Write strong conclusions that reinforce main arguments. Avoid weak summary-only endings.
约8分钟阅读
A conclusion is the final impression your essay leaves on the reader. It is the last thing they read, and it shapes how they remember everything that came before. Despite this importance, conclusions are one of the most neglected parts of student writing. Many writers treat the conclusion as an afterthought, rushing through a quick summary before submitting. The result is an essay that builds momentum through well-argued body paragraphs only to fizzle out at the end.
This section explains what a conclusion actually does, clears up common misconceptions about its purpose, and establishes the difference between summarizing and synthesizing -- a distinction that separates competent conclusions from excellent ones.
A conclusion serves several important functions in an essay. Understanding these functions will help you write conclusions that feel purposeful rather than mechanical.
The most basic function of a conclusion is to signal to the reader that the essay is ending. Without a conclusion, an essay can feel like it stops mid-thought, as if a page has been ripped out. The conclusion provides a sense of completeness, telling the reader that the argument has been fully presented and that there is nothing more to add.
This does not mean the conclusion needs to announce itself with phrases like "In conclusion" or "To sum up." Skilled writers create a sense of closure through tone, structure, and content rather than through formulaic signposting.
The conclusion reminds the reader of the essay's main claim. By the time a reader reaches the end of a long essay, the details of the introduction may have faded from memory. The conclusion brings the reader back to the thesis and confirms that the essay has delivered on its promise.
This reinforcement should not be a word-for-word repetition of the thesis statement. Instead, the conclusion restates the thesis in light of the evidence that has been presented. The reader should feel that the thesis has been proven, not merely repeated.
A strong conclusion answers the question every reader implicitly asks: "So what? Why does this matter?" It moves beyond the specific evidence discussed in the body paragraphs and connects the argument to a larger context -- a broader social issue, a real-world implication, or a deeper insight about the topic.
This is what elevates a conclusion from adequate to memorable. An essay about the benefits of urban green spaces might conclude by connecting those benefits to the broader challenge of public health in rapidly urbanizing cities. An essay about the failures of standardized testing might conclude by raising questions about what education should actually measure.
The conclusion is your final opportunity to influence the reader's thinking. Psychological research on the "recency effect" shows that people tend to remember the last thing they encountered most vividly. A powerful conclusion can turn a good essay into a memorable one. A weak conclusion can undermine an otherwise excellent argument.
Several widespread beliefs about conclusions actually lead to weaker writing. Recognizing these misconceptions is the first step toward avoiding them.
The most common misconception is that the conclusion should simply restate the main points of the essay. While a brief recap can be part of a conclusion, a conclusion that does nothing but summarize is repetitive and uninteresting. The reader has just read your body paragraphs -- they do not need a condensed version of what they already know.
A conclusion should go beyond summary. It should synthesize, interpret, or extend the ideas presented in the body.
At the opposite extreme, some writers treat the conclusion as a place to introduce new arguments, new data, or new examples that were not discussed in the body. This confuses the reader and undermines the essay's structure. If a piece of evidence is important enough to include, it belongs in a body paragraph where it can be properly developed and analyzed.
The conclusion can introduce new ideas -- broader implications, future directions, or calls to action -- but it should not introduce new evidence that requires analysis.
Phrases like "In conclusion," "To summarize," and "In summary" are not inherently wrong, but they are overused and often signal a mechanical, formulaic conclusion. In standardized test environments (IELTS, TOEFL), a brief signpost like "In conclusion" can be appropriate because it helps graders quickly identify the conclusion. In academic essays, professional writing, and creative nonfiction, these phrases are unnecessary and make the writing feel stiff.
Let your conclusion announce itself through its content and positioning, not through a label.
Many writers rush through their conclusions, producing two or three sentences that merely restate the thesis. While a conclusion should be concise, it should not be abrupt. A well-developed conclusion typically occupies one substantial paragraph -- roughly 5 to 10 sentences in a standard academic essay. For longer papers, the conclusion might span two or three paragraphs.
The key is proportionality. In a 500-word essay, a two-sentence conclusion may be appropriate. In a 2,000-word essay, two sentences will feel incomplete.
The difference between summary and synthesis is the single most important concept in conclusion writing. Understanding this distinction will immediately improve the quality of your conclusions.
A summary restates the main points of the essay in condensed form. It tells the reader what was discussed, but it does not add any new perspective or interpretation.
Summary example:
This essay discussed three benefits of public transportation: it reduces traffic congestion, it lowers carbon emissions, and it provides affordable mobility for low-income residents.
This is accurate, but it is flat. The reader already knows these three points because they just read the body paragraphs.
Synthesis pulls the main points together and shows how they combine to support a larger insight. It demonstrates what the evidence means collectively, not just individually. Synthesis answers the question: "What do all of these points add up to?"
Synthesis example:
Taken together, the evidence demonstrates that public transportation is not merely a convenience but a foundational element of equitable, sustainable urban life. When cities invest in transit, they simultaneously address congestion, environmental degradation, and economic inequality -- three challenges that are typically treated as separate policy problems but are in fact deeply interconnected. The failure to fund public transportation is not just a transportation failure; it is a failure of urban governance.
Notice the difference. The synthesis does not simply list the three points again. It shows how they connect to each other, places them in a broader context (urban governance), and draws a conclusion that is greater than the sum of its parts.
When writing your conclusion, follow these steps:
Essay topic: The impact of social media on political engagement among young people.
| Summary Conclusion | Synthesis Conclusion |
|---|---|
| This essay showed that social media increases political awareness, helps organize grassroots movements, and enables young people to hold politicians accountable. Social media is an important tool for political engagement. | While social media has undeniably expanded the channels through which young people encounter political information, the deeper significance lies in how these platforms have redefined what political participation looks like. Traditional metrics of engagement -- voter turnout, party membership, letter-writing campaigns -- fail to capture the political energy of a generation that organizes through hashtags, amplifies injustice through viral videos, and pressures corporations and governments through coordinated online campaigns. The question is no longer whether young people are politically engaged but whether our institutions are equipped to recognize and respond to the forms that engagement now takes. |
The summary version is adequate. The synthesis version is compelling. It takes the same evidence and reveals a deeper insight that the reader had not explicitly considered.
Beyond its logical function, a conclusion carries emotional weight. It is the note on which the reader leaves your essay. Consider the difference between ending a piece on food insecurity with a dry restatement of statistics versus ending with a sentence like: "Tonight, while you sleep, 37 million Americans will go to bed hungry -- not because there is not enough food, but because there is not enough will."
The best conclusions combine intellectual synthesis with emotional resonance. They make the reader think and feel. This does not mean being melodramatic or manipulative. It means choosing your final words with care, recognizing that the ending of an essay is a position of power.
约9分钟阅读
Now that you understand what a conclusion should accomplish, this section presents five proven strategies for writing conclusions that are both effective and memorable. Each strategy offers a different way to end your essay with purpose and impact. The best writers learn all five and choose the one that best suits the specific essay they are writing.
The most straightforward strategy is to return to your thesis statement and restate it in a way that reflects the evidence you have presented. This is not the same as copying your thesis word for word. Instead, you echo the core idea using different language, showing how your understanding has deepened through the course of the essay.
Original thesis (from the introduction): Universal preschool programs reduce the achievement gap between low-income and high-income students and should be funded at the federal level.
Echoed thesis (in the conclusion): The evidence from longitudinal studies across three decades leaves little room for doubt: children who attend publicly funded preschool enter kindergarten with stronger cognitive and social skills, maintain that advantage through elementary school, and are significantly more likely to graduate from high school. Universal preschool is not merely an educational investment but an economic one, returning an estimated $7 for every $1 spent through reduced remedial education costs, lower incarceration rates, and higher lifetime earnings.
Notice that the echo does not repeat the original thesis verbatim. It revisits the same claim -- that universal preschool should be federally funded -- but it does so with the confidence and specificity that comes from having presented the evidence.
Echoing the thesis works best in argumentative and analytical essays where the primary goal is to prove a claim. It is especially effective in standardized test essays (IELTS, TOEFL, AP) where graders need to see a clear connection between the introduction and the conclusion.
This strategy zooms out from the specific argument of your essay and connects it to a larger issue, trend, or question. It answers the reader's "So what?" by showing that your topic has implications beyond the narrow scope of the essay.
Essay topic: The benefits of bilingual education programs in elementary schools.
Conclusion using broadened significance: Bilingual education does more than improve test scores and cognitive flexibility in young students. It signals a fundamental shift in how societies think about linguistic diversity -- not as a deficit to be corrected but as an asset to be cultivated. At a time when globalization demands cross-cultural communication and when immigrant communities are growing in every major city, the ability to think, learn, and create in more than one language is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Schools that invest in bilingual education are not just teaching children a second language. They are preparing citizens for a world that will reward the ability to move fluidly between cultures, perspectives, and ways of understanding.
The essay discussed specific benefits of bilingual education. The conclusion connects those benefits to globalization, immigration, and the future of citizenship -- much larger themes that give the argument significance beyond the classroom.
Broadening the significance works well in academic essays, research papers, and opinion pieces. It is particularly effective when your topic has clear connections to current events, social trends, or public policy.
A call to action asks the reader to do something in response to your argument. This strategy is most appropriate in persuasive writing, policy proposals, and essays that address problems requiring practical solutions.
Essay topic: The environmental impact of fast fashion.
Conclusion with a call to action: The fast fashion industry produces 92 million tons of textile waste annually, pollutes waterways with toxic dyes, and relies on labor practices that many independent auditors have described as exploitative. These are not abstract problems. They are consequences of purchasing decisions made by billions of consumers every day. The most effective response is not to wait for government regulation or corporate responsibility -- both of which have proven slow and unreliable -- but to change the demand itself. Buy fewer garments and wear them longer. Choose secondhand clothing when possible. Research brands before purchasing and support companies that publish transparent supply chain data. The fast fashion industry will not change until its customers do.
This conclusion does not just lament the problem. It gives the reader concrete, specific actions to take. The final sentence provides a memorable, motivating closing statement.
Calls to action work best when your essay addresses a problem that the reader has some power to influence. They are common in persuasive essays, editorials, public health campaigns, and environmental writing.
A provocative ending challenges the reader's assumptions, poses a difficult question, or presents a scenario that lingers in the mind. This strategy is designed to make the reader keep thinking about your essay long after they have finished reading it.
Essay topic: The ethics of artificial intelligence in criminal sentencing.
Conclusion with a provocative ending: AI sentencing tools promise objectivity in a system that has been riddled with racial and socioeconomic bias for centuries. Yet the data these algorithms are trained on reflects that very same bias -- arrest records shaped by over-policing in minority communities, conviction rates influenced by inadequate public defense, sentencing patterns that have consistently punished poverty as harshly as crime. An algorithm trained on biased data does not eliminate bias. It automates it. Before we hand the power of sentencing to machines, we must ask a question that the technology itself cannot answer: Is it possible to build a fair algorithm on top of an unfair history?
The concluding question does not have an easy answer. It forces the reader to sit with the complexity of the issue. This is far more powerful than a simple restatement of the thesis.
Provocative endings work well in essays on ethics, philosophy, social issues, and any topic where the full answer is genuinely uncertain or contested. They are effective in academic writing, opinion pieces, and literary analysis.
The full-circle technique returns to an image, anecdote, quotation, or scenario introduced at the beginning of the essay. This creates a satisfying sense of completeness, as if the essay has come full circle from beginning to end.
Introduction opening: In 2015, a photograph of a three-year-old boy lying face-down on a Turkish beach shocked the world. Alan Kurdi had drowned while his family attempted to cross the Mediterranean Sea to escape the Syrian civil war. The image sparked global outrage and temporary surges in donations to refugee organizations. But the outrage faded.
Conclusion using the full-circle technique: Seven years after Alan Kurdi's photograph forced the world to confront the human cost of the refugee crisis, the fundamental conditions that created that crisis remain unchanged. Wars continue, borders remain closed, and thousands of families each year still entrust their lives to overcrowded boats on dangerous seas. The photograph moved the world for a moment. The question this essay has tried to address is how we move from momentary compassion to sustained policy -- how we build systems that prevent the next Alan Kurdi rather than simply mourning him after the fact.
The conclusion returns to the opening image of Alan Kurdi but now frames it in the context of the essay's argument about sustained policy change. The reader's understanding of the opening image has been deepened by the essay.
The full-circle technique works well in narrative essays, long-form journalism, personal statements, and any essay that begins with a concrete image or story. It is particularly powerful when the body of the essay transforms the reader's understanding of the opening.
The five strategies above are not mutually exclusive. The strongest conclusions often combine two or more strategies in a single paragraph. You might echo the thesis, broaden the significance, and end with a provocative question. You might return to an opening anecdote and then issue a call to action.
The key is to let your essay's content and purpose guide your choice. An essay arguing for policy change naturally lends itself to a call to action. A literary analysis might benefit from a provocative question. A personal narrative might call for the full-circle technique.
Experiment with different strategies across your writing. Over time, you will develop an intuition for which approach best serves each essay you write.
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Theory is essential, but seeing conclusions in action is what makes the difference between understanding the concept and being able to execute it. This section presents detailed before-and-after examples of conclusions across multiple essay types. Study the weak versions, understand why they fail, and then examine the strong versions to see how the strategies from the previous section work in practice.
Essay topic: Should college education be free for all citizens?
Thesis: Tuition-free public college education would strengthen the national economy by producing a more skilled workforce, reducing student debt that suppresses consumer spending, and increasing social mobility for low-income families.
In conclusion, free college education would be beneficial. As this essay has shown, it would help the economy, reduce debt, and help poor families. Free college is a good idea and should be implemented. College is expensive and many students cannot afford it. The government should make college free for everyone.
Why this fails:
The economic case for tuition-free public college is not based on idealism but on arithmetic. A workforce with higher levels of education generates more tax revenue, relies less on public assistance, and drives innovation at a rate that more than compensates for the upfront investment in free tuition. When student debt suppresses an entire generation's ability to buy homes, start businesses, and invest for retirement, the cost of inaction is not zero -- it is staggering. Countries that have already implemented free or heavily subsidized higher education, including Germany, Norway, and Finland, consistently rank among the world's most competitive economies. The United States faces a choice: continue treating education as a private commodity that deepens inequality, or recognize it as the public infrastructure that it is -- an investment in the collective capacity of the nation.
Why this works:
Essay topic: How does George Orwell use language as a theme in 1984?
Thesis: In 1984, Orwell argues that the deliberate corruption of language is the most powerful tool of totalitarian control, more effective than surveillance or physical punishment, because it eliminates the very words needed to conceive of resistance.
In summary, Orwell uses language as a major theme in 1984. Newspeak reduces the number of words people can use. The Party controls what people think by controlling their language. This shows that language is important. Orwell's novel is still relevant today because language is still used to manipulate people.
Why this fails:
What makes Orwell's vision so enduring is not the telescreens or the Thought Police but the quiet, systematic destruction of the words people need to think freely. Newspeak does not merely limit expression -- it collapses the cognitive space in which dissent can form. A citizen who lacks the word "freedom" cannot articulate, or even fully conceive of, what has been taken. This is the deepest horror of 1984: not that the Party punishes rebellion, but that it engineers a world in which rebellion becomes literally unthinkable. Orwell wrote the novel in 1948, but his central insight -- that those who control language control thought -- resonates in any era where euphemism replaces honesty, where slogans replace analysis, and where the deliberate narrowing of public discourse makes it harder for citizens to name, and therefore to resist, the forces that shape their lives.
Why this works:
Essay topic: Some people think that governments should spend money on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Thesis: Governments should prioritize railway investment over road construction because rail systems are more environmentally sustainable, more efficient in densely populated areas, and more cost-effective over time.
To conclude, I agree that governments should spend more money on railways than roads. Railways are better for the environment, more efficient, and cheaper in the long run. Governments should invest in railways to improve transportation.
Why this fails:
In conclusion, the case for prioritizing railway investment over road expansion rests on converging environmental, logistical, and economic evidence. As urban populations continue to grow, the limitations of road-based transportation -- congestion, pollution, and escalating maintenance costs -- will only intensify. Railways offer a scalable solution that addresses all three challenges simultaneously. Governments that invest in rail infrastructure now are not just improving transportation; they are building the foundation for cities that are more livable, more sustainable, and more economically resilient. The cost of railway investment is substantial, but the cost of failing to invest is far greater.
Why this works:
Report topic: Analysis of remote work productivity at a mid-sized technology company.
Thesis: Data from the past two years demonstrates that remote employees at the company are measurably more productive than their in-office counterparts, and the company should formalize its remote work policy.
In summary, remote work is more productive. The data shows that remote employees get more done. The company should allow remote work. This would also save money on office space.
Why this fails:
The productivity data from 2023 and 2024 consistently shows that remote employees complete 14% more tasks per sprint, maintain higher code quality scores, and report greater job satisfaction than their in-office counterparts. These results are not attributable to self-selection; the analysis controlled for role, tenure, and prior performance ratings. Based on these findings, we recommend that the company formalize a permanent remote-first policy for all engineering and product teams, with quarterly in-person gatherings to maintain team cohesion. This policy change would also reduce the company's annual office lease expenditure by an estimated $2.3 million, funds that could be redirected toward employee development programs and the technology infrastructure needed to support a distributed workforce. The evidence is clear: remote work is not a temporary accommodation but a competitive advantage that the company should embrace.
Why this works:
Essay topic: A personal experience that changed your perspective.
Thesis (implied): Working as a volunteer English tutor in a refugee resettlement center changed my understanding of what it means to start over.
Volunteering at the refugee center changed my life. I learned a lot about different cultures and the challenges refugees face. It was a very meaningful experience and I am grateful for it. Everyone should volunteer if they get the chance.
Why this fails:
On my last day at the center, Amira handed me a folded piece of paper. Inside, in careful, uneven handwriting, she had written: "Thank you for the words." I had spent three months teaching her English vocabulary -- kitchen objects, bus routes, job interview phrases. I had thought I was giving her language. But what Amira taught me was that language is not just a communication tool. It is the difference between being present in a place and being invisible in it. Without the words to ask for directions, to explain symptoms to a doctor, to answer a child's teacher, a person can live in a city for years and remain a ghost in it. I came to the center thinking I would teach English. I left understanding that what I was really doing -- what any of us do when we help someone find their words -- is making them visible.
Why this works:
Looking across all five examples, several patterns emerge that distinguish strong conclusions from weak ones:
The appropriate length for a conclusion varies by context:
| Essay Type | Typical Conclusion Length |
|---|---|
| IELTS/TOEFL (250-300 words total) | 2-4 sentences (40-60 words) |
| AP English (600-800 words total) | 4-6 sentences (80-120 words) |
| Standard academic essay (1,000-2,000 words) | 5-10 sentences (100-200 words) |
| Research paper (3,000+ words) | 1-3 paragraphs (200-400 words) |
| Business report or proposal | 1-2 paragraphs, including specific recommendations |
| Personal essay or narrative | 1 paragraph, often returning to a specific image or moment |
These are guidelines, not rules. The right length is the length that allows you to synthesize your argument, convey its significance, and leave a lasting impression without padding or repetition.
约6分钟阅读
This section serves as a practical reference you can return to whenever you are writing a conclusion. It includes dos and don'ts, customizable templates for different essay types, and a self-editing checklist to ensure your conclusion is as strong as it can be.
Keep these principles visible whenever you write or revise a conclusion.
Do restate your thesis in new language. The conclusion should remind the reader of your central argument, but the phrasing should reflect the evidence and analysis presented in the body. A restated thesis feels earned; a copied thesis feels lazy.
Do synthesize your main points. Show the reader how your arguments connect to each other and what they mean together. This is the most important function of a conclusion.
Do answer the "So what?" question. Tell the reader why your argument matters beyond the scope of the essay. Connect it to a larger issue, a real-world consequence, or a future implication.
Do match your tone to the essay type. A business report conclusion should be direct and action-oriented. A literary analysis conclusion should be reflective and interpretive. A personal essay conclusion can be emotional and specific. Let the genre guide your voice.
Do end with a strong final sentence. Your last sentence is the most important sentence in the conclusion. Make it memorable. A vivid image, a decisive claim, a thought-provoking question, or a striking contrast will leave a lasting impression.
Do keep it proportional. A conclusion should be substantial enough to feel complete but concise enough to avoid repetition. For most academic essays, one well-developed paragraph is appropriate.
Don't copy your thesis word for word. This is the most common conclusion mistake. If your conclusion's first sentence is identical to your introduction's last sentence, the reader immediately disengages.
Don't introduce new evidence. The conclusion is not the place for new facts, statistics, quotations, or examples that require analysis. If a piece of evidence is important, it belongs in a body paragraph.
Don't undermine your argument. Avoid hedging language that weakens the case you have just spent the entire essay building. Phrases like "but of course this is just my opinion" or "there are many other perspectives" dilute your authority. You can acknowledge complexity without surrendering your position.
Don't apologize for your essay. Never write "This essay may not have covered everything" or "There is much more that could be said." These phrases signal insecurity and leave the reader with a negative impression.
Don't end with a cliche. Avoid worn-out phrases like "Only time will tell," "At the end of the day," "In today's society," or "Since the dawn of time." These add no meaning and make your writing feel generic.
Don't introduce a completely new topic. While you can broaden the significance of your argument, pivoting to an entirely different subject confuses the reader and breaks the essay's coherence.
Don't make the conclusion too short. A one-sentence conclusion or a two-sentence conclusion in a 1,000-word essay feels abrupt and incomplete. Give the conclusion the development it deserves.
The following templates provide flexible structures you can adapt to your specific essay. They are starting frameworks, not rigid formulas. Modify them to suit your argument, your evidence, and your voice.
[Restated thesis reflecting evidence presented] + [Synthesis of how the main arguments connect] + [Broader significance or real-world implication] + [Strong closing statement: call to action, decisive claim, or thought-provoking question]
Sentence-by-sentence guide:
[Restate the central interpretation or analysis] + [Show how the analyzed elements work together to create meaning] + [Extend the analysis to a broader insight about the text, phenomenon, or subject] + [End with an observation that deepens the reader's understanding]
Sentence-by-sentence guide:
[Clear position restatement (1 sentence)] + [Brief synthesis of supporting reasons (1-2 sentences)] + [Final thought on significance (1 sentence)]
Example applied:
[Position:] The advantages of studying abroad clearly outweigh the disadvantages for students who are prepared for the experience. [Synthesis:] Exposure to different academic systems, the development of cross-cultural communication skills, and the personal growth that comes from navigating unfamiliar environments combine to produce graduates who are more adaptable and globally aware. [Significance:] In an increasingly interconnected world, these qualities are not merely desirable but essential for professional success.
Keep IELTS/TOEFL conclusions to 40-60 words. Graders value clarity and coherence over length.
[Summary of key findings (1-2 sentences)] + [Specific recommendation with rationale (2-3 sentences)] + [Expected outcome or next steps (1-2 sentences)]
Example applied:
[Findings:] The analysis of customer satisfaction data from Q1-Q4 2024 reveals a consistent decline in Net Promoter Scores among customers who interact primarily through the automated phone system. [Recommendation:] We recommend replacing the current IVR system with a hybrid model that routes complex inquiries to human agents within 90 seconds. Based on competitor benchmarking, this change is projected to improve NPS by 15-20 points within two quarters. [Next steps:] The customer experience team should begin vendor evaluation by March 15, with a target implementation date of July 1.
[Return to a specific image, moment, or detail from the opening (1-2 sentences)] + [Show how your understanding of that moment has changed (2-3 sentences)] + [End with the broader insight or lesson, stated through showing rather than telling (1-2 sentences)]
Example applied:
[Return:] I still have the bus ticket from that morning -- a crumpled rectangle of yellow paper, stamped with a date that means nothing to anyone but me. [Transformation:] At the time, I thought that trip was about getting away from a place where I did not belong. I spent a year believing I was running from something. [Insight:] It took much longer to realize I was not running from anything. I was walking, slowly and uncertainly, toward the person I had not yet figured out how to become.
Use this checklist every time you write a conclusion. Go through each item and revise until you can check every box.
| Strategy | Best For | Key Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Echo the Thesis | Argumentative essays, standardized tests | Restate the thesis with earned confidence |
| Broaden the Significance | Academic essays, research papers | Connect the specific argument to a larger issue |
| Call to Action | Persuasive writing, policy proposals | Give the reader a specific, achievable action |
| Provocative Ending | Ethics, philosophy, social issues | End with a question or scenario that lingers |
| Full-Circle Technique | Narrative essays, long-form writing | Return to the opening image with deepened understanding |
If your conclusion feels weak, check for these common problems:
| Symptom | Likely Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The conclusion feels repetitive | You are summarizing, not synthesizing | Show what the points mean together, not individually |
| The conclusion feels disconnected | You are broadening too far | Keep the broader significance connected to your specific argument |
| The conclusion feels flat | Your final sentence is weak | Rewrite the last sentence to be vivid, decisive, or thought-provoking |
| The conclusion feels rushed | It is too short | Add synthesis and broader significance -- do not just restate and stop |
| The conclusion feels preachy | Your call to action is too aggressive | Tone down the imperative language; suggest rather than demand |
| The conclusion raises more questions than it answers | You introduced new evidence or a new topic | Remove the new material and focus on synthesizing what the body already established |
| The conclusion sounds like a different essay | The tone shifted | Rewrite to match the voice and register of the body paragraphs |
Before submitting any essay, read your conclusion's final sentence in isolation. Does it sound like a sentence worth ending on? Is it specific, vivid, and purposeful? Would a reader remember it?
If not, rewrite it. Your final sentence is the last impression your reader takes away. It should carry the full weight of your argument and leave the reader with a clear sense of why your essay mattered.
Strong final sentences share three qualities:
Write your conclusion as if it is the one paragraph the reader will remember. Because it probably is.
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