Ways to Conclude an Essay
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Writing Center
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Conclusion writing can perhaps be the most difficult part of writing an essay. When
constructing an essay, it is important to keep in mind that the conclusion is the
most important part of your paper because it is the last impression your reader has
of the paper.
Successful conclusions should:
●Re-state and stress the importance of the thesis statement
●Provide closure to the essay
●Leave a lasting impression on the reader
Methods to writing conclusions
1. Answer the question “So what?”
• This is where you will exhibit the importance of the paper and show the reader
why the essay provides meaningful and useful information.
2. Synthesize, don’t summarize
• Make sure you do not simply repeat what you have previously stated. Be sure to
use the information from your paper to connect with your main idea.
3. Redirect the reader
• This is where you can be more creative and leave your reader with a general
message or something to think about. Be sure that if your paper is general to
specific that your conclusion is specific to general.
4. Create a new meaning
• It is important to note that this does not mean that you have to introduce new
information. If you clearly demonstrate how your ideas work together, you can
