The introduction of an essay is important because it gives the reader a first impression. The conclusion of an essay is equally important because it leaves the reader with a final impression. While one could argue that the introduction and body of an essay are more significant, it is important for students to keep in mind that the conclusion is the last thing the reader sees, and the writer's last opportunity to influence his or her audience.
Writing a Strong Concluding Paragraph
First of all, a concluding paragraph should leave the reader with a sense of closure; however, the last paragraph of an academic essay should not contain phrases like "to sum up" or "in conclusion". The reader will understand that he or she is reading a concluding paragraph because it will do two things:
- Restate the thesis
- Summarize the main supporting points
Leaving an Impression
While these two things are the basic components of a conclusion, an effective concluding paragraph needs to do more than just summarize. One of the main objectives of a persuasive essay is to demonstrate critical thinking and the conclusion should reflect that. An effective conclusion leaves a lasting impression on the reader, and there are a variety of ways for the final sentence/s of the paragraph to do this:
- Using the conclusion to link back to something stated in the introductory paragraph
- Making a strong statement to emphasize the overall point of your essay
- Warning the audience of possible consequences, or predicting what will happen, if certain action is or is not taken
- Recommending a specific course of action
- Suggesting the direction of future work or research in the field