I. Introduction

Writing a conclusion paragraph often poses as a challenge for many writers. On the one hand, it is your last chance to leave a lasting impression on your readers, but on the other hand, it is also easy to fall into the trap of summarizing your essay rather than crafting a well-written final paragraph. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a great conclusion paragraph and leave your readers with a strong last impression.

A. Explanation of the Importance of a Strong Conclusion

A conclusion paragraph is the final piece of your essay. Hence, it is the moment when readers make their final judgments about your work. A strong conclusion can reinforce your argument, bring closure to your essay, and leave your readers with something to think about even after they have finished reading. A weak conclusion, on the other hand, can leave your readers unsatisfied and unimpressed, even if your essay had great content.

B. Overview of the Key Elements to Be Covered in the Article

In this article, we will break down the different elements that go into writing a strong conclusion. We will start by discussing the structure of a conclusion paragraph and the importance of restating your thesis statement and summarizing your main points. We will then examine the do’s and don’ts of writing a conclusion, including how to avoid introducing new information and how to provide a call to action. Finally, we will delve into crafting a powerful final thought, incorporating transitional language, adding an emotional appeal, and providing examples.

II. Structure of a Conclusion Paragraph

A. Restating the Thesis Statement

One of the most essential elements of a conclusion paragraph is the restatement of your thesis statement. By doing so, you remind your readers of your essay’s main argument and ground the last paragraph in the context of the essay. However, it is crucial to rephrase your thesis statement creatively to avoid it becoming repetitive.

1. Tips to Write an Effective Restatement

When restating your thesis statement, try to use different words while keeping the same meaning. It may be helpful to use a thesaurus to find synonyms that will convey the same or similar ideas. Additionally, consider rephrasing the thesis statement in a new way or open it up to a broader context. Alternately, you may choose to emphasize it with a specific example that highlights the significance of your thesis statement.

B. Summarizing the Main Points

In addition to reiterating the thesis statement, a strong conclusion paragraph also summarizes the main points of the essay. This shows your readers that you have successfully proven the key ideas supporting your argument and contextualizes your thesis statement within your essay’s content.

1. Strategies to Write an Effective Summary

Summarize the main points of your essay in a concise and clear way. Try to avoid repeating yourself and focus on the central ideas that back up your argument. If you were using a logical structure, such as chronological or cause-and-effect, make sure to address each key point within that structure in your summary. Based on your essay’s focus, you may choose either to elaborate on how each point adds to your argument or touch briefly on why they’re essential.

C. Offering a Final Thought

The last element of a conclusion paragraph is offering a final thought. A powerful final thought can leave your readers with a lasting impression and give them something to think about after they’ve finished reading.

1. Examples of Powerful Final Thoughts

A final thought may take many different forms, from a thought-provoking question to a poignant statement or an effective summary of the significance of your topic. Here are some examples of powerful final thoughts:

• Call to action: Encouraging readers to take concrete action based on your essay’s topic
• Summary: Restating the main point of the essay in a powerful manner
• Challenge: Challenging the reader to consider a new perspective by asking thought-provoking questions or challenging the reader’s beliefs
• Closural statement: Concluding your essay with a statement that brings a sense of finality to the piece
• Providing future implications and foresee the future thinking: When you look at the topic generally and consider if this problem will change in time or not

III. Do’s and Don’ts of Writing a Strong Conclusion

A. Avoiding Introducing New Information

One of the most common mistakes in conclusion writing is introducing new information. Your conclusion paragraph should not introduce new ideas, introduce new arguments, or bring up points that you did not cover in the essay. Doing so only leaves loose ends and confuses the reader.

1. Explanation of Why It Should Be Avoided

Introducing new information goes against the purpose of a conclusion, which is to provide closure. Any new information risks taking the focus away from the central points you were trying to establish in the essay. It can break the structure of your essay, and the reader can leave with a sense of unsatisfaction and incompleteness.

B. Reiterating the Significance of the Topic

Another important element of a strong conclusion is reiterating the significance of your topic. This reminds your readers why the essay is essential and reinforces your argument’s importance, making your conclusions more powerful.

1. Wording Suggestions to Reinforce the Significance

Reiterating your thesis statement can serve as an effective way to emphasize the significance of the topic. Another strategy is to summarize the main points, highlighting their significance. Using words such as ‘crucial,’ ‘critical,’ or ‘essential’ can also help reinforce the topic’s importance.

C. Providing a Call to Action

A call to action is an invitation to your readers to take a concrete step, making your conclusions more than just thoughts. Through it, you want to make your readers consider your arguments and transcend them into the real world, making meaning out of your work.

1. Tips for Creating an Engaging Call to Action

Your call to action should be tailored to the topic of your essay and the audience you are addressing. Make sure you use persuasive language to make your readers feel encouraged and empowered. Some helpful tips include using active verbs, inspiring language, and clear, concise wording. Include specific steps in your call to action, along with any information the reader might need to fulfill it.

IV. Crafting a Powerful Final Thought

A. Importance of a Memorable Lasting Impression

Your conclusion is the last chance to make a lasting impression, and making it memorable is essential. A powerful final thought serves as a cherry on the top, giving your readers something to think about after they have finished reading your essay.

B. Elements of a Powerful Final Sentence

The last sentence of your essay deserves special attention, as it is the last thing your readers will read. It should be brief but powerful, and capture the essence of your essay.

1. Examples of Different Types of Final Sentences

• Rhetorical questions: A question to leave behind to think about,
• A prediction: A statement or a prediction of things to come regarding the topic.
• A quote: A powerful quote from a relevant source that summarizes your essay.
• An advisory statement or a call to action: Inspiring advice or a call to take action on your essay’s topic.
• A final thought: Concluding the essay with a brief statement or proposal.

C. Using Rhetorical Devices to Create an Impact

Rhetorical devices, such as metaphors, analogies, or similes, can give your final sentences additional impact and leave a lasting impression on your readers.

1. Suggestions for Rhetorical Devices to Use

Rhetorical devices can be used in many different ways, here are some recommendations:

• Metaphors: Use metaphors to provide a fresh perspective and evoke imagery that emphasizes your essay’s significance.
• Analogies: Comparing something from another field of expertise to create an image of understanding regarding the topic.
• Similes: Similes are also handy at making relationships to something else and creating a visual picture of the topic.
• Alliteration: Using words that start with the same sound together in a sequence-that usually bring attention to the sentence.
• Rhetorical questions: A question that leaves the reader thinking about the topic or something broader.

V. Incorporating Transitional Language

A. Explanation of Transitional Phrases

Transition words and phrases are used to connect sentences and paragraphs, creating a coherent essay. Their use extends to conclusion paragraphs, providing consistency, creating flow, and guiding your readers through the essay’s main ideas.

B. Strategies to Tie Together the Main Points of the Essay

Transitional words and phrases help tie up different ideas and concepts and guide readers on how they relate to one another. Consider using transition words when summarizing your main points and when emphasizing the significance of your topic.

C. List of Transitional Words and Phrases to Use

Using transitional words and phrases is essential in creating a cohesive essay. Here are some examples of transitional words and phrases to use in your conclusion paragraph:

• Finally
• Indeed
• In conclusion
• Thus
• Therefore
• As a result
• On the whole
• Overall
• To summarize
• In summary

VI. Adding an Emotional Appeal

A. Importance of an Emotional Appeal

Emotions have the power to influence attitudes and decision-making in ways that rational arguments can’t. An emotional appeal can help you engage your readers and bring your topic to life in a way that highlights the importance of your argument.

B. How to Craft an Emotional Appeal

There are different ways to add an emotional appeal to your conclusion paragraph, including using vivid descriptions, personal anecdotes, or emotional triggers.

1. Examples of Emotional Appeals

• Personal anecdotes: Sharing an anecdote from your life with your readers that connects your topic with personal experiences and brings relevance to your essay’s argument or topic.
• Emotive language: Using language that triggers strong emotions, such as hope, compassion, or anger.
• Vivid descriptions: An excellent description of a scene or an image that resonates with your readers and helps them better understand the topic.
• A call to action: The motivational aspect of the final statement, where you inspire readers to take action, think about the topic, or do something about the issue.

C. Writing a Persuasive Conclusion

A persuasive conclusion combines several techniques used in other sections of this article: crafting a strong thesis statement, focusing on the significance of the topic, using transitional language, and incorporating emotional appeals. Your goal is to convince your readers to take action or change their positions based on your arguments, making them believe in something they didn’t before reading your essay.

VII. Providing Examples

A. Explanation of How Sample Conclusion Paragraphs Can Help Guide Writers

Example conclusion paragraphs are powerful tools for writers. They provide a guide on how a well-written conclusion paragraph should flow and highlight the different elements required to conclude an essay effectively.

B. Examples of Strong Conclusion Paragraphs from Various Essay Topics

To understand better how to write an excellent conclusion paragraph, here are a few examples that will demonstrate how to apply the techniques and tips highlighted in different essay topics:

1. Topic: Climate Change

Conclusion: “In conclusion, climate change remains a critical global issue, and it is crucial that everyone plays their part in mitigating further damage. Taking small and significant steps to reduce emissions and protect the planet will help future generations thrive.”

2. Topic: Cyber Bullying

Conclusion: “In conclusion, combating cyberbullying requires a multifaceted approach. Parents, educators, and authorities need to take an active role in adopting policies and creating awareness programs aimed at reducing its incidences. Until we all assume the responsibility to stop cyberbullying, its devastating effects will continue to have a place in our society.”

3. Topic: World Hunger

Conclusion: “In conclusion, eradicating world hunger requires a concerted effort from governments, international organizations, and individuals.