Conclusions

Conclusions should address the significance of your paper's idea, meaning they should answer the question, "So what?" Alexander conquered almost all the civilized world: so what? Why were his conquests important? Odysseus wreaks bloody vengeance on the suitors: so what? How does that vengeance relate to the idea of his journey?

If you get stuck figuring out how to end your essay, think about its beginning. Re-read the first few sentences of the intro where you established a general idea or used a quote or anecdote. Use the contents of your essay to apply that idea, quote or story to another idea in the world.