The ConclusionThe Conclusion

References© 2001 by Ruth Luman

Making Your Last Paragraph CountMaking Your Last Paragraph Count

The En

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A ConclusionA ConclusionDefinition 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.

A ConclusionA Conclusion

First Sentence of Conclusion

Ultimately, because of the steps I took, I was successful in fighting 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.

A ConclusionA ConclusionSo 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 yourthesis, 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?

Look at the example below of a conclusion that shows the reader the importance of the main idea of the essay.

Example #1Example #1So What?

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!

Example #1Example #1

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.

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.

Example #2Example #2Conclusion

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.

Example #2Example #2

The first two sentences

reemphasize the thesis statement.

The writer concludes by discussing the lessons learned from his experience.

Thesis Statement

There were several factors that caused my family to make the difficult decision

to immigrate to the United States.

Concluding an EssayConcluding an EssayTechniques

Some ways to enhance a conclusion are to

include a… Prediction

Recommendation

Quotation

Concluding an EssayConcluding an EssayA 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.

PredictionPredictionExample

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 program to reforest parts of Haiti is urgently needed.

Thesis Statement

A prediction is used to make the reader think about possible results of the thesis.

Concluding an EssayConcluding an EssayA 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.

RecommendationRecommendationExample

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.

Concluding an EssayConcluding an Essay“A Quotation”

A relevant quotation can bring good

closure to your essay, especially if thequotation is from an expert on the topic in

your composition.

QuotationQuotationExample

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 makingimprovements in common health problems. Unless acommunity understands the importance of the

intervention andtakes responsibility for transformation, no long-

lasting changeswill be made.

A quotation from an expert can be used to add credibility to a writer’s position.

A ConclusionA ConclusionUseful 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 conclusionsare listed below. Remember to use a comma after

yourtransitions.

In conclusion,

In summary,

Thus,

Therefore,

To conclude,

In short,

A ConclusionA ConclusionExample 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.

Practice ExercisePractice Exercise

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

References PowerPoint Presentation by Ruth Luman: Modesto Junior College.

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