How to write an essay conclusion - BBC Bitesize (2024)

Link back to the question

Keep your conclusion focused by linking back to the question, title, statement or topic of the essay. This can be achieved by using key words from the essay question. For example:

  • Why is Jack an important character in the novel Lord of the Flies?

In conclusion, the character of Jack is important because he represents the violent side of human nature in the novel.

Summarise the main points

In the conclusion, you should not simply repeat what you have said in the rest of the essay, but aim to reinforce these key ideas by briefly summarising your main points. One way to do this is to look back at all the from the paragraphs in your essay and bring them together:

In conclusion, the character of Jack is important because he symbolises violence and savagery in the novel. His desire for power and increasing bloodlust represent the negative side of human nature. He is a charismatic character who is feared by the other boys on the island. He therefore acts as an important contrast to the character of Ralph.

Reflection

Your conclusion should leave the reader thinking about the significance of the whole topic. So, in a literature essay, it is a good idea to include a final thought or reflection, perhaps one that looks forward, or outwards from the novel. For example:

At the end of the novel Jack’s reign of terror ends with the arrival of the British Naval Officer and this perhaps leaves the reader with some sense of optimism that human beings can change for the better when they are no longer frightened and under the power of an evil leader.

How to write an essay conclusion  - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

How to write an essay conclusion - BBC Bitesize? ›

Summarise the main points

In the conclusion, you should not simply repeat what you have said in the rest of the essay, but aim to reinforce these key ideas by briefly summarising your main points. One way to do this is to look back at all the topic sentences.

How to write a conclusion in BBC bitesize? ›

Summarise the main points

In the conclusion, you should not simply repeat what you have said in the rest of the essay, but aim to reinforce these key ideas by briefly summarising your main points. One way to do this is to look back at all the topic sentences.

How to write a good conclusion of an essay? ›

Synthesize, don't summarize.

Include a brief summary of the paper's main points, but don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. Instead, show your reader how the points you made and the support and examples you used fit together. Pull it all together.

How do you write a conclusion for answers? ›

How to Write a Conclusion
  1. Restate your thesis: remind readers of your main point.
  2. Reiterate your supporting points: remind readers of your evidence or arguments.
  3. Wrap everything up by tying it all together.
  4. Write a clincher: with the last sentence, leave your reader with something to think about.
Jun 27, 2023

What 5 things a conclusion in an essay should include? ›

Here are some key aspects to include in your conclusion to ensure its effectiveness:
  • End the essay on a positive note.
  • Communicate the importance of your ideas and the subject matter.
  • Provide the reader with a sense of closure.
  • Reiterate and summarize your main points.
  • Rephrase and then restate your thesis statement.
Jul 31, 2023

What are the 3 sentences in a conclusion? ›

Conclusion Paragraph Ingredients
  • First sentence that summarizes any big result/conclusion of the paper.
  • Restatement of your thesis statement.
  • 2-3 sentences summarizing the supporting points / body paragraphs (usually you'll write one sentence per supporting point)

What are 3 parts of a good conclusion? ›

A good conclusion should do a few things:
  • Restate your thesis.
  • Synthesize or summarize your major points.
  • Make the context of your argument clear.

What is the formula for a good conclusion? ›

A conclusion should always:

Highlight the key argument presented in the essay. Summarise the answer to the essay question, as signalled in the introduction. Refer back to the essay question to show that it has been answered. Reinforce the main theme of the essay, which has been established in the introduction.

What is an example of a conclusion? ›

Try to end with a strong, decisive sentence, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of interest in your topic. Example: Showing why it matters New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

What are the 5 steps of a conclusion? ›

An effective conclusion will contain all five elements of summing up your research paper:
  • Restate your research topic.
  • Restate the thesis.
  • Summarize the main points.
  • State the significance or results.
  • Conclude your thoughts.
Mar 29, 2023

What not to do when writing a conclusion? ›

For a stronger conclusion paragraph, avoid including:
  1. Important evidence or analysis that wasn't mentioned in the main body.
  2. Generic concluding phrases (e.g. “In conclusion…”)
  3. Weak statements that undermine your argument (e.g. “There are good points on both sides of this issue.”)

What should the last sentence of a conclusion be? ›

Concluding Sentence

What do you want your reader to know or understand and introduce that idea in one sentence. Summarize the big idea of the paragraph without repeating the exact same words. Include the subject and your argument or claim in one complete sentence. Give the reader something to think about.

How do you summarize BBC Bitesize? ›

When summarising a text:
  1. look for the key information.
  2. look at each paragraph, locate the topic sentence (often the first one) and decide what the main point is.
  3. list the key points.
  4. only include the main ideas of the text.

How do scientists write predictions and conclusions in BBC bitesize? ›

Writing up experiments

During the experiment, you can observe changes over time or any patterns that may occur. Once you've carried out your experiment or test, you need to summarise any patterns you have spotted or observations you have made. This is called a conclusion.

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