Writing a Conclusion

1. Why Conclusions Can Be Tricky

Conclusions can be difficult to write. You might feel you have said all you need to say once you get to the end of the paper. You might even be a little tired of trying to figure out what your reader might need from you! But readers get tired too! They can forget things. Conclusions are a way to wrap up and restate so that your reader can hold onto your main points even after it has been a while since they have read your work. One editing exercise you can perform is to read your intro and your conclusion right after the other. Would someone who only read these two sections have enough of your argument to summarize it in a meaningful way?

Let’s take a look at some options for how to conclude your essay.

think about it

Would someone who only read your introduction and conclusion have enough information to summarize your argument? Try reading just these sections back-to-back and see what gaps you notice.

2. Restate Your Thesis

When you're wrapping up an argumentative essay, your conclusion is your chance to remind readers what you’ve been arguing—and why it matters. One of the most important parts of your conclusion is restating your thesis. This doesn’t mean copying it word for word from your introduction. Instead, you rephrase it using slightly different wording to remind the reader of your main point, now that they’ve seen all your evidence.

Restating your thesis helps bring your essay full circle. It signals to your reader that you’re finishing strong and reinforces your central idea. Try using different words or a new sentence structure to say the same thing in a fresh way.

3. Call to Action

The next most important part of your conclusion is explaining what your audience should do or believe now. If your research is in the field of science, there might need to be new experiments or funding allocated for new experiments. If your paper was an exploration of an ethical issue, are there laws that might need to be reviewed. You don’t want to change the topic of your paper, but you do want to show how someone could apply your argument elsewhere. You might also show how your argument should not be applied. So, your conclusion can show your reader how your ideas might be expanded or how they should be limited in some way. If you are asking your reader to think about ways to apply or expand your ideas, this is often labeled a call to action.

EXAMPLE

If you made an argument about how a specific university should handle social media for athletes, would this be a good fit for larger schools? If not, your conclusion could address this.

In an argumentative essay, ending with a call to action can leave a strong impression on your reader. A call to action is a sentence or two at the end of your conclusion that encourages the reader to do something—whether it’s changing their thinking, taking a specific step, or learning more about the issue. It’s a way to make your writing feel relevant, purposeful, and connected to real life.

Your call to action should match the tone of your essay and the strength of your argument. If you’re writing about the need for affordable childcare at community colleges, your call to action might urge school leaders to prioritize funding or encourage students to advocate for change. Keep it short and direct, and be clear about what action you think should come next.

EXAMPLE

Increasing access to health care is a complex and lofty goal. One simple way you can help is to communicate the need for routine preventive—or so-called “well”—care for children and adults in your local communities.

big idea

A strong call to action connects your essay to real-world change. It tells your reader how they can think differently, act, or advocate based on your argument.

4. Ask Yourself, “So What?”

When writing your conclusion, ask yourself or a friend why your argument matters. This exercise can help you pinpoint the significance of your essay and ensure that your conclusion addresses the broader implications of your work. By answering the "So what?" question, you can clarify the importance of your argument and leave your reader with a clear understanding of why your essay is relevant and impactful.

5. Revisit the Themes in Your Introduction

Revisiting themes or scenarios from your introduction can create a cohesive and impactful ending. By bringing your reader full circle, you reinforce the main points of your essay and create a sense of closure. This technique helps to tie your argument together and ensures that your conclusion feels connected to the rest of your essay, leaving a lasting impression on your reader.

6. Suggest Wider Implications

Highlighting the broader significance of your findings can help your reader understand the wider impact of your argument. By discussing how your research or ideas might affect the reader's perspective or actions, you can emphasize the importance of your work. This technique encourages your reader to think beyond the scope of your essay and consider the broader implications of your argument.