Writing Effective Conclusions

Writing a conclusion

Just as there is no formula for an introduction, there is none for a conclusion either. What form a conclusion will take entirely depends on what precedes it. There are some rules of thumb to keep in mind though:

• Don't depend on your conclusion to sum up the body paragraphs. Your paragraphs should flow naturally into one another and connections should be made among them. Summary can be an important function of conclusions but keep this part brief; readers know what they've just read.
• Don't simply regurgitate your introduction. Try to talk about your topic in a new way now that you've presented all that you have about it.
• Point out the importance or the implications of what you've just said on an area of societal concern. Again, this is the so what? factor stated perhaps a bit more dramatically.
• For analytical papers in particular, you could mention the lack of conclusion in the field. This demonstrates that you understand the complexity of the subject matter.
• Perhaps propose what you feel is a natural next step to take in light of what your argument is attempting to convince people of.
• Don't end your conclusion with a quotation or with a statement that could very well be the subject of another paper. The former deflects attention away from you as writer and thinker; the latter deflects attention from what you're saying in your paper.

Here are some additional thoughts on final words: 

Strategies for Writing a Conclusion from LEO

Essay Conclusions from the UVic Writer's Guide

How to Begin to Write: Organization, Introductions, Conclusions from Roane State Community College OWL

Introductions and Conclusions from Cleveland State University Writing Center, plus some Sample Conclusions

Writing Conclusions

• The writer restates the main points of the essay.
• This strategy is effective for long essays dealing in unfamiliar concepts.
• This method can seem dull in short essays.

• The writer demonstrates how the topic has broad significance.
• This strategy reveals the importance of the issue discussed.
• Analogy might be a useful tool in this kind of conclusion.
• The topic at hand might be tied to a larger philosophic question, political issue, or view of the human condition.
• The writer must be careful to make the connection to the original thesis clear.

• The writer asks readers to do something with a call to action.
• This strategy is often used in analyses and arguments.
• A similar approach is the "call for further study" approach.

• The writer uses a scene or brief story to subtly demonstrate the topic’s significance.
• This approach establishes an emotional connection with the reader.
• The technique can be as effective in argument as in expressive or open form writing.

• The writer returns to the essay’s lead or hook device.
• If a scene or example grabs the reader’s attention in the beginning, the writer takes the scenario a step further in the conclusion.
• This technique unifies the essay--it can seem very polished.

• The writer takes an exploratory approach, opening with a question or problem.
• The essay deals with a variety of proposals and solutions.
• In the conclusion, the writer states the thesis as a discovery.
• This approach can be effective for controversial issues because all sides can be examined.
• Check with your professor to make sure that this type of conclusion is appropriate for your assignment.