3.10: Conclusions

Conclusions 

What is a conclusion?

The conclusion is the last paragraph in the essay that brings the writer’s argument to a close and makes the reader reflect on the discussion in the body of the essay. Conclusions provide effective closure for the discussion in the body paragraphs but don’t simply summarize but rather look at the larger implications of the topic.

Why is it important?

So much is at stake in writing a conclusion. This is, after all, your last chance to persuade your readers to accept your point of view and your reasoning. The impression you create in your conclusion will shape the impression that stays with your readers after they've finished the essay. Your conclusion should be the best part of your paper.

As a result, the end of an essay should convey a sense of completeness and closure. At the same time, it should inspire the reader to think further about the topic – its larger meaning and its implications. The final paragraph should finish the essay, but it should not stop people from continuing to consider the ideas.

How do I create one?

1. Before you begin:

Read your entire essay and think of your larger purpose. What exactly does your reader need to think about as you close your essay? Review your thesis so that you know where the paper started.

2. What to avoid in a conclusion:

• Avoid an abrupt start. Use some form of a transition into your final paragraph. Often, writers choose an appropriate transitional phrase to begin the concluding paragraph. Typical transitional phrases include in conclusion, to sum up, in sum, in short, to conclude, and in summary.
• Avoid directly copying your thesis to your conclusion.
• Avoid summarizing all of the details in the whole paper.
• Avoid introducing new ideas. If you find that you want to add a new idea, then you need to consider it carefully to see if it instead deserves a body paragraph.
• Avoid throwing the paper off balance by either (a) being too long or, alternatively, (b) ending with a conclusion that is under-developed and too short.

3. Decide on an effective closing approach:

Authors use different types of conclusions for different kinds of essays. Below is a list of the more popular styles for conclusions. However, just like with approaches for introductions, you don’t need to feel limited to this list because there are many creative approaches you can use:

• Reinforce the larger significance of the discussion showing your readers why the paper was important, meaningful and/or useful—answer the question “so what?”
• Propose a course of action.
• Make a prediction.
• Challenge the reader to look to the future.
• Establish a sense of closure in your essay by linking the last paragraph to the first, perhaps by reiterating a word, phrase, reference or idea you used at the beginning.
• End with a quotation from or reference to a primary or secondary source, one that amplifies your main point or puts it in a different perspective.
• Offer opinions that your reader might not have accepted earlier.
• Consider the implications or outcomes of your argument.
• Try to solve a problem you have raised.

Examples of conclusions

Here are some example conclusions using some of the approaches listed:

• Reinforce the larger significance of the discussion. Here is an example:

To sum up, language is always evolving. As society changes, new words appear, adding to our vocabulary and shaping our understanding of the world. Because of this, we must keep up with new terms so that we do not fall behind in communication, both locally and globally. Language connects us through newspapers, blogs, social media, emails, and messages, so we should be open to new forms of expression and willing to expand our language skills. Having flexible literacy abilities is essential to staying informed and actively participating in our constantly changing world.

• Make a prediction about whether the outcome is favorable or unfavorable. Here is an example:

In sum, literacy is very important for fighting injustice and protecting our rights. Great civilizations have left us important writings that guide our laws and moral values. Frederick Douglass showed in his autobiography how learning to read helped him understand the wrongs of slavery and gave him the power to fight against it. If we want to live in a fair society, we must encourage literacy. Without it, we risk losing our ability to speak up against injustice and to protect everyone equally.

• Call to action. Here is an example:

In conclusion, we need to reform our educational system and reconsider our educational priorities. At present, the focus on standardized testing does not support the development of critical thinking and literacy skills that are essential for success in today’s world. Instead, schools should prioritize a strong curriculum that emphasizes reading and writing, ensuring that students are prepared to contribute to progress and innovation in society.

• Challenging the reader to look into the future. Here is an example:

In conclusion, strong reading and writing skills are essential for human progress. A society which is literate will grow and thrive, creating a better world for our children. However, technology is causing our literacy skills to deteriorate as we passively watch and listen rather than read and write. Also, if money continues to dictate who receives quality education, a larger illiterate class will grow, and we will lose the vast potential of future generations. We need to ensure that active literacy is both encouraged and accessible to all or else we will not progress but rather devolve into a passive, ignorant, and apathetic society.

Exercise 11

Analyze these conclusions and describe the different approaches each one used:

CREATIVE APPROACHES FOR CONCLUSIONS:

• Reinforce the larger significance
• Propose a course of action
• Make a prediction
• Challenge the reader to look to the future
• Link the last paragraph to the first
• End with a quotation
• Offer opinions your reader might not have accepted earlier.
• Consider the implications or outcomes of your argument
• Try to solve a problem you have raised

(1) In sum, The Simpsons has a great impact on its viewers, making the show a part of America’s collective consciousness. While the Simpsons themselves have both positive and negative qualities, these negative qualities—these flaws—make them more human to us, more believable as a family. The positive qualities they exhibit, although not always as prevalent, give us both hope and make us believe in the goodness of modern humankind. We watch the Simpsons because they are a reflection of ourselves with all of our quirkiness and imperfections. The negativity in each show does not so much cause us to think of and feel evil or malice, but adds to the general enjoyment and provides material that leads to the discussion of a moral.

(2) So what are we to do in such a dangerous world? While our access to the Internet seems like any other natural right, it in fact carries a great deal of responsibility. And as much as we would like to extend that responsibility to everyone, we must realize that not everyone has the experience to act reasonably in such a dangerous domain. Currently, we restrict the right to vote to persons over the age of 18 and the right to drink alcohol to persons over the age of 21 since we assume they are not ready to sensibly partake in these activities. We live in a time when freedom is more precious than ever. It is natural to want to extend freedoms and rights to as many people as possible, but we have to think of their safety. Just as no one has the right to put others’ lives in danger—in a car on the freeway or a plane in the sky—children should not have unmonitored access to the internet if they are endangering themselves. We must help minors help themselves.

(3) In short, if young children do not realize that their parents speak from firsthand experience of their own youth, how can parents convince their children of their wisdom? The answer lies in the trust that must be established in the family. Parents need to make conscious efforts to set time aside to connect with and bond with their children even when children reach the ages when they seek more independence. Parents need to share their life stories with their children, even the ones of poor decisions and regret, so children can learn from their elders and avoid similar pitfalls. Children learn from and respect honesty and will trust and relate to their parents more if they are allowed to see that they too make mistakes. If children have learned to trust their folks, they will heed them, whether or not they understand the source of their knowledge.

Answer

(1) Reinforce the larger significance
(2) Propose a course of action and offer opinions your reader might not have accepted earlier
(3) Try to solve a problem you have raised