A persuasive essay, literary analysis, or research paper should include a thoughtful introduction and conclusion. The conclusion, when spelled correctly, gives the reader a summary and ideas about the reasons for the importance of the topic. You may also need to give a speech or presentation that needs a good conclusion. In that case, many of the same principles will apply as well; however, you will need to adapt your conclusion carefully.
Method 1 of 2: Write a conclusion for an essay or research paper
Step 1. Begin with a transition sentence
If you are writing a conclusion to an essay or a school or university assignment, it will be important to understand the functions of the conclusion. Your conclusion should not only reaffirm the main points of your argument in a way that is not connected to the rest of the text. It should also flow easily, and you should write it in such a way that your readers expect you to finish when you should.
- To help you achieve this fluency, you should start with a sentence that links the conclusion to the main body of the text.
- It could be a sentence that reflects the content of your essay but connects it to the broader points of your conclusion so that you can discuss it briefly later.
- The sentence "A sense of impermanence of human achievement permeates this poem" indicates a transition to the conclusion. This is accomplished by articulating the key argument in a sentence.
Step 2. Avoid saying "In conclusion."
If you are concluding an essay or research paper, you should try to avoid using phrases like "In conclusion" or "To conclude" at the beginning of your conclusion. These phrases are widely used and represent an unimaginative way to begin a conclusion. You should be able to indicate that you are beginning the conclusion in a way that the flow of the text does not break so abruptly.
Step 3. Consider starting with a reference to the original question
One way to start your conclusion is to make a reference to the essay question or something you indicated in your introduction. If there is a phrase or quote that is especially relevant, remembering it in the conclusion can help indicate that your essay is a coherent and complete argument. Repeating a key idea or image from the introduction is a good way to go.
- For example, what if the essay question is "To what extent did the Battle of Montecassino change the course of World War II?"
- Here you could start with a phrase like "The Battle of Montecassino was a pivotal moment that reflected the changing dynamics of World War II, but did not in itself change the course of the war."
Step 4. Do more than summarize
While your conclusion can be a useful part of briefly summarizing the key points of your argument, you should try to do other things in addition to that. It is important to show that your essay is coherent and that all your points connect. You can show it in your conclusion. Instead of just going through point by point, try to summarize your argument in a way that highlights how the various lines that make it up are interconnected.
- In a longer essay, a short summary may be helpful; however, you should not simply reaffirm in the same terms what you said.
- Instead, state your key points when you put them in a larger context. This will show a deeper understanding and potentially open new lines of inquiry.
Step 5. Suggest some broader consequences
The conclusions can develop a series of functions in an essay or in a research work. A good conclusion can emphasize the importance of the argument and its special relevance, as well as the importance of the unique findings or results. However, it can also accomplish more and suggest how your essay has broader potential applications and consequences than a particular piece of work.
- In the structure of the conclusion, this discussion of the broader consequences should follow the transition sentences and the explanation of how the different elements of your argument fit together.
- This could include universalizing the essay topic, making a connection to a contemporary topic, or making a call to action.
Method 2 of 2: Conclude a presentation or speech
Step 1. Indicate that you are concluding
While there are many similarities in the techniques to conclude an essay and a presentation, you should know that there are some important differences as well. Since a presentation is done orally rather than in writing, it may not always be very clear when you are starting a conclusion. For this reason, it is advisable to clearly indicate when you do it.
- Phrases like "In conclusion" and "To summarize", which you would not use in a written essay, can be useful for an oral presentation.
- Indicating that you are nearing completion will encourage your listeners to focus on what you are about to say.
Step 2. Go back to your initial question
Once you have gained your audience's attention for your conclusion, you will need to demonstrate how your presentation has gone all the way back to the initial problem or question that you set out to address in your introduction. Doing so will help you present a coherent and comprehensive argument. You can try to do this by using techniques similar to those you would use at the conclusion of an essay, going back to the explicit question you asked yourself, or going back to a quote or key phrase you raised at the beginning of the presentation.
Before going on to provide a summary of the key points, you could ask yourself the main question at the beginning of the conclusion; for example: "And then what can I suggest for us to improve our sales in the Midwest?"
Step 3. Provide a clear summary
In an oral presentation, a clear summary of the key point of your talk can be a very important element of the conclusion. Your audience's attention may have drifted a bit while you were speaking, so a short summary can reinforce your argument.
- Listening to a presentation will generally be a more passive act than reading an essay, therefore it is more beneficial to summarize your key points at the conclusion of an oral presentation.
- Your audience will be more likely to remember the last things they heard, so be sure to cover all of your key points in the conclusion.
Step 4. Show enthusiasm and conviction
When you conclude a presentation, it is essential that you finish with conviction and enthusiasm so that you leave a lasting impression on your audience. There are many ways to do it; for example, making strong eye contact with the audience and using concise phrases and memorable and meaningful quotes.
- You could also include a short anecdote to support your argument and act as a call to action to others in the room.
- Show your audience how you can solve a problem so that you can make a personal connection with your audience through a deep ending.
Step 5. Energetically finish
When you are finished you should try to make a lasting impression and engage your audience on the subject of your presentation. You can do this with a strong call to action. A call to action will encourage your audience to actively respond to you and your ideas. At the same time, you will demonstrate the relevance of your talk to the entire audience.
- Using an action verb in your last sentence can highlight exactly how you want your audience to respond.
- For example, John F. Kennedy sought to encourage audience action when he said, "Don't ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
- Ending like this will demonstrate your personal conviction and indicate that you think your ideas should be followed.