The conclusion of an essay is the last chance a writer has to leave an impression on a reader. As such, it is important to communicate clearly and speak to all of the points you have made in your paper when writing a concluding paragraph. The purpose of the conclusion, however, is not only to address the main points of the essay, but to show how the main points all fit together. This can be effectively achieved with a thoughtful combination of summary and commentary.
Introduce the conclusion with a transition signal such as "in conclusion," "in summary," "in brief," "in short" or "indeed." This indicates to the reader that they have reached the concluding remarks, putting him or her in the appropriate mindset to contemplate the implications of your essay.
Summarize the main points of the essay. This can be done by restating the thesis statement in different words or by addressing each idea individually. Be sure to include all of the major ideas presented in the body of the paper in your conclusion.
Synthesize the summarized ideas of your essay. Rather than presenting your conclusion as a point by point restatement, use your summary as a tool to show the reader how all of your ideas fit together.
Make your final comment on the subject. This should be a thought-provoking statement, question or recommendation, based on the information you have provided. While your final commentary should be directly related to the topic your paper addresses, you may connect it to broader ideas or aspects of everyday life that are beyond the scope of the essay itself.
- Do not present any new information or raise any new points in the conclusion. Remember, the purpose of the concluding paragraph is to reinforce the introduction and body of the essay by summarizing the points you have already made.
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