Learn How to Write a Conclusion in Simple Steps

What is the Conclusion of an Essay?

The conclusion is the last paragraph of your essay that aims to provide a sense of closure. All the ideas and arguments come together in a conclusion, reinforcing the essay's main points.

Moreover, a conclusion isn't just about summing things up. The conclusion should also connect the essay to the general context and offer suggestions, implications, or insights related to the topic.  

Essentially, it is the final opportunity to make an impact and ensure that your message resonates with your audience.

How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph?

Now that you know what a conclusion aims to achieve, let’s move on to the step-by-step guide on how to start a conclusion. These steps can be applied to most types of essays, as the conclusion is an essential component in all essay types.

Here are the six steps you should follow to write powerful conclusions:

Step 1: Review and Summarize Your Main Points

Begin by revisiting the main points and arguments you've presented in your essay and provide a concise summary. This would give your reader a quick recap of the essay's key takeaways.

Step 2: Synthesize Your Arguments 

Synthesize and analyze the key arguments and ideas you've put forth in your essay. Write about how they relate to each other and what point they prove and demonstrate.

Step 3: Connect to Your Thesis Statement

Connect your conclusion back to the central idea of your essay by restating your thesis statement. Highlight how your essay's content has proven or supported your thesis.

Step 4: Reflect on the Essay’s Purpose & Significance

Discuss the broader implications of your arguments. In this part of the conclusion, you can answer questions like: 

• Why should the reader care about it? 
• How does it relate to the larger context or real world?
• What are its implications for the reader?

Step 5: Craft a Memorable Closing Statement 

End the conclusion with a memorable closing statement that leaves a lasting impression. So how to write a conclusion sentence? Your concluding statement can be anything impactful, including:

• A thought-provoking question
• A call to action
• A powerful quote
• A final insight that resonates with your readers.

Remember that your closing statement should align with the overall tone and purpose of your essay or writing. It should leave a strong, positive, and memorable impression, encouraging further contemplation or action on the topic.

Step 6: Proofread and Revise

Finally, carefully proofread and revise it for clarity, coherence, and grammatical errors. This step is necessary and essential for crafting a well-polished conclusion that leaves a positive impression.

Here’s an essay conclusion example that is written following the above steps:

Conclusion Paragraph Outline

An effective conclusion paragraph is made up of several parts that tie together to present a closure. Here is the structure of a conclusion:

Writing Conclusions for Different Types of Papers

Different types of papers require different styles of conclusions. Each type of academic or project-based writing has unique goals and audiences, so it's essential to write your conclusion to fit the specific context.

Here’s how to write conclusions for each type of writing:

How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

When writing a conclusion for a research paper, it is crucial to summarize your key findings and discuss their implications. This reinforces the significance of your research and suggests areas for further study. Here's how to approach it:

• Summarize Key Findings: Briefly restate the most important results of your research.
  
• Discuss Implications: Explain the significance of these findings and their impact on the field.
  
• Suggest Future Research: Identify areas that require further investigation.

Example:

How to Write a Conclusion for a Project

For a project, the conclusion should recap the project's objectives and outcomes. Additionally, it should discuss the project's impact and suggest potential future directions. Here’s how to structure your project conclusion:

• Recap Objectives: Restate the main goals of the project.
  
• Summarize Outcomes: Highlight the key achievements and findings.
  
• Discuss Impact: Explain the significance of the project’s outcomes.
  
• Suggest Future Directions: Propose potential next steps or improvements.

Example:

How to Write a Conclusion for a Lab Report

In a lab report, the conclusion should summarize the experiment's results, discuss their implications, and address any errors or areas for improvement. To effectively conclude your lab report, consider the following steps:

• Summarize Results: Briefly restate the main findings of the experiment.
  
• Discuss Implications: Explain what the results mean and their significance.
  
• Address Errors: Mention any errors or anomalies encountered.
  
• Suggest Improvements: Propose ways to improve the experiment in the future.

Example:

How to Write a Conclusion for a Dissertation

A dissertation conclusion should summarize the research contributions, discuss broader implications, and suggest areas for future research. It should highlight the significance of your work and its impact on the field. Follow these steps to craft an effective dissertation conclusion:

• Summarize Research Contributions: Recap the main findings and their contributions to the field.
  
• Discuss Broader Implications: Explain the broader impact and significance of your research.
  
• Suggest Future Research: Identify areas that require further investigation.

Example:

How to Write a Conclusion for an Argumentative Essay

In an argumentative essay, the conclusion should restate the main argument and summarize the supporting points. It should also reinforce the importance of your stance and leave a lasting impression on the reader. Here’s how to write a conclusion paragraph for an argumentative essay:

• Restate the Argument: Begin by restating your thesis in a new way.
  
• Summarize Supporting Points: Briefly recap the main points that support your argument.
  
• Reinforce Significance: Emphasize the importance of your argument and its broader implications.

Example:

Tips for Writing an Effective Conclusion

To write a perfect ending, there are some tips you should keep in mind. Following the tips below can help make your conclusions engaging and impactful. 

• Start with a Signpost: Use transition words to signal that you're concluding your essay. You can use transitional phrases like these: 

• In conclusion 
• To sum up 
• In summary 
• To conclude
• To wrap up

• Emphasize Key Takeaways: Highlight the most important aspects of your work. Remind your readers of the key takeaways or arguments you've presented throughout your writing.
• Keep It Concise: Your conclusion should be to the point. Focus on reiterating your main points and providing a sense of ending to the reader
• Reflect on the "So What" Factor: Address the broader implications of your work. Explain why your topic or argument matters, both in the context of your writing and in the real world.
• End with Impact: Craft a closing statement that resonates with your readers. It should be a relevant and powerful statement that leaves a lasting impression.

Things to Avoid in a Conclusion

It's important to avoid some common pitfalls that can undermine the impact of your final words. Here are some things to avoid in a conclusion:

• Avoid Introducing New Information: Avoid introducing new ideas, arguments, or evidence in the conclusion. Focus on summarizing and reinforcing what you've already discussed in the body paragraphs of the essay.
• Avoid Repetition without Clarity: Repetition of the same points without adding new insight can make your conclusion feel redundant and uninspiring. Reiterate your main points, but do so with a fresh perspective.
• Don’t Go Off-Topic: Stay on-topic in your conclusion. Avoid introducing unrelated or tangential issues that distract from your main message. Don't include unnecessary details or information that doesn't contribute to your overall message or purpose. Keep your conclusion focused and concise.

Here is an example of a bad conclusion that illustrates what your conclusion could look like if you don’t avoid these common essay writing problems:

This conclusion is bad because:

• It does not restate the main argument or thesis statement of the essay.
• It does not summarize the main points or evidence that support the thesis statement.
• It introduces a new, irrelevant topic in the conclusion.

Here’s an improved version of this conclusion paragraph:

?This revised conclusion stays focused on the essay's topic, effectively summarizes key points, and provides a clear and relevant closing thought.

To Conclude,

A well-crafted conclusion successfully leaves an impression on your readers. It reconnects them with your thesis, underscores the significance of your work, and concludes with a memorable statement. 

Remember that the conclusion is your last opportunity to resonate with your audience. So, whenever you're composing an essay, give your conclusions the attention they deserve and watch your paper stand out. 

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