1. Conclusions

2. A good conclusion should:
Remind the reader of the thesis statement and answer the question, “So What?”
Give the essay a sense of completion and closure
Leave the reader with a final, lasting impression
Make the reader glad that he or she read your paper

3. Effective Conclusions: The Simple Summary
If you choose this common type of conclusion, be sure to synthesize, rather than merely summarizing.
Avoid a dull restatement of your major points.
Don't monotonously restate your major ideas; instead, show your readers how the points you raised fit together and why your ideas matter.
Also, try to avoid the phrase, “and in conclusion.” This can insult the reader's intelligence: After all, if you've organized your paper well, it will be obvious that you have begun your concluding remarks.

4. Effective Conclusions: The Frame or Circle Technique
Here, a writer circles back to the beginning, returning to the metaphor, image, anecdote, quotation, or example he or she used in the introductory paragraph.
Echoing the introduction gives essays a nice sense of unity and completion.

5. Effective Conclusions: The Panning to the Horizon Technique
This technique moves the reader from the specifics of a paper or essay to a larger, perhaps even universal, point.
It redirects the readers, giving them something meaty to chew over.
You can demonstrate the importance and broad significance of your topic by using an appropriate analogy, tying the topic to a larger philosophic or political issue, posing a challenging question, or encouraging the reader to look to the future.

6. Effective Conclusions: The Proposal or Call to Action
Especially useful in a persuasive or argumentative essay, in this type of conclusion the writer makes a proposal and/or asks the readers to do something, calling them to action. It is frequently seen in sermons and political speeches.

7. Effective Conclusions: The Concluding Story Technique
Here, the writer sums up the essay by sketching a scene or by telling a brief anecdote that illustrates the topic's significance.
Often, this approach makes an emotional connection with the reader.

8. Things to Avoid
Ending with a rephrased thesis statement that contains no substantive changes.
Introducing a new idea or subtopic.
Focusing on a minor point in the essay.
Concluding with a sentence tacked on to your final point.
Apologizing for your view by saying such things as "I may not be an expert" or "At least this is my opinion.“
Attempting to make up for an incomplete structure. (If you say you will discuss four books and only attempt a complete discussion of two books, do not try to cover the remaining texts in a concluding paragraph. In such a situation, it's best to limit your paper to topics you can realistically cover.)

9. If You’re Stuck… Play the “So What” Game
If you’re stuck and feel like your conclusion isn’t saying anything new or interesting, ask a friend to read it with you. Whenever you make a statement from your conclusion, ask the friend to say, “So what?” or “Why should anybody care?” Then ponder that question and answer it. Here’s how it might go:
You: Basically, I’m just saying that education was important to Douglass.
Friend: So what?
You: Well, it was important because it was a key to him feeling like a free and equal citizen.
Friend: Why should anybody care?
You: 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 personally.
You can also use this strategy on your own, asking yourself “So What?” as you develop your ideas or your draft.

10. Resources: http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/con clude.html
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