How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay: A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting a Strong Ending (With Examples)

From gathering evidence to creating an outline, writing a thesis statement, and developing body paragraphs, you put a lot of time and effort into writing a well-crafted essay in class. But your assignment is not over just yet. A conclusion paragraph is the final message you leave with your reader. Good conclusions always summarize the key points and arguments you’ve made throughout your essay as well as create closure for your audience. Don’t leave your reader hanging! Tie everything together at the end and leave a lasting impression that you can be proud of.

What is a Conclusion Sentence?

A conclusion sentence is the very last sentence in a paragraph. Its purpose is to reinforce your main idea in a clear and concise way. Not simply a word-for-word repeat of the topic sentence or thesis statement itself, the conclusion sentence restates your key points in a unique way that provides a sense of finality to the reader.

What is a Conclusion Paragraph?

A conclusion paragraph is the final paragraph of an essay. Its role is to highlight the key points made in each of the body paragraphs cohesively and create a strong finish by restating the thesis statement at the end. Don’t forget, a good conclusion paragraph is always completed with a round of self-editing.

What are the 3 Types of Conclusions?

Here are the 3 types of conclusions that you should become familiar with. Learning how to compose each of them through practice and experimentation will make your writing that much stronger.

Summative Conclusion

A summative conclusion is a paragraph that calls attention to the major points, arguments, and discoveries in an essay. As these are all discussed, the writer reinforces the thesis statement given and offers insights as to why the topic should matter to the reader.

Reflective Conclusion

A reflective conclusion is a paragraph in which the writer looks back on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The writer’s personal growth or insights are also discussed as they are used to connect the essay to life events that have already taken place.

Call-to-Action Conclusion

A call-to-action conclusion is a paragraph that inspires the reader to explore the broader implications of a topic. Call-to-action conclusions also encourage readers to take specific actions that are laid out for them by the writer.

How Do You Start off a Conclusion?

The best way to start off a conclusion is to think of ways to seamlessly transition from the last body paragraph and into the conclusion paragraph. To do so, use transition words and phrases that make it clear to the reader that all of the new information has been presented and you will now be summarizing the most important facts. Be sure to consider the overall tone and message you would like to convey.

How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph?

Wondering how to write a conclusion paragraph? There are three important steps you must take:

1. Craft a strong opening sentence.

A strong opening sentence for your conclusion paragraph will do two things very well. It will serve as a transition from the last body paragraph and into the conclusion. Plus, it will indicate to the reader that the essay is coming to an end.

2. Summarize each of the main points concisely.

The key word here is to summarize. An effective conclusion paragraph briefly restates all of the main points you have already gone over. Think of the conclusion paragraph as a quick review of the entire essay. If you get stuck on what to include, picture yourself taking notes from the essay and then add the most important details you would have taken notes on into the concluding paragraph.

3. End with a memorable closing statement.

The conclusion sentence is the very last thing you get to say to your reader, so be sure to make it a memorable statement they won’t soon forget. This is your chance to make the reader think about the topic in-depth and convince them that you know what you’re talking about.

Here are the dos and don’ts when it comes to writing a conclusion paragraph:

For even more helpful tips on essay writing, check out our previous posts

How to Write a Conclusion Sentence?

Now it’s time to write your conclusion sentence. Here are three important things to consider:

1. Be sure to echo the thesis statement.

Anytime you write a conclusion sentence, you want to refer back to the thesis statement in your essay introduction. Your entire essay is based on the thesis statement you provide, so be sure to restate this central point in a way that puts a finishing touch on the essay as a whole.

2. Choose impactful language.

While essays are an example of formal writing, they should never come off as being boring or dull. While writing your conclusion sentence, use impactful language that creates a certain feeling in the reader. You want the reader to feel invested in what you have to say and using powerful words can elicit the desired emotional response.

3. Keep it concise and focused.

To make the most of your conclusion sentence, keep it concise and focused on the central point you are reiterating. This is not the time to let your words drag on. Instead, think of the conclusion sentence as your chance for a mic drop.

How to Write a Conclusion for Different Essay Types?

Argumentative Essay

Tasked with learning how to write a conclusion for an argumentative essay? No worries! Simply reiterate the main argument and address any opposing viewpoints.

Here is an example of a conclusion for an argumentative essay:

Altogether, class size really does matter. When fewer students are enrolled, teachers are better able to spend more one-on-one time with each student, differentiate assignments based on student needs, and gain more control over pacing in the curriculum. While some studies have shown that standardized test scores are not necessarily affected by class size, teachers and students agree that the overall classroom experience is better when fewer students are present. In summation, class size makes a noticeable impact on student learning and should not be ignored.

Expository Essay

Is it time for you to discover how to write a conclusion for an expository essay? If so, restate the main idea and provide a final perspective.

Here is an example of a conclusion for an expository essay:

In summation, the best family vacation I ever took was to Florida. The amusement parks, helicopter tour, and crocodile farm are all experiences that I will never forget. Looking back, this vacation brought a lot of joy to my family and impacted my relationships with my siblings and parents.

Informative Essay

Wondering how to write a conclusion for an informative essay? Simply summarize the key information and emphasize the significance of this particular topic.

Here is an example of a conclusion for an informative essay:

In essence, being exposed to photoshopped images may affect the way you think about yourself long-term. The reality is that most people can’t help but make comparisons when it comes to the way they look in real life and how influencers and models look after being altered. Over time, these airbrushed photos can even lead to self-esteem issues so keep this in mind as you scroll online and be sure to tell others about the dangers associated with altered images.

Analytical Essay

Researching how to write a conclusion for an analytical essay? Be sure to summarize your key analytical findings and relate your analysis back to the thesis statement you provided.

Here is an example of a conclusion for an analytical essay:

In summation, a comprehensive analysis of the history of nanotechnology shows how advancements in this field have and will continue to have wide implications. By manipulating matter on such a small scale, scientists, engineers, and doctors are now able to innovate in ways that were once thought impossible. As nanotechnology continues to evolve, our world will be reshaped and innovation will occur at lightning speed.

How to End a Conclusion Paragraph?

The best way to end a conclusion paragraph is to connect it back to the introduction and provide a sense of closure to the reader. Remember not to introduce any new information. Instead, end the conclusion with a statement that is sure to spark a new thought pattern in your reader.

What is a Good Concluding Sentence?

There are three things that a good concluding sentence does well:

1. It reinforces the main idea
2. It leaves a lasting impression on the reader
3. It encourages further reflection

In other words, a good concluding sentence reminds the reader of what they just read and helps them make deeper connections to that topic.

Conclusion Paragraph Examples

Here are two polished conclusion paragraph examples:

In essence, virtual reality has the potential to change our lives for the better. From an entertainment standpoint to use in schools, hospitals, manufacturing plants, and tourist destinations to name a few, the applications for virtual reality are seemingly endless. And while certain challenges with this new technology are sure to arise, the overall impact on the human experience will be beneficial. Thanks to the trajectory these developments have already charted, virtual reality will lead to innovation and possibility for all.

Ultimately, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird remains a classic in American literature to this day. As a true coming-of-age story, this book resonates with all readers who have experienced injustice in their own lives and have learned how to stand up for what is right. While circumstances may change from one generation to the next, To Kill a Mockingbird successfully illustrates the timelessness of facing oppression and overcoming it.

Conclusion Sentence Examples

Here are three well-written conclusion sentence examples:

In conclusion, recent studies have proven beyond a doubt that long-term vaping does increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease thanks in no small part to its effect on the blood vessels in your body.

In closing, the years I have spent doing volunteer work after school have certainly shaped the way I look at my own home life and have pointed out the strengths and weaknesses I have when it comes to building relationships with my parents.

To wrap things up, the 380 million tons of plastic waste that the world produces each and every year is a huge contributing factor to the pollution of our oceans and the subsequent death of our marine life.

Writing an Effective Conclusion

The best way to learn how to write an effective conclusion is to gain plenty of practice. Understanding the three types of conclusions—summative, reflective, and call to action—is the first step, and the second step is to start writing. Remember, a conclusion paragraph is your opportunity to review the key points you’ve already made and wrap up the discussion. Experimenting with the three different types of conclusions now will help you build your skills as a writer and recognize which type will work best for any essay that you write in the future. If you get stuck, you can always turn to an essay writing service for help.