When you finish writing a paper, the last thing you want to do is write the conclusion. Most students, especially those still new to academic writing, often have a hard time writing a conclusion.
Writing an impressive and effective conclusion is just as important as the introduction because it bridges the gap between the introduction and body paragraphs.
What is a conclusion?
A conclusion is the final part of your essay or speech that wraps up your argument. A conclusion is short and to the point and helps you summarize the main points you’ve made. Sometimes, a conclusion can also highlight an alternative point of view.
When to use a conclusion
Conclusions are used anytime you write an essay, report, or article that proposes or explores an idea, issue, or event.
A conclusion addresses the “so what” by clarifying the point of an essay and offering the reader a solution, maybe a question, or insight into the subject matter that reiterates why they should care.
How to write a conclusion
An excellent conclusion is created by following these steps:
- Restating the thesis statement
- Summarizing the body paragraphs
- Making a connection between the thesis and the whole paper
- Offering alternative viewpoint
Restate the thesis statement
A thesis is a statement of the main idea of your essay or paper. It’s a sentence that states your position on the subject. If you’re unsure what your thesis statement is, ask yourself, “What am I trying to say?” This will help you focus on how you will get from point A to point B in your paper.
Summarize the body paragraphs
Your conclusion should not simply repeat what you’ve written in the body paragraphs. Instead, summarize each point so readers can see how the individual ideas fit together into a cohesive argument. This will help them understand how they relate to one another and why they are important.
Make a connection between the thesis and the whole paper
A strong conclusion will connect the dots between the thesis statement, evidence, and opposing viewpoint. It helps you provide insight into the topic by providing a solution or opportunity for compromise.
What to include in a conclusion
- Reiterate and summarize your main ideas.
- Make sure you end the essay on a positive note.
- Ensure the reader has a sense of closure.
- State your main ideas and the subject matter.
You might also like: How to write an Introduction that guarantees an A+
Sample essays Conclusions
With sufficient political will, the crisis in affordable housing could be solved in a matter of years, not a century. The only question is whether we can muster that ambition and public spirit to address it.
Abortion itself is absolutely about a woman’s right to choose. While it is not the only way to deal with an unexpected pregnancy, it does have to remain one of the options aside from adoption and keeping the baby. Making abortion illegal doesn’t stop it, but it does make it less safe and less accessible to those who need it most.
It’s no surprise that getting a college education is more complex and expensive than ever. It costs a family tens of thousands to send their children through college, and it often doesn’t pay off for years. There should be some changes to the way in which education is funded. One solution would be to scrape off all these types of loans from the government to avoid burdening young people who are already struggling to get their first job straight out of college.
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