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A strong conclusion is just as important as any other essay component, as it’s the last part of the essay that leaves a lasting impression on your reader. Or doesn’t. A well-crafted conclusion does. It ties together your essay’s main points, demonstrates the significance and relevance of your arguments, and leaves the reader with a memorable closing thought. This guide will provide you with tips and tricks on what to do and what to avoid while writing effective essay conclusions.

The Purposes of A Conclusion

The conclusion of an essay has several goals, all of which contribute to the overall quality and success of your work. Although it may look similar to a summary of the essay, it actually is an important component that strengthens your argument and brings closure to your discussion. Understanding the following objectives of a conclusion will help you write one that improves your essay and intensifies its impact. Here are the main goals of a conclusion:

Connect the essay’s main points

A conclusion should briefly tie together the main points of your essay, reminding the reader of the key arguments presented. This helps your professor or other audience get a clear understanding of your main ideas and arguments and how they connect. Summarizing the main points, you reinforce your argument and provide a logical end to your paper.

Prove the Significance and Relevance of Your Arguments

Your conclusion should emphasize why your arguments matter, highlighting their importance and relevance. Summarizing your points isn’t enough for a well-written conclusion. There also should be an explanation of their broader impacts or implications. Demonstrating significance helps the reader understand the value of your argument and why it is worth considering. It also shows the relevance of your points to the overall topic or issue.

Leave the Reader with a Lasting Impression

The final sentences of your conclusion should leave a strong, lasting impression, encouraging the reader to dedicate more time and think deeper about the topic. This can be achieved by ending with a thought-provoking statement, a call to action, or a quote that highlights your main argument. An impactful closing makes your essay memorable and distinguishes it from others.

How to End an Essay

To effectively end your essay, you need to consider all the features that a successful conclusion should have and make sure to present them accurately and in the proper sequence. Only in this way will you not lose but rather deepen your impact and connection with your reader.

Restate your thesis: Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis in a new way. This backs your main argument without simply repeating it directly or paraphrasing what’s already been said in the body paragraphs. Restating the thesis helps remind the reader of your central argument and shows how the evidence and analysis in the body of the essay support this thesis. By rephrasing it, you provide a fresh perspective on your main point, reinforcing its importance.

Summary of synthesis: Summarize the main points of your writing, synthesizing the information instead of repeating it. You can use a summary generator tool for it. Highlight how the evidence you presented supports your thesis. Synthesis involves combining the key points and evidence to show how they interrelate and support your overall argument. 

Provide context: Add context to your conclusion by discussing the broader essence of your argument. Explain how your essay contributes to a larger conversation or addresses an important issue. Providing context helps the reader understand the significance of your argument in a wider scope. It can also involve suggesting areas for further research or highlighting the relevance of your points to real-world situations.

How to Conclude an Essay: Things to Avoid

At the same time, keep in mind that while you’re trying to write the perfect conclusion, you may accidentally make meaningful mistakes and add things that should not be there. Look at the common pitfalls and try to avoid the following mistakes:

Avoid Introducing New Information. Your conclusion is not the place to introduce new arguments or evidence. Stick to summarizing and synthesizing what has already been discussed. Introducing new information can confuse the reader and distract from the main points of your essay. It is important to keep the conclusion focused on wrapping up your argument and reinforcing what has already been said.

Avoid Overly Emotional Statements. While it’s important to leave an impression, avoid using overly emotional language or making sweeping statements that aren’t backed by anything. Emotional language can undermine the credibility of your argument and distract from your main points. Stick to logical and reasoned statements in your essay.

Avoid Repetition. Don’t repeat your introduction or body paragraphs. Instead, rephrase your key points and present them in a fresh way. Repetition can make your conclusion feel redundant and uninspired. By rephrasing your points, you can strengthen your argument in a more engaging way, keeping the reader interested until the very end.

What is a good way to end an essay?

A good way to end an essay is to restate your thesis in a new light, summarize the main points you’ve made, and provide a final thought or call to action that leaves an impression on the reader. You might use a quote, a question that encourages further thinking, or a call to action that emphasizes the relevance of your topic. The goal is to tie everything together and reinforce the significance of your argument.

How to end a conclusion?

To end a conclusion effectively, summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis in a rephrased manner. Follow this with a closing thought that underscores the importance of your discussion. This can be a final insight, a broader perspective of your argument, or a suggestion for future research or actions. The final sentence should leave a memorable impression and provide a sense of closure.

What is a good concluding word for an essay?

There are phrases that signal to the reader that you are wrapping up your discussion. Good concluding words or phrases for an essay include:

• In conclusion
• In the final analysis
• All things considered
• To conclude

How to conclude a paragraph?

To conclude a paragraph, you should summarize the main idea discussed in the paragraph and show how it supports your overall thesis. Use a closing sentence that ties the paragraph’s content back to your main argument. This could involve restating the key point of the paragraph in a concise manner or linking it to the next paragraph for a smooth transition.

How do you use closing sentences in an essay?

Closing sentences in an essay reinforce the main points discussed in each paragraph or section and help transition to the next idea. In the body paragraphs, use closing sentences to succinctly summarize the paragraph’s key point and link it to your thesis. In the conclusion, use a closing sentence to leave an impression, emphasize the significance of your arguments, and provide closure to your essay. Effective closing sentences are clear, concise, and relevant to the main argument.

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What's up y'all? I'm having trouble figuring out how to end my college essays. What are some effective and memorable ways to end an essay? Is there a particular structure or technique you'd recommend?

Hello! Ending an essay effectively and memorably is an important skill, especially for college essays. It's your chance to leave a lasting impression on the reader. Here are some strategies you can use to wrap up your essay:

1. Full Circle: If your essay started with a particular story, anecdote, or image, find a way to return to it in your conclusion. This brings your essay full circle, reinforcing your main idea or theme. For example, if you started with a scene from a volunteer experience, you could end by discussing how this experience continued to impact your life.

2. Insight: End with a deeper insight or understanding that you've gained through your experiences. This shows growth and reflection on your part, which can leave a lasting impression. Discuss how your experiences or ideas have shaped your perspective or future intentions.

3. Call to Action: Encourage your reader to consider a new perspective, or to think or act differently based on your essay. This could be particularly effective if your essay deals with an issue you are passionate about and want to raise awareness for.

4. Question: Pose an open-ended question for the reader to consider, based on your essay content. This can leave the reader thinking about your essay long after they've finished reading it. Just make sure the question is relevant to your main idea and provides a sense of closure.

5. Powerful Statement: End with a bold, thought-provoking, or memorable statement that sums up your main point or leaves a lasting impression. This could be a strong quote, a surprising fact, or a personal mantra that relates to your essay theme.

For more information click here: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-end-your-college-essay

Remember, it's important to stay true to your essay's theme and be authentic in your writing. Whichever technique you choose, make sure that it matches the tone and purpose of your essay. Good luck!

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How to Write a Conclusion

You’ve done it. You’ve refined your introduction and your thesis. You’ve spent time researching and proving all of your supporting arguments. You’re slowly approaching the finish line of your essay and suddenly freeze up because—that’s right—it’s time to write the conclusion.

Before we dive into the details, here’s a basic outline of how to write a conclusion:

• Restate your thesis: remind readers of your main point
• Reiterate your supporting points: remind readers of your evidence or arguments
• Wrap everything up by tying it all together
• Write a clincher: with the last sentence, leave your reader with something to think about

For many, the conclusion is the most dreaded part of essay writing . Condensing all the points you’ve analyzed in a tidy little package is certainly easier said than done. How can you make a good final impression while emphasizing the significance of your findings? 

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Table of contents

How to write a conclusion.

• Restate your thesis
• Reiterate supporting points
• Ask yourself: “So what?”
• Add perspective
• Consider the clincher

What your conclusion should not include

Learning how to write a conclusion for an essay doesn’t need to feel like climbing Everest. It is wholly possible to tie everything together while considering the broader issues and implications of your argument. You just need the right strategy.

What do you want to leave your readers with? Perhaps you want to end with a quotation that adds texture to your discussion. Or, perhaps you want to set your argument into a different, perhaps larger context. 

An effective conclusion paragraph should ultimately suggest to your reader that you’ve accomplished what you set out to prove.

5 key details for writing a conclusion

1 restate your thesis.

As you set out to write your conclusion and end your essay on an insightful note, you’ll want to start by restating your thesis. Since the thesis is the central idea of your entire essay, it’s wise to remind the reader of the purpose of your paper. 

Once you’ve restated your thesis (in a way that’s paraphrased , of course, and offers a fresh understanding), the next step is to reiterate your supporting points.

2 Reiterate supporting points

Extract all of the “main points” from each of your supporting paragraphs or individual arguments in the essay . Then, find a way to wrap up these points in a way that demonstrates the importance of the ideas. 

Depending on the length of your essay, knowing how to write a good conclusion is somewhat intuitive—you don’t want to simply summarize what you wrote. Rather, the conclusion should convey a sense of closure alongside the larger meaning and lingering possibilities of the topic. 

3 Ask yourself: “So what?” 

At some point in your life, a teacher has probably told you that the end of an essay should answer the question “So what?” or “Why does it matter?” This advice holds true. It’s helpful to ask yourself this question at the start of drafting your thesis and come back to it throughout, as it can keep you in tune with the essay’s purpose. Then, at your conclusion, you won’t be left searching for something to say.

4 Add perspective 

If you’ve come across a fantastic quote in your research that didn’t quite make it into the essay, the conclusion is a great spot for it. Including a quote from one of your primary or secondary sources can frame your thesis or final thoughts in a different light. This can add specificity and texture to your overall argument. 

For example, if you’ve written an essay about J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, you can think about using a quote from the book itself or from a critic or scholar who complicates your main point. If your thesis is about Salinger’s desire to preserve childhood innocence, ending with a biographer’s statement about Salinger’s attitude toward his own youth might be illuminating for readers. If you decide to amplify your conclusion paragraph in this way, make sure the secondary material adds (and not detracts) from the points you already made. After all, you want to have the last word!

5 Consider the clincher

At the very end of the essay comes your closing sentence or clincher. As you think about how to write a good conclusion, the clincher must be top of mind. What can you say to propel the reader to a new view on the subject? This final sentence needs to help readers feel a sense of closure. It should also end on a positive note, so your audience feels glad they read your paper and that they learned something worthwhile. 

There are a few things that you should definitely strive to avoid when writing your conclusion paragraph. These elements will only cheapen your overall argument and belabor the obvious.

Here are several conclusion mishaps to consider:

• Avoid phrases like “in summary,” “in conclusion,” or “to sum up.” Readers know they’re at the end of the essay and don’t need a signpost. 
• Don’t simply summarize what’s come before. For a short essay, you certainly don’t need to reiterate all of your supporting arguments. Readers will know if you just copied and pasted from elsewhere.
• Avoid introducing brand new ideas or evidence. This will only confuse readers and sap force from your arguments. If there’s a really profound point that you’ve reached in your conclusion and want to include, try moving it to one of your supporting paragraphs. 

Whereas your introduction acts as a bridge that transfers your readers from their own lives into the “space” of your argument or analysis, your conclusion should help readers transition back to their daily lives. 

By following this useful roadmap, you can feel confident that you know how to write a good conclusion that leaves readers with a solution, a call to action, or a powerful insight for further study.

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How to Write the Last Sentence in a Paper

Last Updated: October 30, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 613,077 times.

The last sentence of your paper may feel like the hardest one to write, but it doesn’t have to be. You can write a great conclusion that makes your reader think by choosing an appropriate and thought-provoking way to end your paper. Then, revise your sentence to make sure it fits with the rest of your paper. Additionally, make your sentence effective by being consistent and avoiding common mistakes.

Writing Help

Creating Endings for Different Kinds of Papers

• This type of ending can work well for a variety of subjects, but it works best for persuasive writing.
• As an example, “By recycling, you can keep more trash out of landfills.”

• You can use this ending for a research or policy paper.
• You might write, “Without an increase in funding, the local animal shelter will shutter its doors next year, leaving hundreds of pets homeless.”

• You’re more likely to use this type of ending for subjects like the sciences and social sciences.
• For instance, “Although it’s clear rubber mats are the best ground cover for the playground, park officials must now determine the safest equipment for the city’s children.”

• Use this type of ending if you’re writing a persuasive or expository piece or doing literary analysis.
• You might write, “With the upgrades to Cedar Park, families will enjoy a picturesque nature experience without traveling far from home.”

• This type of ending works best for research or policy papers.
• For example, “If everyone donates a bag of dog food once a year, every shelter dog would have two meals a day.”

• You can use this type of ending for any subject, but it's especially effective for policy or literature papers.
• As an example, “Everyone knows how painful it is to lose a pet, but a mobile vet center could prevent families in low-income neighborhoods from facing that loss.”

• If you’re doing a writing assignment for a high school or college class, find out if your teacher or professor will allow you to end your piece with a quotation.
• Keep in mind that ending with a quote can leave the reader with the impression that you are leaning on someone else’s ideas instead of trying to express your own.
• A quote works best when you’re writing about literature, but may also fit with topics from the social sciences.
• You might write, “As Mark Twain wrote, ‘The secret of getting ahead is getting started.’”

• Let’s say the title of your essay about a ballerina who developed arthritis is “Beautiful Curse.” You might end your paper with, “Although audiences have enjoyed watching her perform for years, Nataliya Scriver’s years of joint pain make her call her talent a ‘beautiful curse.’”
• As another example, you might have begun your essay with a story about the first time Nataliya danced a lead role. You might end your paper by writing, “While her first steps as the White Swan filled her with joy, now Nataliya’s steps bring only pain.”

Revising Your Sentence

• As you read over your paper, make note of typos, errors, or areas you want to revise later.

• Put your ideas together, but don’t just summarize what you said. This helps you avoid repeating yourself.

• You can always improve your sentence during your revisions.

• Invite your reader to make notes on your paper and suggest necessary revisions.

• If you revise your sentence, be sure you read through the entire paper again. It’s also a good idea to have your friend or relative re-read your paper to see if your new sentence works better.

Crafting an Effective Final Sentence

• You might write, "With more funds, the park can give each child a chance to learn and grow." Each of these words contains just one syllable, but it conveys an important final note about the importance of the author's ideas about funding the park.
• Don’t spend too much time and effort trying to find a one-syllable synonym for every word in the sentence. This isn’t a hard and fast rule—the idea is just to write a concise, punchy sentence.

• FANBOYS is an acronym for the conjunctions "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet," and "so."
• If you're using a compound sentence, you might write, "The dog food donation program can collect as many as 2,000 bags of food per year, and each shelter will have enough food for every dog."
• If you're using a parallel structure, write, "The dog food donation program can collect food, feed dogs, and save lives."

• These phrases are more appropriate for an oral presentation.

• For instance, you might think an emotional, dramatic ending will linger with your reader longer. However, that’s not an effective strategy if the body of your paper is logical or analytical.

• If you realize you left something important out of your paper, don’t simply try to tack it on at the end. Go back and insert it into the body of your paper.

• You can still use a quote at the last line of your conclusion, but it shouldn’t be one that serves as a piece of evidence for your article.
• For example, an evidence quote might read, “According to Luz Lopez, Cedar Park employees can’t handle the park’s upkeep on the current budget.” This might support the idea that more funding is needed, but the evidence requires your analysis. However, you might end your paper with a quote like, “As Elmer Sims wrote, “Without parks, where will children go to grow?”

• For instance, don’t write, “I’m sorry I didn’t have room to discuss other alternatives,” or “I don’t know as much about this topic as other people, so these are just my thoughts.”

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You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/argument_papers/conclusions.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions
• ↑ https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/slc/writing/organization/conclusions
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/conciseness/eliminating_words.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/conclusions/
• ↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/conclusions

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7 Best Closing Essay Examples: How to Write a Strong Conclusion

A strong conclusion can make a world of difference in your essay. It’s not just about summarizing your points but leaving a lasting impression on your reader. If you’re struggling with how to end your essay effectively, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore seven of the best closing essay examples and offer tips on how to craft a conclusion that sticks.

• What is a Good Essay Conclusion?

Before diving into examples, let's clarify what makes a good essay conclusion. A strong conclusion should:

• Summarize Key Points : Briefly recap the main arguments or points discussed in your essay.
• Provide Closure : Ensure that the essay feels finished and all questions are answered.
• Leave a Lasting Impression : Use a memorable quote, a compelling insight, or a call to action to end on a strong note.
• Reflect the Introduction : Sometimes, tying your conclusion back to the introduction can create a satisfying bookend for your essay.
• Example 1: The Reflective Conclusion

"In conclusion, my journey through the world of literature has been enlightening and transformative. The themes of love, loss, and redemption have not only deepened my understanding but also shaped my worldview. As I close this chapter, I’m reminded that every end is a new beginning, and the stories we read and write continue to live on within us."

Why It Works:

This conclusion reflects on the writer's personal growth and ties back to the broader themes discussed in the essay. It leaves the reader with a sense of closure and continuity.

• Example 2: The Call to Action

"As we’ve seen, climate change is an urgent issue that demands immediate action. It’s not enough to simply be aware; we must take steps to reduce our carbon footprint, advocate for sustainable practices, and hold leaders accountable. The future of our planet depends on the actions we take today. Let’s make a difference together."

This conclusion uses a call to action to engage the reader and encourage them to take steps toward solving the issue discussed. It’s powerful and motivational.

• Example 3: The Quotation

"'The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.' – Franklin D. Roosevelt. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, let’s remember these wise words. Doubt can be paralyzing, but with faith in our abilities and a commitment to progress, we can achieve great things."

Using a quotation can add authority and depth to your conclusion. This example ties the quote to the essay’s theme, leaving the reader with an encouraging thought.

• Example 4: The Thematic Connection

"From the dawn of time, humans have sought to understand their place in the universe. Our exploration of space is not just a quest for knowledge but a journey to discover ourselves. As we look to the stars, let us also look within, for the answers we seek are often closer than we think."

This conclusion connects the essay’s theme to a broader human experience, making it both profound and relatable. It leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and introspection.

• Example 5: The Summary

"In summary, the impact of social media on mental health is a complex issue with both positive and negative aspects. While it offers a platform for connection and support, it also poses risks of addiction and anxiety. Moving forward, it’s crucial to find a balance that maximizes benefits while minimizing harm."

A straightforward summary can be effective if your essay covers a lot of ground. This example succinctly recaps the main points and suggests a balanced approach.

• Example 6: The Story

"As I watched the sun set over the horizon, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. Each step, each decision, each moment led to this serene ending. Life, much like this essay, is a series of interconnected events, and it’s the journey, not the destination, that truly matters."

Using a personal story can make your conclusion more engaging and memorable. This example ties the story back to the main theme, creating a sense of closure and reflection.

• Example 7: The Future Perspective

"Looking ahead, the advancements in technology promise a future where possibilities are endless. However, it’s up to us to ensure that these innovations are used for the greater good. By fostering ethical practices and inclusive policies, we can create a future that benefits everyone. The potential is limitless, and the responsibility is ours."

This conclusion looks to the future, providing a sense of optimism and responsibility. It encourages the reader to think about the implications of the essay’s topic in the long term.

• Tips for Writing a Strong Conclusion

1. Echo the Introduction

Bringing your conclusion full circle by referencing your introduction can create a satisfying sense of closure. If you started with a question, anecdote, or quote, revisit it in your conclusion.

2. Be Concise

Avoid introducing new information in your conclusion. Stick to summarizing and synthesizing the points you’ve already discussed.

3. Use Strong, Confident Language

Your conclusion is your final chance to make an impact. Use confident language that reinforces your arguments and leaves a lasting impression.

4. End with a Bang

Whether it’s a powerful quote, a call to action, or a thought-provoking statement, make sure your last sentence is strong and memorable.

Writing an effective conclusion is essential to leave a lasting impression on your readers. Whether you choose to end with a reflective thought, a call to action, or a memorable quote, make sure your conclusion ties back to your main points and provides a sense of closure. With these seven examples and tips, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of the essay conclusion. Happy writing!

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30 ‘In Conclusion’ Synonyms and How To Use Them Write Better Essays

A strong closing section is essential for any essay. Whether you’re writing an argumentative essay, an exposition, or a narrative essay, the conclusion needs to be one of the most impactful parts of your writing. If you’re looking at ‘in conclusion’ synonyms, then you likely need some help with crafting an impactful summary section.

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How to Write a Memorable Conclusion: 5 Techniques of Famous Writers

Published November 5, 2019 | Last Updated April 10, 2024 By Nicole Bianchi 8 Comments

You’ve spent hours pouring your heart and soul into a blog post. You have an important message to share with your audience, and you’ve crafted a piece that you know will help them.

But now you’ve reached the conclusion, and you don’t know what to write. You fear that you’ve said all you have to say, and if you tack on more sentences to your piece, you’ll just be repeating yourself.

But you know you can’t skip the conclusion. If you’re writing a persuasive or inspirational piece, the conclusion is the last place you have to convince the reader of your opinion. A weak conclusion can diminish the effect of your entire piece of writing.

It’s like if you were enjoying a three-course meal at a fancy restaurant. The soup was creamy and delicious, the steak was perfectly cooked, but then the dessert arrived, and the pie tasted funny. That’s the taste that’s going to linger in your mouth after you finish the meal.

Just like the chef needs to wow you with the final course, you need to wow your readers with your conclusion. Otherwise, your piece will feel unfinished and be unsatisfying to your readers.

So how can you wow your readers?

In today’s blog post, let’s look at five different techniques famous writers have used to craft powerful conclusions that made their pieces memorable.

1. The Bonus Tip

This is a fantastic conclusion for blog posts, especially how-to’s or personal development articles.

It works like this: Let’s say you’ve shared in the body of your article a step-by-step process for accomplishing something. For example, you’re writing about how to master the basics of drawing in 30 days. But you save one final “bonus” tip for your conclusion.

It should be a tip that ties everything together. Usually, it’s best if it’s motivational or profound. For example, you might write in your conclusion about how none of the strategies will work unless the reader commits to practicing every day and doesn’t allow themselves to grow discouraged if their first drawings look terrible.

Neil Gaiman used this type of conclusion in his 2012 commencement speech at The University of the Arts. In his speech, he shared the six lessons he wished he knew when he was first starting out as a writer: how to follow your passion, how to deal with failure, etc.

Then, in his conclusion, he tied everything together with a final piece of advice that would help you implement all of the previous tips he’d shared:

Someone asked me recently how to do something she thought was going to be difficult, in this case recording an audio book, and I suggested she pretend that she was someone who could do it. Not pretend to do it, but pretend she was someone who could. She put up a notice to this effect on the studio wall, and she said it helped. So be wise, because the world needs more wisdom, and if you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise, and then just behave like they would. And now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. Make good art.

Notice that Gaiman makes his conclusion even more powerful by including several more lines after his “bonus tip” that call his hearers to action. Adding a call to action is an excellent way to make your conclusion more compelling if you’re writing an inspirational piece.

2. The Quote

This type of conclusion is quite simple. You include a quote either at the beginning of your conclusion or at the end.

Make sure your quote is not overly long and that it either sums up the main idea of your piece or it adds a final thought to ruminate over. It’s often best not to just tack on the quote to the end of your piece. Don’t write: “In conclusion, here’s a thought-provoking quote to end with…”

Instead, use the quote to back up your concluding thoughts. For example, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. uses a quote with heart-stirring effect in the conclusion of his famous “I Have A Dream” speech:

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we’re free at last!’

3. The Zoom-In

This type of conclusion works well for personal essays. Essentially, you take a specific image or moment in time and zoom in on it, describing it in more detail. The image should encapsulate the main idea of your piece.

E. B. White uses this type of conclusion in his essay “Here is New York” . White takes a stroll through New York City and reflects on the city’s personality. He ends with the image of an old willow tree,

A block or two west of the new City of Man in Turtle Bay there is an old willow tree that presides over an interior garden. It is a battered tree, long suffering and much climbed, held together by strands of wire but beloved of those who know it. In a way it symbolizes the city: life under difficulties, growth against odds, sap-rise in the midst of concrete, and the steady reaching for the sun. Whenever I look at it nowadays, and feel the cold shadow of the planes, I think: ‘This must be saved, this particular thing, this very tree.’ If it were to go, all would go — this city, this mischievous and marvelous monument which not to look upon would be like death.

4. The Full Circle Story

In this article , I wrote about how a story can make for a captivating introduction. It can be a story about yourself or an anecdote that relates somehow to the theme of your piece.

Now here’s the cool part: If you open your piece with a story, you can bring it full circle by returning to it in your conclusion.

Usually, this is most effective if you left the story open-ended in your introduction. Your readers are waiting to find out what happens.

Or if you concluded the story in your introduction, you can revisit it from a different angle at the end of your piece.

You can also use the “full circle” technique with a story you shared later on in the body of your piece. For example, Virginia Woolf mentions Shakespeare’s sister in the body of her essay “A Room of One’s Own” .

In the conclusion, she brings this story full circle:

I told you in the course of this paper that Shakespeare had a sister; but do not look for her in Sir Sidney Lee’s life of the poet. She died young — alas, she never wrote a word…Now my belief is that this poet who never wrote a word and was buried at the crossroads still lives. She lives in you and in me, and in many other women who are not here tonight, for they are washing up the dishes and putting the children to bed…Drawing her life from the lives of the unknown who were her forerunners, as her brother did before her, she will be born. As for her coming without that preparation, without that effort on our part, without that determination that when she is born again she shall find it possible to live and write her poetry, that we cannot expect, for that would be impossible. But I maintain that she would come if we worked for her, and that so to work, even in poverty and obscurity, is worthwhile.

5. The Urgent Call to Action

Finally, as we have seen earlier, if you’re writing a persuasive or motivational piece, it is very effective to end with a “call to action” conclusion.

This type of conclusion emphasizes the urgency of solving the problem. What happens if your readers don’t take action? What will happen if they do?

One of the most famous calls to action appears at the end of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death” speech:

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

The Takeaway

These five techniques are only a small selection of the many different ways you can end a piece of writing.

You can even combine several of these techniques together to make them more powerful. For example, a conclusion could open with a quote, then share a bonus tip, and end on a call to action.

No matter how you decide to conclude your piece, make sure you’re not just summarizing or repeating what you’ve already said in the previous paragraphs.

Dig deeper than you have in the body of your piece. Take your arguments to their most profound extent. Leave your readers with a final thought to chew on.

In his book Storycraft (Amazon affiliate link) , editor Jack Hart observes,

Resolution is the ultimate aim of every story… It contains the lesson that the audience carries away, the insight that the story’s readers or viewers or listeners can apply to their own lives.

Zero in on that one lesson, that one big idea, you want your readers to take away. This will make your conclusion and, thus, your entire piece memorable, just like the last satisfying bite of a delicious meal.

If you enjoyed this post, leave a comment below and please share it with a friend who you think might find it helpful too. Thanks for reading!

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Chinonso Amechi says

April 25, 2022 at 11:34 am

Hi Nicole. It was helpful and educative reading through your content. Thanks for sharing. I may as well love to get in touch. Thanks.

Eric Bullock says

April 14, 2020 at 7:59 pm

The guide is clear and bright, without any added useless facts or else.

The language is equally brilliant and colorful, so the longer I read, the more I do like it!

Shweta says

January 16, 2020 at 1:52 am

Thank you Nichole. This article is helpful. I navigated to your site through Medium.

Thomas Sparley says

November 19, 2019 at 7:12 am

Nicole, I have been writing technical reports for proposals, assessments and project completions for 30 years. The last 7 years I have wrote my daily journal after life-safing surgeries gave me another chance to create. Reading your helpful tips on writing has given me a clear perspective of how I can be more expressive and creative.

yamini says

November 11, 2019 at 3:49 am

thank you. that was very helpful

Nicole Bianchi says

November 12, 2019 at 3:08 pm

You’re welcome, Yamini. 🙂 I’m glad you found it helpful!

Kristina says

November 10, 2019 at 11:18 pm

Nicole – just want to say thanks for all you do. I love your work, and am grateful to be part of the FB group. I enjoy your writing, and got a lot out of the SC Gwynne Outlining piece. Many, many thanks!

November 12, 2019 at 3:09 pm

Thanks so much, Kristina! That’s so kind of you, and I am happy to hear you enjoyed the SC GWynne piece. I wish you much success with your writing! 🙂

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How to write Essay Conclusions – The 5 C’s Method

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Here’s the question you’ve probably got: what’s the difference between an introduction and a conclusion?

My advice is to use my two frameworks on how to write and conclusion and how to write an introduction:

• Write an introduction with the Perfect Introduction INTRO method ;
• Write a conclusion with the Perfect Conclusion FIVE-C method that I outline below.

As a university teacher, I have marked well over a thousand essays.

In my time, the best conclusions I’ve seen have tended to sum-up a topic by showing-off how well the writer knows the topic and how effectively they have come to their conclusions.

The best conclusions also convincingly show why the topic is important.

In this post, I will show you how to write a conclusion that will amaze your teacher.

This formula is called the FIVE-C’s method and works for nearly every essay.

This method walks you through five potential strategies that you can use in your conclusion. I will show you all five steps and give examples for each to model how to go about writing a good quality conclusion.

How to write a Conclusion: The Five-C Conclusion Method

1 Close the loop. Return to a statement you made in the introduction.

2 Conclude. Show what your final position is.

3 Clarify. Clarify how your final position is relevant to the Essay Question.

4 Concern. Explain who should be concerned by your findings.

5 Consequences. End by noting in one final, engaging sentence why this topic is of such importance.

For each of these steps, I recommend between one and two sentences to create a full detailed conclusion paragraph . You do not have to use each and every one of these steps every time.

Remember, once you’ve written your ideas, make sure you edit the conclusion to make sure it flows the way you want it to. Don’t feel like you have to stick exactly to these rules.

Here’s each step broken down one by one:

1. Close the Loop: Refer back to a statement from the Introduction

Have you ever noticed that comedians often start and end a show with the same joke? This method is called a “ Callback ” in stand-up comedy and is widely considered to be a very effective way to end on a high. I use this as an advanced form of transitioning to a conclusion .

Well, you can do this in your essay, too. Try to find a key statement you made in the introduction and return to it. In this way, you’re closing the look and ending your essay by tying it up in a thoughtful, memorable way.

Here’s a Tip: Forget about starting your conclusion with the tired old statement “In conclusion, …” and instead start it with “This essay began by stating that …” and continue from there.

Imagine you have an essay on “Should Fake News on Facebook be Regulated?” You might state an interesting ‘hook’ statement in the introduction such as:

• Intro Hook : “Mark Zuckerberg faced US congress in late 2018 to defend Facebook’s record of regulating Facebook News. He claimed that Facebook needs to do a better job of verifying the identities of Facebook users.”

You can return back to this interesting statement in the conclusion. For example:

• Close the Loop in the Conclusion: “This essay began by noting that Mark Zuckerberg accepts that Facebook needs to do a better job at regulation on the platform. As this essay has shown, it appears Facebook continues to be incapable to regulating content on its platform. Therefore, governments should step-in with minimum benchmarks for Facebook to adhere to for all advertising and news content.”

Closing the loop is a great literary strategy to tie up your essay and memorably conclude your argument.

2. Conclude: Provide a Final Evaluation by Referring back to your Arguments

Of course, a conclusion needs provide a final evaluative statement. If your essay is a persuasive or argumentative essay that asks you to take a stand, this is even more important.

The risk students run here is making their writing sound like propaganda. To prevent this, ensure your statement is balanced.

I like to use the formula below:

• Refer to evidence. In the first third of the sentence, refer back to the arguments in the essay.
• Use a hedging statement. Hedges when writing analysis verbs make your work sound more balanced and contemplative, and less biased. Hedges make you sound wise. A hedging statement withholds from being overly confident and unequivocal and softens your claims. Common hedges are: “it appears”, “it seems”, “the best current evidence is”, and “it is likely the case that”. These are the opposite of Boosters, which you should avoid. A booster is a statement like: “the data confirms”, “the truth of the matter is” and “it is undoubtedly true that”.
• State your conclusion. Conclude the sentence with your final evaluation.

Let’s have a look at how to use this formula of: Refer to evidence + Use a hedging statement + State your conclusion. See below:

Here’s an example. Imagine your essay question was “Should all recreational drugs be decriminalised?” You could state in your final evaluation:

• (1) The evidence from both population data and criminological studies that were presented in this article (2) appears to indicate that (3) decriminalization of drugs would both save money and decrease drug overdoses.

This is far better than a propagandizing statement like:

• This essay has totally debunked the idea that the war on drugs has done any good for society. Decriminalizing drugs will save money and lives, and it should be done immediately.

The first example sentence above would almost always get a higher grade than the second. It shows balance and reduces the chance your reader will accuse you of bias. This is a secret sauce for top marks: hedge, hedge and hedge some more!

Read Also: 39 Better Ways to Write ‘In Conclusion’ in an Essay

3. Clarify: Clarify the relevance of your statement to the Essay Question.

Read back through your conclusion and make sure that it directly answers the essay question. Too often, students write a few thousand words and end up talking about something completely different to what they began with.

Remember: you’re being marked on something very specific. It doesn’t matter how great and well formulated your argument is if it doesn’t answer the specific essay question.

To ensure you conclusion clearly addresses the research question, you might want to paraphrase some phrases from the essay question.

Here are some examples:

• If your essay question is about Nurses’ bedside manner, you’re probably going to want to use the phrase “bedside manner” in the conclusion a few times.
• If your essay question is about comparing renaissance and classical art, you better make sure you use the terms “renaissance art” and “classical art” a few times in that conclusion!

It is important to use paraphrasing here rather than explicitly stating the essay question word-for-word. For my detailed advice on how to paraphrase, visit my 5-step paraphrasing post .

4. Concern: Who should be concerned with this topic?

One of the best indicators that you know a topic well is to show how it relates to real life. The topic you have discussed is likely to have some relevance to someone, somewhere, out there in the world.

Make sure you state who it is that should be paying attention to your essay. Here’s my top suggestions for people who may be concerned with the topic:

• Policy makers. Is this a topic where new laws or regulations need to be introduced that could improve people’s lives? If so, you could provide a statement that explains that “Policy makers should …” do something in light of the evidence you have provided.
• Practitioners. If you’re doing a university degree that ends with a specific career, chances are the topic is relevant to that career. If you’re writing an essay on teaching methods, the essay is probably going to be something that teachers should be concerned about. Here’s an example: “Teachers need to know about children’s different learning styles in order to make sure their lessons are inclusive of all learning styles in the classroom.”

You’re in the best position to know who should be concerned with your topic. I can be any key stakeholder at all: parents, children, new immigrants, prisoners, prison guards, nurses, doctors, museum curators … you name it! It really depends on your topic.

5. Consequences: End by stating why the topic is important.

Your final statement can be something inspiring, interesting and relevant to real life. This is the opposite to the ‘hook’ in the introduction. While the hook draws your reader into the essay, your closing sentence sends your reader back out into the world, hopefully utterly convinced by you that this is a topic worthy of reflecting upon.

Here are some examples of a final sentence:

• “The sheer number of Shakespearian words and phrases that are common in the English language should show why Shakespeare remains the most significant literary figure in British history.”
• “The disastrous consequences of American regime change wars in the middle east that have been outlined in this paper highlights the case that the United States should not intervene in the Venezuelan political crisis.”

Remember when I said earlier that using hedges is good for your argument? The final sentence in the essay is the one place where maybe, just maybe, you can use the opposite: a Booster.

How to write a Conclusion with the 5C’s Method: Sample Conclusion Paragraph

Writing conclusions for your essay can be hard. With the 5 C’s paragraph model you can get a bit of an idea about how to write a conclusion that will amaze your teacher. Here’s the model one last time:

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