How to Write a Conclusion Like a Pro

A conclusion paragraph is the summarizing part of a paper and highlights the key concepts that were discussed in the body of the text. Additionally, it is the last opportunity to convince the reader of the significance of the issue that has been researched. In some cases, this part can include the thesis statement again or provide further insight about other aspects of the topic that could be researched further.

How to Write a Good Conclusion

When writing a paper on any topic, the author should focus on the perception that a reader will gain after reading their article or essay. This consideration presents the need to develop ideas in a clear and structured manner to ensure that others can understand the point of view that is being discussed. This is true not only in the concluding part of an essay but in the full body of the text as well. A clear conclusion is important because it provides an opportunity to fully understanding all key aspects that the paper has covered. Thus, the main body of the text may present arguments, facts, and different opinions on a topic, while the conclusion provides a summary of these points. It can also help remind the reader of components that were discussed in the paper. Thus, the necessity of a proper concluding paragraph can be summed up as follows:

How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph

Consider what to include in the conclusion

A conclusion should have a general theme or an opinion that the author of the paper is trying to explain to a reader

For instance, in an essay on the importance of student research for the development of analytical skills, the final paragraph can summarize which capabilities are developed through a thorough examination of the topic. Thus, the essay conclusion could include the following sentence.

In this case, the sentence would be connected to the thesis statement which may sound as: “student research affects the analytical abilities of individuals in a positive manner.” There is no need to discuss other aspects of student life and the different skills that can be learned in college within the concluding paragraph as it may confuse the reader.

Topic sentences of each paragraph can be used as a guide for concluding a paper

This is especially helpful for lengthy essays that have a complex structure because it may be difficult to highlight the essential aspects that should be included in the conclusion. Looking through topic sentences from each paragraph can serve as a reminder of the particular arguments and viewpoints that were discussed. Due to the fact that the conclusion serves the purpose of summing up the paper, these sentences can be restated in it with additional information to support the claims.

The author should explain the significance of the research

In some cases, the reader may not understand the purpose of the work being presented. A concluding paragraph can help avoid confusion and explain the importance of the paper. This can be done by expanding on the literature gap that existed prior to the article in question, or by presenting possible topics for further research. Additionally, it is possible to address the issue by stating that the essay offers a valuable input into the existing knowledge and explaining the objective for the claim. In this way, the reader is more likely to remember the discussion and its individual components regarding the particular topic written about in the essay.

New ideas should not be presented in this paragraph

While it is acceptable to expand on areas of possible future research to help readers understand other issues within the topic, it is unnecessary to write about aspects that were not included in the main body. The concluding paragraph’s significance is because it presents the context of the whole work. As such, the purpose of this section is to present a way to understand the main ideas by reading a concise version of the paper.

The introduction can serve as a guide for the conclusion

The introduction to a paper should provide an insight into what to expect from the text. Rereading it and remembering individual aspects used to engage the reader can highlight the factors that should be included in the concluding paragraph. Examples include a thesis statement or important statistics that illustrate the significance of the issue. It is helpful to imagine that a prospective reader does not have time to go through the entire text; however, he or she wants to understand the general theme of the paper by looking through a few sections. Thus, a student should focus on the main ideas that he or she wants to convey to ensure that a person reading the text would understand them.

Key details are essential

This component is necessary because the conclusion is the last chance to impress a reader and convince them that the viewpoint of the author is relevant. Excessive details and overly long explanations can negatively affect this impression. It is better to write a concise, well-structured conclusion then restate every aspect and feature that was covered in the body of the paper.

Concluding paragraphs should not be longer than ten percent of the paper

This is especially crucial for shorter essays because the conclusion does not provide any new information. Therefore, writing a 600 words paper on the topic of student research with a 300 words conclusion would limit the number of thoughts that can be discussed and would lead to an unnecessary restatement of thoughts.

Structure the conclusion similarly to the introduction

This is necessary because a conclusion should provide the general picture of the essay. Therefore, similar to the introduction, where an overview of the topic is presented, the conclusion can reference the new details that were discussed in the body of the paper. Additionally, an opening paragraph can provide insight as to what the reader can expect from the article and, therefore, can be used as a guide for writing the conclusion.

Summary

Overall, a functional structure of an essay implies the need for a proper introduction and conclusion. The latter component can help restate the arguments, explain the significance of the research, and provide insight into further studies on the topic. This guide has explained the importance of a good concluding paragraph and provided some ideas to help with writing the section successfully. In general, it is vital to ensure that the conclusion is succinct and includes a general theme that reflects the key ideas of the paper.