The document provides guidance on writing an effective conclusion paragraph. It should restate the thesis statement and reference ideas from the introduction and body without directly repeating points. The conclusion should demonstrate what was learned and create an application of the concepts discussed by answering "so what?". It may refer back to a quote used in the introduction and recommend a course of action. The conclusion should be 4-6 sentences long, avoid fluff language, and reinforce the key ideas without simply listing details.

1. Conclusion Paragraphs

2. What does a conclusion paragraph
do?
• It finishes off the research and tells the
reader what the writer has learned.
• It restates the thesis and contains
sprinkles of the introduction and body
paragraphs without listing the points
covered in the paper.
• It creates an application of the ideas
discussed and answers the questions: so
what?

3. What does it do?
Revisit the Thesis Statement
The conclusion begins with
a restatement of the thesis, not a repetition,
and gradually widens toward a final , broad
statement of implication.

4. What does it do?
Sprinkle
• Borrows from the body paragraphs,
without being flatly repetitive or listing
points already covered.
• Makes an application

5. But how do I write it?
Connect to introduction
Use a meaningful quotation. (If you used a
meaningful quotation in your introduction,
refer back to this quote and tie it in with
your overall analysis.)

6. But how do I write it?
Make an application
• Give an especially compelling example
• Recommend a course of action without
being “preachy.”
• Connect to the language and approach of
the introduction.

7. Just don’t forget to…
• Avoid first-person point of view,
abstract/vague language, poor diction,
and slang.
• Avoid simply repeating the thesis and/or
listing the main points.

8. Just don’t forget to…
• Avoid any attempts at humor, cuteness, or
sarcasm.
• The conclusion need not be longer than
four to six sentences, as with the
introduction, but must be adequately
developed.

9. Remember
• Revisit the Thesis Statement
• Sprinkle knowledge from your main points
• Connect to introduction
• Make an application

10. Image Attributions
All images taken from powerpoint clipart and used per terms with permission