How to write a conclusion paragraph

Published on January 24, 2019 by Shona McCombes. Revised on February 8, 2021.

The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay. A strong conclusion aims to:

  • Tie together the essay's main points
  • Show why your argument matters
  • Leave the reader with a strong impression

Your conclusion should give a sense of closure and completion to your argument, but also show what new questions or possibilities it has opened up.

This conclusion is taken from our annotated essay example, which discusses the history of the Braille system. Hover over each part to see why it's effective.

Essay conclusion example

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille's innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students' reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

Step 1: Return to your thesis

To begin your conclusion, signal that the essay is coming to an end by returning to your overall argument.

Don't just repeat your thesis statement—instead, try to rephrase your argument in a way that shows how it has been developed since the introduction.

Example: Returning to the thesis
Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them.

Step 2: Review your main points

Next, remind the reader of the main points that you used to support your argument.

Avoid simply summarizing each paragraph or repeating each point in order; try to bring your points together in a way that makes the connections between them clear. The conclusion is your final chance to show how all the paragraphs of your essay add up to a coherent whole.

Example: Reviewing the main points
Louis Braille's innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students' reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness.

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Step 3: Show why it matters

To wrap up your conclusion, zoom out to a broader view of the topic and consider the implications of your argument. For example:

  • Does it contribute a new understanding of your topic?
  • Does it raise new questions for future study?
  • Does it lead to practical suggestions or predictions?
  • Can it be applied to different contexts?
  • Can it be connected to a broader debate or theme?

Whatever your essay is about, the conclusion should aim to emphasize the significance of your argument, whether that's within your academic subject or in the wider world.

Try to end with a strong, decisive sentence, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of interest in your topic.

Example: Showing why it matters
New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

What shouldn't go in the conclusion?

The easiest way to improve your conclusion is to eliminate these common mistakes.

Don't include new evidence

Any evidence or analysis that is essential to supporting your thesis statement should appear in the main body of the essay.

The conclusion might include minor pieces of new information—for example, a sentence or two discussing broader implications, or a quotation that nicely summarizes your central point. But it shouldn't introduce any major new sources or ideas that need further explanation to understand.

Don't use "concluding phrases"

Avoid using obvious stock phrases to tell the reader what you're doing:

  • "In conclusion…"
  • "To sum up…"

These phrases aren't forbidden, but they can make your writing sound weak. By returning to your main argument, it will quickly become clear that you are concluding the essay—you shouldn't have to spell it out.

Don't undermine your argument

Avoid using apologetic phrases that sound uncertain or confused:

  • "This is just one approach among many."
  • "There are good arguments on both sides of this issue."
  • "There is no clear answer to this problem."

Even if your essay has explored different points of view, your own position should be clear. There may be many possible approaches to the topic, but you want to leave the reader convinced that yours is the best one!

More examples of essay conclusions

This conclusion is taken from an argumentative essay about the internet's impact on education. It acknowledges the opposing arguments while taking a clear, decisive position.

Argumentative essay conclusion

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet's dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

This conclusion is taken from a short expository essay that explains the invention of the printing press and its effects on European society. It focuses on giving a clear, concise overview of what was covered in the essay.

Expository essay conclusion

The invention of the printing press was important not only in terms of its immediate cultural and economic effects, but also in terms of its major impact on politics and religion across Europe. In the century following the invention of the printing press, the relatively stationary intellectual atmosphere of the Middle Ages gave way to the social upheavals of the Reformation and the Renaissance. A single technological innovation had contributed to the total reshaping of the continent.

This conclusion is taken from a literary analysis essay about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It summarizes what the essay's analysis achieved and emphasizes its originality.

Literary analysis essay conclusion

By tracing the depiction of Frankenstein through the novel's three volumes, I have demonstrated how the narrative structure shifts our perception of the character. While the Frankenstein of the first volume is depicted as having innocent intentions, the second and third volumes—first in the creature's accusatory voice, and then in his own voice—increasingly undermine him, causing him to appear alternately ridiculous and vindictive. Far from the one-dimensional villain he is often taken to be, the character of Frankenstein is compelling because of the dynamic narrative frame in which he is placed. In this frame, Frankenstein's narrative self-presentation responds to the images of him we see from others' perspectives. This conclusion sheds new light on the novel, foregrounding Shelley's unique layering of narrative perspectives and its importance for the depiction of character.

Frequently asked questions about writing an essay conclusion

What goes in an essay conclusion?

Your essay's conclusion should contain:

  • A rephrased version of your overall thesis
  • A brief review of the key points you made in the main body
  • An indication of why your argument matters

The conclusion may also reflect on the broader implications of your argument, showing how your ideas could applied to other contexts or debates.

What doesn't go in an essay conclusion?

For a stronger conclusion paragraph, avoid including:

  • Important evidence or analysis that wasn't mentioned in the main body
  • Generic concluding phrases (e.g. "In conclusion…")
  • Weak statements that undermine your argument (e.g. "There are good points on both sides of this issue.")

Your conclusion should leave the reader with a strong, decisive impression of your work.

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