Understanding the Purpose of a Conclusion

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 144 views

When writing a conclusion, it's essential to understand the steps involved to effectively summarize and reiterate the main points of your essay. A well-crafted conclusion can leave a lasting impression on your readers and reinforce your argument. In this article, we'll explore the steps involved in writing a conclusion and identify which option is NOT a step when writing a conclusion.

Understanding the Purpose of a Conclusion

A conclusion serves several purposes, including:

Summarizing the main points: A conclusion should briefly summarize the main points discussed in the essay.
Reiterating the thesis statement: A conclusion should reiterate the thesis statement and provide supporting evidence.
Leaving a lasting impression: A conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader and reinforce the argument.

Step 1: Review Your Main Points

When writing a conclusion, it's essential to review your main points and summarize them briefly. This helps to:

Reiterate the importance of the topic: By summarizing the main points, you can reiterate the importance of the topic and its relevance to the reader.
Provide a sense of closure: A conclusion should provide a sense of closure and finality, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the topic.

Step 2: Return to Your Thesis

Returning to your thesis statement is a crucial step when writing a conclusion. This helps to:

Reiterate the main argument: By reiterating the thesis statement, you can reiterate the main argument and provide supporting evidence.
Provide a sense of resolution: A conclusion should provide a sense of resolution and finality, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the topic.

Step 3: Show Why It Matters

Showing why your topic matters is an essential step when writing a conclusion. This helps to:

Reiterate the importance of the topic: By showing why the topic matters, you can reiterate the importance of the topic and its relevance to the reader.
Provide a sense of urgency: A conclusion should provide a sense of urgency and encourage the reader to take action.

Which Option is NOT a Step When Writing a Conclusion?

Now that we've explored the steps involved in writing a conclusion, let's examine the options provided:

A. Show why it matters: This is a step when writing a conclusion, as it helps to reiterate the importance of the topic and its relevance to the reader.
B. Review your main points: This is a step when writing a conclusion, as it helps to summarize the main points and provide a sense of closure.
C. Return to your thesis: This is a step when writing a conclusion, as it helps to reiterate the main argument and provide a sense of resolution.
D. Add new evidence to wrap up your claim: This is NOT a step when writing a conclusion. A conclusion should not introduce new evidence or arguments, but rather summarize and reiterate the main points.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a conclusion is a crucial step when writing an essay. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively summarize and reiterate the main points of your essay, leaving a lasting impression on your readers. Remember, a conclusion should not introduce new evidence or arguments, but rather summarize and reiterate the main points.

Additional Tips for Writing a Conclusion

Use transitional phrases: Use transitional phrases to connect your conclusion to the rest of the essay.
Avoid introducing new information: Avoid introducing new information or arguments in the conclusion.
Use a clear and concise tone: Use a clear and concise tone to summarize and reiterate the main points.
Provide a sense of closure: Provide a sense of closure and finality, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the topic.

When writing a conclusion, it's essential to understand the steps involved and the best practices to follow. However, many writers may have questions about writing a conclusion. In this article, we'll address some of the most frequently asked questions about writing a conclusion.

Q: What is the purpose of a conclusion?

A: The purpose of a conclusion is to summarize and reiterate the main points of your essay, leaving a lasting impression on your readers. A conclusion should provide a sense of closure and finality, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the topic.

Q: How long should a conclusion be?

A: A conclusion should be brief and to the point. It should be no longer than 10% of the total word count of the essay. A good rule of thumb is to keep your conclusion to 100-150 words.

Q: What should I include in a conclusion?

A: A conclusion should include a summary of the main points, a reiteration of the thesis statement, and a final thought or call to action. You should also use transitional phrases to connect your conclusion to the rest of the essay.

Q: Can I introduce new information in a conclusion?

A: No, you should not introduce new information in a conclusion. A conclusion should summarize and reiterate the main points, not introduce new arguments or evidence.

Q: How can I make my conclusion more effective?

A: To make your conclusion more effective, use a clear and concise tone, avoid introducing new information, and provide a sense of closure and finality. You should also use transitional phrases to connect your conclusion to the rest of the essay.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid in a conclusion?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid in a conclusion include:

Introducing new information or arguments
Failing to summarize the main points
Using a tone that is too casual or informal
Failing to provide a sense of closure and finality

Q: Can I use a quote in a conclusion?

A: Yes, you can use a quote in a conclusion, but use it sparingly and only if it is relevant to the topic. A quote should be used to add depth and insight to your conclusion, not to introduce new information.

Q: How can I make my conclusion more engaging?

A: To make your conclusion more engaging, use a clear and concise tone, avoid introducing new information, and provide a sense of closure and finality. You should also use transitional phrases to connect your conclusion to the rest of the essay.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a conclusion is a crucial step when writing an essay. By following the steps outlined above and avoiding common mistakes, you can effectively summarize and reiterate the main points of your essay, leaving a lasting impression on your readers.

Additional Tips for Writing a Conclusion

Use a clear and concise tone: Use a clear and concise tone to summarize and reiterate the main points.
Avoid introducing new information: Avoid introducing new information or arguments in the conclusion.
Provide a sense of closure: Provide a sense of closure and finality, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the topic.
Use transitional phrases: Use transitional phrases to connect your conclusion to the rest of the essay.

By following these tips and understanding the steps involved in writing a conclusion, you can effectively summarize and reiterate the main points of your essay, leaving a lasting impression on your readers.