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Conclusions

The conclusion is the final section of your paper. This is where you can finally synthesize your argument and present the bigger point that you have built towards. Whether you want to push for further research or gift the reader a new way to see the world, conclusions are your chance to give the paper life beyond the page.

What should a conclusion do?

A conclusion should “answer” your introduction. It should respond to the thesis and claims made, providing the reader with a sense of completion. Without it, the reader may not understand the point of your paper or feel that it did not pay off.

You can present research-informed solutions, push for further research, bring the argument into a less specific and more general context, or attempt to give the reader a new point of view.

In other words, the conclusion provides the reader with a satisfying finale, synthesizing your argument into something the reader can use. It should often give the reader an idea to walk away with, or the paper might just feel frustrating.

Ask yourself:

Why did I write this paper in the first place?

How do I bring my main points all together?

How do I show that my paper argued my thesis?

What am I hoping my reader gets out of this paper?

FOR THE END, AVOID:

“Aha!” moments or plot twists. Do not surprise the reader. The ending should make sense.

“In conclusion” or “finally.” Try to flow into the conclusion more naturally.

Mismatching the tone.

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Drafting a Conclusion

Every conclusion will be different, but a good conclusion...

• … reintroduces and synthesizes the main points.

Try revisiting each of the main points from your paper. Do not summarize them. Show how all of them fit together!

• ... responds to or rewrites the introduction and thesis.

You can revisit the intro, and thesis to show how your paper argued the claim effectively.

You can also rewrite the thesis in a new way that includes the information from your paper. Essentially, you are making a new thesis that is more confident and stronger than the first.

• ... transports the reader.

You are creating a portal out of the paper and back into the real world. Focus on how your argument can be applied to the readers' lives.

• ... urges a real-world response.

Solutions: present potential solutions that are based in research

Further Research: push for more research on the topic

Larger Context: show how the specific topic can be applied to a larger issue in the world

New Point of View: present the reader with a new point of view on a topic

... focuses on your audience and the exigency (urgency of a situation).

Think about who your audience is and why you are writing to them. What are they interested in learning from your paper?

Think about how urgent the issue is and what needs to be done. What kind of conclusion should be made?

• … leaves the reader with something memorable.

The final lines of your paper should be clear, confident, and memorable. The reader should be able to hold it in their mind.

• ... is not too short and addresses the assignment.

Your conclusion must align with any requirements and assignment prompts.

For more, visit UNC at Chapel Hill: https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/