Chapter 6: Concluding the Essay Methods of Conclusion Summary recaps the main points of your essay, using different wording than you used in the thesis and topic sentences. Recommendation suggests a solution to a problem raised in the essay. Prediction looks to the future and may influence how your reader reflects upon the situation in your essay. Full-circle conclusion incorporates a word or image from the introduction as a theme in the conclusion, thus bringing the essay full circle to end where it began. Quotation establishes an emphasis at the end. For the strongest effect, make the quotation your closing statement.

Chapter 6: Concluding the Essay Traps to Avoid Sermonizing Do not fall into the trap of appearing as if you are lecturing the reader. Starched Prose A writer who speaks in a natural voice throughout an essay sometimes will stiffen his or her voice at the end. Make sure you use the same voice throughout your essay.