concluding an essay is one of the most important parts of the writing process. A strong conclusion ties together the key points of the essay and leaves the reader with a lasting impression. Crafting an effective conclusion can be challenging. Here are some tips and strategies for writing a conclusion that wraps up your essay successfully:
Restate the thesis. One of the most fundamental techniques for concluding an essay is restating your thesis statement. This reinforces for the reader what the main argument and focus of your essay was about. You should rephrase your thesis in new and different words rather than copy it verbatim. For example, if your thesis stated “This essay will argue that social media has negatively impacted political discourse,” your conclusion might say “As demonstrated throughout this essay, the rise of social media platforms has corresponded with a decline in civil debate over important issues.”
Summarize main points. Another essential element of a conclusion is reviewing the key points and evidence that supported your thesis. Provide a high-level recap of 2-3 of the strongest examples or arguments that backed up your position. Do not simply list ideas – weave them into a few summary sentences. This reminds the reader of the overall flow and progression of your essay. For instance, you could say “Through examination of academic studies, news articles, and survey data, three clear detriments of social media on politics emerged – the proliferation of misleading information, outrage culture over nuanced debate, and superficial treatment of complex problems.”
Draw a conclusion. Now is your chance to draw an overall conclusion about the implications of the information presented. What is the bigger picture or larger takeaway? What questions does your evidence and argument raise? What impact could or should result from your findings? Try posing a thought-provoking question, making a speculation or prediction, or calling for further discussion or action. You might write “If the trends of the past decade continue unabated, fact-based, solution-oriented discussion may disappear entirely from political spheres – potentially undermining an already fragile democratic process. More research must be done to understand how social platforms can foster respectful and productive civic engagement.”
Use impactful language. Your conclusion paragraph is one lastgrab for the reader’s attention before they exit the essay. Choose forceful and memorable language to draw final emphasis to your message. Opt for concise yet compelling sentence structures and vary your syntax. Consider revisiting powerful quotes, facts, or anecdotes that stood out earlier. End on a strong verb or active phrase rather than a weak one like “in conclusion.” With effective rhetoric and style, you can prompt thought even after the essay finishes.
Avoid introducing new information. Resist the urge to bring up ideas, data points, or sources that were not discussed in earlier body paragraphs. Your conclusion should synthesize and reflect on what has already been covered rather than present anything fresh. Introducing new material confuses the reader and weakens the flow and continuity of the essay. Strictly focus your energy on wrapping up elements already part of the work.
Be concise yet complete. A conclusion paragraph need only be 3-5 sentences long. It must accomplish certain tasks – restating the thesis, reviewing key arguments and evidence, drawing implications – to fully bookend the essay. Shorten or combine sentences as needed to hit these marks concisely. But avoid being terse to the point of seeming incomplete. Strive for eloquent brevity that ties a neat bow on your paper.
Proofread diligently. Like any other portion of the essay, proofread the conclusion thoroughly for typos, logical inconsistencies, grammatical errors or stylistic issues before submission. A sloppy conclusion risks diminishing an otherwise solid work in the reader’s mind. Polish your phrasing until it represents the high quality delivered throughout the piece. Ask yourself – does this conclusion make a strong lasting impression that sticks with readers?
Following these guidelines can help any writer skillfully conclude an essay and wrap up ideas for maximum impact. A polished conclusion is the final chance to influence and resonate with your audience before they close the back cover. With practice and perseverance, concisely yet convincingly ending your essay can become second nature.