How to Write a Formal Essay: Part 4 - The Conclusion

There are many levels of conclusions, from elementary to advanced. Writers often ignore the conclusion, or they simply restate ideas already discussed in the body of the essay. However, this kind of conclusion is very elementary and boring.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• A conclusion should be short. Five to seven sentences are usually enough. For more advanced students, a one-sentence conclusion is also acceptable, but this is very difficult to do. In order to do this, the discussion in the body of the essay must be very detailed.
• Do not discuss new ideas that are not related to your topic.
• Do not repeat the same ideas already mentioned in the introduction or body.
• Do not copy exact sentences from the introduction or body. Instead, paraphrase.

COMMONLY USED CONCLUSION TRANSITION WORDS

The following are common transition words. However, you do not always have to use them. More advanced students sometimes skip these words altogether. Use them carefully.

a. Therefore,
b. In conclusion,
c. To sum up,
d. To summarize,
e. In summary,
f. To end,
g. All in all,
h. Overall,
i. Above all,
j. In brief,
k. In a nutshell,
l. On a final note,

SAMPLE CONCLUSIONS

Elementary Level: Repeating Your Reasons
Topic: Children Should Have Pets

In conclusion, children should have pets. The reasons are: pets teach children responsibility, pets teach children how to care for others, and children will have a loyal companion.

Intermediate Level: Three-Step Conclusion
Steps:
1. Restate the main idea (thesis statement).
2. Summarize your three reasons.
3. Leave the reader with a final impression.

Topic: What is your goal in the next five years?

1. Restate main idea: Getting a better job is a goal I want to achieve in the next few years.

2. Summarize reasons: Finishing school will help me reach this goal. I will also prepare my résumé and search for jobs.

3. Final impression: My goal may not be easy to achieve, but worthwhile goals are often not easy. 

Combined Conclusion:

In conclusion, getting a better job is a goal I want to achieve in the next few years. Finishing school will help me reach this goal. I will also prepare my résumé and search for jobs. My goal may not be easy to achieve, but worthwhile goals are often not easy.

Intermediate Level: Asking Questions
Another way to write a conclusion is to answer these questions:

1. So what? What is the point of your essay?
2. What is really important?
3. What do you want readers to do or think?
4. What questions do you want to leave with them?

Example 1 – Topic: Children Should Have Pets

1. So what? What is the point of your essay? - Every child should have a pet.

2. What is really important? – Most importantly, children should treat their pets the same way they treat close friends. The way a child takes care of pets shows what kind of person he or she is. 

Combined Conclusion:

To conclude, every child should have a pet. Most importantly, children should treat their pets the same way they treat close friends, because pets help children in many ways. The way a child takes care of pets shows what kind of person he or she is.

Example 2 – Topic: Music Preferences

1. So what? - Each individual has his or her own preference.

2. What is really important? - Music inspires people and brings them closer together.

3. What should readers do? - Enjoy listening to the music you like. Music is free. Music is for everyone. 

Combined Conclusion:

In summary, each individual has his or her own preference. The most important thing is that music inspires and brings people together. In the end, just enjoy the type of music you like. Music is free. Music is for everyone.

 

Other Examples

Topic: Traveling is important. Do you agree or disagree?

    We learn so much about people and cultures when we travel, because travel broadens our perspective. The place itself is not important, but the journey is. If you have the privilege to travel, take it—you will learn more. Which three places in the world would you like to visit?

Topic: Who is the most important person in your life?

    Above all, I have realized that my mother devotes her time and energy to us. She is the most important person in my life, even if I do not always show it. Everyone should be grateful to their mother, and children should not wait until they become rich to show their gratitude. We can all do it now. Sometimes, a simple “Thank you” is more than enough. Thank you, Mom.

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