Writing
Conclusions
A conclusion provides a thoughtful end to a piece of writing;
unfortunately, many conclusions in college-level papers are little more than summaries
of what has already been said.
Here are a few tips to make conclusions more interesting. You
may wish to check with your professor about specific recommendations
in your field of study; many fields have specific formats for
conclusions and other parts of essays, research reports, and experiments.
The points below are most applicable to papers in the humanities:
Avoid:
- Ending with a rephrased thesis statement that contains no
substantive changes.
- Introducing a new idea or subtopic (although you may end
with a provocative question; see below).
- Focusing on a minor point in the essay.
- Concluding with a sentence tacked on to your final point.
- Apologizing for your view by saying such things as "I
may not be an expert" or "At least this is my opinion."
- Attempting to make up for an incomplete structure. (If you
say you will discuss four books, attempt a complete discussion
of two books, do not try to cover the remaining texts in a concluding
paragraph. In such a situation, it's best to limit your paper
to topics you can realistically cover.)
Conclude an essay with one or more of the following:
- include a brief summary of the paper's main points.
- ask a provocative question.
- use a quotation.
- evoke a vivid image.
- call for some sort of action.
- end with a warning.
- universalize (compare to other situations).
- suggest results or consequences.
Try to refer to the introductory paragraph, either with key
words or parallel concepts and images.
Need assistance formatting the concluding paragraphs?
Consult our reference sheet about writing
paragraphs
Writer's
Web Topics