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Research Paper Writing: 8. Conclusion

Overview

A conclusion is the last paragraph included in the paper. It essentially wraps the paper up in one paragraph to make it compelling to the argument for the audience. What should be included are the main points discussed throughout the entire paper. The conclusion should be powerful and give the audience a sense of gratification and closure. A conclusion can be the hardest part of the writing. Often the writer feels that nothing else can be included into the paper. The conclusion is statistically what the audience remembers the most about the actual research paper.

Strategies for an effective conclusion

What should be included?

  • The writer needs to tell the audience why the thesis statement is important, but not restate it
  • Express the sense of closure for the paper
  • A final impression is another important part of the conclusion
  • Allow the audience see the usefulness and meaningful reason why the paper was wrote
  • The conclusion should show the points and support the paper
  • Use of a quote can be helpful if it relates to what is being expressed
  • Make the conclusion opposite of the introduction, for example, if the introduction went from general to specific, then make the conclusion specific to general
  • Create a new significance by representing how the concepts work together
  • Relate the conclusion to the audience by challenging them to apply it to their own lives 
  • Discuss the possibilities of the future it can help emphasize the importance of the topic, to see things more worldwide and compare to other situations
  • The conclusion can pose questions to gain a new perspective on the topic
  • It can suggest significance


This section was adapted from the following sources:

Strategies for Writing a Conclusion - http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/index.html

Concluding Paragraphs - http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/endings.htm




Conclusion Obstructions

  • Do not be redundant
  • Do not restate the thesis statement
  • Do not include new viewpoints
  • Never express that you do not know what your writing about


This section was adapted from the following sources:

Concluding Paragraphs - http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/endings.htm

Sample Conclusion