How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph (With Examples & Format)

Done with writing your essay or thesis, but got stuck in the last paragraph and still unsure about how to write everything up without repeating the same things. That’s exactly the same problem with everyone. 

Here's the thing though, a good conclusion paragraph doesn't need anything new in it. It just needs to remind the reader what you actually proved and leave them with something that sticks. This guide covers the steps of writing a perfect conclusion paragraph with relevant examples of each type of essay.

What Is a Conclusion Paragraph?

The conclusion paragraph is a closing paragraph of the essay, and the purpose of this paragraph is not to introduce something but to draw a sum-up of the discussion. It recollects the main arguments of the essay in the form of a reminder for the reader and leaves him or her with the final for thought.

This paragraph should contain the following elements: the rephrased thesis statement in other words than in the introduction, a brief summary of the key points, no detail whatsoever and the concluding statement that leaves a reader something to think about.

In order to write this paragraph, you need to rephrase your thesis statement and then summarize all your key points in one-two sentences and complete the paragraph with some thought that can be connected to your whole essay.

Why the Conclusion Paragraph Matters in an Essay

This part of the paper will likely be the last one that your readers remember, hence why it holds more importance than you may think at the beginning of your project. The writing center at Harvard states that a good conclusion should help your readers make sense of the importance of your argument rather than merely summarizing all the points you raised. This is why a hasty or unimaginative conclusion can damage even the best of essays because it is the last thing that your readers will see before putting down your work or grading it.

Conclusion Paragraph Format: The Structure You Should Follow

Conclusion paragraphs in any format follow a three-paragraph format, and being aware of this outline will definitely make writing the conclusion much easier than staring at a blank piece of paper for the first time.

1. Restate the Thesis (in New Words)

Restate the thesis statement in your conclusion paragraph. But don't ever restate it word-for-word like it was written in the introduction – you would look silly if you did this.

2. Summarize the Main Points

Mention the key points from your body paragraphs briefly. In one sentence per body paragraph is enough to sum them up. Don't mention all the details – the reader already knows them, and it's not necessary to go through them all again.

3. End With a Final Thought or Call-to-Action

End your essay on a final note that gives your readers something more. Give your audience some implication from your topic. You can conclude your essay with something that will make people think after reading it. Here, students ask how they should end their conclusion paragraphs. The easiest way is to make an implication that goes beyond your topic and essay.

How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph: Step-by-Step

And here is an exact guide on how to write a conclusion paragraph from scratch, separated into four sequential steps.

Step 1 – Start With a Clear, Restated Thesis

Begin your conclusion paragraph with a new version of your thesis statement in different wording, which has not been used in the introduction. This is one of the most frequently asked questions regarding how to start a conclusion paragraph, as starting to summarize without this element sounds abrupt and disconnected from the rest of the paper.

Step 2 – Summarize Your Key Supporting Points

Sum up your supporting arguments in one or two sentences, keeping in mind general statements only and not all details of your arguments. If you are still writing your body paragraphs and do not know yet how to connect them, learning how transition words for body paragraphs work can help you with this stage while writing the conclusion paragraph outline.

Step 3 – Add Broader Significance or a Call to Action

Tell the reader why your argument is important beyond the essay, more than just as an assignment for an English class. A good conclusion will make an attempt to link the topic to its real-life implication, to prompt the reader to think differently, or to act upon their understanding of the issue they have just learned about.

Step 4 – Connect Back to Your Introduction Paragraph

For your conclusion to be a thorough one, you need to somehow link it back to your introductory paragraph without literally repeating yourself in terms of using those words that you used in your introduction paragraph. If you are having difficulties writing an introductory paragraph, here is a guide for writing introductions.

How to Start a Conclusion Paragraph (Starter Phrases & Examples)

Getting started on a conclusion paragraph is challenging for many students; mainly due to the excessive use of "In conclusion," which is why many instructors frown upon its use to begin with.

Conclusion Paragraph Starters to Avoid (Overusing "In Conclusion")

Using the same expression in all the essays you will make them sound predictable and repetitive, just like following a certain pattern instead of ending it. It is better to avoid the use of such expressions as "In conclusion," "To conclude," and "In summary" since they do not bring any extra value to your paper and may be considered a simple way out.

Strong Alternatives to "In Conclusion"

If you're looking for an in conclusion synonym that will convey your message effectively but sound different from other phrases that are often used, go for one of these:

• "Ultimately, this shows..."
• "Taken together, these points suggest..."
• "What this reveals is..."
• "At its core, this argument..."
• "Considering the evidence, it's clear..."
• "In the end, what matters most is..."

Conclusion Paragraph Examples for Different Essay Types

Looking at some actual examples of how a conclusion paragraph looks is more effective than any explanation because it’s usually easier to work backwards with something already done than to start from scratch. Here are a few samples of conclusion paragraphs in various essays.

Example: Argumentative Essay Conclusion

Wanna know about how to write an argumentative essay, the perfect example is "The use of mobile phones in classrooms in moderation is not allowing kids to run amok; it is simply acknowledging how kids learn in the modern world. If used sensibly, mobile phones can assist with research, collaboration, and even fact-checking. It would make much more sense for schools to modify their policies now to prepare themselves for how kids learn in the future, instead of adhering to policies for the classroom of the past." 

To see the entire process of creating an argument essay like the one above, click here.

Example: Narrative Essay Conclusion

Being at the free throw line was a life lesson in more ways than one because pressure is not something you run from; rather, it is something you work through. The fact that I missed that shot meant more to me than hitting the shot did. In hindsight, I don’t even recall what the final score of the game was but can remember my hands shaking.

Example: Expository/Informative Essay Conclusion

"The whole concept of what happens once the bin has been picked up by the truck really alters the way we perceive our everyday practices. It's far more intricate than any resident ever thinks, and that intricacy makes it all the more important that we get our sorting right at home than most people know or realize. A little bit of contamination, and your whole load could end up in a landfill rather than being recycled.” 

This type of conclusion paragraph follows the time-tested formula for the conclusion paragraph.

Common Mistakes Students Make When Writing a Conclusion Paragraph

These are some problems to avoid when writing a good conclusion so that your concluding paragraph can remain focused and effective for whomever will be reading it:

• Rephrasing your introduction exactly instead of rephrasing your thesis in different words
• Including new information that was never mentioned in any of the body paragraphs
• Beginning with an overused expression such as "In conclusion" every time you write a paper
• Having a concluding paragraph that is either too short or too long to the point of repetition
• Including a bland ending statement instead of a true concluding statement

Conclusion Paragraph Checklist Before You Submit

Just run down this simple checklist before you hand in your paper to ensure that nothing significant was missed in the scramble to get everything finished:

• Is it restating your thesis in a different way, without copying verbatim from the introduction?
• Is it summarizing your key points without going into all the details?
• Is it not presenting any new information at this point?
• Is it ending with an actual idea, a question, or some sort of action item for the reader?
• Is it following the structure of a proper conclusion paragraph all the way through?

Final Words

Conclusion Writing is the conclusion of an essay really revolves around believing in yourself and the essay you have written. While restate your thesis statement using different words and provide a summary of your proofs while concluding with something meaningful that the reader can take away from the essay. Such a form is quite simple to learn, and when mastered makes the hardest part of the essay an easy task.