Writing a good conclusion is probably even harder than writing a good introduction. The trick is to somehow summarize your main points without sounding repetitive. It should be very similar to the closing argument that a lawyer might make to a jury: strong and forceful, reiterating in a non-repetitive way the importance and relevance of the major conclusion you have reached about the topic, in an innovative and memorable fashion.

In other words, in your conclusion you want to make  a lasting impression on your audience. The last thing you want is for a reader to put down your paper and immediately forget about it. Don’t be afraid to be dramatic here and push some emotional buttons, but remember to stay relevant and faithful to the argument you’ve laid out in the body of your paper. Say something memorable!

© D. R. Koukal