The conclusion is one of the most important sections of an argumentative essay, as it sums up your overall argument and persuades the reader of your position. Unfortunately, many students struggle with writing effective conclusions that tie everything together in a compelling way. In this article, we’ll go over the key elements that should be included in an argumentative essay conclusion to achieve success.
First and foremost, your conclusion needs to restate your thesis statement. This lets the reader know exactly what claim or stance you took from the very beginning. Simply copying and pasting your introductory thesis is not sufficient – you need to rephrase it in new words to avoid repetition. For example, if your thesis was “Social media has had an overwhelmingly negative impact on teenage mental health and well-being”, your concluding statement could be “As demonstrated throughout this essay, the rise of social media usage among teenagers has correlated with increased rates of depression and anxiety.” Rephrasing your thesis focuses the reader on your central argument once more.
After restating your thesis, you’ll want to briefly summarize the main points or evidence that supported your position. Limit this to only the two or three strongest pieces of evidence discussed in the body paragraphs. Doing a full rehash of every detail will bore the reader. Highlighting the most powerful examples you provided reminds them of why your argument is persuasive. Be sure to use transition words like “first,” “second,” and “finally” to smoothly transition between summarizing each key piece of evidence.
Next, comment on the implications or significance of your conclusions. What does it mean if your argument is accepted as true? How might this change thinking on the issue? You can mention practical applications or consequences. For instance, if arguing for stricter gun control laws, you could say “If the evidence presented here is acknowledged, it supports a need for comprehensive background checks and an assault weapons ban to curb mass shootings and protect citizens.” Painting the broader picture engages the reader on a more meaningful level.
Finally, end by calling your audience to action or driving home the importance of accepting your argument. Some effective concluding techniques include:
Issuing a strong, definitive statement reinforcing your thesis. For example, “The data irrefutably demonstrates social media’s harmful impact on teens’ mental health and should be regulated to establish screen time limits and wellness guidelines.”
Pose a thoughtful, thought-provoking rhetorical question for the reader to consider. For instance, “With so many lives at stake, how can we as a society continue ignoring the gun violence epidemic?”
Make a bold, persuasive recommendation. Try something like “It is imperative that policymakers prioritize this public health crisis by passing legislation to reduce social media addiction among our youth before it’s too late.”
Appeal to the reader’s sense of ethics, values or compassion. For example, “As caring members of this community, we must come together to protect our most vulnerable citizens from the dangers of unrestricted firearm accessibility.”
Call for continued discussion, study or action on the issue. You could say, “While this paper has presented compelling evidence against social media’s effect on teens’ mental health, more research is still needed. It is my hope that this conversation will continue both in academia and in public discourse.”
The conclusion provides your last chance to cement your argument in the reader’s mind and inspire them to your way of thinking. Make sure to proofread your conclusion thoroughly for any logical holes, repetition of ideas or weak concluding statements. A thoughtful, persuasive conclusion is the cherry on top that leaves a lasting impression long after finishing the essay. With practice implementing these elements in your own arguments, you’ll be writing dynamic conclusions to tie up any paper on point.