Last Minute Advice--Conclusions

Sorry that this is getting to you so late.  I had a hard time locating the notes I like to give 102 students for writing conclusions.  I hope this will get to a few of you and will help.

First of all, a conclusion has specific purposes and goals:

*Answers the "so what"? question.  In other words, it helps to solidify the significance of the topic and the reason that the reader should care about it.

*Satisfies the reader.  Makes the reader feel as if he/she had a complete experience.

*Bridges the reader back to his or her daily life.  Give reasons about why your information and analysis can follow the reader back into daily life.

*Provides a last chance to make an impression on the reader, have a final say on an issue, summarize thoughts.

*Gives and opportunity to go beyond the confines of the assignment, talk about broader issues, make new connections, or ask questions.

There are certain things that you WANT TO DO  in a conclusion:

*Return to themes in the introduction.  Ensure that there is unity between the ideas and perspective in the introduction and conclusion.

*Synthesize rather than summarize.  Really piece together the argument for your reader.  Show the reader how the different parts of your essay work together.

*Propose a course of action, solutions, questions.

*Point to broader implications.  Give rationale for the project.  Why is this an important thing to study or discuss?

*End with a warning/discussion of consequences.  OR suggest possible consequences or results.  Look to the future.

*Call the reader to action.  Call for further discussion or research.  Rehearse unanswered questions.

*Reinforce your credibility.

*Remember that it is ok to end with complexity or unanswered questions.  Life is messy sometimes!

There are certain things that you DON'T WANT TO DO in a conclusion:

*Don't use the phrases "in conclusion," "in summary," "therefore," or "thus."  Your reader should be able to tell from your discussion that you are getting ready to conclude--even without one of these terms.

*State your thesis for the first time.

*Introduce a completely new subtopic or idea.

*End with a restated or rephrased thesis from the introduction.

*Use sentimental or emotional appeals.

* Include evidence that belongs in the body of the paper.

*Apologize for your views.  (Don't say anything like,  "I'm not sure but" or "At least this is my opinion" or "People need to decide for themselves")

*DON'T JUST TRAIL OFF!  You do need to give your reader some sense of an ending.