How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay

The conclusion is like the finishing touch on a carefully wrapped gift. It ties everything together and gives your essay a polished finish. Your conclusion should encapsulate the main ideas of your essay with a strong and compelling tone. With just a little attention, you can elevate your essay with a memorable conclusion.

Consider the question “So what?” The best way to approach your conclusion is by imagining the question “So what?” that your reader might ask after reading your essay. Why did you choose this topic? What should you include in your conclusion to persuade the reader to care about the idea you've discussed?

• Asking yourself “So what?” during the writing process can help you dig deeper into your own ideas.

List the main ideas of the essay. Understanding the central ideas of your essay will help you determine how to write an effective conclusion. You don’t need to cram everything into the conclusion—only the most important points should be included.

• Being clear about your essay’s key content will prevent the mistake of introducing new information or topics in the conclusion.

Look for the theme introduced in the introduction. Having a conclusion that ties back to the same theme as your introduction can be an excellent approach. Try to "elevate" this theme in your conclusion.

• For example, if you opened your essay with the idea "the insignificance of humans in the vast universe," you might revisit this idea in your conclusion. However, you could expand this theme by adding points like "as human intelligence continues to grow, the universe seems to shrink."

Consider linking your argument to a broader context. A great way to write a conclusion is to expand the discussion to a larger context. This will help the reader understand how your argument can be applied to other topics, broadening the purpose of your essay.

• For example, you might broaden the discussion about the show "Orange is the New Black" when addressing the issue of prisons in the U.S. in general.

Start with a small concluding statement (optional). This can serve as a signal to the reader that you are wrapping up the essay and they should pay attention. Many essays begin their conclusion with a transition word, which is a simple approach.

• However, you should avoid overusing phrases like "In conclusion," "To sum up," or "To wrap up". These have become so common that they sound mechanical and clichéd.

Summarize key points. Try taking the first sentence of each body paragraph (topic sentence) and rephrasing it into a 2-3 sentence summary that highlights the main points. This will strengthen your argument and remind the reader of the issue discussed in your essay.

• Avoid repeating points exactly as they appeared earlier. The reader has already gone through the entire essay, and it’s not necessary to reiterate each argument.

Keep it concise and to the point. There are no strict rules about how long your conclusion should be, but for high school and college essays, aim for 5 to 7 sentences. If it’s shorter, you might not be summarizing enough, and if it’s longer, it might feel like unnecessary elaboration.

Remember to highlight your essay’s thesis in the conclusion. Even if it’s just a mention, your thesis should appear in your conclusion. If the reader finishes the conclusion without understanding your thesis, you haven’t successfully communicated your idea.

• Find a fresh way to restate your thesis, using a different phrasing. Repeating the same wording from earlier will bore the reader and fail to offer a new perspective on your argument.

Present your topic with a confident tone. Confidence here means using precise words (instead of vague ones), relying on solid evidence from other sources, and trusting in your own writing ability. Don’t apologize for your ideas or overuse cautious language.

• For example, instead of writing "That’s why I think Abraham Lincoln was the best U.S. president of the 19th century," say "That’s why Abraham Lincoln became the best U.S. president of the 19th century." The reader knows you believe Lincoln was the best president, and saying "I think" makes you sound uncertain.
• Another example: Don’t apologize for your viewpoint. It’s your idea, and you have every right to own it. Never write phrases like "I may not be an expert" or "At least this is my opinion" because it undermines the confidence of your essay.

Conclude with an elegant writing style. The final sentence should be smooth, on-topic, and thought-provoking. It’s easier said than done, but start by illustrating the main theme of your essay. Ask yourself What is my essay’s theme? What issue am I addressing? and then expand from there.

• Add a touch of irony. Write the last sentence with a witty and slightly sarcastic tone about the subject of the essay. This will make your conclusion more engaging.
• Show some emotion. Even though the essay is logical, it may still lack a bit of emotion. That’s why you should inject emotion into your conclusion. If done correctly, it will add depth to your writing. Just make sure the tone of the conclusion matches the rest of the essay.
• Include a call to action (use sparingly). If the essay’s purpose is to inspire change, adding a call to action can be an effective way to highlight the key points. But don’t overdo it: if used in the wrong context (e.g., in a critique or argument), it can backfire.

Don’t just restate your thesis. A common mistake in the conclusion is merely rephrasing the thesis and summarizing what has already been presented. This doesn’t give the reader a compelling reason to read the conclusion since they already know what you're going to say.

• Instead, elevate the reader’s understanding or provide additional insights into your original idea in the conclusion.

Don’t include citations. Typically, you don’t need to cite or analyze sources in the conclusion—do that in the body of the essay. The conclusion is for wrapping things up, not introducing new information.

Avoid unnecessary wordiness. Don’t use overly flowery language in your conclusion. You want it to be readable and easy to understand, not stiff or dull. It’s better to use clear, concise language instead of rambling with long-winded terms.

• Avoid phrases like "First," "Second," "Third," etc., to mark points. Clarify what you’re addressing and how many points you're discussing instead.

Don’t add new information in the conclusion. This is not the time to introduce new ideas or content. Doing so will distract from your original argument and confuse the reader. Stick to the content and points that you’ve developed after performing the necessary analysis.

Don’t focus on a minor point or issue in your essay. The conclusion isn’t the place to revisit a small topic from your essay. Instead, it’s the time to offer a broad summary of your entire argument. Make sure the essay has stayed on track with the central thesis, not veering off into a different direction. These are not ideal words for transitioning.

• Always take time to proofread your essay after completing it. Check for any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.
• Make sure that relevant information is included in the conclusion. Additionally, restate your thesis so the reader understands why you chose this topic.