In a conclusion paragraph, you summarize what you’ve written about in your paper. When you’re writing a good conclusion paragraph, you need to think about the main point that you want to get across and be sure it’s included. If you’ve already written a fabulous introductory paragraph, you can write something similar with different wording. Here are some points to remember:
Use your introductory paragraph as a guide. You may have started by saying, “There are three classes at school that I absolutely can’t wait to go to every day.” You can start your conclusion by saying, “Gym, Math, and Art are the three classes I try to never miss.”
If it’s a longer paper, a good place to start is by looking at what each paragraph was about. For example, if you write a paper about zoo animals, each paragraph would probably be about one particular animal. In your conclusion, you should briefly mention each animal again. “Zoo animals like polar bears, lions, and giraffes are amazing creatures.”
Leave your readers with something to think about. Suggest that they learn more with a sentence like, “We have a lot to learn about global warming.” You can also give them something to do after reading your paper. For example, “It’s easy to make your own popsicles. Grab some orange juice and give it a try!”
Summary: How to Make a Good Conclusion Paragraph
Remember that it’s important to wrap up your writing by summarizing the main idea for your readers. This brings your writing to a smooth close and creates a well-written piece of work.
What is a conclusion paragraph?
A conclusion is what you will leave with your reader
It “wraps up” your essay
It demonstrates to the reader that you accomplished what you set out to do
It shows how you have proved your thesis
It provides the reader with a sense of closure on the topic
Structure
A conclusion is the opposite of the introduction
Remember that the introduction begins general and ends specific
The conclusion begins specific and moves to the general
Essay Structure
So, if we use shapes to demonstrate the essay’s content, it would look like this:
Introduction
How to Write Conclusion
Thesis statement
Body of Essay
rectangle
Rephrased thesis statement
triangle facing up
Conclusion
What to include
Your conclusion wraps up your essay in a tidy package and brings it home for your reader
Your topic sentence should summarize what you said in your thesis statement
This suggests to your reader that you have accomplished what you set out to accomplish
Do not simply restate your thesis statement, as that would be redundant
Rephrase the thesis statement with fresh and deeper understanding
Your conclusion is no place to bring up new ideas
Your supporting sentences should summarize what you have already said in the body of your essay
If a brilliant idea tries to sneak into the final paragraph, you must pluck it out and let it have its own paragraph in the body, or leave it out completely
Your topic for each body paragraph should be summarized in the conclusion
Wrap up the main points
Your closing sentence should help the reader feel a sense of closure
Your closing sentence is your last word on the subject; it is your “clincher”
Demonstrate the importance of your ideas
Propel your reader to a new view of the subject
End on a positive note
Your closing sentence should make your readers glad they read your paper
Strategies for an effective conclusion
Play the “So What” Game.
When you read a statement from the conclusion, ask yourself, “So what?” or “Why should anybody care?”
Ponder that question and answer it
Basically, I’m just saying that education was important to Douglass
So what?
Well, it was important because it was a key to him feeling like a free and equal citizen
Why should anybody care?
That’s important because plantation owners tried to keep slaves from being educated so that they could maintain control. When Douglass obtained an education, he undermined that control personally.
Return to the theme or themes in the introduction
This brings the reader full circle
If you begin by describing a scenario, you can end with the same scenario as proof that your essay is helpful in creating a new understanding
Refer to the introductory paragraph by using key words, or parallel concepts and images that you also used in the introduction
