Every piece of writing, especially essays, benefits from a well-crafted conclusion. It’s not just about signaling the end of your essay. Writing a good conclusion means wrapping up your essay with a memorable, impactful statement that reinforces your main points.
Concluding an essay is a crucial part of writing. It’s your last chance to make an impression on your reader. An effective conclusion paragraph should tie your ideas together and remind readers of your main point. It’s also a good idea to try and leave them with something to think about.
Keep reading to learn how to conclude an essay for college or school, along with tips on how to structure your conclusion and what to avoid.
What Is a Conclusion?
A conclusion wraps up your essay, leaving readers with a strong final impression. It brings all your points together, reinforcing your main idea without introducing new information. Think of it as the “last word” that sums up what you’ve covered.
The purpose of a conclusion is to give readers closure. It highlights the significance of your ideas and why they matter. Knowing how to conclude the essay well can make it feel complete and polished.
A great conclusion encourages readers to remember your argument and think about it further. Whether you’re writing for class or a broader audience, a solid conclusion ensures your essay ends confidently.
How To Conclude an Essay (With Examples): 3 Easy Ways
A conclusion paragraph ties your essay together, reinforcing the main points and leaving a strong final impression. Knowing how to conclude essays can significantly improve the quality of your writing. Let’s explore three effective methods to help answer the question: how do you write a good conclusion that resonates?
1. Summarize the Thesis and Main Points
One of the main roles of a conclusion is to restate your thesis and summarize the key points from the body paragraphs. Instead of just repeating what you’ve already said, try to synthesize the main ideas. This approach reinforces your argument, reminding readers of the essay’s core message in a concise way.
Example: “In conclusion, reading offers numerous benefits, from enhancing cognitive abilities to reducing stress.”
This example works because it restates the thesis concisely, reminding the reader of the essay’s main argument. By framing the central idea in fresh language, you emphasize the argument’s importance without being repetitive.
Summarize each main point briefly to reinforce your message. For example, if discussing climate change’s impact on marine life, conclude by noting rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and acidification’s combined effects.
2. Show the Broader Implications
A well-crafted conclusion goes beyond summarizing by connecting your argument to a broader context. This means illustrating the wider significance of your findings, helping readers see why the topic matters beyond your essay.
Example: “Encouraging a culture of reading can lead to more informed, empathetic, and engaged communities.”
This example shows that reading’s benefits extend beyond individuals, hinting at a larger societal impact. Connecting an essay’s topic to a greater context emphasizes its relevance.
For instance, in an essay on social media’s impact on youth, broader implications could include effects on mental health and education. Highlighting these connections deepens relevance and encourages readers to consider real-world applications.
3. Leave a Lasting Impression
Your conclusion should leave a strong final impression. A thought-provoking statement, powerful quote, or call to action can achieve this. The goal is to inspire readers to continue reflecting on your ideas after finishing your essay. It can be useful to conclude your essay on a positive note.
Example: “By choosing renewable energy, we can protect our planet and create a sustainable future for generations to come.”
This example works well by ending on a motivational note, prompting readers to consider a positive change. For essays on social or environmental topics, a call to action effectively reinforces the main points.
A strong final impression is essential in persuasive writing. It solidifies your message and keeps your argument’s importance in readers’ minds.
How To Conclude a College Essay
To effectively conclude a college essay—or any type of essay, such as compare and contrast, argumentative, or persuasive—it’s crucial to focus on clarity and logical flow. Knowing how to write a conclusion for an essay helps you avoid simply repeating information, letting you leave a strong final impression by reinforcing the main ideas.
In essays like argumentative or persuasive, sharing your opinion can make the conclusion more impactful, as long as it aligns with your arguments.
Knowing how to write a conclusion for an essay helps you avoid merely repeating information. Instead, aim to leave a strong final impression by reinforcing your main ideas.
In certain types of essays, sharing your opinion can strengthen the conclusion if it aligns with your arguments. Maintain smooth transitions, guiding readers to understand your final thoughts clearly, down to the last sentence.
Read on for detailed tips on how to conclude a college essay or any essay.
Writing Tips for a Strong Conclusion
For a practical guide, here’s how to conclude an essay: example tips that will leave a lasting impression. Outside of just restating the thesis statement, remember to keep these tips in mind for a strong conclusion.
- Keep it concise: Use a few sentences to close your essay, focusing on the main points without introducing new ideas. Keeping it short maintains the reader’s focus and strengthens your final message.
- Use simple language: Clear, straightforward language often has the greatest impact on a conclusion. Avoid complex vocabulary or jargon that could distract from your key points.
- Avoid clichés: Common phrases like “in conclusion” or “to sum up” aren’t necessary and may dilute your writing’s strength. Instead, aim for a natural transition that draws readers smoothly into your closing thoughts.
Common Mistakes Made When Writing a Conclusion
Writing a strong essay can improve your chances of college acceptance tenfold. Avoiding common conclusion mistakes can make a difference. Here are some points to avoid when writing your next conclusion.
1. Introducing New Arguments
Your conclusion should summarize your paper, not bring in new points. Adding new ideas here can confuse readers and weaken your main argument.
The purpose of a conclusion is to effectively wrap up your points, reinforcing your thesis from the body paragraphs. New information only disrupts this closure.
Keeping the conclusion focused on previously discussed points leaves readers with a clear understanding of your main argument.
2. Repeating the Introduction
While it’s important to revisit your thesis, don’t repeat the introduction word-for-word. Instead, rephrase it to reflect the growth of your ideas.
A well-written conclusion shows how your argument has evolved throughout the essay, adding depth and insight. Avoiding repetition keeps your reader engaged, ensuring the conclusion strengthens rather than dulls your argument.
3. Using Apologetic Language
Don’t undermine your argument by suggesting there might be better approaches. Confidence in your conclusion reinforces the strength of your overall essay. Using apologetic language can make your argument seem weak or uncertain.
A strong, assured conclusion leaves a memorable impression and reinforces the time and thought you invested in your writing.
Perfect Your Conclusion With Smodin.io
Mastering a well-crafted conclusion is essential for any strong essay, and our guide provides steps to help you perfect it. A conclusion doesn’t just wrap up your essay—it reinforces your thesis, emphasizes key points, and leaves readers thinking.
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FAQ
What should I include in an essay conclusion?
Your essay conclusion should summarize the main points and restate your thesis in a new way. It should connect the main ideas discussed and highlight their importance. End with a final insight or a call to action, leaving a lasting impression.
What shouldn’t be in an essay conclusion?
Avoid new arguments or evidence, which can confuse readers and interrupt the essay’s closure. Don’t repeat the introduction word-for-word; instead, rephrase ideas to reflect their development. Also, steer clear of apologetic or uncertain language—keep the conclusion clear and confident.
What’s a strong closing sentence?
A strong closing sentence reinforces your argument or provides a memorable takeaway. It could be a call to action, a thoughtful insight, or a statement underscoring the topic’s significance. Aim to leave readers considering your essay’s impact after they’ve finished.