How to Write a Strong Essay Conclusion | Scribbr 🎓

Summary

This video provides a step-by-step guide to writing an effective conclusion for an essay. Jessica from Scribbr explains the three main steps: revisiting the thesis, reviewing key supporting points, and demonstrating the broader significance of the argument. She emphasizes the importance of avoiding repetition, introducing new evidence, or undermining your argument in the conclusion. Instead, students should confidently reinforce their stance and leave readers with a lasting impression. Common mistakes are also highlighted, including overused concluding phrases, and Jessica concludes with a reminder to always revise your essay before submission.

Takeaways

• 😀 The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay and should leave a strong impression on the reader.
• 😀 Avoid directly repeating your thesis statement in the conclusion. Instead, rephrase it to reflect how your essay has developed the argument.
• 😀 Start your conclusion by signaling that the essay is coming to an end and refer back to your overall thesis.
• 😀 Remind the reader of the key points you used to support your argument, but try to tie them together concisely.
• 😀 When reviewing main points, focus on the relationships between them rather than just summarizing each point individually.
• 😀 In the conclusion, zoom out and show the broader implications of your argument, highlighting its significance beyond the essay.
• 😀 Leave the reader with lingering interest by raising new questions or discussing how your argument relates to wider themes.
• 😀 Do not introduce new evidence in the conclusion—keep the focus on what has already been presented.
• 😀 Avoid undermining your argument by using phrases like 'There are good arguments on both sides' or 'There is no clear answer.'
• 😀 Refrain from using generic concluding phrases like 'In conclusion...' or 'To sum up...' to make your writing more direct and powerful.
• 😀 Take time to revise your essay before submission, ensuring it is polished and coherent. Scribbr's editors are available for further support.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of a conclusion in an essay?

The primary goal of a conclusion is to tie together the main points of the essay, leaving the reader with a strong impression of your argument and its significance.

Why is it important not to directly repeat the thesis statement in the conclusion?

Directly repeating the thesis statement can make the conclusion sound redundant. Instead, the thesis should be rephrased to show how the essay has developed the argument further.

What is the first step in writing an effective conclusion?

The first step is to return to your thesis, signaling that the essay is coming to an end, and rephrase the thesis in a way that reflects how the argument has progressed.

How should the main points of the essay be reviewed in the conclusion?

Rather than summarizing each point individually, the main points should be tied together in a sentence or two that shows the relationship between them.

What is the purpose of zooming out in the final part of the conclusion?

Zooming out helps to consider the broader implications of the argument, connect it to wider themes, and potentially raise new questions or offer practical suggestions.

What are some practical suggestions for concluding an essay effectively?

Some practical suggestions include avoiding new evidence, not undermining your argument, and skipping over generic concluding phrases like 'In conclusion' or 'To sum up'.

What mistake should be avoided when writing the conclusion?

A common mistake is introducing new evidence or ideas that were not previously discussed in the essay, as the conclusion should only summarize and expand upon what has already been presented.

Why should you avoid undermining your argument in the conclusion?

Undermining your argument with phrases like 'There are good arguments on both sides' can make your position appear uncertain or weak, diminishing the impact of your essay.

How can the conclusion leave a lasting impact on the reader?

By presenting a broader view of the topic and showing how the ideas could apply to different contexts or stimulate further debate, you can leave the reader with a lingering interest in your argument.

What is a bonus tip for strengthening the conclusion?

Avoid using generic concluding phrases like 'In conclusion' or 'To sum up,' as they can make your writing sound weak. Instead, get straight to the point of your conclusion.