How To Write A Conclusion 9 Steps With Pictures

Let’s say your thesis reads, “Allowing students to visit the library during lunch improves campus life and supports academic achievement because it encourages reading, allows students to start assignments early, and provides a refuge for students who eat alone. ” You might restate it as, “Evidence shows students who have access to their school’s library during lunch check out more books and are more likely to complete their homework; additionally, students aren’t forced to eat alone. ”

You might write, “According to data, students checked out more books when they were allowed to visit their library during lunch, used that time to do research and ask for help with homework, and reported feeling less alone at lunch time. This shows that opening up the library during lunch can improve student life and academic performance. " If you’re writing an argument essay, address the opposing argument, as well. You might write, “Although administrators worry that students will walk the halls instead of going to the library, schools that allow students into the library during lunch reported less behavioral issues during lunch than schools that don’t allow students in the library. Data show that students were spending that time checking out more books and working on homework assignments. ”[3] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source

Call your reader to action. For example, “By working with school administrators, Greenlawn ISD can increase academic achievement by letting students use the library during lunch. ” End with a warning. You might write, “If students aren’t allowed to use the library during lunch, they are missing out on a valuable learning opportunity they’ll never get back. ” Evoke an image. Write, “Next year, students at Greenlawn could be gathered around a table in the library reading or broadening their minds. ” Compare your topic to something universal to help your reader relate. You might write, “Everyone knows how stressful it is to have a planner full of assignments, so having extra time to work on them during lunch would be a great relief to many students. ” Show why the issue is significant. Write, “Giving students more time to spend in the library will help them become more comfortable spending time there, which also helps the library’s mission. " Predict what would happen if your ideas are implemented. Say, “Next year, students at Greenlawn could increase their academic achievements, but results will only happen if they can use the library during lunch. ” End with a compelling quote. For instance, “As author Roald Dahl once said, ‘If you are going to get anywhere in life, you have to read a lot of books. ‘”

You could also ask your instructor if you can see an example of a well-written conclusion to give you an idea about what they expect you to write.

If you want to use an introductory phrase, use a stronger one like “based on the evidence” or “ultimately. ” You might also begin your first sentence with a word like “although,” “while,” or “since. ”[6] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC’s on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Additionally, avoid “to conclude,” “in summary,” or “in closing. ”

For example, you may have opened your introduction with an anecdote, quote, or image. Bring it back up in your conclusion. Similarly, if you opened with a rhetorical question, you might offer a potential answer in your conclusion.

For example, you wouldn’t want to end your essay about allowing students to use the library during lunch by stating, “As the evidence shows, using the library at lunch is a great way to improve student performance because they are more likely to do their homework. On a survey, students reported using the library to do research, ask homework questions, and finish their assignments early. ” This leaves out your points about students reading more and having a place to spend their lunch period if they don’t like eating in the cafeteria.

If you have introduced something you think is really important for your paper, go back through the body paragraphs and look for somewhere to add it. It’s better to leave it out of the paper than to include it in the conclusion.

If something doesn’t make sense or your conclusion seems incomplete, revise your conclusion so that your ideas are clear. It’s helpful to read your entire paper as a whole to make sure it all comes together.