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Planning an Effective Conclusion

The conclusion provides readers with a sense of closure, leaving a lasting impression.  Think of this paragraph as the bow on the package of your essay.  You’ve stated and supported your opinion; now tell readers what you want them to do and leave them thinking about your message.  End the essay with something that will resonate with your readers long after you essay is over.
Consider the following as you write your conclusion:

1.  Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis in different words.

2. Review and wrap up the essay without introducing new facts or arguments.  Emphasize ideas you want the audience to contemplate. This might include one of the following:

• So-What Statement—Tell your readers why this topic relates to their lives and why it should matter to them or what THEY can do about the issue.
  

• Summarize Key Points—Review the most important ideas from body paragraphs.  Do not repeat information exactly how is was stated earlier, however.
  

• Call to Action—Tell your readers what THEY can do about the issue.

3.  End with a clincher, something creative or powerful to leave the audience thinking.  For example, you could end with a strong statement, a quotation, or a reference to a story you told earlier. 
Think of your conclusion as being shaped like a triangle.  The conclusion goes from the specific thesis to a broad clincher. 

This is opposite to the structure of an introduction, which is shaped like an inverted (upside down) triangle, which goes from a broad hook to the specific thesis.