What is a conclusion?
A conclusion is used in several different writing genres such as essays and reports and often includes:
- a restatement of the overall topic
- a reiteration or confirmation of the thesis statement
- a summary of the main points
It may also include:
- recommendations
- suggestions for further research
- broader implications of the ideas discussed
What does a good conclusion look like?
Essay question: Should Australia invest in a high-speed rail network between Sydney and Melbourne?
RESTATEMENT OF TOPIC: As the Australian population continues to grow, the question of whether to construct a high-speed rail network between Sydney and Melbourne will become more important. Since the first proposals emerged in the late 1970s, the project has been hampered not only by political apathy, but also by financial unfeasibility. SUMMARY OF MAIN ARGUMENTS: The latter was at first due to technological limitations but has eventually become attributed to the increasing affordability for passengers to utilise the existing air corridors. However, with the looming threat of global warming, increased flight traffic is unsustainable both environmentally and economically. An electro-magnetic rail network offers a considerable reduction in carbon emissions and also produces very little noise pollution. The short-term high cost of construction would still be minimal in comparison to the economic damage that would be caused by not addressing rising global temperatures. RESTATEMENT OF THESIS : Therefore, Australia must develop its own high-speed rail network between Melbourne and Sydney. Possible solutions to offset cost issues would be to implement a carbon tax on air travel or introduce subsidies for high-speed rail usage. CONCLUDING STATEMENT: However, if the various levels of government do not address this issue as soon as possible, Australia risks having sub-standard inter-city transport options for the foreseeable future.
How do I write a conclusion?
Ask yourself the following questions about your writing to check if your conclusion is effective.
Click on each arrow to see more information about each question.
Have I restated the topic?
In the example above, the topic is restated to remind the reader about the issue that is being addressed. Very often, this might be a paraphrase of the assignment question. In the example above, the topic is restated as:
“As the Australian population continues to grow, the question of whether to construct a high-speed rail network between Sydney and Melbourne will become more important.”
Have I reiterated my thesis?
The topic can be followed immediately by the thesis, which is the writer’s perspective on the topic. Note that restatement of the thesis does not always have to follow immediately after the restatement of the topic. In the example above, the thesis is placed after the summary of the main arguments as:
“… Australia must develop its own high-speed rail network between Melbourne and Sydney.”
Have I summarised and synthesised my main arguments?
This section very briefly summarises and synthesises the arguments that were used in the discussion of the topic. Although you may have included opposing arguments as part of your critical analysis, as a whole this section should support your thesis. You do not need to include in your conclusion any of the citations used to support your discussion in the body of the assignment.
“…with the looming threat of global warming, increased flight traffic is unsustainable both environmentally and economically. An electro-magnetic rail network not only offers a considerable reduction in carbon emissions but also produces very little noise pollution. The short-term high cost of construction would still be minimal in comparison to the economic damage that would be caused by not addressing rising global temperatures.”
What else can I include?
Avoid introducing any new information and try to keep the need to reference to a minimum. However, the conclusion may also include one or more of the following:
- recommendations for, or possible solutions to, any specific problems that have been presented
- suggestions for further research that needs to be conducted
- other implications that result from the issues presented or solutions proposed
In the example conclusion given on this page, possible solutions and implications of inaction have been given as a way of concluding the assignment:
“Possible solutions to offset cost issues would be to implement a carbon tax on air travel or introduce subsidies for high-speed rail usage. However, if the various levels of government do not address this issue as soon as possible, Australia risks having sub-standard inter-city transport options for the foreseeable future.”
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