Writing a Conclusion for an Essay
by Jesse Seldess, Professional Writer

The conclusion is the last paragraph of an essay. Although often brief in comparison with the other paragraphs, the conclusion performs a number of very significant functions.

When writing a conclusion for your essay, it's helpful to keep these basic considerations in mind:

a)    Your conclusion is the last paragraph that your reader will encounter.

b)    Your conclusion should remind your reader about the most important aspects of your essay.

c)    In most essays, therefore, your conclusion should creatively restate the main idea of the essay.

d)    Your conclusion should also leave your reader even more interested in your topic and idea.

e)    For some essays, especially for persuasive or argumentative essays, it's particularly effective to end your conclusion by directly addressing your reader with a question or call for action.

Be sure to spend a good deal of time planning and writing your conclusion. A strong conclusion can resolve and fulfill your essay as a whole and make a real impact on your reader.