How to Write a Conclusion for Your Next Writing Project

A conclusion is the final piece of writing in a research paper, essay, or article that summarizes the entire work. The conclusion paragraph should restate your thesis, summarize the key supporting ideas you discussed throughout the work, and offer your final impression on the central idea. This final summation should also contain the moral of your story or a revelation of a deeper truth. A good conclusion will wrap up your final thoughts and main points, combining all pertinent information with an emotional appeal for an ending statement that resonates with your readers.

The purpose of a conclusion paragraph is to wrap up your writing and reinforce the main idea that you presented in the body of your paper. Conclusion structure is one of the key elements of academic writing (for example, personal essays or argumentative essays). A conclusion ties in the initial thesis statement presented in the opening paragraph along with supporting points and a final impression that gives the reader closure. A well-written conclusion clearly relays the writer’s take-home message. A strong conclusion can provide the reader with a different perspective or shed new insight on an old idea.

A strong conclusion is a great way to close out any type of academic or narrative writing. Here’s an example of a conclusion based on an article about recycling:

Recycling is a vital process that benefits the environment. It conserves resources, lowers our need to collect raw materials, and keeps usable materials out of landfills. Recycling reduces our carbon footprint by extending the longevity of materials, giving items additional uses before they become waste. With a reduction in the need for additional resources, recycling can lower the amount of pollutants and other toxic chemicals released into the air via processing and greenhouse gases. The less waste that gets incinerated, buried in the ground, or thrown in the ocean, the healthier and more stable our environment will be. Recycling is only one part of a much-needed effort to combat climate change, but it is an important part that can help make a big difference.

Here are four key tips for writing stronger conclusions that leave a lasting impression:

1. 1. Include a topic sentence. Conclusions should always begin with a topic sentence. Restating the thesis from your introductory paragraph in the first sentence of your conclusion is an effective way to remind the reader of the main argument.
2. 2. Use your introductory paragraph as a guide. When writing your conclusion, keep a copy of your introductory paragraph on hand as a reference. Your conclusion should reinforce and address the points you made in your introduction. A conclusion paragraph should feature the thesis statement from your intro and supporting points, along with your emotional appeal and final impression. Use the introduction as a reference when writing your conclusion, but avoid rewriting it using different words.
   
3. 3. Summarize the main ideas. Effective conclusions will restate the most relevant information to sum up the main point of the paper. Academic essays and research papers can be lengthy, so it’s essential to include a brief summary of all your supporting arguments within your concluding paragraph to ensure the reader is up to speed. However, your conclusion should only feature key evidence and research introduced within the body paragraphs of your work. Avoid using your conclusion to introduce new information, future research, or new ideas because it can confuse the reader.
4. 4. Appeal to the reader’s emotions. A good conclusion will use emotional or sensory language to create a powerful, lasting image in the reader’s mind. Using an emotional appeal is also a great way to reinforce your central points.
5. 5. Include a closing sentence. Your concluding sentence should wrap up your entire work with a synthesis of key points. Write your final point clearly and succinctly, providing closure to the reader, leaving them with a strong impression of its significance within a broader context.

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