Definition of Conclusion / A Concluding Paragraph in Essay
A conclusion is the last paragraph of an essay . It occurs after the body paragraphs have said what they have to say. It is comprised of three important elements:
- Rephrasing of the thesis statement
- Summary of main ideas
- Concluding Remarks
The first element, the rephrasing of the thesis statement , is to remind readers about the topic discussed in the essay. It usually breaks the thesis statement into three parts, and put it in two or three sentences.
The second element summarizes all of the main points of the essay. It usually contains three or more sentences. It could be that these main points are the same given in the thesis statement before it, repeating them for emphasis. However, mostly these main points are other than the ones given in the thesis statement.
The concluding remarks are the final remarks of the essay. These remarks could be a call to action, a suggestion, a recommendation, or a wakeup call. It could be a final question mark demanding further detailed response, or it could be an ending statement.
Difference Between a Body Paragraph and Conclusion
A body paragraph explains a claim made in its topic sentence . It then gives an example, and supporting details about the claim. However, a conclusion sums up the whole essay on a thoughtful response. Both have different elements and different structures.
Examples of Conclusion in Literature
Example #1: free-speech follies (by stanley fish).
“Are there then no free-speech issues on campuses? Sure there are; there just aren’t very many. When Toni Smith, a basketball player at Manhattanville College, turned her back to the flag during the playing of the national anthem in protest against her government’s policies, she was truly exercising her First Amendment rights, rights that ensure that she cannot be compelled to an affirmation she does not endorse … And as she stood by her principles in the face of hostility, she truly was (and is) a First Amendment hero , as the college newspaper editors, the members of the Harvard English department, and the head of the Emma Goldman Project are not. The category is a real one, and it would be good if it were occupied only by those who belong in it.”
Stanley Fish has given a beautiful turn to this conclusion in his essay. He has stated what he believes by the end about the “category” but with a leniency with the word “if,” making it conditional. He has also stated major points of his essay in the middle of the conclusion after restatement of the thesis.
Example #2: In Praise of The Word “F” Word (by Mary Sherry)
“Flunking as a regular policy has just as much merit today as it did two generations ago. We must review the threat of flunking and see it as it really is—a positive teaching tool. It is an expression of confidence by both teachers and parents that the students have the ability to learn the material presented to them. However, making it work again would take a dedicated, caring conspiracy between teachers and parents. It would mean facing the tough reality that passing kids who haven’t learned the material—while it might save them grief for the short term—dooms them to long-term illiteracy. It would mean that teachers would have to follow through on their threats, and parents would have to stand behind them, knowing their children’s best interests are indeed at stake. This means no more doing Scott’s assignments for him because he might fail. No more passing Jodi because she’s such a nice kid. This is a policy that worked in the past and can work today. A wise teacher, with the support of his parents, gave our son the opportunity to succeed—or fail. It’s time we return this choice to all students.”
Just check the concluding remarks of this conclusion. After giving a lot of major points, Mary Sherry has given her verdict about how the time has come to let the students choose what they want to do in their lives.
Example #3: Common Decency (by Susan Jacoby)
“Fortunately for everyone, neither the character of men nor the general quality of relations between the sexes is that crude. By censuring the minority of men who use ordinary socializing as an excuse for rape, feminists insist on sex as a source of pure pleasure rather than as a means of social control. Real men want an eager sexual partner—not a woman who is quaking with fear or even one who is ambivalent. Real men don’t rape.”
This conclusion comprises a very short rephrase of the thesis statement, main points, and a very short concluding remark.
Function of Conclusion
A conclusion means an end. The conclusion intends to end an idea in a meaningful way, in that the readers should feel that they have reached some decision. It helps readers to decide what they want to do next. They either implement suggestions, make recommendations, or urge the reader to think about it more to find out a resolution of the problem.
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Conclusions
A conclusion is usually the last paragraph of an essay. It’s as important as the introduction and the body paragraphs because it reinforces the essay’s topic and purpose. Think of a conclusion as a cool down after a rigorous workout. You can’t abruptly end an intense workout, but rather, you must lightly stretch to let your muscles rest and recover properly. The same idea applies to your conclusion. You can’t suddenly stop writing in the middle of your essay, so this paragraph gradually brings your paper to a close. Below are some tips to help you conclude your essay on a high note.
Breakdown of Conclusions
The conclusion is your last chance to reflect on the importance of what you have written. You may want to refer to your introduction for ideas because the two paragraphs tend to mirror each other. Often, a conclusion has three parts. Many writers like to repeat their argument in the conclusion’s first sentence. Afterwards, they consider the larger significance of their topic, explaining what they have learned and sharing it with their audience. The last sentence brings everything together, concluding the essay with one final takeaway.
Topic Sentence
Many writers rephrase the key aspects of their thesis statement in the topic sentence of the conclusion. The goal is to remind the audience of the essay’s overall argument.
Reflective sentences
It’s best to reflect on the larger significance of your topic in at least two sentences. This is where you get to explain what you have learned and share your newfound knowledge with your audience. You also want to comment on why your topic is important without analyzing it further.
Final sentence
The final sentence brings your essay to a close. You can sum up the major points of your essay into one last takeaway, leaving your audience with something to think about.
Example Conclusion and Discussion
The literary elements of imagery, characters, and conflict within “The Fall of the House of Usher” allow Edgar Allan Poe to explore the gothic concept that suffering can be handed down from parent to child. The fears of the parents become the fears of the children. When keeping a secret becomes an obsession, the urgency spreads like a disease, infecting all in the family and even their environment. Isolation from the world spawns a toxic mixture of resentment and codependency, which is a terrible price to pay for a preserved reputation. When a solution becomes a punishment, the entire family will crumble and fall.
The topic sentence (located in the first sentence) rephrases the major parts of a typical thesis statement, the topic, purpose, and organization.
The reflective sentences (the second, third, and fourth sentences) explain what was learned and share this information with the audience. Notice that each reflective sentence comments on the topic’s larger significance, leading up to one final takeaway.
The final sentence (the fifth sentence) brings the essay’s main points together to make one last observation about the topic, giving the audience some food for thought.
What to Remember When Writing a Conclusion
Paragraph length.
Similar to an introduction, the conclusion is usually shorter than a body paragraph. Typically, the minimum paragraph length for a college-level essay is five to seven sentences. Remember, a conclusion is only meant to wrap up your essay, so it doesn’t need to be very long.
Paragraph Content
A conclusion should not bring up any new ideas; it’s a place for you to finalize your thoughts and remind your readers of your essay’s topic and purpose. The conclusion is an opportunity to leave a strong, lasting impression on your audience. In some ways, it’s similar to closing a door while also opening a window. You close the door on your topic, wrapping up your final thoughts on the matter. However, at the same time, you open a window, allowing your audience to look at your topic from a new perspective and leaving them with something to think about long after they have finished reading your paper.
Page last updated July 6, 2023.
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