Essay writing: How to write a memorable conclusion

1. Welcome!: So you've written your perfect essay or assignment introduction. You've composed well structured, flowing body paragraphs that build on your argument. Now the time has come for you to write your conclusion. You're probably thinking, where do I even start? Hello. I'm Wendy. In addition to numerous essays and assignments over the years, I've also written a full length research report, a master's dissertation, and a PhD thesis. I've presented numerous academic writing workshops and have consulted with thousands of under and post graduate college and university students seeking assistance with their academic writing. So whether you're a learner who wants to improve your grades, a college or university student who wants to excel in your academic essays and assignments, a teacher in need of a refresher or an academic scholar who simply wants to improve the quality of your writing. This class is for you. This class offers you step by step instructions on how to write a memorable conclusion. During this class, I'll talk about the importance of writing a memorable conclusion and what it is that makes a conclusion truly unforgettable. I'll also cover aspects such as rephrasing your thesis statement, summarizing key points from your essay or assignment, and explaining to your reader why your argument matters. For your class project, you'll be writing your very own conclusion, using all of the knowledge and skills gained throughout this class, You'll also have the opportunity to share your work and to get feedback from me if you so wish. I'm really looking forward to sharing with you just how easy it is to write a conclusion that is unforgettable. What are you waiting for? Click on that next video and let's get started. 2. The importance of a memorable conclusion: The last line of your essay should always explain to the reader why your argument is important, or why it matters. It helps to reframe this as an answer to the question. What? Why should I care or why is this important? If your reader really were to ask these questions, how would you respond in a final effort to convince them of your argument? Now, this is what you need to think about in this part of your conclusion. As mentioned earlier, explaining to your reader why your argument matters usually occurs in the final sentence of your essay or assignment. In answering the question, what? It helps to think about the main message that you're trying to convey or the point you're trying to drive home. Essentially, if the reader could only take away one thing from your entire essay or assignment, what would it be? What is your takeaway message to the reader? Now, in order to do this, it's necessary to take a step back and to remind the reader of the bigger picture in relation to your topic. Here are some effective ways to end your essay or assignment. You could share a final, important or powerful observation with regard to your topic. Now here, it's really important that you take a firm stand when it comes to your position in relation to the topic, and that you guard against weakening your argument by calling into question or by showing any uncertainty or doubt about it. For instance, don't say something like there's still much debate surrounding this issue, and then just simply leave it at that. As that merely shows the reader that you don't really know where you stand. In which case, you can't actually expect them to agree with you. Think about the implications of your message or argument. For example, does it bring about new insights or understanding? Does it raise any further questions? You could also end with a definite call to action or a suggestion about how you'd like your reader to respond. Alternatively, you could make a recommendation or a prediction or draw attention to specific results or consequences. You may also point out something that you'd like your reader to think about or to reflect on. However, regardless of the strategy that you choose, remember that your conclusion should never introduce any new ideas or new information. One very effective way of ending your conclusion is by looking back at your hook and thesis statement, both of which appear in your introduction, and then somehow linking these to your final sentence. Let's take a look at how this is done in practice. In Essay example one, my hook stated that the wearing of school uniforms has been a controversial topic for hundreds of years. For my final sentence, I have chosen to start with while it continues to be the subject of contentious debate, which basically mirrors what I've said before. I now need to take this one step further by referring back to my thesis statement, and therefore, my position on the topic. Here, I've chosen to continue my sentence with. It's important to recognize the many ways in which school uniforms stand to benefit rather than disadvantage learners, and to give these due consideration when developing school policy. Not only does this confirm my position on the topic, but it can also be seen as a definite call to action in that I'm asking my reader to consider the various benefits of school uniforms. I'm also suggesting or recommending that these be taken into account when developing school policies. Let's consider another example taken from essay example two. Here, my thesis statement focuses on the serious health risks posed by the use of anabolic steroids. In my conclusion, I need to bear my thesis statement in mind when making my final statement. After all, the thesis statement is the golden thread linking all of the various parts of my essay together. Once again, I have chosen to conclude my essay by taking a firm stance with regard to the topic and emphasizing the truly disastrous consequences of taking anabolic steroids by highlighting the adverse effects of these on a person's overall well being, both physically and psychologically. Again, I point out that not only do these lead to bad outcomes, but that there is also little chance of ever recovering from the damage they cause. Thus, I'm leaving my reader with a very clear message, which is likely to make them think twice about ever using these substances. Okay. Now it's your turn to write your final concluding sentence. Do this by to your reader why your argument is important and linking it back to your hook and thesis statement. Happy writing. 3. The key aspects of a memorable conclusion: The last line of your essay should always explain to the reader why your argument is important, or why it matters. It helps to reframe this as an answer to the question. What? Why should I care or why is this important? If your reader really were to ask these questions, how would you respond in a final effort to convince them of your argument? Now, this is what you need to think about in this part of your conclusion. As mentioned earlier, explaining to your reader why your argument matters usually occurs in the final sentence of your essay or assignment. In answering the question, what? It helps to think about the main message that you're trying to convey or the point you're trying to drive home. Essentially, if the reader could only take away one thing from your entire essay or assignment, what would it be? What is your takeaway message to the reader? Now, in order to do this, it's necessary to take a step back and to remind the reader of the bigger picture in relation to your topic. Here are some effective ways to end your essay or assignment. You could share a final, important or powerful observation with regard to your topic. Now here, it's really important that you take a firm stand when it comes to your position in relation to the topic, and that you guard against weakening your argument by calling into question or by showing any uncertainty or doubt about it. For instance, don't say something like there's still much debate surrounding this issue, and then just simply leave it at that. As that merely shows the reader that you don't really know where you stand. In which case, you can't actually expect them to agree with you. Think about the implications of your message or argument. For example, does it bring about new insights or understanding? Does it raise any further questions? You could also end with a definite call to action or a suggestion about how you'd like your reader to respond. Alternatively, you could make a recommendation or a prediction or draw attention to specific results or consequences. You may also point out something that you'd like your reader to think about or to reflect on. However, regardless of the strategy that you choose, remember that your conclusion should never introduce any new ideas or new information. One very effective way of ending your conclusion is by looking back at your hook and thesis statement, both of which appear in your introduction, and then somehow linking these to your final sentence. Let's take a look at how this is done in practice. In Essay example one, my hook stated that the wearing of school uniforms has been a controversial topic for hundreds of years. For my final sentence, I have chosen to start with while it continues to be the subject of contentious debate, which basically mirrors what I've said before. I now need to take this one step further by referring back to my thesis statement, and therefore, my position on the topic. Here, I've chosen to continue my sentence with. It's important to recognize the many ways in which school uniforms stand to benefit rather than disadvantage learners, and to give these due consideration when developing school policy. Not only does this confirm my position on the topic, but it can also be seen as a definite call to action in that I'm asking my reader to consider the various benefits of school uniforms. I'm also suggesting or recommending that these be taken into account when developing school policies. Let's consider another example taken from essay example two. Here, my thesis statement focuses on the serious health risks posed by the use of anabolic steroids. In my conclusion, I need to bear my thesis statement in mind when making my final statement. After all, the thesis statement is the golden thread linking all of the various parts of my essay together. Once again, I have chosen to conclude my essay by taking a firm stance with regard to the topic and emphasizing the truly disastrous consequences of taking anabolic steroids by highlighting the adverse effects of these on a person's overall well being, both physically and psychologically. Again, I point out that not only do these lead to bad outcomes, but that there is also little chance of ever recovering from the damage they cause. Thus, I'm leaving my reader with a very clear message, which is likely to make them think twice about ever using these substances. Okay. Now it's your turn to write your final concluding sentence. Do this by to your reader why your argument is important and linking it back to your hook and thesis statement. Happy writing. 4. Rephrasing the thesis statement: The last line of your essay should always explain to the reader why your argument is important, or why it matters. It helps to reframe this as an answer to the question. What? Why should I care or why is this important? If your reader really were to ask these questions, how would you respond in a final effort to convince them of your argument? Now, this is what you need to think about in this part of your conclusion. As mentioned earlier, explaining to your reader why your argument matters usually occurs in the final sentence of your essay or assignment. In answering the question, what? It helps to think about the main message that you're trying to convey or the point you're trying to drive home. Essentially, if the reader could only take away one thing from your entire essay or assignment, what would it be? What is your takeaway message to the reader? Now, in order to do this, it's necessary to take a step back and to remind the reader of the bigger picture in relation to your topic. Here are some effective ways to end your essay or assignment. You could share a final, important or powerful observation with regard to your topic. Now here, it's really important that you take a firm stand when it comes to your position in relation to the topic, and that you guard against weakening your argument by calling into question or by showing any uncertainty or doubt about it. For instance, don't say something like there's still much debate surrounding this issue, and then just simply leave it at that. As that merely shows the reader that you don't really know where you stand. In which case, you can't actually expect them to agree with you. Think about the implications of your message or argument. For example, does it bring about new insights or understanding? Does it raise any further questions? You could also end with a definite call to action or a suggestion about how you'd like your reader to respond. Alternatively, you could make a recommendation or a prediction or draw attention to specific results or consequences. You may also point out something that you'd like your reader to think about or to reflect on. However, regardless of the strategy that you choose, remember that your conclusion should never introduce any new ideas or new information. One very effective way of ending your conclusion is by looking back at your hook and thesis statement, both of which appear in your introduction, and then somehow linking these to your final sentence. Let's take a look at how this is done in practice. In Essay example one, my hook stated that the wearing of school uniforms has been a controversial topic for hundreds of years. For my final sentence, I have chosen to start with while it continues to be the subject of contentious debate, which basically mirrors what I've said before. I now need to take this one step further by referring back to my thesis statement, and therefore, my position on the topic. Here, I've chosen to continue my sentence with. It's important to recognize the many ways in which school uniforms stand to benefit rather than disadvantage learners, and to give these due consideration when developing school policy. Not only does this confirm my position on the topic, but it can also be seen as a definite call to action in that I'm asking my reader to consider the various benefits of school uniforms. I'm also suggesting or recommending that these be taken into account when developing school policies. Let's consider another example taken from essay example two. Here, my thesis statement focuses on the serious health risks posed by the use of anabolic steroids. In my conclusion, I need to bear my thesis statement in mind when making my final statement. After all, the thesis statement is the golden thread linking all of the various parts of my essay together. Once again, I have chosen to conclude my essay by taking a firm stance with regard to the topic and emphasizing the truly disastrous consequences of taking anabolic steroids by highlighting the adverse effects of these on a person's overall well being, both physically and psychologically. Again, I point out that not only do these lead to bad outcomes, but that there is also little chance of ever recovering from the damage they cause. Thus, I'm leaving my reader with a very clear message, which is likely to make them think twice about ever using these substances. Okay. Now it's your turn to write your final concluding sentence. Do this by to your reader why your argument is important and linking it back to your hook and thesis statement. Happy writing. 5. Summarising the key points: The last line of your essay should always explain to the reader why your argument is important, or why it matters. It helps to reframe this as an answer to the question. What? Why should I care or why is this important? If your reader really were to ask these questions, how would you respond in a final effort to convince them of your argument? Now, this is what you need to think about in this part of your conclusion. As mentioned earlier, explaining to your reader why your argument matters usually occurs in the final sentence of your essay or assignment. In answering the question, what? It helps to think about the main message that you're trying to convey or the point you're trying to drive home. Essentially, if the reader could only take away one thing from your entire essay or assignment, what would it be? What is your takeaway message to the reader? Now, in order to do this, it's necessary to take a step back and to remind the reader of the bigger picture in relation to your topic. Here are some effective ways to end your essay or assignment. You could share a final, important or powerful observation with regard to your topic. Now here, it's really important that you take a firm stand when it comes to your position in relation to the topic, and that you guard against weakening your argument by calling into question or by showing any uncertainty or doubt about it. For instance, don't say something like there's still much debate surrounding this issue, and then just simply leave it at that. As that merely shows the reader that you don't really know where you stand. In which case, you can't actually expect them to agree with you. Think about the implications of your message or argument. For example, does it bring about new insights or understanding? Does it raise any further questions? You could also end with a definite call to action or a suggestion about how you'd like your reader to respond. Alternatively, you could make a recommendation or a prediction or draw attention to specific results or consequences. You may also point out something that you'd like your reader to think about or to reflect on. However, regardless of the strategy that you choose, remember that your conclusion should never introduce any new ideas or new information. One very effective way of ending your conclusion is by looking back at your hook and thesis statement, both of which appear in your introduction, and then somehow linking these to your final sentence. Let's take a look at how this is done in practice. In Essay example one, my hook stated that the wearing of school uniforms has been a controversial topic for hundreds of years. For my final sentence, I have chosen to start with while it continues to be the subject of contentious debate, which basically mirrors what I've said before. I now need to take this one step further by referring back to my thesis statement, and therefore, my position on the topic. Here, I've chosen to continue my sentence with. It's important to recognize the many ways in which school uniforms stand to benefit rather than disadvantage learners, and to give these due consideration when developing school policy. Not only does this confirm my position on the topic, but it can also be seen as a definite call to action in that I'm asking my reader to consider the various benefits of school uniforms. I'm also suggesting or recommending that these be taken into account when developing school policies. Let's consider another example taken from essay example two. Here, my thesis statement focuses on the serious health risks posed by the use of anabolic steroids. In my conclusion, I need to bear my thesis statement in mind when making my final statement. After all, the thesis statement is the golden thread linking all of the various parts of my essay together. Once again, I have chosen to conclude my essay by taking a firm stance with regard to the topic and emphasizing the truly disastrous consequences of taking anabolic steroids by highlighting the adverse effects of these on a person's overall well being, both physically and psychologically. Again, I point out that not only do these lead to bad outcomes, but that there is also little chance of ever recovering from the damage they cause. Thus, I'm leaving my reader with a very clear message, which is likely to make them think twice about ever using these substances. Okay. Now it's your turn to write your final concluding sentence. Do this by to your reader why your argument is important and linking it back to your hook and thesis statement. Happy writing. 6. Explaining why your argument is important: The last line of your essay should always explain to the reader why your argument is important, or why it matters. It helps to reframe this as an answer to the question. What? Why should I care or why is this important? If your reader really were to ask these questions, how would you respond in a final effort to convince them of your argument? Now, this is what you need to think about in this part of your conclusion. As mentioned earlier, explaining to your reader why your argument matters usually occurs in the final sentence of your essay or assignment. In answering the question, what? It helps to think about the main message that you're trying to convey or the point you're trying to drive home. Essentially, if the reader could only take away one thing from your entire essay or assignment, what would it be? What is your takeaway message to the reader? Now, in order to do this, it's necessary to take a step back and to remind the reader of the bigger picture in relation to your topic. Here are some effective ways to end your essay or assignment. You could share a final, important or powerful observation with regard to your topic. Now here, it's really important that you take a firm stand when it comes to your position in relation to the topic, and that you guard against weakening your argument by calling into question or by showing any uncertainty or doubt about it. For instance, don't say something like there's still much debate surrounding this issue, and then just simply leave it at that. As that merely shows the reader that you don't really know where you stand. In which case, you can't actually expect them to agree with you. Think about the implications of your message or argument. For example, does it bring about new insights or understanding? Does it raise any further questions? You could also end with a definite call to action or a suggestion about how you'd like your reader to respond. Alternatively, you could make a recommendation or a prediction or draw attention to specific results or consequences. You may also point out something that you'd like your reader to think about or to reflect on. However, regardless of the strategy that you choose, remember that your conclusion should never introduce any new ideas or new information. One very effective way of ending your conclusion is by looking back at your hook and thesis statement, both of which appear in your introduction, and then somehow linking these to your final sentence. Let's take a look at how this is done in practice. In Essay example one, my hook stated that the wearing of school uniforms has been a controversial topic for hundreds of years. For my final sentence, I have chosen to start with while it continues to be the subject of contentious debate, which basically mirrors what I've said before. I now need to take this one step further by referring back to my thesis statement, and therefore, my position on the topic. Here, I've chosen to continue my sentence with. It's important to recognize the many ways in which school uniforms stand to benefit rather than disadvantage learners, and to give these due consideration when developing school policy. Not only does this confirm my position on the topic, but it can also be seen as a definite call to action in that I'm asking my reader to consider the various benefits of school uniforms. I'm also suggesting or recommending that these be taken into account when developing school policies. Let's consider another example taken from essay example two. Here, my thesis statement focuses on the serious health risks posed by the use of anabolic steroids. In my conclusion, I need to bear my thesis statement in mind when making my final statement. After all, the thesis statement is the golden thread linking all of the various parts of my essay together. Once again, I have chosen to conclude my essay by taking a firm stance with regard to the topic and emphasizing the truly disastrous consequences of taking anabolic steroids by highlighting the adverse effects of these on a person's overall well being, both physically and psychologically. Again, I point out that not only do these lead to bad outcomes, but that there is also little chance of ever recovering from the damage they cause. Thus, I'm leaving my reader with a very clear message, which is likely to make them think twice about ever using these substances. Okay. Now it's your turn to write your final concluding sentence. Do this by to your reader why your argument is important and linking it back to your hook and thesis statement. Happy writing.