76 Conclusions

Unlike the grand entrance the introduction makes, the conclusion paragraph often plays second fiddle, which means that it takes on more of a supporting role. Certainly, your conclusion can have just as big of a starring role in the overall production of your piece as the introduction does, but the rhetorical impact of this paragraph is largely up to you and dependent upon the expectations of your audience. Nevertheless, there are a few key moves that function like stage cues in how well they refocus the reader’s understanding of the overall performance of the piece by this ending point.

Cue the Finish. Choosing the right introductory phrase to indicate that your piece is coming to a close. Some phrases that will help signal to your readers that the end is near include: “In conclusion…” “Overall…” “In light of…” “Furthermore…” “Finally” or “Lastly.” Many more exist, but you might try experimenting with one of those phrases so that the reader knows you’re wrapping up.

Restate Your Argument. Harken back to your thesis statement or the controlling idea you led with in the introduction paragraph. You might reword or try to paraphrase what you originally wrote, or you can even try to add onto this initial argument with additional key details or claims that came up in your body paragraphs. The purpose of a sentence or two restating your argument isn’t to bore the reader or yourself with old information but to give a sense of cohesion and completeness to the overall piece.

Call to Action. Much like the exigency established in the introduction, the conclusion paragraph should stress the importance of the topic or issue explored in the piece. Ideally, the emphasis placed on the seriousness of the issue motivates the reader to take action and provides actionable steps the reader can take in order to effect change. For instance, you might list a few easy steps that readers can take in order to reduce their carbon footprint on a daily basis or you might share information on how to sign a petition for policy reform. The more specific and attainable the action step is, the more likely the reader is to act.

Focus on the Future. If a call to action doesn’t quite work with the topic you explored in your piece, you might create a final, future-oriented sentence. Some writers might gesture back to a startling statistic delivered earlier in the piece or others might end on a positive note of hope. In the latter scenario, it’s not uncommon for writers to ask their readers parting questions, such as, “Twenty years from now, will the children living at the Texas border know a better life than they do today?” or “Having read this piece, will you go to school tomorrow thinking about how you can be more supportive of your neurodiverse classmates?”