What is a Conclusion in Writing?
A conclusion is the final part of your writing where you wrap up your ideas and leave your readers with something to think about. It’s your chance to summarize your main points and reinforce your message.
Importance of a Strong Conclusion
A strong conclusion can make a big difference in how your writing is received. Here’s why it matters:
- Leaves a Lasting Impression: It’s your last chance to make an impact on your readers.
- Summarizes Key Points: It helps readers remember the main ideas from your work.
- Encourages Further Thought: A good conclusion can inspire readers to think more deeply about the topic.
Steps to Write a Conclusion
Writing a conclusion can be straightforward if you follow these simple steps. Let’s dive into the 5 steps of conclusion writing!
Step 1. Restate Your Thesis
So how to start a conclusion?
Begin by restating your thesis statement, which is the main idea of your work. This is important because it reminds your readers of what your paper focuses on. You can place your thesis anywhere in the conclusion—at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end.
Tips for Rephrasing Your Thesis:
- Express it Differently: Use synonyms or restructure your sentence. For example, instead of “Exercise improves mental health,” say, “Regular physical activity boosts emotional well-being.”
- Remind the Reader: Reinforce the key points you've made. For instance, “As we’ve discussed, regular exercise reduces stress, improves mood, and sharpens cognitive function.”
- Reflect Your Relationship: Connect with your audience. For example, “For anyone looking to improve their daily well-being, incorporating exercise is a simple and effective solution.”
- Avoid Repetition: Don’t repeat your thesis word for word; create a new, standalone sentence.
Step 2. Summarize Key Points
Next, summarize the key points or arguments made in your writing. This step not only reinforces your main ideas but also helps readers recall the essential aspects of your work.
Instead of just listing your major points, aim for a synthesis that connects them. Here’s how:
- List Major Arguments: Identify the main arguments that support your thesis. These often align with the topic sentences of your paragraphs.
- Explain Connections: Highlight how these points relate to one another. For example, you could say, “Regular exercise not only reduces stress but also boosts mood and cognitive function, creating a holistic approach to improving mental health.”
Step 3. Answer the “So What?” Question
After summarizing, it’s time to address the “So what?” question. This step is important because it adds depth to your conclusion and highlights the significance of your topic.
Think about the broader implications of your findings. Why should your readers care about this topic? Ask yourself, how does my topic connect to larger issues or real-life situations?
For Example: “Recognizing the mental health benefits of exercise is vital, especially in a world where stress and anxiety are prevalent.”
Step 4. Add a Thought-Provoking Insight
Include a final thought, quote, or question that encourages readers to reflect on your topic. This can leave them curious or motivated to explore further.
Consider incorporating a relevant quote from a well-known figure or an interesting statistic that relates to your subject. This can provide additional context or depth. When adding such insights ask yourself;
What insight can I offer that will inspire my readers to think differently or take action?
For Example: “As psychologist John Ratey says, ‘Exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory, and learning.’”
Step 5. End with a Strong Closing Sentence
Finish your conclusion with a strong closing sentence that ties everything together. This is often referred to as your clincher. It should resonate with your readers and reinforce the message you want to leave them with.
Aim for a sentence that is clear and impactful, perhaps even evoking emotion or a call to action. Think; what is the one thing I want my readers to remember after reading my work?
For Example: “Ultimately, prioritizing physical activity is not just about fitness; it’s about nurturing our minds and embracing a happier, healthier life.”
How to Write a Conclusion for Different Types of Writing
Now that we’ve covered the basics of writing a conclusion, let’s explore how to draft effective conclusions for various types of writing. Each type has its own unique requirements, so knowing what works best can make a big difference.
Writing Conclusions for Essays
When writing a conclusion for an essay (including different types of essays), your goal is to wrap up your argument while leaving a lasting impression. Here are some specific strategies:
- Restate Your Thesis: Begin by rephrasing your main argument in a fresh way.
- Summarize Key Points: Highlight the critical arguments you've made without going into too much detail.
- End with a Strong Statement: Leave your readers with something to think about, creating a memorable closing line.
Example: |
Writing Conclusions for Reports
Writing a conclusion for a report requires a slightly different approach. Here’s how to do it:
- Summarize Findings: Clearly recap the main findings of your report.
- Include Recommendations: Offer actionable suggestions based on your findings.
- Conclude with the Significance: End with a statement that emphasizes the importance of your findings.
Example: |
Writing Conclusions for Research Papers
A strong conclusion in a research paper ties together your findings and highlights their significance. A research paper conclusion should summarize your research and its implications, providing readers with a clear understanding of the overall impact of your study.
- Restate Key Findings: Briefly recap the essential findings of your research.
- Discuss Implications: Explain what your findings mean for the field.
- Suggest Further Research: Conclude by suggesting areas for future study.
Example: |
Writing Conclusions for Projects
For projects, conclusions should reflect the specific nature of the work you’ve done:
- Summarize Objectives: Restate the main objectives of your project.
- Highlight Achievements: Discuss what you achieved and any unexpected outcomes.
- Call for Action: Encourage the reader to act on your findings.
Example: |
Writing Conclusions in Science
Scientific conclusions require a specific approach. Here’s how to write one effectively:
- Summarize Results: Clearly state your findings.
- Discuss Relevance: Explain why your findings matter in the scientific context.
- Future Research Directions: Suggest what could be studied next.
Example: |
Conclusion Writing Techniques
When you write a conclusion, using certain techniques can help make it more powerful and memorable. Here’s a table summarizing the conclusion writing techniques:
Technique | Description | Example |
Thematic Tie-Back | Connects the conclusion back to the main theme of the writing, reinforcing the main message. | “As we’ve seen, embracing a lifestyle that prioritizes exercise not only benefits our bodies but also significantly enhances our mental health.” |
Call to Action | Encourages readers to take specific steps based on the content they’ve just read. | “So why not start your journey today? Incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your daily routine and experience the positive changes for yourself.” |
Future Directions | Suggests areas for further exploration or research, inviting readers to think beyond the writing. | “Future research should examine how various forms of exercise, such as yoga or team sports, can uniquely impact mental health across different age groups.” |
Conclusion Examples
Now that we've covered techniques for crafting conclusions, let's look at some conclusion samples to see how these methods come to life in various types of writing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Conclusions
As you write your conclusion, it's important to steer clear of common mistakes that can weaken your closing statement.
- Skip phrases like “in conclusion” as they are unnecessary and redundant.
- Don’t introduce new information or arguments that weren't discussed earlier.
- Avoid summarizing the same points repeatedly without adding value.
- Ensure your conclusion ties back to your main idea without drifting off-topic.
- Keep the tone consistent and avoid ending abruptly.
To wrap it up,
We’ve covered everything you need to know about writing strong conclusions—whether for essays, reports, or research papers. You’ve learned how to restate your thesis, summarize key points, and use techniques like thematic tie-backs or calls to action for a memorable ending.
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