The Art of Ending Your Essay: A Guide to Writing Effective Conclusions

writing essay conclusions

Writing Essay Conclusions: How to End Your Paper with a Bang

Writing an essay can be challenging, but writing a conclusion can be even more so. A conclusion is the last part of your paper that the reader will see, and it can make or break your impression. A good conclusion can leave the reader satisfied, convinced, and inspired, while a bad conclusion can leave them confused, bored, or disappointed.

So how do you write a good conclusion that ends your paper with a bang? In this article, we will explain what a conclusion is, why it is important, what are the main goals of a conclusion, and how to write one in four easy steps. We will also provide some tips and examples to help you craft a strong and effective conclusion for any type of essay.

Introduction

What is a conclusion and why is it important?

A conclusion is the final paragraph or section of your essay that wraps up your main points and gives a sense of closure to your argument. It is the last chance for you to persuade the reader of your thesis statement and show them why your paper matters.

A conclusion is important because it:

• Reinforces your main argument and reminds the reader of its significance

• Summarizes your main points and shows how they support your thesis

• Provides a final impression or call to action that leaves the reader with something to think about or do

• Demonstrates your writing skills and shows that you have completed your paper successfully

What are the main goals of a conclusion?

A good conclusion should achieve three main goals:

• Restate your thesis statement in a clear and concise way

• Summarize your main points in a logical and coherent way

• Provide a final impression or call to action that relates to your thesis and main points

To achieve these goals, you need to follow some basic guidelines and avoid some common pitfalls when writing a conclusion. We will discuss these in detail in the next sections.

How to write a conclusion in 4 easy steps

Writing a conclusion can be simplified into four easy steps:

• Restate your thesis statement

• Summarize your main points

• Provide a final impression or call to action

• Revise and edit your conclusion

Let's look at each step in more detail and see how to apply them to your essay.

Step 1: Restate your thesis statement

How to restate your thesis without repeating yourself

The first step of writing a conclusion is to restate your thesis statement, which is the main argument or claim of your paper. This reminds the reader of what your paper is about and why it is important.

However, you should not simply copy and paste your thesis statement from the introduction. Instead, you should paraphrase it using different words or a different sentence structure. This shows that you have a clear understanding of your thesis and that you can express it in different ways.

For example, if your thesis statement is:

\"Social media has a positive impact on society because it promotes communication, education, and activism.\"

You can restate it in your conclusion as:

\"Communication, education, and activism are some of the benefits that social media brings to society.\"

How to connect your thesis to the main points of your paper

When you restate your thesis, you should also connect it to the main points of your paper. This shows how your thesis is supported by the evidence and analysis that you have presented in your body paragraphs.

You can connect your thesis to your main points by using words or phrases that indicate the relationship between them, such as \"because\", \"as a result\", \"therefore\", \"thus\", \"hence\", etc.

For example, if your main points are:

• Social media promotes communication by allowing people to interact with each other across distances and cultures

• Social media promotes education by providing access to information and learning resources

• Social media promotes activism by enabling people to raise awareness and mobilize for social causes

You can connect them to your thesis by saying:

\"Communication, education, and activism are some of the benefits that social media brings to society. Because of social media, people can interact with each other across distances and cultures, access information and learning resources, and raise awareness and mobilize for social causes.\"

How to avoid introducing new information or arguments in your thesis restatement

When you restate your thesis, you should avoid introducing new information or arguments that were not discussed in your paper. This can confuse the reader and weaken your conclusion.

You should only restate what you have already said in your paper, not add anything new or different. If you have any new ideas or insights that you want to share with the reader, you should include them in the body paragraphs of your paper, not in the conclusion.

For example, you should not restate your thesis as:

\"Communication, education, and activism are some of the benefits that social media brings to society. Social media also helps people cope with stress, improve their mental health, and express their creativity.\"

This is a bad thesis restatement because it introduces new information that was not discussed in the paper. It also makes the conclusion too long and unfocused.

Step 2: Summarize your main points

How to summarize your main points without being redundant

The second step of writing a conclusion is to summarize your main points, which are the key ideas or arguments that you have developed in your body paragraphs. This shows the reader how you have supported your thesis statement and what are the main takeaways from your paper.

However, you should not simply repeat what you have already said in your body paragraphs. Instead, you should synthesize them into a concise and coherent summary that highlights the most important or relevant aspects of your paper.

You can summarize your main points by using words or phrases that indicate the summary or conclusion of your paper, such as \"in summary\", \"in conclusion\", \"to sum up\", \"in short\", etc.

For example, if your main points are:

• Social media promotes communication by allowing people to interact with each other across distances and cultures

• Social media promotes education by providing access to information and learning resources

• Social media promotes activism by enabling people to raise awareness and mobilize for social causes

You can summarize them in your conclusion as:

cultures, access information and learning resources, and raise awareness and mobilize for social causes.\"

How to highlight the most important or relevant aspects of your paper

When you summarize your main points, you should also highlight the most important or relevant aspects of your paper. This shows the reader what are the main implications or contributions of your paper and why they should care about them.

You can highlight the most important or relevant aspects of your paper by using words or phrases that indicate the significance or impact of your paper, such as \"importantly\", \"significantly\", \"notably\", \"remarkably\", etc.

For example, you can highlight the most important or relevant aspects of your paper by saying:

\"Importantly, social media has a positive impact on society not only by promoting communication, education, and activism, but also by fostering a sense of community, diversity, and empowerment among its users.\"

How to use transitions and keywords to link your summary to your thesis

When you summarize your main points, you should also use transitions and keywords to link your summary to your thesis. This shows the reader how your summary relates to your main argument and how it reinforces it.

You can use transitions and keywords to link your summary to your thesis by using words or phrases that indicate the connection or relationship between them, such as \"therefore\", \"thus\", \"hence\", \"as a result\", etc.

For example, you can use transitions and keywords to link your summary to your thesis by saying:

\"Therefore, communication, education, and activism are some of the benefits that social media brings to society. Importantly, social media has a positive impact on society not only by promoting communication, education, and activism, but also by fostering a sense of community, diversity, and empowerment among its users.\"

Step 3: Provide a final impression or call to action

How to choose an appropriate final impression or call to action for your paper

The third step of writing a conclusion is to provide a final impression or call to action for your paper. A final impression or call to action is the last sentence or sentences of your conclusion that leave the reader with something to think about or do after reading your paper.

A final impression or call to action can be:

• A recommendation or suggestion for further action or research on the topic

• A question or challenge that provokes the reader to think more deeply about the topic

• A quotation or anecdote that illustrates or summarizes the main point of your paper

• A prediction or warning about the future consequences or implications of your topic

• A personal reflection or opinion that relates to your topic

You should choose an appropriate final impression or call to action for your paper depending on the purpose and audience of your paper. You should also make sure that it is relevant and consistent with your thesis and main points.

For example, if your purpose is to inform and persuade the reader about the positive impact of social media on society, you can choose a final impression or call to action such as:

\"As we have seen, social media has a positive impact on society by promoting communication, education, and activism. Therefore, we should embrace social media as a powerful tool for social change and not as a threat or distraction. We should also be aware of the potential risks and challenges that social media poses and use it responsibly and ethically. Social media is not just a platform for sharing information and opinions; it is also a platform for creating and shaping our society.\"

How to make your final impression or call to action memorable and impactful

When you provide a final impression or call to action for your paper, you should also make it memorable and impactful. This means that you should use strong and clear language that captures the attention and emotion of the reader.

You can make your final impression or call to action memorable and impactful by using words or phrases that indicate the urgency or importance of your message, such as \"now\", \"today\", \"immediately\", \"crucially\", \"vital\", etc.

For example, you can make your final impression or call to action memorable and impactful by saying:

\"Now, more than ever, we need to embrace social media as a powerful tool for social change and not as a threat or distraction. We need to be aware of the potential risks and challenges that social media poses and use it responsibly and ethically. Social media is not just a platform for sharing information and opinions; it is also a platform for creating and shaping our society. It is vital that we use it wisely and effectively.\"

How to avoid clichés or weak endings in your final impression or call to action

When you provide a final impression or call to action for your paper, you should avoid clichés or weak endings that can undermine your conclusion. Clichés or weak endings are phrases or sentences that are overused, vague, or irrelevant to your topic.

You should avoid clichés or weak endings such as:

• \"In conclusion, ...\"

• \"The end.\"

• \"This is just my opinion.\"

• \"I hope you enjoyed reading this paper.\"

• \"There is more to be said on this topic.\"

These are bad final impressions or calls to action because they are boring, unoriginal, or unrelated to your thesis and main points. They also do not leave the reader with anything to think about or do after reading your paper.

Step 4: Revise and edit your conclusion

How to revise your conclusion for clarity, coherence, and conciseness

The fourth and final step of writing a conclusion is to revise and edit your conclusion for clarity, coherence, and conciseness. This means that you should check your conclusion for any errors or weaknesses in the content, structure, or style of your writing.

You can revise your conclusion for clarity, coherence, and conciseness by asking yourself the following questions:

• Is my conclusion clear and easy to understand?

• Is my conclusion coherent and logical?

• Is my conclusion concise and focused?

If you answer \"no\" to any of these questions, you should make the necessary changes to improve your conclusion. You can also ask someone else to read your conclusion and give you feedback on how to improve it.

How to edit your conclusion for grammar, spelling, and punctuation

After revising your conclusion for clarity, coherence, and conciseness, you should also edit your conclusion for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This means that you should check your conclusion for any errors or mistakes in the language, spelling, or punctuation of your writing.

You can edit your conclusion for grammar, spelling, and punctuation by using tools such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, dictionaries, or online resources. You can also ask someone else to proofread your conclusion and correct any errors or mistakes.

How to use feedback and examples to improve your conclusion

One of the best ways to improve your conclusion is to use feedback and examples from other sources. Feedback and examples can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your conclusion and give you ideas on how to improve it.

You can use feedback and examples from:

• Your instructor or peers who can give you constructive criticism and suggestions on how to improve your conclusion

• Professional writers or experts who can provide you with tips and advice on how to write a good conclusion

• Sample essays or papers that have similar topics or purposes as yours and that have good conclusions that you can learn from

You should use feedback and examples carefully and critically. You should not copy or plagiarize from other sources. You should also not rely solely on feedback and examples. You should use them as guides and inspiration for writing your own original and unique conclusion.

Conclusion

Writing a good conclusion is an essential skill for any essay writer. A good conclusion can make a lasting impression on the reader and persuade them of your thesis statement. A bad conclusion can ruin your paper and leave the reader unsatisfied or unconvinced.

To write a good conclusion, you need to follow four easy steps:

• Restate your thesis statement in a clear and concise way

• Summarize your main points in a logical and coherent way

• Provide a final impression or call to action that relates to your thesis and main points

• Revise and edit your conclusion for clarity, coherence, conciseness, grammar, spelling, and punctuation

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about writing essay conclusions:

• How long should a conclusion be?

A conclusion should be proportional to the length and complexity of your paper. A general rule of thumb is that a conclusion should be about 10% of your paper's word count. For example, if your paper is 2000 words long, your conclusion should be about 200 words long.

• What should I avoid in a conclusion?

You should avoid the following in a conclusion:

• Introducing new information or arguments that were not discussed in your paper

• Repeating your thesis statement or main points word for word

• Using clichés or weak endings that do not leave an impact on the reader

• Apologizing for your paper or expressing doubt about your argument

• Going off-topic or losing focus on your thesis and main points

• How can I make my conclusion more interesting or creative?

You can make your conclusion more interesting or creative by using different strategies to provide a final impression or call to action for your paper. For example, you can:

• Use a quotation or anecdote that relates to your topic and summarizes your main point

• Ask a question or challenge that provokes the reader to think more deeply about your topic

• Make a prediction or warning about the future consequences or implications of your topic

• Provide a recommendation or suggestion for further action or research on your topic

• Share a personal reflection or opinion that relates to your topic

• How can I check if my conclusion is good?

You can check if your conclusion is good by asking yourself the following questions:

• Does it restate my thesis statement in a clear and concise way?

• Does it summarize my main points in a logical and coherent way?

• Does it provide a final impression or call to action that relates to my thesis and main points?

• Is it clear, coherent, concise, grammatically correct, and free of errors?

• Does it leave the reader satisfied, convinced, and inspired?

If you answer \"yes\" to all of these questions, then you have a good conclusion. If you answer \"no\" to any of these questions, then you need to revise and edit your conclusion.