Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: What you should do
• Method 2 of 2: What not to do
• Tips
• Warnings

Closing your essay with a bang is perhaps the most important step in getting a good grade. That is why the conclusion is so important. In the conclusion, you list the most important information in your essay. The conclusion itself is best closed with a catchy, interesting closing sentence. In this article you will learn how to conclude your essay in an engaging way and thus get a higher grade!

To step

Method 1 of 2: What you should do

1. Start the conclusion with a small transition (optional). This may indicate to the reader that the essay is nearing its end, so he should pay attention. Although many writers introduce their essays with a transition, it is not mandatory. It is not necessary if the end is clearly in sight. A transition can be as simple as:
   • "In short, ..."
   • "In conclusion ..."
   • "From this we can deduce that ..."
2. Briefly list the main points. Try to summarize the most important information from each paragraph in two or three sentences. The repetition reinforces the message of your essay and reminds the reader again of whatever that message was.
   • Don't summarize the points like in the middle of your essays. The conclusion is there to summarize the final answer of your essay. That is why a few rules are usually sufficient.
3. Keep it short and sweet. Your conclusion should be about 5 to 7 sentences. If it's shorter, it probably isn't extensive enough. If it is longer, you are probably trotting too far. As William Shakespeare put it, "Conciseness is the soul of the mind."
4. If you have a hypothesis / proposition, mention it in the conclusion. If you have a hypothesis or proposition, you must refer to it, however brief, in the conclusion. Remember that the hypothesis is the main point of your essay. If, after reading your conclusion, someone still doesn't know what your statement is, then you haven't been clear enough.
   • Do not try to copy your thesis indiscriminately in the conclusion. Find a way in which you can suggest these in other words. If you copy the statement literally in the conclusion, the reader may get the impression that you are lazy.
5. T Try to sound as authoritative as possible. Appearing authoritative means choosing the right words, drawing on resources other than yourself, and trusting your own ability to write.
   • For example, say "That's why Abraham Lincoln was the best nineteenth century US president," instead of "That's why I think Abraham Lincoln was the best nineteenth century US president." The reader already knows, when you write that Lincoln was the best American president of the nineteenth century, you think so. The words “I think” give the impression that you want to keep a close hand. This makes you sound a lot less authoritative.
   • Another example: Don't apologize for your beliefs. They are your ideas, so embrace them. Never say things like "I may not be an expert" or "At least that's how I feel about it." This weakens your reliability.
6. Provide a strong lock. Your closing sentence must be well-spoken, stimulating, and above all to the point. This is easier said than done, but always start by emphasizing the point of your essay. Ask yourself What is my essay about, and what am I trying to say? Work out your closing sentence from there.
   • End with a little irony. Make your closing sentence a bit more playful by mentioning an ironic side effect. That way your essay will be extra stimulating.
   • Respond to emotions. Essays are usually very rational in nature and place little value on emotions. That is precisely why responding to emotions can be a powerful way to conclude an essay. If you do this right, your essay will get a little more soul.
   • Call people to action (don't do this too often). If you are really trying to change people (argument) then a call to action can be a good way to do this. Watch out: in the wrong context (contemplation, explanation) it can overshoot its target.

Method 2 of 2: What not to do

1. Don't try to quote. There is no reason to include quotes and analysis at the end - you should have done this in the middle of your essay. If you really have to, summarize the quotes and link them to the main question.
2. Don't use awkward language. The conclusion is no place to confuse the reader with words that are difficult to understand. You want the conclusion to be clear and direct, not boring and rigid. In addition, try to avoid “First,” “Second,” “Third,” etc. Make it clear what you are trying to say and how many points you are going to cover.
3. Do not confuse the reader with new information. Now is not the time to introduce new ideas. This will only confuse the reader. Don't pile things up - simply make a quick summary of what your essay yielded, and what your opinion is after analyzing the information.
4. Don't focus on the less important things. The conclusion is not to nitpick on minor themes in your essay. In fact, the conclusion is to distance yourself from those small themes and focus on the big picture. Make sure your conclusion revolves around the most important point in your essay, not a small detail.

Tips

• Use your hypothesis as part of the conclusion. This shows that you are not deviating from the topic and that you are completing everything.
• Check your essay again when it's done. Check that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are okay.
• State the most important information in the conclusion. In addition, try to link this information back to your hypothesis. In this way you show that your reasoning fits within the subject of your essay.
• Use a variety of words. Teachers generally enjoy reading conclusions with a varied vocabulary.
• Summarize your essay well to get a higher grade.

Warnings

• When writing a formal essay, avoid everyday language. In addition, try to avoid clinicians such as "First," and "Second."