How To Write An Essay Conclusion: The Unrivaled Guide For Students

You’ve improved your introduction and thesis. You’ve taken the time to research and prove all of your supporting points. You’re nearing the end of your essay when you suddenly freeze because—you guessed it— it’s time to write the conclusion.

The conclusion is the most difficult part of writing an essay for many people. Condensing all of your findings into a neat little package is certainly easier said than done. So, how can you leave an excellent impression while emphasizing the importance of your findings? You’ll find out the answer as you go through this guide,

What Does Good Conclusion Mean?

It is difficult to write a reasonable conclusion for a paper. However, we will guide you through this process step by step. Although there are no universal standard rules for creating one, there are some fundamental principles that everyone should remember. We will address some basic principles for writing a solid conclusion in this section, along with providing you with additional useful tips and examples subsequently in the post.

The following are the primary objectives that a decent conclusion should achieve:

• “Wrap up” the entire document;
• Show readers that the author accomplished what they set out to do.
• Demonstrate how the author has proven their thesis statement.
• Give the topic a sense of completion and closure;
• Leave something for your reader to consider;
• Make a lasting impression on the reader.
• One more crucial factor to remember is that you should not introduce any new ideas or arguments in the conclusion of your paper. It should only summarise what you’ve already written, return to your thesis statement, and conclude with a strong final impression.

When considering how to write an effective conclusion, keep the following points in mind:

• A concluding sentence should only refer to the thesis statement rather than restate.
• It should summarise the main points of the paper’s body section.
• It should emphasize the significance and relevance of your subject.
• An essay’s conclusion should include a call to action and allow space for additional research or discussion of the subject (if necessary).

Major Objectives That A Conclusion Must Accomplish

There are four primary objectives that a concluding statement must achieve, and they are as given below. A conclusion must:

• Rephrase the thesis statement without repeating it in the conclusion
• Demonstrate the significance of the essay’s findings
• Include a brief summary of the body paragraphs
• Include a call for action and future developments (if necessary)

Crafting A Conclusion

As mentioned before, one can follow several strategies to craft an impeccable conclusion. Some of the most effective strategies are listed below, along with some good conclusion paragraph examples to help you understand the concept.

Prediction 

Taking a look into the future is an effective way to emphasize the importance of your essay and give the audience something to think about. When it comes to backing up your points in the conclusion of your essay, the “When and If” technique is extremely effective.

Example: “Taking care of a pet is difficult, which is why most parents refuse their children’s requests for a pet.” However, the refusal should be the parents’ last option. We must allow our children to care for pets if we want to instill in them a strong sense of responsibility and organization, as well as compassion.”

Echo 

Another appropriate approach is to connect your conclusion to your introduction. This will give your readers a full-circle narration, improve their understanding of your topic, and emphasize your main point.

Example: Intro

“I feel that all children should grow up with a pet (as in a puppy, kitten, etc.),” I remember my first pet and the day it was brought home by my parents. This was one of the most joyful times in my life and one of the most life-changing. Growing up with a pet tutored me a lot of things, the most important of which was responsible.”

Conclusion

“I recall how elated I was when I got my first puppy. Growing up with a pet taught me what it was like to take care of someone, to make certain he had food and water at all times, to teach him, and to keep an eye on my little companion constantly. A youngster who is born and grows up with a pet learns to care, be accountable, and develop a range of other life qualities such as responsibility, ownership, love, kindness, and understanding. This is why I think every child should have a pet!”

Notch-up 

Finally, one more trick that’ll help you write a flawless conclusion is to expand on your main idea or present it from a different angle of a larger context. This technique will assist your readers in viewing the problem discussed from a new perspective.

“Despite the evident benefits of having a pet as a child, I believe we cannot generalize whether all children should have a pet.” While such encounters can help some children become more sensitive, organized, and accountable, it all rests on the child’s position, motive, and desire for having a pet.

Clincher 

What is an essay clincher? – A clincher sentence is the final paragraph of an essay’s conclusion. In essence, the clincher is analogous to the hook in an introductory paragraph. Elucidating it further, it is a closing or concluding statement that emphasizes the core concept or offers the listener an intriguing topic to ponder. 

Its main purpose is to hold the attention of the reader till the conclusion of the writing. At the same time, this statement provides a sense of completion and assists the author in leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

In general, you can use a variety of techniques for your clincher statement, such as:

• A brief but memorable and captivating conclusion;
• A pertinent and unforgettable quotation (only if it offers genuine value);
• A rallying cry;
• A rhetorical query;
• A story to illustrate or a provocative example;
• A cautionary note about the consequences of the discussed problem;
• Whatever technique you use, make your clincher memorable and consistent with your introduction and thesis.

Example: – While New York is not the only place with breathtaking views, it is unquestionably one of my top three… That is what makes it worthwhile to visit.

– “Therefore we came forth to see the stars,” The Divine Comedy

– Don’t you think all of these benefits of having a pet are almost life-saving?

“So we plowed ahead, boats against the current, borne back inexorably into the past.” Gatsby, The Great

Strategies To Craft Conclusions

When composing conclusions, there are certain strategies given below that can help with concluding statements:

• Touch upon the main aspects in brief

Have a look at the outline (essay structure), as it assists you in picking the main points to include in the conclusion. 

• Depict the significance of the chosen topic/subject

Essays can be complex to read; that’s why to keep your conclusion on point and simple.

• Link back to 1st paragraph

See if there are themes you can connect to the essay’s first paragraph. This is because ending with your starting point can be a great closure for the essay.

• Integrate the pointers without summarizing

Tie all the main points together in the conclusion by eliminating all the fluff.

• Add a plot twist (if possible)

Try adding a surprise element to the essay and give a new dimension or point of view to the essay.

• Challenge your readers

Your essay should empower the reader and make them want to read the essay completely. 

• Think about the future

See how relevant your essay will be for the reader 20 years from now. You can offer an unfavorable or favorable scenario in the essay that the reader can connect with.

• Ask an inquisitive question.

Provide your reader with something worth thinking about. This ensures that your essay will stay with the reader for a long time.

What Should A Conclusion Include?

Now that you understand what makes up a good conclusion, you can delve into the specifics. What else should the conclusion include besides restating your thesis and summarising your points?

Here are some ideas for a clever and thought-provoking conclusion to your essay:

1. “So what?” you might ask.

A teacher probably told you at some point in your life that the conclusion of an essay must answer the question “So what?” or “Why does it matter?” This is sound advice. Asking yourself this question at the beginning of drafting your thesis and returning to it throughout can help you stay focused on the purpose of the essay. Then, in the end, you won’t be left scratching your head for something to say.

2. Include a point of view.

If you came across a great quote during your research that didn’t quite make it into the essay, the conclusion is a great place to include it. Incorporating a quote from one of your primary or secondary sources can help to frame your thesis or final thoughts. This can give your overall argument more specificity and texture.

For example, if you’ve composed an essay about J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, consider using a quote from the book or from a critic or scholar who elaborates on your main point. If your argument is about Salinger’s wish to maintain childhood innocence, finishing with a biographer’s statement about Salinger’s perspective on his own adolescence may be insightful for readers. If you opt to broaden your closing paragraph in this way, ensure that the extra points complement (rather than detract from) the ideas you just expressed. After all, you want to be in charge!

3. Think about the clincher.

Your final sentence, or in other words, the clincher, comes at the very end of the essay. When considering how to write a good conclusion, keep the clincher in mind. What can you say to sway the reader’s opinion on the subject? This final sentence should provide readers with a sense of closure. It must also end on a positive note, so your audience feels satisfied that they read your paper and learned something useful.

What Should A Conclusion Not Include?

When writing your conclusion paragraph, there are a few things you should definitely avoid. These elements will only serve to weaken your overall argument and exaggerate the obvious.

Here are the conclusion blunders that you need to keep an eye on: 

• Avoid phrases such as “in summary,” “in conclusion,” and “to summarise.” Readers are aware that they have reached the conclusion of the essay and do not require a cue.

• Don’t just restate what has come before. You don’t have to repeat all of your supporting arguments in a short essay. Readers will notice if you simply copied and pasted from somewhere else.

• Avoid introducing completely new concepts or evidence. This will only confuse your readers and weaken your arguments. If you have a really profound point in your conclusion that you want to cover, try placing it in one of your supporting paragraphs.

• Avoid undermining your argument by using uncertain phrases. Phrases such as “This one way among many others..” or “There is no clear solution to this problem” creates ambiguity in the reader’s mind. 

• Even if you have explored various points of view in your essay, your own position should be clear. There may be several approaches to the topic, but you want the reader to believe that yours is the best!

Essay Conclusion Paragraph Outline

The total number of sentences in your last paragraph will vary depending on how many points you discussed in your essay and the overall word count of your paper. The overall conclusion paragraph outline, on the other hand, will remain the same and will include the following elements:

A thought for the end:

The first section of your paragraph should direct readers’ attention back to your thesis statement. If you’re unsure how to commence a conclusion, rephrasing your thesis statement is the best way to begin.

Overview of body paragraphs: 

Right after revisiting your thesis, include several sentences that summarise your body paragraphs’ main highlights and points. Depending on the number of arguments you’ve made, this section of your conclusion can be as short as 2-3 sentences. You can also illustrate how your main points fit together if necessary.

Concluding sentence:

End your final paragraph with a compelling statement that creates the best indelible mark, gives a feeling of logical wholeness, and ties readers to the beginning of the article.

A perfect essay conclusion consists of these three key elements. Here is a template for the conclusion paragraph structure that includes examples from an essay titled “Every Child Must Own a Pet

Sentence 1: Thesis Statement:

Pets help children grow into more responsible and empathetic people. Thus, parents should not prohibit them from having them, even though children are not well-versed with handling the pets.”

In conclusion, restate the thesis: “I can say that caring for a pet is beneficial to children.”

Sentences 2-4: Summary 

“Studies have demonstrated that pet owners have fewer health problems in general.”

“Having a pet teaches responsibility to a child.”

“Time spent with a pet alleviates pressure, loneliness, and stress.”

Sentence 5: A final sentence

“Pets can really improve a child’s life, so don’t be afraid to support your child’s desire to own a pet.”

This is one example to show how you can shape your conclusion.

How Do You Conclude Various Types Of Essays?

The style, tone, and length of your concluding paragraph will differ depending on the type of academic essay you are writing. This section of our guide will teach you how to conclude various types of essays and other works.

How Should You End An Argumentative Essay?

Persuasive or argumentative essays always seek to persuade readers of something (an idea, stance, or viewpoint) by using arguments, facts, logic, and even emotions. The conclusion of such an essay must also be persuasive. A good trick to use is to depict a real-life scenario that proves your point or encourages readers to act.

Here are a few more pointers for writing an effective argumentative essay conclusion:

• Before you begin, carefully read the entire essay.
• Reiterate your points;
• Discuss the potential consequences.
• Don’t be apprehensive about making an emotional appeal to the reader.

How To End A Contrast and Compare essay?

A compare and contrast essay emphasizes the dissimilarities and similarities between two or more objects, individuals, phenomena, etc. As a result, a logical conclusion should underscore how the reviewed entities differ or are similar. Basically, in such a paper, the conclusion paragraph should reflect all of the key common and distinctive features mentioned in the body of your essay. It must provide readers with food for thought after reading it.

How To Conclude A Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay’s main goal is to show your originality and writing ability by utilizing words to construct a detailed image. This is one of the most creative sorts of essays because it requires you to show rather than tell a story. 

Additionally, this type of essay necessitates the use of numerous vivid details. The conclusion of such a paper should, similarly, use descriptive imagery while summarising the main ideas. A good way to end a descriptive essay is, to begin with, a brief explanation of why you wrote the essay.

Then, think about how your topic affects you. To seamlessly guide the reader into a reasonable concluding remark, you must include the most significant aspects of the story in the middle of the conclusion. Therefore, the “clincher” should be an intriguing concluding statement that strikes the listener with a pleasant and everlasting impression. Do not draw the reader into the essay only to leave them with fading memories.

How To Write A Personal Essay Conclusion?

If you’re writing an essay about yourself, you should tell a personal story. As a rule, such essays discuss the author’s personal experiences, so the conclusion should provide a sense of narrative closure. It’s a good idea to end your narrative with a logical conclusion along with an account of the lessons learned.

How To Conclude An Informative Essay?

Usually, informative or expository essays provide a wealth of information and facts to the reader. In this case, “Synthesize, don’t summarise” is the best way to end your paper. 

 Emphasize the significance of the information provided.

How To Write A Narrative Essay Conclusion?

A narrative essay, in a nutshell, is based on simple storytelling. The main objective of this paper is to convey a detailed account of an incident (story). As a result, the conclusion for such a paper should wrap up the story rather than end on a cliffhanger. It is critical to include the story’s key takeaways and lessons learned.

How To Write A Lab Report Conclusion?

A lab report is a technical sort of write-up that gives a detailed description or account of a specific experiment or investigation. This kind of paper explains the course of a certain experiment conducted by a student, and its end/conclusion must mirror the experiment’s outcomes.

So when considering how to write a lab conclusion, the following are the most important things to consider:

• Restate your experiment’s objectives.
• Describe the tactics you employed.
• Also, include the outcomes of the investigation and examine the final/latest data.
• End with a clear statement about whether or not the experiment was successful.

How To Write A Strong Conclusion For Research Papers?

Writing a research paper conclusion is most likely the most difficult task of all. A research paper is a much longer work, unlike an essay or even a lab report, that necessitates a more in-depth investigation of the problem. As a result, the conclusion to such a paper should be more sophisticated and powerful.

However, because a research paper is the second most common type of academic paper (after an essay), knowing how to conclude a research paper is essential. Even if you have not yet been assigned to this task, you can be certain that you will be confronted with it soon. So, here are the steps you should take to write a great research paper conclusion:

Restate the Subject

Begin your final paragraph by reminding the reader of the piece’s topic. Keep it to one sentence.

Examine the thesis

Following that, you should remind your readers of your thesis statement. However, do not simply copy and paste it from the introductory clause: instead, paraphrase it in your thesis so that you convey the same idea but in different words. Keep your paraphrased thesis focused, specific, and topic-oriented.

Summarize your main points

A research paper’s final paragraph, like the conclusion of a regular essay, should include a brief synopsis of all of the key points stated in the body sections. We recommend that you read the entire body section several times to define all of your main arguments and ideas.

Display the importance of your work

It is critical to emphasize the significance of your research problem and how your solution could be beneficial in the research paper’s conclusion.

Make suggestions for future research

Finally, at the end of your conclusion, explain how your findings will help the advancement of its particular field of science. Outline future research possibilities and, if necessary, explain what is still unknown about the subject.

Then, in the end, use a powerful concluding sentence – it could be a rhetorical question, a call to action, or another hook that will help you make an impact on the audience.

Respond to the correct questions

To write an excellent research paper conclusion, consider the following questions:

• What’s the big deal?
• What exactly is the purpose of a research paper?
• What are the potential answers to the research question(s)?
• How can your findings be put into practice? (Will your research paper be beneficial to the community?)
• Why is this research important and timely?

Here are a few more useful pointers to consider:

• Give clear examples from real life to help readers understand how the stated solutions will be implemented in the future.
• Maintain a fresh, original, and creative conclusion.

Good Conclusion Examples

Example 1 – Benefits of Studying in International Schools: Overall, international schools hold the key to ensuring students’ bright futures. (Simplified thesis statement) They assist students in developing their own character by learning from their mistakes without having to face a dreadful penalty for failure. (Explained thesis statement) Although some argue that this mentality “spoiled” children, the results show the opposite. (Possible counterarguments are noted.) In fact, without this quality, schools are similar to prisons. (Through vivid comparison, counterarguments have proven irrelevant.) In order for children to develop successfully, they must learn everything on their own without fear of failure. (Concluding sentences with solid opinions)

Example 2 – “In conclusion, public employees should be allowed to strike because it will allow them to air their grievances.” (Thesis statement) Public employees should be allowed to strike when their rights, safety, and regulations are jeopardized. When workers go on strike and meet their demands, they will become more motivated. Strikes by public employees should be permitted because they will unite them and reduce unnecessary conflict on the job. Employees are sometimes forced to work long hours for low pay. Furthermore, a strike among workers can boost confidence and output following the strike. (Including a stronger point to back up the previous one). Thus, public employees should be allowed to strike, but there should be regulations in place if they are. (Relating to the main point) This will allow workers to air their grievances properly.”

Conclusion 

Your essay requires a conclusion to drive the main points and explain why it matters. Writing a strong concluding sentence can be difficult, but a clear structure and several operating strategies give you room to work.

Contemplate the type and audience of your essay before ending it. A conclusion is your final opportunity to impress readers and give them something to think about, so summarise statements and answer any “So what?” questions the audience may have after reading your paper.

The introduction usually transports the reader into your arena of argument from their daily lives. However, the conclusion must assist readers in returning to their daily lives.

By following this helpful guide, you can be confident that you understand how to write an effective conclusion that provides readers with a solution, a call to action, or a powerful insight for further research.