The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It’s purpose is to summarize the main points of the essay and leave the reader with a final impression; for additional writings help, considering UK’s best essay services can provide valuable insights, enhancing the overall impact of your concluding remarks. An effective conclusion should restate the thesis, avoid repetition, connect back to the introduction, and leave the reader with a sense of closure.
Restate The Thesis
The first sentence of the conclusion should reiterate the main argument or thesis statement of the essay. This reminds the reader of what the essay was about and acts as a transition into the conclusion. For example:
“In this essay, I have argued that daily journal writing is beneficial for students to improve their writing skills, organize their thoughts, and reflect on their learning.”
Rephrasing the thesis using different words reinforces the central point of the essay.
Synthesize Main Points
After restating the thesis, the next few sentences should summarize the main points or evidence discussed in the body paragraphs. This demonstrates to the reader how the thesis was proven.
For the journal writing example essay, the following sentences effectively restate the main benefits highlighted in the body paragraphs:
“As evidenced in this paper, students who journal daily become better writers as it allows them to practice expressing their ideas in writing consistently. Journaling also helps students develop analytical thinking abilities and reflect on concepts learned in class, cementing them in long-term memory.”
Aim to synthesize the essay’s main points in a concise way without repeating verbatim from previous paragraphs.
Connect Back to Introduction
Near the end of the conclusion, try to relate back to the essay’s introduction to bring the writing full circle. This provides a sense of balance and cohesion. To compose a strong conclusion for an essay, summarize key ideas and leave a lasting impression on the reader; for those seeking affordable yet reliable support, options like cheap essay writing services can provide valuable assistance.
For example:
“Just as the opening paragraph detailed the struggles students face with writing skills, this essay concludes that writing daily journals is one effective strategy to overcome those challenges.”
This demonstrates to the reader how the opening tied into the overall essay topic.
Leave a Final Impression
The last 1-2 sentences should provide a sense of closure and leave the reader with an interesting final impression. This could take the form of:
- A call to action – e.g. “Implementing a daily journaling routine takes commitment, but will pay dividends in developing better writing skills.”
- A prediction – e.g. “With regular practice journaling, students will become more prolific, creative, and impactful writers.”
- A consequence – e.g. “Journaling daily will equip students with the writing skills needed to succeed academically and professionally.”
- A quote – e.g. “As author Anne Frank said, ‘The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.'”
Ending with an impactful final statement gives the reader something memorable to take away.
Don’t Repeat Exact Phrases
When summarizing main points and restating the thesis, be sure to use different wording than the original paragraphs. Directly quoting or repeating phrases from the body paragraphs weakens the conclusion by making it sound repetitive.
Read over the summary sentences to check no more than 1-2 important keywords are reused. Paraphrase ideas using synonyms and varied sentence structures.
Length & Positioning
An effective conclusion is generally 3-5 sentences long, or roughly 5% of the total essay length. Shorter essays under 1000 words can have a 1-2 sentence conclusion.
Position the conclusion at the very end of the essay after the body paragraphs but before the reference list (if references are included).
Examples of Good Conclusions
Here are two conclusive paragraphs from sample essays:
Essay 1 – Daily journaling:
“This essay has shown that dedicating time each day to keeping a personal journal has multiple benefits for students. Not only does it give them writing practice, it also promotes analytical thinking, encourages idea generation, and provides an emotional outlet. Implementing a daily routine of journaling for just 15 minutes can drastically improve skills that apply to academic, professional, and personal pursuits.”
Essay 2 – Shopping locally:
“Shopping at local farmer’s markets keeps money in the community, leads to more sustainable farming practices, and gives consumers access to fresher, healthier food. Farmers reap more financial benefits, land thrives under regenerative processes, and people have better nutrition. With strong community participation, a return to more localized consumption could be an antidote to many systemic ills.”
Proofread & Refine
After writing your first draft conclusion, let it sit for a while before coming back to proofread and refine it. Check for proper spelling/grammar, trim any unnecessary words, and rewrite sentences to enhance flow and structure. Ask someone to read your conclusion and give feedback.
With a thoughtful, well-written concluding paragraph, you can leave the reader with a strong final impression to tie together the central idea of your essay.
Tips for Writing a Good Conclusion
Here are some helpful strategies to write an effective conclusion:
Don’t Introduce New Ideas
The conclusion should focus on synthesizing the ideas already presented in the essay. Introducing new points or evidence contradicts the purpose of this paragraph as a summation of preceding content. Save any new thoughts for a future essay.
Avoid Filler Sentences
Filler sentences like “In conclusion…” or “All things considered…” are redundant. Jump right into restating the thesis and summarizing main points. The heading “Conclusion” already signifies it without generic phrases.
Address Bigger Picture Significance
After summarizing essay-specific points, extend your analysis to broader significance. How do the arguments relate to larger issues? Why does this topic matter? Giving the reader a bigger picture frame demonstrates awareness of contextual relevance.
Echo Your Introduction
Recalling key points or phrases from the introduction provides symmetry. Reminding the reader of initial assertions lends cohesion between essay bookends. Echoing also facilitates committing the thesis to memory.
Keep It Short
Don’t equate essay conclusion length with importance. A long, wordy conclusion isn’t necessary or ideal. Stick to 3-5 concise sentences summarizing main points and imparting final thoughts. Brevity enhances readability.
Consider Alternatives to Restating Thesis
Sometimes restating the exact thesis word-for-word feels redundant or forced. Consider these subtle alternatives:
- Pose a rhetorical question
- Call to action based on thesis
- Recommendation stemming from thesis
- Prediction based on thesis argument
This avoids dull repetition.
Don’t Make Introduce New Evidence
It’s not advisable bring up entirely new evidence or points in your conclusion. The conclusion summarizes support already discussed. If more evidence exists, it should have been included in the main essay body and analyzed properly.
Avoid Apologetic Tone
Don’t diminish your essay or use an apologetic tone in the conclusion. Language like “This is just my opinion…” or “I may not be totally right…” undercuts your credibility. Have confidence in your ideas and the evidence provided.
Don’t End with a Question
Posing a question for contemplation rather than definitive statement leaves the reader hanging without closure. Conclusions should “close the loop” not initiate new thought tangents. Keep it conclusive.
With careful writing and synthesis of key ideas, your conclusion will reinforce the central thesis and cement the essay firmly in the reader’s mind.
