How to Write an Essay: Conclusion Paragraph

Sep 2022
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How to Write an Essay: Conclusion Paragraph

Christopher Smith

29th September 2022

Coming up with a compelling thesis statement and drafting a rough opening are the initial stages of writing any college essay.

After that, you may begin gathering facts to support your thesis, outlining your essay's key ideas, and drafting your body paragraphs.

However, before you can submit the essay, you must also produce a persuasive concluding paragraph.

Conclusions aren't tough to write and may even be enjoyable, but they require effort to make them work. Finally, for a good paper, a great conclusion is just as necessary as an excellent start.

The Purpose of a Conclusion Paragraph

A conclusion paragraph does:

Summarize the essay's thesis and evidence to further convince the reader
Elevate your essay by adding new insight or something extra to impress the reader
Leave a personal impression that connects you more closely to the reader

A conclusion paragraph does not:

Summarize something the paper does not discuss
Introduce a new argument

How to Write a Conclusion in 3 Easy Steps

Step 1: Restate Your Thesis Claim and Evidence

The fundamental purpose of the conclusion is to persuade the reader that your argument is sound. In contrast to the introductory paragraph, which states, "Here's what I'll prove and how," the conclusion paragraph states, "Here's what I proved and how."

In that sense, these two paragraphs should be nearly identical, with the conclusion restating the thesis stated at the start of the essay.

To restate your thesis effectively, you'll need to do the following:

Reread your introduction carefully to find the key assertion of your work.
Throughout the essay, pay close attention to the evidence you utilized to support your argument.
Rephrase the thesis and discuss the supporting evidence in your conclusion.
Use past tense terms such as "as demonstrated" and "this article established."

Here's an example of an introduction and a conclusion paragraph, with the conclusion restating the paper's primary claim and evidence:

introduction

It is a known fact that archaic civilizations with clearly defined social classes often survived longer than those without. One anomaly is seventh-century Civilization X. Close analysis of the cultural artifacts of the Civilization X region reveals that a social system that operates on exploitation, rather than sharing, will always fail. This lack of inclusion leads to a society's downfall. Excavated military objects, remnants of tapestries and clay pots, and the poetry of the era all demonstrate the clash between exploitation and sharing, with the former leading to loss and the latter leading to success.

Conclusion

In the 600s C.E., Civilization X survived because it believed in inclusion and sharing rather than exploitation. As demonstrated, civilization was often aware of the choice between sharing with others and taking from them. The cultural artifacts from the era, namely military items, household objects, and verbal art, all indicate that Civilization X believed sharing ensured survival for all while taking allowed only a few to survive for a shorter time.

Step 2: Provide New and Interesting Insight

A conclusion, in addition to restating the thesis, should stress the significance of the essay's argument by expanding on it. In other words, you want to extend your thoughts beyond your thesis.

One unique discovery at the conclusion might have your professor considering your paper long after they've finished reading it – a solid indication that you submitted a well-written essay.

It is important to note that the conclusion paragraph should merely indicate that this new thought exists and needs some attention in the future; it should not go into depth about the notion or try to provide a fresh argument.

The fresh insight you present in your conclusion should preferably derive from previous studies. If you get a new thought when writing the body paragraphs, write a note to remember yourself to include it in the conclusion.

Here are some common beginning places for these discoveries:

A fresh perspective that would have encouraged you to revise your argument if you had the time.
A new aspect that would support your thesis
You discovered evidence that contradicts your assertion but that you can defend regardless.
A separate issue to which the same thesis and/or perspectives can be applied

Step 3: Form a Personal Connection With the Reader

The final stage in drafting a closing paragraph is to incorporate a brief biographical note about yourself. This information will allow you to develop a more personal connection with your reader and help them remember you better.

Consider this phase a chance to relate the scholarly findings to your and your reader's own experiences – to connect the dots.

Formal essay writing often excludes pronouns in the first and second person, such as "I" and "you." However, there are two exceptions to this rule: the introduction and conclusion paragraphs.

“In conclusion, you may use first-person pronouns to attempt to establish an emotional connection with the reader.”

You may use the words "I" or "me" once in the opening to emphasize that the essay's assertion is your own. You may use first-person pronouns in the conclusion to try to develop an emotional connection with the reader, as long as this connection is tied in some manner to the overall point.

Here's an example of a conclusion paragraph that connects the thesis statement (given above) to the student's personal opinion on theft using both first- and second-person pronouns:

Civilization X believed that invading Civilization Y would help them survive long, hunger-inducing winters. But all people go through moments when they crave security, especially in times of scarcity. I would certainly never consider taking the belongings of a neighbor, nor, I expect, would you. Yet we must consider the Civilization X artifacts that justify "taking" as signs of more than simple bloodthirst — they are also revelations of the basic human need for security. Perhaps if we had lived during the 600s C.E., you and I would have also taken from others, even while commanding others not to take from us.