Conclusion
Conclusion: Bringing Your Essay to a Powerful Close
A conclusion is more than just the end of your essay—it's your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader. Think of it as the closing argument in a trial, where you summarize your case, emphasize its significance, and call your audience to action or reflection.
💡 Key Insight
Your conclusion should answer the "So what?" question that readers naturally ask: Why does this argument matter? What should we do about it? How does this change our understanding?
Why Conclusions Matter
The Psychology of Endings
- Recency effect - Readers remember what they read last
- Closure - Provides satisfaction and completeness
- Impact - Shapes the overall impression of your essay
- Action - Motivates readers to think or act differently
Common Conclusion Problems
Students often struggle with conclusions because they:
- Merely restate the introduction
- Introduce new arguments
- End abruptly without closure
- Fail to connect to broader significance
- Sound repetitive or formulaic
The Three-Part Conclusion Structure
1. Restatement of Thesis
Begin by reminding readers of your main argument, but don't just copy your original thesis.
Original Thesis: "Social media platforms should be regulated to protect teenage mental health."
Weak Restatement: "In conclusion, social media platforms should be regulated to protect teenage mental health."
Strong Restatement: "The evidence clearly demonstrates that unregulated social media platforms pose significant risks to adolescent well-being, requiring immediate legislative intervention."
2. Summary of Main Points
Briefly recap your key arguments without being repetitive.
Example: "Through examining the psychological mechanisms of addiction, the correlation with rising depression rates, and the economic incentives driving platform design, we've seen how social media companies prioritize profit over user welfare."
3. Broader Significance
Connect your argument to larger implications or call for action.
Example: "This isn't just about teenagers and their phones—it's about protecting the mental health of an entire generation and ensuring that technology serves human well-being rather than exploiting it."
Types of Conclusions
1. Call to Action
End with a specific recommendation or action step.
Example: "Parents, educators, and policymakers must demand greater transparency from social media companies and support legislation that holds these platforms accountable for their impact on young users' mental health."
2. Broader Implications
Connect your argument to larger social, cultural, or historical contexts.
Example: "The regulation of social media represents a crucial test of our ability to govern emerging technologies in ways that protect human dignity and well-being—a challenge we must meet if we hope to build a healthier digital future."
3. Future-Oriented
Look ahead to what might happen or what should happen next.
Example: "As we move toward an increasingly digital world, the decisions we make today about social media regulation will shape not just how teenagers use technology, but how future generations understand human connection and community."
4. Reflective
End with a thoughtful consideration of the topic's complexity.
Example: "While the path forward is complex and requires balancing innovation with protection, the stakes are too high to ignore. Our children's mental health—and our collective future—depends on getting this right."
5. Circular
Return to an image, quote, or idea from your introduction.
Example: "Just as Sarah Chen's story opened our discussion of social media's impact, her recovery after implementing strict screen time limits demonstrates that change is possible. The question is whether we have the collective will to demand it."
Conclusion Strategies by Essay Type
Argumentative Essays
- Restate your position clearly and confidently
- Summarize your strongest evidence
- Address counterarguments briefly
- Call for action or policy change
Analytical Essays
- Synthesize your analysis into key insights
- Connect to broader themes or patterns
- Suggest implications for understanding
- Point to further questions for research
Compare and Contrast Essays
- Highlight the most significant differences or similarities
- Evaluate which option is better (if applicable)
- Consider the criteria used for comparison
- Suggest when each option might be appropriate
Narrative Essays
- Reflect on the significance of the experience
- Connect to universal themes or lessons
- Show how you've changed or grown
- Leave readers with a lasting image or insight
Common Conclusion Mistakes
1. Introducing New Arguments
❌ "Additionally, social media also affects adults and elderly people..." ✅ Stick to points you've already established
2. Weak Restatement
❌ "In conclusion, as I said before, social media is bad for teenagers." ✅ "The evidence overwhelmingly supports the need for social media regulation to protect adolescent mental health."
3. Overly Emotional Appeals
❌ "Think of the children! We must act now before it's too late!" ✅ "The data clearly indicates that current social media practices harm teenage mental health, requiring immediate regulatory intervention."
4. Abrupt Endings
❌ "Therefore, social media should be regulated. The end." ✅ Provide closure and broader significance
5. Repetitive Summaries
❌ "First I talked about addiction, then depression, then regulation..." ✅ Synthesize rather than list your points
Advanced Conclusion Techniques
The "So What?" Test
After writing your conclusion, ask:
- Why does this argument matter?
- Who should care about this?
- What should change as a result?
- How does this affect our understanding?
The Echo Technique
Return to a powerful image, quote, or metaphor from your introduction.
Introduction: "Maya Patel's smartphone buzzed 127 times during her eight-hour sleep cycle..."
Conclusion: "Maya's story isn't unique—it's the new normal for millions of teenagers whose sleep, mental health, and future prospects are being compromised by unregulated social media platforms."
The Broader Context Shift
Move from your specific argument to larger implications.
Example: "While this essay has focused on social media's impact on teenagers, the underlying issue—how we govern technology that affects human well-being—will become increasingly urgent as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape our lives."
The Call to Action Formula
- State the problem clearly
- Identify who can act (specific audience)
- Suggest concrete steps they can take
- Explain the benefits of action
Sample Conclusion Analysis
Let's examine a strong conclusion:
Restatement: "The evidence presented in this essay demonstrates that social media platforms have created an unprecedented mental health crisis among teenagers through deliberate design choices that exploit psychological vulnerabilities."
Summary: "By examining the addictive mechanisms built into these platforms, the correlation with rising depression and anxiety rates, and the economic incentives driving harmful design decisions, we've seen how profit motives have overridden ethical considerations."
Broader Significance: "This issue transcends individual choices or parental responsibility—it represents a fundamental failure of our regulatory systems to protect vulnerable populations from predatory business practices. The regulation of social media is not about limiting free expression or innovation; it's about ensuring that technology serves human well-being rather than exploiting it for profit."
Why This Conclusion Works:
- Strong restatement that emphasizes the evidence
- Concise summary that highlights key points
- Broader context that makes the issue significant
- Clear stance on regulation without being overly emotional
- Logical flow from specific to general
Conclusion Length Guidelines
Short Essays (3-5 pages)
- 1-2 paragraphs total
- 3-5 sentences per paragraph
- Focus on restatement and significance
Medium Essays (5-10 pages)
- 2-3 paragraphs total
- 4-6 sentences per paragraph
- Include summary, significance, and call to action
Long Essays (10+ pages)
- 3-4 paragraphs total
- 5-8 sentences per paragraph
- Comprehensive synthesis with multiple implications
Revision Strategies
The Reverse Introduction Test
- Read your conclusion
- Ask: "What introduction would this conclusion match?"
- Ensure your conclusion reflects your actual argument
The "What's Missing?" Check
- Have you addressed all your main points?
- Have you connected to your thesis?
- Have you provided broader significance?
- Have you given readers a reason to care?
Peer Review Questions
- What's the main takeaway from this conclusion?
- Does it feel complete and satisfying?
- What action or thought does it inspire?
- Does it match the tone and quality of the rest of the essay?
Conclusion Templates
Template 1: Call to Action
"[Restatement of thesis with emphasis on evidence]. [Summary of key arguments]. [Specific audience] must [specific action] to [desired outcome]."
Template 2: Broader Implications
"[Restatement of thesis]. [Summary of main points]. [Connection to larger social/cultural/historical context]."
Template 3: Future-Oriented
"[Restatement of thesis]. [Summary of evidence]. [Prediction or recommendation for the future]."
Template 4: Reflective
"[Restatement of thesis]. [Synthesis of key insights]. [Thoughtful consideration of complexity and significance]."
Practice Exercise
Write three different conclusions for this thesis: "College athletes should be compensated for their contributions to university revenue."
Try using:
- A call to action conclusion
- A broader implications conclusion
- A future-oriented conclusion
Then evaluate which one best serves your argument and audience.
Remember: Your conclusion is your final word on the topic. Make it count by leaving readers with a clear understanding of why your argument matters and what they should do about it.