The conclusion of an essay has three major parts:
- Answer: the thesis statement, revisited
- Summary: main points and highlights from the body paragraphs
- Significance: the relevance and implications of the essay's findings
No new information that is relevant to the focus of the essay should be introduced here. If you wish to make a new point, it should be in a body paragraph.
Answer
As in the introduction, it is essential to revisit your thesis statement in the conclusion. Again, do not simply repeat it word for word. Keep the essential keywords, and rearrange it. (For strategies on rewording, the principles of paraphrasing can help.)
Often the thesis statement is revisited near the beginning of the conclusion. The rest of the conclusion expands out, giving the reader an idea of the relevance and implications of your answer:
As with the introduction, this order of elements is not set in stone. Adapt the order to suit the needs of each particular essay.
Summary
The conclusion is the final place to show the connections between all the points made in your essay. Take the most important, relevant, and useful main points from your body paragraphs and summarise them here. Use the same keywords and ideas as the body paragraphs, but don't just repeat the same sentences.
Significance
Essays are often described as an attempt to “sell” your perspective on an issue. A good essay convinces the reader of the correctness of your argument. An excellent essay goes a step further: it demonstrates to the reader why the argument is especially important or relevant for the topic.
There are several general statements that you can make in the conclusion to take it beyond merely summarising the essay. What are the implications of this argument? Why is it important? What issues does it raise?
Not every essay can end on this note. Shorter essays (those below 1200 words) do not have enough space available to describe the significance in detail. However, if you are looking for a dynamic way to end your essay a broader statement on the big picture can be highly effective.
Example conclusions
The following example conclusion contains all three components:
- the answer (first sentence, in italics)
- a summary of the main points
- a final note on the significance (final sentence, in italics)
Above all, teachers need to inform themselves and the rest of the school community so that together they can develop a policy to discourage bullying. By educating themselves about bullying, teachers and parents have the knowledge to set up effective programmes and structures both within the classroom and for the whole school. Furthermore, by removing the opportunity for children to bully, providing children with a stimulating environment, and giving them the tools to deal with conflict appropriately, teachers can reduce children's inclination to bully. Although bullying will never be fully eradicated and must be dealt with as soon as it occurs, increasing awareness of the problem is making schools a safer and more enjoyable environment in which children can learn.
For further examples, see sample essay 1 and sample essay 2.
Page authorised by Director - Centre for Learner Success
Last updated on 25 October, 2012
FAQs
A conclusion should always:
Highlight the key argument presented in the essay. Summarise the answer to the essay question, as signalled in the introduction. Refer back to the essay question to show that it has been answered.
How to write a conclusion for an essay in NZ? ›
The conclusion paragraph is your last chance to impress your reader. You can either: Start your conclusion with a phrase such as “In conclusion” or “To sum up” as this will indicate to your reader that you are finishing your essay. Immediately begin with a summary of the main points, and then write an end statement.
What question is answered in the conclusion of an essay? ›
As you write your conclusion, think about these questions: So what? Why have you made this argument? Why should your readers agree with what you've said and the way you've said it? Why does what you've written about matter?
What would be a good conclusion for an essay? ›
A good conclusion should do a few things: Restate your thesis. Synthesize or summarize your major points. Make the context of your argument clear.
What is an example of a conclusion? ›
Here is an example of an effective conclusion paragraph:"Though there has been much debate on the subject, it is clear that democratic leadership is the best form of management for the modern workplace.
How to start an essay conclusion? ›
To begin your conclusion, signal that the essay is coming to an end by returning to your overall argument. Don't just repeat your thesis statement—instead, try to rephrase your argument in a way that shows how it has been developed since the introduction.
How long should an essay conclusion be? ›
You want something that isn't too long or too short. A solid conclusion paragraph is typically 3-5 sentences. This should give you enough time to succinctly review your main themes and major concepts while not being too brief. Your conclusion is the last thing your reader will remember about your essay.
How can I write an effective conclusion? ›
What should a conclusion do? Provide a general summary of the essay's main points. Synthesize the essay's main points, showing how they are all related to one another, and how, together, they support the essay's thesis.
How to answer "so what" in conclusion? ›
Highlight the “so what”
In your conclusion, you can bring readers back to those stakes by reminding them why your argument is important in the first place. You can also draft a few sentences that put those stakes into a new or broader context.
What should be the last sentence in an essay conclusion? ›
A concluding sentence can restate the topic sentence or recap the main points. A good concluding sentence should not introduce any new topics.
In Conclusion Synonyms: To sum up, In summary, To conclude, Ultimately, All things considered...
What is an example of a conclusion in a college essay? ›
Avoid saying “to conclude,” “to summarize,” or “finally.” Your essay should end on a high note, like the ending of a movie. Think of moving sentences such as “I never saw it coming,” “I'll always remember what happened,” or “I've learned so much since then.”
How to end an essay conclusion example? ›
Conclude by setting your discussion into a different, perhaps larger, context. For example, you might end an essay on nineteenth-century muckraking journalism by linking it to a current news magazine program like 60 Minutes. Conclude by redefining one of the key terms of your argument.
What is a conclusion example sentence? ›
Examples of conclusion in a Sentence
The evidence does not support the report's conclusions. The evidence points to the inescapable conclusion that she was negligent. The logical conclusion is that she was negligent. What led you to that conclusion?
What is the conclusion of the plot? ›
Finally, the resolution of a plot is the last element to take place. The resolution is the conclusion of the story, which can be happy, tragic, or open for interpretation. Regardless, a well-written conclusion will make it clear that the story has come to an end.
How do you write a conclusion for a political science project? ›
Summarize your thoughts effectively in a political science research paper in the conclusion section and all readers will not only know where you stand but also why you stand there. A good conclusion will tie everything in the paper together and make an educated statement about some facet of political science.
How do you write a conclusion in MLA format? ›
The last paragraph of the essay is your conclusion. Using different words, reaffirm the argument within the proof you used, and close with a conclusion strategy based on the tone and purpose of the essay. Do not introduce new information in the conclusion though you might bring in a relevant quote or example.
