1. Making Your Last Paragraph Count
The Conclusion
Making Your Last Paragraph Count
The End
© 2001 by Ruth Luman
References

2. Definition and Purpose
A Conclusion
Definition and Purpose
The conclusion is the last paragraph in your essay. A conclusion completes the essay and reemphasizes your thesis statement or main ideas. Look at the example thesis statement and conclusion below.

3. A Conclusion two important steps to fight the disease.
Thesis Statement
When I first found out that I was diagnosed with cancer, I took
two important steps to fight the disease.
First sentence in conclusion reemphasizes ideas in thesis statement.
First Sentence of Conclusion
Ultimately, because of the steps I took, I was successful in fighting the disease…

4. A Conclusion
So What?
In addition to referring back to your main idea, your
conclusion needs to show your reader the significance of
your thesis. When discussing the importance of your
thesis, try to address questions such as…
How and why is this topic important?
How might this topic affect me or other people?
What can be learned from this topic?

5. Example #1
So What?
Look at the example below of a conclusion that shows the reader the importance of the main idea of the essay.

6. Conclusion Paragraph Draft
Example #1
Conclusion Paragraph Draft
Ultimately, because of the steps I took, I was successful in fighting the disease. I
was able to become healthy enough to attend my daughter’s wedding, and I no longer
worried about dying. Others suffering with cancer can learn an important lesson from
my experience: Don’t give up no matter how hopeless things may seem and always
get a second opinion from another doctor!
The writer points out how the steps she took to fight cancer affected her and other people.
The writer discusses the importance of her topic by writing about the lessons that can be learned.

7. Example #2
Conclusion
Look at the example below of a conclusion that refers back to the thesis statement and shows the reader the importance of the main idea of the essay.

8. The first two sentences reemphasize the thesis statement.
Example #2
Thesis Statement
There were several factors that caused my family to make the difficult decision
to immigrate to the United States.
Conclusion Paragraph
The decision to move to the United States was a difficult one for my parents to
make. Though I was angry with their decision at the time, I understand now that the
poor economy and political instability of my country forced them to immigrate.
Through this experience I learned that one simply cannot control all of life’s
circumstances. One must learn to deal with tough situations as they come and work
to be successful regardless of one’s location.
The first two sentences reemphasize the thesis statement.
The writer concludes by discussing the lessons learned from his experience.

9. Concluding an Essay Techniques include a… Prediction Recommendation
Some ways to enhance a conclusion are to
include a…
Prediction
Recommendation
Quotation

10. Concluding an Essay A Prediction
A prediction talks about what might happen in the future. A prediction can be a good way to finish your essay. It can make your reader think about the possible results of your thesis statement.

11. Prediction
Thesis Statement
Example
A program to reforest parts of Haiti is urgently needed.
Finally, the importance of beginning a program to re
forest parts of Haiti will be an important step in making this
country more economically self-sufficient. Without such a
program in place, the people of this country will continue to
destroy their natural resources for fuel in order to salvage their
present state of survival.
A prediction is used to make the reader think about possible results of the thesis.

12. Concluding an Essay A Recommendation
A recommendation is often used by a writer after he/she has discussed a problem in an essay. A recommendation can be used to suggest a solution or call the readers to do something about the problem in the essay.

13. Recommendation Example
As we have seen, international students face a number
of difficulties when coming to a new country to study.
However, problems such as culture-shock and the language
barrier can be lessened before a student comes to the new
country through preparation. If you are considering going to
school in another country, you should begin learning about the
culture, customs, and history of your host nation. Also, you
should be sure that you are proficient in the national language
or be sure to sign up for language classes once you are there.
A recommendation is used to suggest a solution to a problem.

14. Concluding an Essay “A Quotation”
A relevant quotation can bring good
closure to your essay, especially if the
quotation is from an expert on the topic in
your composition.

15. Quotation Example David Werner, author of, Where There Is No Doctor,
notes that, “Only when the people themselves become actively
responsible for their own and their community’s health, can
important changes take place.” This should be the mantra of
every public health agency when looking at making
improvements in common health problems. Unless a
community understands the importance of the intervention and
takes responsibility for transformation, no long-lasting changes
will be made.
A quotation from an expert can be used to add credibility to a writer’s position.

16. A Conclusion Useful Transitions
It is sometimes helpful to have a transition at the
beginning of your conclusion to signal the end of your
essay. Some common transitions used in conclusions
are listed below. Remember to use a comma after your
transitions.
In conclusion,
Therefore,
In summary,
To conclude,
Thus,
In short,

17. Example of Transition Use
A Conclusion
Example of Transition Use
Thus, despite the advances in computer technology, the kind of computers that take on human characteristics often found in science-fiction movies are still a long way off.
The transition, thus, is used at the beginning of the conclusion to signal the end of the essay.

18. Practice Exercise
Now, you are ready to practice what you’ve learned. Click on
the button below to go back to Unit C. Print and complete the
worksheet for Practice Exercise Three.

19. References
PowerPoint Presentation by Ruth Luman: Modesto Junior College.
This project incorporates portions of copyrighted works. These items are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the educational fair use guidelines. They are restricted from further use.