Writing a Conclusion

Note: Always read your assignments carefully and defer to your instructors’ guidelines. A printable version of this information is available here.

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A conclusion is that part of a paper that ties together your thesis with all supporting points and brings your paper to a close. It helps you reiterate your purpose, whether that purpose is to call readers to action, to revisit an argument, or to leave the reader with important points to ponder. 

What is the importance of a conclusion?

A conclusion addresses the main points and helps readers see the connections between them. It also leads readers to consider new perspectives on the topic. Perhaps most importantly, a conclusion enables you to anticipate your readers’ expectations and respond to them. 

How do you brainstorm ideas for the conclusion?

When you are done drafting the introduction and body paragraphs, write a one- or two-sentence summary of each paragraph. Also, write down what you would like your readers to get out of your essay. What are your ideas contributing to the topic? Why is your text significant? 

Once you have this raw material, decide how to draft a conclusion that will be most beneficial for your readers. 

What goes in a conclusion?

Conclusions vary in length and content, so you may have some flexibility as to what to include. If provided with instructions, follow your professor’s guidelines on what to include. Otherwise, put yourself in your reader’s shoes to decide what information to include and which points you need to restate. 

A conclusion often 1) restates the thesis statement, 2) provides a brief summary of your essay’s main points, and 3) reminds readers of the paper’s significance. 

Conclusion: 

The conclusion is important because it reminds readers of the content of your paper while also providing them with important points to ponder. It can also provide a space where you offer a reflection on the topic. Most of all, remember that what you decide to include may depend on your readers’ expectations and your overarching purpose.