How to Prepare a Concluding Paragraph

Definition and Purpose
A conclusion paragraph is the last paragraph of your essay and sums up your main point/thesis statement.
General Tips

• Use only one paragraph
  
• Avoid inserting any new major points - those are reserved for body paragraphs
  
• Be relatively succinct - around 4-7 sentences
  
• Avoid "thanking" your readers
  
• Avoid melodrama - use vivid but not hysterical language to leave a strong impression
  
• Avoid repeating material from your body paragraphs
  
• Avoid starting with "in conclusion" or "to conclude" - its too obvious
  
• Use your own words for your final sentence - avoid using some else's quote
  

Basic Structure of a Conclusion
A. Use a transitional phrase, followed by a comma (in order of preference)

1. Thus,
   
2. Therefore,
   
3. Ultimately,
   
4. Finally,
   
5. In summary,
   
6. In short,
   

B. Restate thesis

1. Avoid simply repeating your thesis from your intro paragraph
   
2. Avoid listing the three or four main points of your paper - this isn't MEAP-style writing!!
   

C. Creative twist (choose one or two only, NOT all of them!)

1. Ask a provacative question
   
2. Make a recommendation / call for action
   
3. Make a prediction
   
4. Express why your observations and your overall topic are so important
   
5. Warn readers of imminent danger/harm
   
6. Refer back to your intro style but tweak it based on the information your provided in your body paragraphs (preferred)
   
7. Use a NEW quote or statistic and relate it to your topic to show some sense of closure or special relevance to the topic
   

D. Strong concluding statement that leaves a strong impression and sums up the essence of the paper - appeal to the reader's emotions as much as their intellect

Example Conclusions
Underline = Transition or transitional phrase followed by a comma
Normal = Fresh restatement of thesis
Italics = Creative Touch
Bold = Final sentence: this sentence must be memorable in order to leave a strong impression on readers.

Prediction / Warning - Thesis from intro paragraph: A program to reforest parts of Haiti is urgently needed.
Conclusion: Finally, beginning a program to reforest parts of Haiti will be an important step in making this country more economically self-sufficient. Without such a program in place, the people of this country will attempt to destroy their natural resources for fuel in a desperate attempt to salvage what meager finances they posses. Meanwhile, countless thousands of acres of precious natural habitat will be irrevocably destroyed. Both of these outcomes will have global repercussions, and far sooner than anyone might imagine.

Recommendation - Thesis from intro paragraph: International travel can provide a wealth of benefits, but a great deal of preparation is necessary to ensure a successful experience.
Conclusion: As we have seen, international students face many difficulties when they travel to another country to study. However, problems such as culture shock and the language barrier can be addressed before the new student arrives in a new land. If you are considering traveling abroad to study, you can begin learning about the culture, customs, and history of your host country ahead of time, and you can be sure to be proficient in the national language by signing up for language classes. This will provide for a more seamless transition and a happier final result.

Refer back to intro - Thesis from intro paragraph: For the sake of every child in our school district, the Bloomfield Hills Board of Education must mandate 2 hours of homework per night.
Conclusion: Thus, it is clear that copious quantities of homework will help to ensure meaningful learning is still taking place even when students are not receiving direct classroom instruction. Remember little Tim? Now he bustles into the house, a cache of books under his arm. He is no longer lackadaisical; rather, his eyes blaze with intensity, and he scorns the time wasting activities with which he formerly filled his waking hours. He is a young man with a sense of purpose, a higher calling. And his determination will serve him well as he matures into a scholarly and disciplined young man. We want this world for our children. Otherwise, they will slowly sink into the mire of a passive existence, forever dooming themselves and subsequent generations to lifetimes of shattered dreams and squandered opportunities.

I disagree with one thing. I think that it is actually better to use quotes at the end, it enhances the message. Other than that though, nice guide.

Yea, I like to use quotes at the end too, but my lit teacher that gave me this guide (Mr. Honeyman from West Hills Middle School, 8th grade) said that it's a lot more original to use your own powerful words than to use somebody else's powerful words, but yea, I agree with you 100% and I do that almost all the time.