Treat the conclusion as a beautiful gift bow. It summarizes the entire analysis of the essay and presents it in a comprehensive, cohesive, and polished manner. The conclusion briefly simplifies the content of the work you do. Lastly, it should end provocatively or with a flourish of words. With a little effort, you'll give that extra incentive to your essay with a great ending.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Brainstorm Conclusion Ideas
Step 1. Focus on the question “What's with this?
”. An easy way to work out the conclusion is to imagine if the reader wondered "What's with this?" or the purpose of your argument. What is the importance of what you wrote? What could you mention in the conclusion to convince readers of the importance of your ideas and argument?
Ask yourself "what's up with this?" as you write your essay to help you dig into your ideas
Step 2. List the main ideas of the essay
Keeping the main ideas of your argument in mind will help you figure out what you need to include in the conclusion. You don't need to cram every point and sub-point in the conclusion, just the important stuff.
Knowing the focus of the essay will help you avoid including new information or topics in the conclusion
Step 3. Find any topic that you included in the first paragraph
You will have a good idea for the conclusion if you go back to the topic with which you started the essay. See if you have a chance to push that topic further when you bring it up again in the conclusion.
For example, if you started your essay with the idea of the smallness of humanity in contrast to the vast universe, you could bring it up again in the conclusion. However, he expands this point even further to include that the more human knowledge develops, the smaller the universe becomes
Step 4. Think about whether there is a link between your argument with a different text
A useful way to conclude an essay is by extending the relevance of your discussion to a larger context or by "seeing the big picture." Thus, you help the reader understand how to apply your arguments to another topic or area, thus giving the essay greater meaning and purpose.
For example, he extends an essay on the series "Orange Is The New Black" to touch on the theme of American culture regarding incarceration
Part 2 of 3: Write the conclusion
Step 1. Start with a small transition (optional)
This would be like a clue to the reader that the essay is nearing completion, and they need to pay attention. While many essays begin their last paragraph with a transition, yours doesn't need to as well if you feel like it's about to end. This transition could be very simple.
It is recommended that you avoid the typical phrases used over and over again, such as "In conclusion", "Summarizing", "To end". This is because they are used very frequently and become a cliché
Step 2. Briefly summarize some of the main points
Try taking the first sentences of each paragraph (the sentences with the topic) and rewriting its main points in two or three sentences. This reinforces the argument of the essay, reminding the reader of what you were talking about or discussing.
Avoid summarizing the points you made in the same way that you wrote them. Readers have already read the essay. You don't need to remind them of every point literally
Step 3. Keep it short and friendly
There is no hard and fast rule of thumb for how long a conclusion should be, for most high school and college essays a good rule of thumb is that the conclusion should be five to seven sentences. Anything less implies that you did not summarize the points sufficiently; anything else implies that you probably rambled on the content too much.
Step 4. Make sure you work on the thesis statement, if you have one, and include it in one way or another in the conclusion
If you have a thesis, refer to it at the conclusion of the essay, even if you only mention it superficially. Remember, the thesis is the main point of the essay, the reason for the argument. If someone reading the conclusion still doesn't understand your thesis, it means you didn't do a good job of letting them know.
Find a way to rework the thesis in an attractive way, using different words. Reaffirming the thesis using the same words will bore the reader and does not offer an in-depth focus on your argument
Step 5. Write the topic with authority
Sounding authoritative means using the right words (as opposed to any old word) and leaning on solid evidence from other sources, relying on your writing style. Don't apologize for your ideas or use highly qualified language.
- For example, instead of saying, "This is why I think Abraham Lincoln was the best American president of the 19th century," say, "For this reason, Abraham Lincoln was the best American president of the 19th century." The reader already thinks that if you wrote about Lincoln being the best president, you believe in it. Mentioning "I believe" sounds like you are being evasive and sounding less authoritative.
- Another example, don't apologize for your views. They are yours, so own them with pride. Never say something like "Maybe I'm not an expert" or "At least that's my point of view," as it weakens your veracity.
Step 6. Finish with a flourishing phrase
The last statement should be elegant, concise, and provocative. Easier said than done. However, it all begins by illustrating the point of view of the essay. Ask yourself what is my essay about, and what am I talking about? and part of there.
- End by using a bit of irony. Play with the last sentence and come up with an ironic consequence of what you are talking about. Thus, the end of the rehearsal will become particularly provocative.
- Make it attractive to the emotions. Most of the time, the rehearsals are very rational and omit the emotions. This is why engaging people's emotions could be a powerful way to conclude your essay. If you do it correctly, you will give the work a heart. Just make sure the conclusions keep the same tone as the rest of the content.
- Include a call to act (in moderation). If the essay is about making a change in people, then it includes a call to act as a useful tool in awakening your fundamentals. But be moderate, since in the wrong context (an expository or argumentative essay) it could sink you deep.
Part 3 of 3: Avoid Common Mistakes
Step 1. Avoid just reiterating the thesis
A common problem with conclusions is that people just repeat their thesis and summarize what has already been mentioned. This does not give readers a compelling reason to read the conclusion, as they know in advance what you are going to talk about.
Instead, try to take the reader “to the next level” within your conclusion or provide a deeper sophistication to the original ideas
Step 2. Resist the urge to include quotes
There is no need to obstruct the end of the essay with citations and analyzes, which should have already been included in the main paragraphs. The bottom line is where you put everything together for readers, not where you present new information to them.
Step 3. Don't use fluffy language
Don't use a lot of pompous words in the conclusion. What you want is to be readable and relatable, not rigid and boring. It is much better to use clear and concise language than an incoherent statement full of excessively long words.
Also do not use the words "In first", "In second", "In third", etc. to emphasize your points. Be clear about what you are mentioning and how much point you have
Step 4. Do not include new material in the conclusion
This is not the time to include new ideas or content. This takes focus away from the original argument and confuses readers. Do not mix things up, lean only on the trajectory that the essay took and express what you think after having carried out the necessary analysis.
Step 5. Don't focus on a minor point or issue in the essay
The conclusion is not the section where you should talk about the trifles of the essay. In fact, it's the part of the job where you take a step back to see the big picture. Make sure the essay focuses on her very heart, not on an insignificant part of it. These words are not a superior way to start the transition.
Advice
- Always make sure to review your essay after you finish it. Check for correct spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Always make sure to keep the information in the conclusion relevant. Also try to use the thesis statement to show the reader that your reasons fit the purpose of the essay.