Introduction
The conclusion of an essay is the final opportunity for the writer to leave a lasting impression on the reader. It is where the writer summarizes the main points and arguments presented in the essay, reaffirms the thesis statement, and provides closure to the reader. Crafting an essay conclusion that is effective is crucial for reinforcing the significance of the essay’s message and leaving the reader with a sense of completion and satisfaction. In this essay, we will explore several strategies for concluding an essay effectively, including summarizing key points, restating the thesis statement, offering insights or recommendations, and leaving the reader with a thought-provoking question or call to action.
Restating the Thesis Statement
The conclusion should restate the thesis statement in a slightly different way. The thesis statement is the central argument or main idea of the essay, and restating it in the conclusion helps to reinforce its importance and relevance. However, it is important to avoid simply repeating the thesis statement verbatim; instead, rephrase it in a way that adds depth or insight to the overall message of the essay.
Summarizing Key Points
One effective strategy for concluding an essay is to summarize the key points and arguments presented in the body paragraphs. The conclusion should provide a brief recap of the main ideas discussed in the essay, highlighting the most important findings or insights. This helps to reinforce the significance of the essay’s message and reminds the reader of the key takeaways.
Offering Insights or Recommendations
Another effective strategy for concluding an essay is to offer insights or recommendations based on the arguments presented in the body paragraphs. This could involve drawing conclusions from the evidence presented, making predictions about future developments or trends, or offering recommendations for further research or action. By offering insights or recommendations, the writer demonstrates the broader implications of the essay’s findings and leaves the reader with something to think about.
Leaving the Reader with a Thought-Provoking Question or Call to Action
Finally, the conclusion should leave the reader with a thought-provoking question or call to action that encourages further reflection or engagement with the topic. This could involve posing a question that challenges the reader’s assumptions or encourages them to consider alternative perspectives, or it could involve urging the reader to take action based on the essay’s message. By leaving the reader with a question or call to action, the writer invites them to continue thinking about the essay’s themes and ideas even after they have finished reading.
Example Conclusion
In conclusion, wrapping up an essay effectively requires careful consideration of the strategies outlined above. By summarizing key points, restating the thesis statement, offering insights or recommendations, and leaving the reader with a thought-provoking question or call to action, the writer can create a conclusion that reinforces the significance of the essay’s message and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Ultimately, the conclusion should provide closure to the essay while also inviting further reflection and engagement with the topic.
What You Should Not Include in an Essay Conclusion
While the conclusion of an essay is an important opportunity to reinforce key points and leave a lasting impression on the reader, there are certain elements that should be avoided to ensure the conclusion remains effective and impactful. In this essay, we will discuss what you should not include in a conclusion, including:
- New Information: The conclusion is not the place to introduce new information or ideas that have not been previously discussed in the body paragraphs. Adding new information in the conclusion can confuse the reader and disrupt the flow of the essay. Instead, focus on summarizing the main points and arguments presented in the essay.
- Repetition: While it is important to restate the thesis statement and summarize key points in the conclusion, avoid simply repeating verbatim what has already been said in the body paragraphs. Repetition can make the conclusion feel redundant and uninspired. Instead, strive to rephrase key ideas in a fresh and engaging way.
- Apologies or Excuses: The conclusion is not the place to make apologies or excuses for any shortcomings in the essay. If there are limitations or weaknesses in the argument presented, acknowledge them briefly in the body paragraphs and focus on providing evidence and analysis to support your main points. Making apologies or excuses in the conclusion can undermine the credibility of the essay and detract from its overall effectiveness.
- Personal Opinions: While the conclusion is an opportunity for the writer to offer insights or recommendations based on the arguments presented in the essay, it is not the place to insert personal opinions or biases that are not supported by evidence. Stick to presenting well-reasoned arguments and drawing conclusions based on the evidence presented in the essay.
- New Questions: Similar to avoiding new information, the conclusion should not introduce new questions or topics that have not been addressed in the body paragraphs. Introducing new questions in the conclusion can leave the reader feeling unsatisfied and confused, as they may expect answers that are not provided. Instead, focus on tying up loose ends and providing closure to the essay.
The conclusion of an essay should serve as a final opportunity to reinforce key points, restate the thesis statement, and leave a lasting impression on the reader. By avoiding the inclusion of new information, repetition, apologies or excuses, personal opinions, and new questions, you can ensure that your conclusion remains effective and impactful. For expert assistance in crafting a powerful essay conclusion, reach out to us today.
FAQs
1. What are the main goals of a good conclusion?
A strong conclusion should serve several purposes:
- Summarize key points: Briefly remind the reader of the essay’s main ideas and key arguments.
- Leave a lasting impression: Offer a final thought, insight, or call to action that resonates with the reader and reinforces your essay’s significance.
- Tie back to the introduction: Create a sense of closure by subtly referencing the hook or an element from the introduction, showing how your argument has come full circle.
2. What are some common mistakes to avoid in conclusions?
- Introducing new information: Avoid bringing up new arguments or evidence that should have been included in the body paragraphs.
- Restating the thesis verbatim: Don’t simply repeat the thesis statement word for word. Instead, rephrase it or use a variation that emphasizes your key points.
- Ending abruptly: Provide a smooth and satisfying closure that leaves the reader feeling complete.
- Using weak closing sentences: Avoid cliches or generic statements that don’t offer a strong final takeaway.
3. What are some effective strategies for writing a strong conclusion?
- Circle back to the hook: Briefly revisit the opening element and connect it back to your conclusion, demonstrating the journey you’ve taken in your essay.
- Offer a final thought: Pose a thought-provoking question, share a relevant quote, or provide a final insight that leaves the reader with something to ponder.
- Call to action: Depending on your topic and purpose, you can encourage the reader to take action, consider a different perspective, or engage further with the topic.
- End on a strong note: Aim for a concluding sentence that is concise, impactful, and memorable.
4. How long should a conclusion be?
Similar to introductions, conclusions typically comprise 5-10% of the overall word count. For a 500-word essay, your conclusion might be around 25-50 words. Remember, the focus is on quality over quantity; strive for a concise and impactful conclusion that effectively wraps up your essay.
5. Are there any additional resources available to learn more about writing good conclusions?
Many online resources offer guidance on crafting strong essay conclusions. You can search for “[how to write an essay conclusion]” or “[tips for writing essay conclusions]” to find articles, videos, and other helpful resources.