Conclusions

Goals for Conclusions:

1.) Try not to leave the reader "hanging."

2.) Try to neatly tie things up.

3.) In general, concluding paragraphs begin more "narrowly" but then expand back to the more general or broad.

4.) Perhaps restate the central idea (thesis) and main points, but do so in a different way from the introduction -- perhaps even add something to it.

5.) Stimulate your reader to think beyond your essay -- "put a pebble in their shoe" (give them something to take with them).

6.) Stimulate your reader to apply your essay to their own lives -- and help them to do so.


Strategies for Conclusions:

Write a closing paragraph that does more than summarize your argument or restate your thesis. Use one of the techniques below:

1.) Summarize your central idea (thesis) and main points -- but, is this too common? too overused?

2.) Stress the significance of your thesis rather than simply repeating it. For example, encourage your readers to look beyond the thesis or your paper to an important future goal.

3.) Present an apt quotation.

4.) Tell a story that illustrates your main point.

5.) Pose a thought-provoking question.

6.) Speculate about the future.

7.) Predict consequences.

8.) Propose a solution to a/the problem raised in the essay.

9.) Call your readers to action.

10.) Return to a theme or idea mentioned in the introduction

11.) Evaluate the subject of your essay -- was it useful? worthwhile? important? thought-provoking? interesting?

12.) Use any of the devices for writing introductions