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Parts of the Paper

Writing the Conclusion

Your conclusion is the final paragraph or two of your paper.  According to Strategies for Successful Writing: A Rhetoric and Reader:

A conclusion rounds out a paper and signals that the discussion has been completed. ... To be effective, a conclusion must mesh logically and stylistically with what comes earlier.  A long, complex paper often ends with a summary of the main points, but several other options may be used for shorter papers with easy-to-understand ideas.  Most short essays have single-paragraph conclusions; longer papers may require two or three paragraphs. 

Do's and Don'ts

Don'ts

  • It shouldn't contain any new ideas
  • It shouldn't offer any new examples
  • It shouldn't reach any new conclusions

"Remember that everything you have to say - all your conclusions about the topic and your facts that prove them - belong in the body of the paper.  The ending merely wraps up the theme and ties it in a bow."

Do's/ideas for the content of your conclusion

  • Restate the purpose.
  • Sum up - Wrap up all your points into one general statement.  
  • Echo the lead - A favorite of magazine writers is to end by repeating an image or phrase used in the lead.
  • Urge readers to act - Tell what they can do to learn more about your theme, or, if it applies, simply say, "Go out and build yourself one."