How to write a conclusion your examiner will remember
Contents
A strong conclusion is your final chance to prove your argument's worth and leave a lasting, positive impression. It’s not just a summary; it’s a synthesis that shows why your analysis matters. While many find this part of an essay tricky, examiners have clear expectations.
- Synthesize, don't summarize: Go beyond restating facts. Show how your points connect to prove your larger argument. Playing the "So What?" game is a great way to do this.
- Restate your thesis with fresh insight: Don't repeat your thesis word-for-word. Rephrase it with the confidence and perspective you've gained through your analysis.
- Stick to the right length: Aim for your conclusion to be about 5-10% of your paper's total word count.
- Avoid common pitfalls: Never introduce new evidence in the conclusion, and avoid using formulaic phrases to signal that you're wrapping up. A strong ending doesn't need a signpost.
What is the strategic role of a conclusion and why is it so important?
A conclusion's job is to synthesize your arguments and show the reader why your analysis matters. It's your last chance to frame your work and demonstrate intellectual control. A good conclusion provides closure and reinforces the overall strength of your paper, often being the part an examiner remembers most.
You've spent pages building your case, presenting evidence, and weaving together arguments. The conclusion is where you cash in on all that hard work. It's your final opportunity to frame your entire paper and lock in the reader's impression of your command over the material. According to the University of North Carolina's Writing Center, an effective conclusion doesn't just list what you've said. It shows how all the pieces—your main points, your arguments, and your examples—fit together to create a coherent whole.
This final section brings together the main strands of your argument concisely and offers a final comment or evaluation. This gives the reader something to think about after they've finished. For a short essay, this might be a single, powerful paragraph. In a longer dissertation, the conclusion is often a more complex section, discussing implications and suggesting future research. Either way, its job is the same: provide a satisfying sense of closure.
How do you create a conclusion that leaves a lasting impression?
To make your conclusion memorable, you need to go beyond simple summary and connect with the reader on a deeper level. A great way to do this is to play the "So What?" game. After you write a statement in your conclusion, ask yourself, "So what?" or "Why should anyone care?" This forces you to explain the significance of your findings.
Imagine you wrote: "Education was important to Frederick Douglass." Asking "So what?" pushes you further. You might then write: "For Douglass, education was the key to feeling like a free and equal citizen, a tool that directly undermined the slaveholders' power by proving their claims of racial inferiority false." See the difference? The second version has real weight.
Another powerful technique is to reframe your thesis, not just repeat it. If your original thesis was, "Community gardens improve access to fresh food in underserved neighborhoods," your conclusion's version could be, "Far from being small local projects, community gardens measurably improve food access and bolster public health in areas that need it most." It says the same thing but with a broader, more confident perspective.
Finally, consider using a powerful closing device. You could return to an anecdote you used in your introduction to bring the paper full circle. Or you could use a striking image or a powerful quote. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech famously ends by quoting an old spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" It creates an emotional connection that lasts long after the words are spoken.
What do examiners look for in a conclusion?
Examiners see a conclusion as a test of your intellectual control. They want to see if you can step back from the details and confidently explain the overall meaning of your work. A 2014 study that reviewed 30 articles on the topic identified 11 common practices that examiners use, showing a broad consensus in what they expect.
Dr. Hilmi Hamza, an Associate Professor at Universiti Utara Malaysia, explains that he does a "quick scan" of a thesis before reading it fully. He looks at the abstract, the research questions, and the references first. This initial check helps him gauge the student's seriousness and precision. For instance, strictly following a referencing convention like APA 7th edition shows an attention to detail that examiners appreciate. They expect your conclusion to logically follow from your research questions and findings, tying everything together neatly.
For longer works like dissertations, the conclusion is expected to be more substantial. It should not only summarize your findings but also discuss their significance, acknowledge any limitations of your study, and suggest directions for future research. This shows that you understand where your work fits within the broader academic conversation.
| Weak Conclusion (Examiner's View) | Strong Conclusion (Examiner's View) |
|---|---|
| Simply repeats points from the body. | Synthesizes how the points connect and prove the thesis. |
| Restates the original thesis word-for-word. | Restates the thesis with new vocabulary and deeper insight. |
| Introduces new evidence or a new sub-topic. | Focuses exclusively on the arguments already presented. |
| Begins with a clichéd phrase to signal the ending. | Lets the strength of the final paragraph speak for itself. |
| Feels abrupt or tacked on. | Provides a satisfying sense of closure and a final, thoughtful point. |
What mistakes should you avoid when writing a conclusion?
The most common trap students fall into is writing a summary instead of a synthesis. A summary just repeats your main points. A synthesis shows how those points are connected and why, together, they matter. Your examiner has already read your paper; they don't need you to list what you just told them. They need you to show them the bigger picture you've created.
To turn a summary into a synthesis, try this: write down your main points, then draw arrows between them. Force yourself to write a sentence that explains the connection each arrow represents. That connecting logic is the heart of a good synthesis.
Another common mistake is relying on formulaic phrases. You don't need to write "To sum up," "All things considered," or "As has been shown." These phrases can sound mechanical and a bit insecure. A well-written conclusion makes it obvious that you're wrapping up. The transition should feel natural, flowing from the final point of your last body paragraph. Let the strength of your final words signal the end.
Never introduce new ideas, new evidence, or new arguments in your conclusion. This is a major red flag for examiners. It suggests poor planning and creates a structural imbalance, as you have no space to properly develop the new information. Your conclusion is for closing your argument, not opening a new one.
Finally, avoid making overly broad or sentimental claims that your paper doesn't support. Stick to the scope of your argument. If your essay was about the use of iambic pentameter in Shakespeare's early sonnets, your conclusion isn't the place to make sweeping statements about the human condition. Keep your final thoughts grounded in the evidence you've presented.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my conclusion be?
A conclusion should be about 5-10% of your paper's total word count. For a 2,000-word essay, this means 100-200 words. The goal is to be long enough to synthesize your key arguments but short enough to remain punchy and memorable.
Should I repeat my thesis in the conclusion?
You should not repeat your thesis word-for-word. Instead, you should restate it in a new way. Use different language and frame it with the benefit of the evidence you've presented. This shows you have a deeper understanding of your topic than you did at the start.
What's the difference between summary and synthesis in a conclusion?
A summary repeats the main points ("First I argued X, then I showed Y"). A synthesis connects those points to show their collective meaning ("The evidence of X and Y together demonstrates Z"). Synthesis is about showing the bigger picture and explaining why it all matters.
Can I include new information or evidence in a conclusion?
No. A conclusion's purpose is to wrap up the arguments you have already made. Introducing new information or evidence at the end is confusing for the reader and suggests that your paper is poorly organized. All your evidence belongs in the body paragraphs.
How can I make my conclusion memorable?
Use techniques like the "So What?" game to ensure your points have impact. You can also end with a provocative question, a powerful and relevant quote, or a vivid image that sticks in the reader's mind. The goal is to leave them thinking about your topic.
What is the "So What?" game?
The "So What?" game is a strategy to help you explain the significance of your argument. After each statement in your conclusion, ask yourself "So what?". The answer will force you to articulate why your point is important and what its implications are, making your conclusion much stronger.
What do examiners focus on most in a conclusion?
Examiners look for clarity, a strong synthesis of your arguments, and a sense of intellectual control. They want to see that you can not only present evidence but also explain its broader significance. A confident, clear, and insightful conclusion tells them you have mastered your topic.
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