Writing Conclusions: How to End Your Essay

What is a Conclusion? In a conclusion paragraph, you should sum up what you’ve written about in your essay. You should be thinking about the main points you wanted to get across, and make sure they are included in the conclusion. Your introductory paragraph is actually a great resource for helping you with your conclusion paragraph.

What is a Conclusion? Conclusion paragraphs should do the following: 1. “Wrap up” your essay 2. Demonstrate to your reader that you accomplished what you set out to do 3. Show that you proved your thesis 4. Provide the reader with a sense of closure on the topic

Tips for Writing Your Conclusion Use your introductory paragraph as a guide. You may have started your introduction by saying, "There are three classes at school that I absolutely can’t wait to go to every day." You can start your conclusion by saying, "Gym, Math, and Art are the three classes I try to never miss." Go back to your essay, and check to see what each paragraph was about. All of these main points should be included in your conclusion. Leave your readers with something to think about. They should be left wanting to form their own opinion about what you’ve written.

The Conclusion Formula: SSS Summary of thesis- Remind your reader about your thesis by saying it again, but in different words So What- Briefly discuss the importance of your three points (in your body paragraphs) in about one or two sentences Stop- Give the reader a final thought to consider about your main idea. Referring back to your attention getter is a good way to bring the essay “full circle”.

1st “S”- Summary This is the part where you return to your thesis to remind the readers of the point of the essay. This, again, helps clarify to the reader what they should be getting out of reading your essay.

Do’s and Don’ts: 1st “S”- Summary DO reiterate your thesis statement. DO NOT simply repeat your thesis, this would be repetitive. Use different words.

2nd “S”- So What? Play the "So What" Game for each main point in each of your paragraphs. For example, if the main point of one of your paragraphs was: “Education was important to Frederick Douglass because it made him feel like a free and equal citizen” That’s important because plantation owners tried to keep slaves from being educated so that they could maintain control. When Douglass obtained an education, he undermined that control. Your “So What” section of your conclusion should include the points of the paragraph, and why they matter. So what?

Do’s and Don’ts: 2nd “S”- So What? DO remind your readers of the main points in each paragraph of your essay and why each one is important. DO NOT bring up new information or ideas.

3rd “S”- Stop “Pull it all together” Show your reader how the points you made and the support and examples you used fit together Maybe include stimulating insight that will leave your readers thinking: “Hmmm….” Maybe propose a course of action or a solution to an issue

Do’s and Don’ts: 3rd “S”- Stop DO remember that your last sentence is your “clincher”. This is your last chance to leave a last effect on your reader. DO NOT end with a “Captain Obvious Statement” like: “Those are all the things I know about Among the Hidden and The Giver.” OR “That is why Among the Hidden and The Giver are similar.”

Example of a Conclusion using “SSS” Topic: The Benefits of Biking instead of Driving “S”- Summarize: The evidence is overwhelming: the cost of driving a vehicle, both monetarily and environmentally, is outweighing the benefits. “S”- So What: We can no longer in good faith support something that is so destructive of the environment. At five dollars per gallon in some areas, we need to ask ourselves if our dependence on cars is merely a result of our own laziness. The bicycle is truly the most efficient means of commuting if we would just take the energy to do so. Saving money while saving the planet is surely enough reason to sway a person, without even mentioning the health benefits. “S”- Stop: Some will never be convinced of the benefits of biking over driving, but every little bit of advertising helps.

Your Turn!

Time for Phantom Endings… In your groups, you will visit three different “centers”. Each center has an essay that is missing one crucial element- the conclusion! Your job is to write an ending to the essay using the SSS model you just learned. You may work together and help one another, but everyone needs to write their own. Afterward, I will share the real conclusions for each essay so you can see how yours compared. You will start at your own table, and then move with your group in this order 

Real Conclusion to Essay #1 (The Hazards of Movie-going) After arriving home from the movies one night, I decided that I was not going to be a moviegoer anymore. I was tired of the problems involved in getting to the movies and dealing with the theater itself and some of the patrons. The next day I arranged to have cable TV service installed in my home. I may now see movies a bit later than other people, but I'll be more relaxed watching box office hits in the comfort of my own living room.

Real Conclusion to Essay #2 (A Cat is a Man’s Best Friend) Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions. People who have small living quarters or less time for pet care should appreciate these characteristics of cats. However, many people who have plenty of space and time still opt to have a cat because they love the cat personality. In many ways, cats are the ideal house pet.

Real Conclusion to Essay #3 (Human Cloning) In summary, I think human cloning may cause a lot of big and important problems for people, clones and the world. However, I think cloning of animals and organs is beneficial to people and science. So, my vote would be “yes” to cloning of animals and organs, but “no” to human cloning.