment.”
2. Summarize Main Points
The body of your essay likely contains several arguments supporting your thesis. In the conclusion, summarize these points to remind the reader of your main argument without repeating every detail.
3. Answer the ‘So What?’ Question
After presenting your arguments, demonstrate the broader significance of your conclusions. Why should the reader care about your points? Connect the relevance of your argument to broader societal, environmental, or global contexts.
4. Propose a Call to Action
Encourage the reader to think, act, or reflect on your discussion. Whether it’s a recommendation, a call for further research, or a challenge to think differently, leave your audience with something to ponder.
Example:
“If we each take responsibility for reducing our carbon footprint, we can significantly combat climate change.”
5. Leave the Reader with a Strong Final Thought
End with a thought-provoking statement, quote, or question that lingers in the reader’s mind. This helps create a lasting impression and makes your conclusion memorable.
Example:
“Ultimately, the future of our planet depends on the actions we take today. Will we choose sustainability or face the consequences of inaction?”
How to Write a Conclusion for Different Types of Essays
The approach to writing a conclusion varies depending on the type of essay. Here’s how to adapt your conclusion for various formats:
1. Argumentative Essay
An argumentative essay conclusion should summarize your thesis’s key arguments while offering a strong final stance.
Steps to Follow:
- Restate your thesis.
- Summarize the most vital points that support your argument.
- Make a final call to action or state the broader implications of your argument.
Example:
“In conclusion, mandatory recycling programs have the potential to reduce waste and environmental degradation significantly. It’s time for policymakers to prioritize such initiatives to ensure a healthier planet for future generations.”
2. Analytical Essay
In an analytical essay, your conclusion should focus on synthesizing the analysis presented in your paper, showing how the pieces come together to support the thesis.
Steps to Follow:
- Reaffirm the thesis in light of your analysis.
- Summarize how the evidence supports your interpretation.
- Discuss the significance of your findings.
Example:
“Through its symbolism and intricate character development, The Great Gatsby reveals the deep complexities of the American Dream, highlighting its inherent contradictions and unattainable promises.”
3. Research Paper
A research paper conclusion involves summarizing your key findings, discussing the implications of your study, and offering suggestions for further research or action.
Steps to Follow:
- Restate the thesis and summarize the major findings.
- Highlight the implications or importance of the research.
- Suggest areas for further study or real-world applications.
Example:
“In summary, this research confirms the crucial role of renewable energy in achieving sustainable development. Future studies should focus on optimizing solar energy storage systems to improve efficiency and scalability.”
4. Descriptive Essay
The conclusion of a descriptive essay should evoke the same emotions and imagery that you developed in the body of the paper, giving the reader a lasting sensory experience.
Steps to Follow:
- Reiterate the primary themes or sensory details.
- Summarize the overall impression you aimed to create.
- End with a vivid image or emotional appeal.
Example:
“Standing on the shore, watching the sun dip below the horizon, I realized that nature’s beauty, in all its simplicity, holds the power to calm even the most restless soul.”
A strong concluding paragraph is crucial to leaving a lasting impression on your readers. Begin by summarizing the main points you’ve made in your essay, reiterating their significance and relevance.
Then, provide a final thought or call to action that resonates with your thesis statement. Use soaring language and vivid imagery to make your conclusion memorable. Avoid introducing new information, as this can dilute the impact of your decision.
Instead, reinforce your argument and leave the reader with something to think about. A firm conclusion should be engaging, concise, and thought-provoking.
The concluding paragraph might be challenging to write, but it is crucial. It significantly influences the reader’s overall experience of your paper. That’s because it is your last chance to convince your reader of your point of view.
The Importance of Conclusion Paragraph
The conclusion is vital for the following reasons:
- Provides a chance to have the last word on the subject and points made in the essay. A good conclusion reminds the reader of the main argument and provides a summary of the points supporting that argument.
- Allows you to relate your essay to the readers’ daily lives. A good conclusion answers the question, so what? How is your essay relevant to the modern world?
In the concluding paragraph, make the reader realize your essay was worthwhile. More importantly, it gives readers a takeaway that will make them see things differently.
The Outline of a Good Conclusion
Consider the following structure for your concluding paragraph.
Step 1: Restate Your Thesis
The best way to begin a conclusion is by restating your thesis with unique words. Remind the reader what your main argument was.
However, do not rewrite the thesis as you did in the introduction. Instead, paraphrase it using different and more compelling words.
Step 2: Summarize the Main Points
After restating your main argument, sum up your main points. Do that by relating your supporting points to your main arguments. That allows the reader to connect the information in the body and the thesis.
Step 3: Elaborate on the Importance of Your Essay
Close your conclusion by relating your essay to real-world issues. Ask yourself:
- Why was your essay important?
- How is your argument relevant?
Or, provide a call to action. For instance, if your essay was about eating healthy, you could finish by saying:
So, why not ditch those unhealthy meals? You will not only lose weight but also avoid diseases and even live a longer life.
Strategies on How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph
Use the introduction to guide your conclusion. The intro and conclusion have similar elements.
The difference is that the intro moves people from the real world to the topic of discussion, but the concluding paragraph relates the topic to the real world.
- Link your conclusion to your introduction. You can do that by repeating the quote or fact you used in the introduction. Or, by answering the question you began with.
- Answer the ‘so what; question. What does your research imply, suggest, and involve?
- Amplify your argument. Put your main argument from a different perspective or set a broader context. That will make readers understand the purpose of your essay better.
- Do not introduce a new idea.
- Do not start your conclusion with redundant phrases like “in conclusion” or “to sum up”.
- Summarize all your points, not the last or most persuasive one. By focusing on one point, you undermine your whole argument.
- Tell the reader what would happen if they implemented what your argument suggests.
- End your conclusion with a call-to-action, recommendation, question, warning, or even quotation. The idea is to make readers reflect on the subject and argument made.
How to Write a Conclusion for an Argumentative Essay
An argumentative essay conclusion is quite straightforward. Start by rephrases your main argument.
The write one or two statements that perfectly summarize the points you made to support your argument. Then, relate your argument and topic to the real world. What
are the consequences of subscribing or not subscribing to your point of view?
How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper
The conclusion section of a research paper is similar to that of other essays:
- Restate your thesis
- Summarize your points
- Explain the significance of your research
However, you can make your conclusion better by synthesizing instead of summarizing your points. Logically connect your points to your thesis.
Synthesizing provides coherence so a reader can view your whole paper as one single thought instead of random ideas. When discussing the significance of your research, provide a recommendation or call to action.
Also, depending on your topic, address the future of the subject of discussion.
How to Write a Conclusion for a Lab Report
Lab reports describe an experiment and analyze the findings. Its structure differs from other academic papers. But the concept of the conclusion is pretty much the same – providing the summary of the whole paper.
Start the lab report’s conclusion by restating the experiment’s goals. Then, briefly state the methods you used to perform the test.
Go further and briefly explain why you chose those methods. The primary purpose of a lab report is analyzing the findings. So, state the results of the experiment and what they mean. In the concluding paragraph, you also state whether the experiment was successful.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Conclusion
1. Introducing New Information
A conclusion is not the place to introduce new arguments or evidence. Stick to summarizing and reflecting on what’s already been discussed.
2. Using Redundant Phrases
Phrases like “in conclusion” or “to summarize” are often unnecessary. The reader already knows they are at the end of the paper—focus on delivering a powerful final message instead.
3. Focusing Only on Minor Points
Avoid rehashing the least important points of your paper in the conclusion. Highlight your strongest arguments to leave a lasting impression.
4. Overgeneralizing
While it’s important to connect your findings to a broader context, avoid making overly broad or unsubstantiated claims.
Tips for Writing an Effective Conclusion
- Stay Concise: Keep your conclusion clear and to the point. Aim for 5-7 sentences that wrap up your paper effectively.
- Connect to the Introduction: If you opened your essay with a question or a quote, consider referencing it in the conclusion to create a cohesive narrative.
- Use Strong, Active Language: Avoid weak language like “I believe” or “I think.” Instead, use confident, assertive statements.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of writing a powerful conclusion can significantly elevate the quality of your essay or research paper. By summarizing key points, answering the “so what?” question, and leaving your reader with something to think about, you ensure that your conclusion is engaging, thought-provoking, and impactful. With these strategies, you’ll not only wrap up your paper effectively but also leave a lasting impression on your readers.