How to Write a Conclusion

Why is this important? Humans are most likely to remember the first and the last thing to which they are exposed. As such, we have to make sure we finish our essays in a strong and satisfying way!

What makes a conclusion satisfying? It has to say something new! Wait, I thought I wasn’t supposed to introduce new ideas in a conclusion? Correct! Conclusions are not the place to introduce new points or evidence. They are the perfect place to tie together all the points you made in the body to show the reader why reading your essay relates to their life or the world in general.

Steps for Writing Conclusions Sentence 1: STRONG transition + rephrase your thesis Sentence 2: Summarize HOW all the devices you discussed in the body work together Sentence 3: Summarize HOW they therefore prove the theme Sentence 4: Leave the reader with final insights to ponder

Final Insights Are you wondering how to leave the reader with final insights? Remember how your intro starts off broad and gets more specific? Your conclusion does the opposite! Intro Broad Specific(Thesis) Conclusion So, you can leave the reader with an idea of why the topic from their broad statement applies to their life or the world in general.

Remember…. Use strong transitions! Do NOT introduce new ideas or quotes Do NOT merely summarize the story or the essay Avoid terms like “as stated above” “in my essay” “in paragraph 1…” 3rd person only!