Conclusions: Tips in Brief
A conclusion should bring something new to your topic. What are the broader implications of your argument? General tips for writing good conclusions:
- Restate the thesis in different language from the introduction.
- Reintroduce an anecdote, quotation or observation from the introduction as a way to bookend the essay.
- The last sentence should leave the reader with something to ponder that extends beyond the specifics of your paper. Look at the larger themes of your essay as a way to think about a broader claim you might make.
General Rules
- Never begin a conclusion with the phrase “In conclusion.”
- Don’t provide a grocery list of what you discussed in your paper, e.g., “First, this evidence showed X. Second, this evidence showed Y.”