Everything that has a begining has an end. Likewise, your piece of writing, particularly, academic writing, must have a termination point. Having a conclusion is crucial for your writing as it gives it a professional outlook summing up the key take aways from your work.
What is a Conclusion?
A conclusion or a concluding paragraph is the final piece of information in a writing, especially an academic writing. It is the last paragraph of a piece of writing that presents the main points of the writing, restates the writer's argument as well as provide the significance of the writing and recommendations for the reader.
Concluding paragraphs capture the essence of both the introductory paragraph and the body paragraphs. It provides a summary of what the body paragraph entails thereby simplifying the information obtainable from the body paragraph. This helps readers, who quickly go through the conclusion of an academic writing to determine whether it is worth reading, get a brief exposure to the main contents of a writing. Conclusions are a good way to wrap up a piece of writing and they are compulsory elements of structure in an academic writing.
Importance of Conclusions/ Concluding Paragraphs
- Recap: A concluding paragraph recounts the major thrusts of a work. It serves as a reminder of what was discussed in the body paragraph of a writing by highlighting only the key points.
- Termination: A concluding paragraph indicates the end of a piece of writing. This is crucial as a writing without a conclusion would create a misconception in the mind of the reader. The readers will be of the opinion that the work has n but continues, and that they do not posses the complete copy of the work which is very unprofessional on the part of the writer.
- Significance of the Writing: A good concluding paragraph must present the significance of a writing. It does this by stressing the relevance of the writing to the reader and how it provides a solution to their problems if at all it does. The significance of a writing can vary in scope from local to international levels.
- Recommendations: A good conclusion provides a recommendation to the reader on what next to do after reading the work. This could be in the form of an admonishment by providing a candid advice to the reader, a rhetorical question which would prompt the reader to reflect on their lives or certain issues, etc.,.
How to Write a Conclusion/ Concluding Paragraph
- Restate the Thesis Statement: In writing a conclusion or concluding paragraph, it is imperative that you restate your thesis statement or argument. Now, this does not mean you should copy your thesis statement from your introductory paragraph and paste it in the concluding paragraph, however, you are to rephrase it. Present your thesis statement in a different manner without taking away the vital information contained in it.
- Highlight Key Points: The next step is to highlight the major points discussed in your body paragraph. This is crucial because the concluding paragraph is like an overview of the body paragraph and so it is important that it captures the main proponents of the body paragraph. This does not mean you should copy the points from your body paragraph and paste in the concluding paragraph, however, you must rephrase it properly such that it captures the main points in a clear manner.
- Present the Significance: In this step, you are to state the importance of your work to the reader and society at large. The fact that you chose a stand through your thesis statement means that you have something relevant to contribute to society, so what you have to do is emphasize its relevance. Stress the benefits of your work to your reader highlighting what they stand to gain from reading your work.
- Give Recommendations: Finally, you need to give useful recommendations to your readers based on your writing. The recommendation could be based on the actions to take after reading the work, it could also be an advice on how to do things differently after reading the work, and it could be witty statement.
Note that writers may not strictly adhere to each step, which is fine. What matters is that the first and second steps are observed.
What to Avoid in Writing a Conclusion
- Avoid restating your thesis statement word-for-word. This is highly unprofessional and speaks ill of the competence of the writer. You must avoid repeating your thesis statement at all costs, rather you should rephrase it and present your argument in a different way why retaining its key components.
- Avoid wordiness. It is important that you refrain from extraneous writing in your conclusion as that defeats the purpose of a concluding paragraph. A concluding paragraph should summarize the key points of the body paragraph in a writing, provide its significance as well as recommendations. So you must be economical in your use of language as well as maintain conciseness ensuring that you give only the needed information in less words.
- Avoid presenting new information. This is very crucial. You must not present new pieces of information in your concluding paragraph as this negates the purpose of a concluding paragraph. A concluding paragraph should capture the key points presented in the body paragraph so presenting new information in a conclusion is against the modus operandi.
- Avoid discrediting your writing. You must refrain from downplaying the relevance of your work, this is why your choice of words is important. You should not give your readers the impression that your work is not up to standard or worthy of referencing which is why you must do the necessary research, and information gathering before you commence your writing.
- Avoid using clichè paragraph linkers or transition words. Words like the following: "In conclusion", "Conclusively", "Finally", etc., while they are not inappropriate for use in your concluding paragraph, you must try to avoid using them in your conclusion because they are overused and lack freshness as well as novelty. Try to come up with fresh transition words like: "To sum things up", in your conclusion. You can as well chose to leave out the transition words in your concluding paragraphs as I prefer to do—such is allowed.
Example of a Concluding Paragraph
This is a short article with concluding paragraph for context:
"The Power of Daily Reading: Transform Your Mind and Life
Daily reading is a habit that can transform your mind and life. Whether you’re reading a novel or an insightful article, making reading part of your daily routine offers several key benefits.
Enhances Knowledge and Perspective:
Reading exposes you to new ideas and perspectives, expanding your understanding of the world. This helps you develop a broader, more well-rounded outlook and sparks creativity.
Improves Focus and Concentration:
Engaging with books or articles requires sustained attention. Over time, this improves your ability to focus, making it easier to process information and stay engaged in other areas of your life.
Reduces Stress and Promotes Relaxation:
Reading allows you to escape from daily stress. By immersing yourself in a book, you can relax and recharge, which helps reduce anxiety and promotes a sense of calm.
Enhances Vocabulary and Communication Skills:
Regular reading enriches your vocabulary and improves your communication skills, both in writing and speaking, which can positively impact your career and relationships.
Stimulates Cognitive Function:
Reading keeps your brain active and sharp. It has been linked to better cognitive function and a lower risk of cognitive decline as you age.
Fosters Empathy and Emotional Intelligence:
Through characters’ experiences, reading helps you understand others’ emotions, enhancing your empathy and emotional intelligence.
To make reading a habit, dedicate time each day, choose materials that interest you, and gradually increase your reading time. With consistent effort, daily reading can become a transformative part of your routine, enriching your mind and life in lasting ways."
The importance of a concluding paragraph or a conclusion can not be overemphasized. A concluding paragraph sums up the proposition of a writing, its main claims as well as its importance and the writer's recommendations. In writing an effective concluding paragraph, you must highlight the thesis statement of your writing, state the main claims of your work, stress its relevance and give a recommendation on it. Following these principles will guide you in crafting an effective concluding paragraph for your writings like a super writer!