Drafting

Writing an effective conclusion can provide a sense of closure for the reader. If written well, it can add interest in your topic, highlight its importance, assert the larger implications, and demonstrate that you have accomplished what you have set out to complete.

While, technically, you can conclude your essay any way you choose, there are tried and true methods that have stood the test of time for a reason. Any time you are finishing up a piece of writing and are not sure how to close, you can employ this approach as your standard format:

• Restate the thesis. Don’t repeat the main topic verbatim; and definitely do NOT copy and paste your thesis to the conclusion. Instead, restate your topic in a new way that reminds the reader of the primary purpose of your essay.
  • For example, if your thesis states, “The media plays a key role in the harmony or discord of this country and, therefore, should be held accountable for this massive responsibility,” your conclusion might begin by reiterating this claim, affirming that “The media must practice the standards of journalistic integrity if it is to shed the blame of America in disarray.”
• Summarize your main points. You do not need to get into much detail here. Just revisit the major points you discussed in the paper. This will help keep your ideas in focus for the reader before they read your closing comments.
  • For example, you might touch on how your topic was defined throughout your essay (“Ethical journalism is reporting that seeks only truth, minimizes harm, and is accountable.”) Then, briefly highlight two or more of the strongest points from your body paragraphs (perhaps: “Journalism has enough power that it is often referred to as ‘the fourth branch of government’.” or “Society today uses the media for political and social gain rather than spreading truth.”)
• Insert a concluding comment or call to action. This is your closing statement, so make it count.  What you write will depend on what you are hoping to persuade your readers to do. You can end with a prediction (something that will happen if something does not change), a question (to get your readers to make their own predictions), a recommendation (actions that can be taken either by the reader or those responsible for the issues), or a related quotation.
  • For example, you might ask how much division could have been avoided if American journalists were required to show no bias during the last presidential election? Or you might suggest, “If journalistic standards are not improved and strictly enforced, America will remain divided in this modern version of the Civil War.” You might even employ more than one of the techniques listed here.

• Conclude by setting your discussion into a different, perhaps larger, context. Think about your audience and what context might best touch or inspire them. Often, the more current the context, the more readers connect with your topic and believe in its importance.
  • For example, you might end an essay on the need for journalistic integrity by noting the role that honest, fact-based reporting played (or could have played) in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note: What needs to be included in your conclusion may vary a bit depending on the type of writing assigned, so read the assignment prompt carefully, and ask your instructor if you are still unsure.

• Putting it all together − The following paragraph uses the examples provided throughout this guide as the basis for creating a formal conclusion:

                   The media must practice the standards of journalistic integrity if it is to shed the blame of an America in disarray. Journalistic practices need to be regulated in a way that allows for freedom of the press, but also holds media outlets responsible for embellishment, slant, sensationalism, and the failure to check facts. Ethical journalism is reporting that seeks only truth, minimizes harm, and is accountable. It is also free from political control and does not operate for the purpose of political gain. Journalism has enough power that it is often referred to as “the fourth branch of government” when describing its ability to influence the masses. Unfortunately, there are not enough regulations in place to ensure that the media wields this power in ethical ways. If journalistic standards are not improved and strictly enforced, America will remain divided in this modern version of the Civil War. The country will be doomed to repeat the remarkable discord that occurred over mask-wearing, social distancing, and business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The year that followed March of 2020 could have been a time for the nation to unite. But, thanks to unchecked competitive, almost aggressive, reporting by American media outlets, facts took a back seat to mixed messages, and America is split down the middle once again.     

 

The best conclusions stir the emotions of the reader and leave a lasting impression. If you find yourself stuck while attempting to employ the above steps, read back through your essay (or even just your introduction) and ask yourself this question: So what?

In other words, why is your topic important? Why does it matter? Why should the reader support your stance on the issue? How might the topic affect your readers? What can be done about the issue? Which common misconceptions about the topic are most important to dismantle? Once you have answered these questions for yourself, choose the ideas that are the most impactful for the conclusion. This way, you will not leave the reader wondering “So what?” Instead, you will make the reader feel they have read something insightful and worthwhile.

 

 

 

Source consulted: Grammarly.com

Guide created by: E. Raley 5/26/2021

Revised by: C. Jones 6/10/2024

 

The RVC Writing Center offers many resources to help you with these topics and all of your writing concerns. Titles of available resources can be found in the navigation bars along the left side of this page and/or by using the search bar. The Writing Center’s Resource Library can be accessed by using the following link:

The RVC Writing Center

If you still need assistance, please call (815) 921-2370 to make an appointment with an RVC writing coach.

We are here to help!