Writing a conclusion can be a challenging task, especially when you’re unsure of what to say. But fear not, because with a little bit of guidance, anyone can write an effective conclusion that wraps up their piece of writing nicely. In this article, we’ll provide you with some tips and tricks on how to write a conclusion to leave your readers feeling satisfied and fulfilled. So sit back, grab a pen and paper, and let’s get started!
Summarize Your Main Points
Writing a conclusion is a crucial part of any piece of writing, be it an essay, a research paper, or an article, as it allows you to recapitulate your main points and leave lasting impressions on your readers. In essence, a conclusion serves as a final touch that gives your work a sense of completeness and closure. However, some writers find it daunting to write a conclusion as they don’t know how to summarize their main points without being redundant or repetitive. If you’re one of those writers, then this guide is for you.
Recall Your Thesis Statement
The first step to summarizing your main points is to recall your thesis statement. Your thesis statement is the backbone of your paper, and it outlines the main argument or idea that you’ll develop throughout your work. Therefore, it would help if you used your thesis as a guide to remind yourself of the main points you have made and how they support your argument. Every sentence in your conclusion should tie back to your thesis in one way or another.
Reiterate Your Main Points
After recalling your thesis, your next step is to reiterate the main points presented in your paper. This requires breaking down your argument into smaller points and explaining how they relate to your thesis. Begin by identifying the three or four most significant points, and then summarize them briefly but clearly in your conclusion. You do not need to be too lengthy or detailed, but make sure that you cover the essential information.
Provide Closure for Your Reader
After summarizing your main points, it’s time to provide closure for your reader. An excellent way to provide closure is to use a closing statement that connects your thesis, main points, and the broader topic you discussed in your paper. You can use a memorable quote, a rhetorical question, or a call to action to end your conclusion. You should also make sure that your closing statement leaves a lasting impression on your reader. It should be something that they’d remember long after they’ve read your work.
Don’t Introduce New Information
When writing your conclusion, it’s essential to note that it’s not the place to introduce new information or arguments. Doing so undermines the work you have done so far and confuses the reader. Instead, focus on summarizing the main points you’ve made while keeping your argument and thesis in mind. If necessary, you can briefly mention possible areas of future research, but keep it within the scope of your thesis.
Avoid Being Redundant
Lastly, it’s important to avoid being redundant when writing your conclusion. While summarizing your main points, avoid repeating ideas and information that you’ve already mentioned earlier in your paper. Instead, use different words and phrases to reiterate your main ideas. Additionally, make sure that your sentences flow logically and coherently. Make it easy for your reader to understand the connection between your thesis and the main points you’ve presented.
In conclusion, writing a conclusion is not rocket science. It only requires you to recall your thesis, summarize your main points, provide closure for your reader, avoid introducing new information, and avoid being redundant. With these tips, you can write a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your reader.
End with a Strong Call to Action
The conclusion is an essential element of any piece of writing. It ties together all the loose ends and provides a sense of closure. In academic writing, it’s essential to reiterate the thesis statement and summarize the key insights of the essay. However, in non-academic writing, it’s a chance to connect with the reader on a deeper level. One way to achieve this is by ending with a strong call to action, which encourages the reader to take action.
A call to action is a phrase or sentence that prompts the reader to do something. It’s a powerful tactic that can persuade the reader to take action on something that they may have previously been unsure about. There are a few things to consider when crafting a call to action:
- Be clear: Your call to action should be specific and clearly state what you want the reader to do.
- Be realistic: Make sure your call to action is achievable and within the reader’s reach.
- Be urgent: Use persuasive language to convey a sense of urgency.
There are several types of calls to action that you can use, depending on the type of writing and the purpose of the article. Here are a few examples:
Buy
A call to action to buy something is the most straightforward type of CTA. It’s usually found at the end of product descriptions or sales pitches. It’s essential to make the value proposition clear and highlight the benefits of the product so that the reader is compelled to make the purchase.
Sign Up
A call to action to sign up is commonly used by companies to collect email addresses or other types of information from potential customers. The call to action should explain the benefits of signing up (e.g., discounts, exclusive content), but also be transparent about what the reader is giving up (e.g., privacy).
Share
A call to action to share the article, video, or podcast is a way to leverage social media and increase visibility. Sharing is easy and has the added benefit of amplifying the message to the reader’s network. It’s important to give the reader a reason to share (e.g. meaningful content, humor, tips) so that they feel motivated to do so.
Donate
A call to action to donate is not limited to non-profits or charities only. It can be used by content creators who rely on their audience’s support or advocacy for a cause. When crafting a call to action to donate, it’s important to explain the impact of the donation and how it will be used to make a difference.
In conclusion, ending your writing with a strong call to action can make a big difference in how your reader connects with your message. By crafting your CTA carefully and considering what will be useful to your audience, you can encourage them to take action and contribute to the success of your writing.
Consider the Tone of Your Conclusion
The tone of your conclusion is important as it leaves a lasting impression on your readers. A conclusion must reflect the tone of your writing. If your essay had a serious tone, then your conclusion should reflect the same. Conversely, if your essay had a lighthearted tone, your conclusion should reflect that as well.
The tone of your conclusion should be appropriate for the audience. If you are writing an academic paper for a group of scholars, your conclusion should have a more formal tone. However, if your essay is for a blog or magazine, a more informal tone is acceptable, and even expected. Be sure to understand your audience before crafting your conclusion.
Another important consideration when deciding on the tone of your conclusion is the topic of your essay. For example, if you are writing an essay about a serious topic, such as homelessness, the tone of your conclusion should reflect the gravity of the situation. Similarly, if you are writing an essay about a lighter topic, such as your favorite movie, the tone of your conclusion should be joyous and relaxed.
The tone of your conclusion should also match the purpose of your essay. If your essay is meant to inform, then your conclusion should simply summarize the points you have made. However, if your essay is meant to persuade, your conclusion should contain a call to action. For instance, if your essay is about the importance of recycling, your conclusion should encourage readers to recycle and provide tips on how to recycle effectively.
In addition to matching the tone of the essay, the tone of your conclusion should also fit the style of your writing. Your conclusion should be consistent with the tone throughout your essay. If your writing style is more casual and conversational, your conclusion should reflect that. The same goes for more formal and scholarly styles of writing.
It is important to note that the tone of your conclusion should not be drastically different from the tone of the rest of your essay. A conclusion that is too heavy with emotion or too light in tone can leave the reader feeling confused or unsatisfied. The tone of your conclusion should reflect the main message of your essay, without overwhelming the reader with a new tone or style.
In conclusion, the tone of your conclusion is an important consideration when writing any essay. When deciding on the tone of your conclusion, it is important to keep in mind your audience, your topic, and the purpose of your essay. Consistency is key, so make sure your conclusion is in line with the tone of your essay throughout. By taking the time to consider the tone of your conclusion, you can create a piece of writing that is not only informative and persuasive but also leaves a lasting impression on your readers.
Leave a Lasting Impression
When it comes to writing a conclusion, it’s important to understand how to leave a lasting impression on your reader. Your conclusion serves as the final impression and should leave the reader satisfied with the content they just read. Here are a few tips to make sure your conclusion is impactful:
1. Revisit Your Main Points
Your conclusion should reinforce your argument by summarizing your main points. By doing so, you are reminding your reader of your thesis statement and all the supporting evidence you presented. This is not another opportunity to go into detail, but rather to remind your reader of the key points you have made throughout your composition.
Remember, the conclusion should smoothly work together with your essay’s body paragraphs to create a complete argument in a logical and cohesive way. If done correctly, your conclusion will be a smooth transition that brings the reader to your ultimate point.
2. End With a Thought-Provoking Statement or Question
An excellent way to leave a lasting impression on your reader is by leaving them with a thought-provoking statement or question. This technique will leave your readers thinking about your composition long after they have finished reading it.
This can be done by asking the reader a question related to the topic, or by making a statement about the implications of your argument. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your unique take on the topic and how it could influence real-life situations.
3. Connect to a Broader Issue
Connecting a more massive societal issue is an excellent technique to leave readers with a sense of the relevance of your argument. By connecting the topic of your composition to a more significant issue, you’re showcasing how your audience can more meaningfully relate to your argument.
This could be a societal issue that is widely debated, such as climate change or education reform. Connecting your topic to more significant issues, rather than the topic’s specifics, in the conclusion will make your audience better understands the significance of your argument and its places in a broader context.
4. Offer a Solution or Call to Action
Concluding with a call-to-action value-ads to your creation and makes your reader enthusiastic about your point of view. This can be in the form of an idea, a request, or instructions for action.
For example, if your composition is about climate change, you could end with a call-to-action asking your readers to consider making changes in their daily routines, such as using public transport over driving to work. Giving your reader an opportunity to engage with the topic increases the likelihood that they will be moved by your argument and take steps toward meaningful action.
The bottom line is that your conclusion is the last chance to leave a lasting impression on your reader. Using techniques such as summarizing, connecting to a broader issue, ending with thought-provoking statements or questions, or offering a call to action can make all the difference in the way your composition is received.
By following the above steps and taking the time to craft a purposeful conclusion, you can make sure your reader is left with the impact of your piece long after they’ve finished reading.
Avoid Introducing New Information
When writing a conclusion, it is essential to avoid the introduction of any new information. A conclusion should be a summary of your entire essay or article and should not leave any unanswered questions. A conclusion should provide a sense of closure and finality to the reader and not leave them with any unanswered questions or further information that they may want to know.
One of the easiest ways to avoid introducing new information in your conclusion is by going back to your introduction and thesis statement. Analyze your thesis and ask yourself whether you have covered all the necessary points in your essay that support your thesis. If you find that there are any points that you have not covered, then you should incorporate them into your conclusion.
Another way to avoid introducing new information in your conclusion is to focus on summarizing your key points. You want to provide a brief overview of what you have discussed in your essay or article. It is important to restate your thesis and showcase the points that you used to support your argument. However, you should not go into too much detail. Instead, you should aim to provide a concise summary that captures the essence of your argument.
You can also use transitional phrases to signal to the reader that you are summarizing your main points. Phrases such as ‘in summary,’ ‘in conclusion,’ or ‘in summary, it is clear that’ can help you to wrap up your ideas and provide a sense of finality to your essay or article.
Another useful tip is to review your essay or article and ask yourself if there is any information that you have not addressed. If you find any gaps in your argument, then you should address them in your conclusion. You do not want to leave the reader with any unanswered questions or doubts about your argument. As a writer, it is your responsibility to provide a complete and comprehensive argument that showcases all the supporting evidence for your thesis statement.
Finally, you should aim to end your conclusion on a strong note. You want to leave the reader with a final thought that reinforces your argument and your thesis statement. You can achieve this by leaving a lasting impression on the reader, using a memorable quote, or a thought-provoking question. You want the reader to reflect on your argument and feel that they have gained something from reading your essay or article.
In conclusion, it is important to avoid introducing new information in your conclusion. Instead, you should focus on summarizing your key points, addressing any gaps in your argument, and ending on a strong note. By following these tips, you can create a conclusion that provides a sense of closure and a finality to your essay or article.