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Meaning of draw a/the conclusion in English

Draw a/the conclusion.

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@ChrisConstantine : 'Draw a conclusion' is more natural.

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How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay

Kelly Konya

You’ve done it. You’ve refined your introduction and your thesis. You’ve spent time researching and proving all of your supporting arguments. You’re slowly approaching the finish line of your essay and suddenly freeze up because—that’s right—it’s time to write the conclusion.

How to write a conclusion

Before we dive into the details, here’s a basic outline of how to write a conclusion:

  • Restate your thesis: remind readers of your main point
  • Reiterate your supporting points: remind readers of your evidence or arguments
  • Wrap everything up by tying it all together
  • Write a clincher: with the last sentence, leave your reader with something to think about

For many, the conclusion is the most dreaded part of essay writing . Condensing all the points you’ve analyzed in a tidy little package is certainly easier said than done. How can you make a good final impression while emphasizing the significance of your findings? 

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Learning how to write a conclusion for an essay doesn’t need to feel like climbing Everest. It is wholly possible to tie everything together while considering the broader issues and implications of your argument. You just need the right strategy.

What do you want to leave your readers with? Perhaps you want to end with a quotation that adds texture to your discussion. Or, perhaps you want to set your argument into a different, perhaps larger context. 

An effective conclusion paragraph should ultimately suggest to your reader that you’ve accomplished what you set out to prove.

5 key details for writing a conclusion

1 restate your thesis.

As you set out to write your conclusion and end your essay on an insightful note, you’ll want to start by restating your thesis. Since the thesis is the central idea of your entire essay, it’s wise to remind the reader of the purpose of your paper. 

Once you’ve restated your thesis (in a way that’s paraphrased , of course, and offers a fresh understanding), the next step is to reiterate your supporting points.

2 Reiterate supporting points

Extract all of the “main points” from each of your supporting paragraphs or individual arguments in the essay . Then, find a way to wrap up these points in a way that demonstrates the importance of the ideas. 

Depending on the length of your essay, knowing how to write a good conclusion is somewhat intuitive—you don’t want to simply summarize what you wrote. Rather, the conclusion should convey a sense of closure alongside the larger meaning and lingering possibilities of the topic. 

3 Ask yourself: “So what?” 

At some point in your life, a teacher has probably told you that the end of an essay should answer the question “So what?” or “Why does it matter?” This advice holds true. It’s helpful to ask yourself this question at the start of drafting your thesis and come back to it throughout, as it can keep you in tune with the essay’s purpose. Then, at your conclusion, you won’t be left searching for something to say.

4 Add perspective 

If you’ve come across a fantastic quote in your research that didn’t quite make it into the essay, the conclusion is a great spot for it. Including a quote from one of your primary or secondary sources can frame your thesis or final thoughts in a different light. This can add specificity and texture to your overall argument. 

For example, if you’ve written an essay about J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, you can think about using a quote from the book itself or from a critic or scholar who complicates your main point. If your thesis is about Salinger’s desire to preserve childhood innocence, ending with a biographer’s statement about Salinger’s attitude toward his own youth might be illuminating for readers. If you decide to amplify your conclusion paragraph in this way, make sure the secondary material adds (and not detracts) from the points you already made. After all, you want to have the last word!

5 Consider the clincher

At the very end of the essay comes your closing sentence or clincher. As you think about how to write a good conclusion, the clincher must be top of mind. What can you say to propel the reader to a new view on the subject? This final sentence needs to help readers feel a sense of closure. It should also end on a positive note, so your audience feels glad they read your paper and that they learned something worthwhile. 

What your conclusion should not include

There are a few things that you should definitely strive to avoid when writing your conclusion paragraph. These elements will only cheapen your overall argument and belabor the obvious.

Here are several conclusion mishaps to consider:

  • Avoid phrases like “in summary,” “in conclusion,” or “to sum up.” Readers know they’re at the end of the essay and don’t need a signpost. 
  • Don’t simply summarize what’s come before. For a short essay, you certainly don’t need to reiterate all of your supporting arguments. Readers will know if you just copied and pasted from elsewhere.
  • Avoid introducing brand new ideas or evidence. This will only confuse readers and sap force from your arguments. If there’s a really profound point that you’ve reached in your conclusion and want to include, try moving it to one of your supporting paragraphs. 

Whereas your introduction acts as a bridge that transfers your readers from their own lives into the “space” of your argument or analysis, your conclusion should help readers transition back to their daily lives. 

By following this useful roadmap, you can feel confident that you know how to write a good conclusion that leaves readers with a solution, a call to action, or a powerful insight for further study.

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draw a conclusion

Definition of draw a conclusion

Examples of draw a conclusion in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'draw a conclusion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near draw a conclusion

draw a comparison

draw against

Cite this Entry

“Draw a conclusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draw%20a%20conclusion. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

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COMMENTS

  1. What Is a Conclusion in Math?

    In an “if-then” statement in math, the “then” part of the statement is the conclusion. It is the part of the statement that is the end result. In geometry, a proof is written in an if-then format.

  2. What Does “conclusion” Mean in Science?

    A conclusion is the final process of the basic scientific method by which scientists reveal whether the hypothesis was proven correct, according to certified math and science teacher Patricia McNerney.

  3. What Is the Conclusion of Projectile Motion?

    Projectile motion is concluded when a projectile stops moving. Assuming nothing gets in the way, that conclusion is reached when the projectile comes to rest on the ground. On Earth, the motion of any projectile has both a horizontal compon...

  4. make a conclusion

    Suggestions · Therefore, now we are ready to make a conclusion in our forecast. · You just have to take your friend's advice, compare it with your opinion and

  5. Translation of "make conclusions" in Russian

    Translations in context of "make conclusions" in English-Russian from Reverso Context: By studying one world, we can often make conclusions about others.

  6. How to Write a Conclusion (With Tips and Examples)

    What to include in a conclusion · End the essay on a positive note · Communicate the importance of your ideas and the subject matter · Provide

  7. DRAW A/THE CONCLUSION

    DRAW A/THE CONCLUSION definition: 1. to consider the facts of a situation and make a decision about what is true, correct, likely to…. Learn more.

  8. How to Write a Conclusion for Your Next Writing Project

    The conclusion paragraph should restate your thesis, summarize the key supporting ideas you discussed throughout the work, and offer your final

  9. (to) draw a conclusion of / from / about

    it seems one would use ...conclusion of to indicate what your conclusion is: guilty / not guilty, death by natural causes, etc. from is used to

  10. В чем разница между "draw a conclusion" и "make a ...

    Синоним draw a conclusion @ChrisConstantine: 'Draw a conclusion' is more natural.

  11. How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay

    How to write a conclusion · Restate your thesis: remind readers of your main point · Reiterate your supporting points: remind readers of your

  12. draw a conclusion

    draw a conclusion meaning, definition, what is draw a conclusion: to decide that a particular fact or prin...: Learn more.

  13. Synonyms of draw a conclusion

    Synonyms for DRAW A CONCLUSION: understand, derive, decide, conclude, reason, think, guess, infer, make out, judge.

  14. Draw a conclusion Definition & Meaning

    The meaning of DRAW A CONCLUSION is to make a judgment or judgments. How to use draw a conclusion in a sentence.