Conclusion

The conclusion is a section of writing that primarily connects the main points and thesis, bringing a written work to a close.

Significance

A compelling conclusion is critical to have a good quality essay of course. Why, though? According to Kendra Cherry, “people tend to remember the most recent information presented to them”. The most recent information presented to readers in a good conclusion should; reinforce the thesis and main points, demonstrate importance of the topic, and leave individuals with a call to action or positive message (Purdue OWL np). If all previous mentioned elements are present and adequate, the conclusion has fulfilled its purpose. That purpose being to modify thinking for lasting change and growth (Hamilton np).

Why is this a problem?

A conclusion section is not currently on Dr. Hamilton’s website despite them being an overlooked aspect of many college students' essays. College students often struggle with good conclusion paragraphs, despite them being essential to a good essay. The conclusion is the last thing the readers read. When writing a conclusion paragraph, it is important to ask, “what idea do I want to leave the reader with?” In this proposal we will explain why a conclusion section is necessary for the website, and specific information that should be added.

Structure of a Conclusion Paragraph

Revisit

Revisiting the introduction paragraph creates a cohesiveness in an essay which would not exist in an essay without a conclusion. Returning back to the argument made in the introduction allows for the reader to better understand how the body paragraphs provide evidence supporting the same argument. Restating the argument made in the introduction paragraph will have the essay lose credibility because additional information was added in with the body paragraphs, so the restatement of points is more concise in the conclusion than in the introduction paragraph.

Synthesize

The body paragraphs are where all the evidence and support for the essay are. The essay should have a significant amount of evidence to fully support the argument made in the introduction paragraph, so by summarizing the points made in the paragraph, the reader is able to see how each paragraph supports the one argument made and that all the different evidence provided all support the same argument. Summarizing the points made in the body paragraph also allows for the reader to have a more simple explanation of the evidence and be able to make a better connection to the argument. When summarizing the point made in the body paragraphs, the writer is able to check for any contradicting points made in the essay, evidence which goes against the argument, or evidence which contradicts previously stated evidence.

Final claim

The final claim should be a revised thesis including more evidence, which was used in the body paragraphs. The thesis in the introduction paragraph has less evidence than that of the conclusion paragraph because the evidence has not yet been introduced in the essay. Being able to create a revised thesis shows that the writer is able to take the evidence provided in the essay and use the evidence to make a stronger thesis. The revised thesis in the conclusion paragraph should not include the phrasing of “This essay will present the argument…” because the essay is over and is not presenting an argument. Instead, the phrasing of “In conclusion” or similar phrases can be used.

Methods and Procedures

A well written conclusion emphasizes the key topics throughout the essay which strengthens the overall effectiveness of the arguments. Conclusions should be six to eight sentences according to the Uneven-U model( Hamilton np). The first two sentences should be briefly reiterating the thesis sentence while expanding the argument to a broader context, and not just repeating already mentioned information. The next section of the structure to create a strong concluding paragraph would be summarizing the main topics and highlighting the importance of the key points that were discussed throughout the essay. The final sentences in a conclusion should demonstrate an understanding of the topic and leave the readers wanting to reflect on the topic.

Examples:

Poor: Overall, social media affects people and their mental health a lot. Some people enjoy using it, but others can feel poorly using it. It can be fun to some and stressful to others. People should think more about how much time they are spending on social media. In conclusion, social media is something almost everyone uses and it has good and bad effects.

What makes this a poor conclusion?

This conclusion lacks specific details and is very vague with the ideas.
Is repetitive and unclear.
Uses weak, phrasal verbs and words we should not include such as “it” instead of including a strong academic tone.

How could this be improved?

Provide a clear summary of key points rather than restating ideas vaguely.
Avoid phrasal verbs and fillers (Overall, In conclusion, it…)
Strengthen the clarity of what the lasting impression should be.

Weak: Social media has both positive and negative effects on the mental health of its users. While it connects people, it can also cause anxiety, stress, and low self esteem. People should aim to use it in a healthy way. In summary, social media can be helpful or harmful depending on how it is used.

What makes this a weak conclusion?

Is more structured than the first example, but still too simple.
Lacks a strong final impression and impact, instead just restates facts without any additional insight.
The last sentence is vague and not impactful, leaving the readers with no closure or final thought.

How could this be improved?

Moving past only summarizing and instead providing insightful insights.
Improving the final sentence to encourage the reader to reflect on ending remarks.
Make the conclusion more engaging so the reader is not lost by the end of the writing.

Well-structured but could be stronger: Social media plays a major role in modern life, but the effects on mental health are complex. While it provides connections and entertainment, it also contributes to stress, anxiety, and self-comparison. By being more mindful of how they use social media, individuals can reduce the negative impact and create a healthier digital experience.

What makes this a decent conclusion?

Well organized but still lacking some specificity and less neutral statements.
Missing a compelling closing thought that sticks with the readers.
Could use improvement in word choice to make more of an important point.

How could this be improved?

Use more impactful language to create a memorable takeaway.
End with a thought provoking statement, not just a suggestion.
Make the reader feel the significance of the topic, not just reviewing what both sides are.

Perfect structure and Impact: As social media continues to shape modern communication, the effects on mental health cannot be ignored. These platforms provide opportunities for connection and self-expression but also foster comparison, anxiety and digital exhaustion. Balance remains essential- by setting boundaries and engaging with content mindfully, individuals can embrace the benefits while avoiding harmful effects. Social media should empower users, not diminish self-being.

Why is this an effective example?

Uses strong, engaging language that keeps readers interested.
Provides a call to action.
Ends with a memorable, well-crafted statement that reinforces the argument.
Uses a combination of logic and emotion to connect with the reader.
Includes not phrasal verbs and words like “it.”

Ineffective Types of Conclusion Paragraphs

The “That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It” Conclusion

Where a conclusion only restates a thesis and is relatively short. Minimal references and details of main points and lack of scholarly analysis are the highlights of this type of conclusion.

The “Sherlock Holmes” Conclusion

When writers finally state the thesis for the first time. Like the name for this type of conclusion, this is the case where writers do not reveal their thesis and leaves readers pondering about the meaning behind points made in paragraphs. This method of writing a conclusion is often done by writers in order to “surprise” readers at the end in order to leave a somewhat lasting impression.

The “America the Beautiful”/”I Am Woman”/”We Shall Overcome” Conclusion

The type of conclusion that draws on the emotional appeal of readers through usage of phrasal languages that are unnecessary in an analytical paper. Using phrases such as “beacon of light” and “ray of hope” are a few examples of conclusions that try to use emotion and sentimentality as rhetorics to allure readers in their final paragraph. In analytical or scholarly papers, emotional and sentimental appeal is irrelevant to readers and writers should focus on sophisticated commentary on their main points as a tribute to their topic sentence.

The “Grab Bag” Conclusion.

Where the writer unnecessarily adds extra information in their conclusion last second or they could not fit the piece of information in their body paragraphs. This method is irrelevant to their conclusion because it will cause confusion at the end of a paper for readers. Additionally, extra information and research should only be used in the body paragraphs and has no relevance in the concluding argument where writers need to summarize their points made rather than making more points.

Verb Usage

The inclusion and importance of verb choice and sentence structure will be reiterated throughout the conclusion web page to suggest that the structure and organization of the conclusion paragraph is not the only element of importance. Not only will the correct usage of verbs make a paper seem more scholarly, but will exemplify ethos (credibility) and logos (logic).

Verb Usage

Tips To Writing a Scholarly Conclusion

In the topic sentence of the conclusion paragraph, writers must reference back to the main points of the argument suggested in the introduction paragraph. In doing so, the specific points will act as an overview of the main arguments made, and will be more relevant when stating the overall significance.
Additionally, only stating the specific points of the argument should not be the only portion included in the conclusion paragraph. Instead, being more detailed with the main points would prove beneficial. Writing about the specific points as well as the relevance and support made in contribution to the general argument will create a more scholarly conclusion paragraph. Moreover, reintroducing the individual arguments in support of the thesis is essential to the overview.
Utilizing pathos is critical in argumentative essays. Pathos is the bridge between reading words and empathizing/ understanding. Pathos can be used in many different ways including; vivid language, tailoring writing towards a certain audience, or anecdotes. Each method can increase the strength of the argument, consider previous information in your essay to choose which method is best for your conclusion.
Lastly, do not use cliches. The Oxford dictionary explains a cliche is “a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.” Cliches are informal and can reduce meaning from the essay. Cliches also may lead the reader astray from the root of the argument which is crucial especially in the conclusion paragraph.

No-Nos

The first guideline to follow to ensure a scholarly conclusion paragraph is to not include any new ideas in the final paragraph. Because the conclusion paragraph should only include and reiterate past arguments made throughout the essay, new ideas would only confuse the order of the essay. Additionally, introducing these new ideas could be a fault in the essay as there would be no room to support this new evidence or claims that are being introduced. Moreover, new ideas that are being introduced in the conclusion paragraph may be irrelevant and ineffectual towards the overall argument of the essay, furthering the value of the claims argued.
Additionally while writing the conclusion paragraph, be sure to only include the major points of the argument, rather than very minor details. Although summarizing main points of the argument, including small arguments may be detrimental to the entirety of the essay because of the full and unnecessary summarization of the argument. Moreover, being short and sweet with the conclusion paragraph and being sure to not add too much information will allow the conclusion to be well understood, and not be repetitive.
Finally, one of the main points of advice to make sure is not included in the conclusion paragraph is the addition of cliche writing. Cliches only reduce the amount of ethos to the argument, and make the essay in total, seem less scholarly. The addition of cliches not only within the entire essay, but specifically in the conclusion paragraph may stray the reader from the entire argument, which is crucial to be summarized in the last paragraph.

Conclusion Transitions

Conclusion transitions play a vital role in the final paragraph of an argument. They act as a bridge, moving the reader from the specific points discussed earlier into a broader, more general overview of the argument as a whole. Without these frequently used transitions, the conclusion can feel abrupt or disconnected from the rest of the essay. In addition to this, these transition words are essential for setting the overall tone and mood of the conclusion, which is often the last opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the audience. Choosing the right transition words is significant, as they help reinforce the main ideas while ensuring the conclusion doesn’t just repeat what was already said, but continues to emphasize the significance of the argument. By carefully selecting these transitions, the writer can ensure that the conclusion effectively wraps up the discussion, offering a sense of closure while leaving the reader with a final persuasive thought

Checklist For a Good Conclusion

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In conclusion...

Creating a strong and engaging concluding paragraph serves as a crucial role for proficient academic writing. Using the checklist and tips provided regarding the structure of a conclusion paragraph allows for support for ENGL-145 students to follow while developing professional essays. The conclusion ties in with the thesis statement presented throughout the essay while expanding the idea to a broader context leaving the reader with a complete understanding and prompting further interests. A conclusion paragraph is essential as it serves as a crucial role as the last opportunity to emphasize key topics.

Works Cited

“Academic Conclusion .” Academic English UK, 26 Dec. 2022, https://academic-englishuk.com/conclusions.

Brandeis University Writing Center. Anatomy of a Conclusion (Humanities). Brandeis University,

brandeis.edu/writing-program/resources/students/academic/drafting-revision/anatomy-of-a-conclusion-humanities.html. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

“Conclusions.” Conclusions - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/argument_papers/conclusions.html. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

“Conclusions.” The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 5 May 2022, https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions.

“Conclusion Paragraph: How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph with Examples.” 7ESL, 29 Aug. 2022, https://7esl.com/conclusion-paragraph.

Harvard College Writing Center. Conclusions. Harvard College Writing Center, writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/conclusions. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Home : Oxford English Dictionary, www.oed.com/. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

“How to Write a Conclusion for Your next Writing Project.” MasterClass, 7 June 2021, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-conclusion#1UKx6xCY0hwO3LmNgJj3mx. Accessed 27 Feb. 2023.

Kendra Cherry, MSEd. “How Does the Recency Effect Influence Memory?” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 16 Jan. 2024, www.verywellmind.com/the-recency-effect-4685058.

University of North Carolina Writing Center. Conclusions. Writing Center, University of North Carolina, writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

University of Washington Writing Center. Writing Effective Conclusions. University of Washington,depts.washington.edu/owrcweb/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/OWRC-Writing-Effective-Conclusions-Handout.pdf. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

"How to Write a Conclusion." Indeed Career Guide, Indeed, www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-a-conclusion. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

"How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay." Scribbr, Scribbr, 6 Feb. 2023, www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/conclusion/. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

“Writing a Conclusion.” Academic Guides at Walden University, https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/conclusions.

“Writing Conclusions.” Writing Tutorial Services, https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/writing-conclusions.html.

"Transitions." The Writing Studio, https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/academic-success-center/documents/revised-transitions-ws.pdf.

Pilon, Olivia. “Six Things to Avoid in Your Conclusion.” David J Klooster Center for Excellence in Writing, 17 Nov. 2015, https://blogs.hope.edu/klooster-center/uncategorized/six-things-to-avoid-in-your-conclusion. Accessed 27 Feb. 2022.

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