Embarking on crafting an argumentative essay is akin to weaving a persuasive narrative; it’s more than just putting words on a page—it’s about constructing a powerful argument designed to resonate and sway your audience’s perspective.
It’s essential to ensure every sentence, every paragraph, propels your reader closer to endorsing your viewpoint.
The climax of this journey is the conclusion—it’s where your argument needs to resonate with unequivocal authority and clarity.
Crafting a compelling conclusion involves meticulous attention to detail and a nuanced understanding of your essay’s core arguments.
The experts all over the web emphasize that a conclusion isn’t merely a recapitulation of your essay—it’s the final imprint, leaving your reader reflecting on your argument’s significance.
It’s the definitive statement that reinforces your thesis and underscores the broader implications of your discourse, establishing your viewpoint as robust and well-founded.
A powerful conclusion necessitates succinctness and a profound exploration of your thesis, relighting it in a way that showcases its relevance and implications.
It’s pivotal to abstain from introducing new information, focusing instead on consolidating your established arguments.
Employ confident and unequivocal language, and avoid ambiguity, ensuring your conclusion stands as an indisputable beacon of your essay’s core argument.
Addressing the broader contextual relevance of your argument is paramount—it enlightens the reader on how your viewpoint integrates into larger discourses, provoking contemplation and adherence.
The conclusion is a crucial part of a successful argumentative essay. It is a focal point that should make a lasting impression on the reader and signify the strength of the presented case.
In this guide, we’ll share tips from PaperWriter experts on crafting a winning conclusion.
The writers on this professional academic writing platform have created hundreds of compelling papers and know exactly how to deliver a message efficiently.
Based on their experience helping students with their college assignments, they’ve shared the best practices for mastering a solid conclusion of an argumentative essay.
Argumentative Essay Specifics
To understand the importance of a conclusion, one must look at what makes argumentative essays different from other types of papers. Its primary purpose is to convey a message confidently to win the audience.
An author presents a thesis and supports it with evidence proving this opinion is valid. It can be compared to a debate in terms of purpose and rhetorical figures. In debate, the conclusion plays a vital role as well.
It should be specific, convincing, and logical to prove your case, even if the audience has missed some of the points of the main body. The conclusion aims to:
- Restate the thesis in a different manner;
- Recall the presented ideas and evidence;
- Showcase how evidence aligns in the case;
- Address counterarguments briefly.
At the same time, it can present a solution to a problem, broaden the perspective on the topic, or give future implications. It comes to a full circle but builds on what you’ve stated in the introduction.
Sometimes, students treat the conclusion as a simple summary that bears little importance. It is a common yet big mistake. This section should never be repetitive or tautological to the paper. It has to serve as the last straw that breaks the camel’s back, thus convincing the audience that your opinion is correct.
Essential Parts of a Winning Conclusion
Although this section is relatively short, it has several significant elements. It is what makes it challenging to work on the last step of the paper.
Students have to fit a lot in a very limited number of words. It requires precision with words and close attention to detail.
The critical elements of this section are:
- Thesis restated;
- Main points;
- Central theme/main idea of the paper;
- Counterarguments;
- Call to action.
Call to action can pose difficulties for authors sometimes. After all other elements are covered, the author should give something for the audience to think about. What do you want them to do after reading your paper? You can suggest further research, propose to take a particular action, or ask a provocative question.
How to Master a Conclusion
Start With Restating
The first thing to do is restate your thesis and arguments. It is incredibly important not to use the exact words from the introduction or the main body. Although the theory still has to be clear and concise, you need to give it in a fresh manner.
The same goes for arguments. Try to present them in new formulations and in a logical sequence. Do not name all the supporting evidence; it was already covered. But show how they all align in the broader picture.
Give Closure
The sense of closure comes from all wrapped up together. All the ideas lead to one statement that incorporates the main idea. Everything you’ve mentioned so far needs to align with the message you want to convey. The ending of an argumentative essay should give the sense of a resolved discussion.
There is no space for doubt and seconds of thought here; it will undermine your whole paper.
Avoid New Information
One of the common errors a lot of students make is presenting new information in the conclusion. There is no need to do that. It will drag attention from your thesis. And it would look as if you haven’t thought your paper through.
Write only about things you’ve already covered without repeating them word for word. Do not bring up new data or ideas in the end.
Make It Strong
It is the last chance to make a lasting impression on the audience. That’s why your ending has to be strong.
You need to be confident in your thesis, arguments, and the overall case. The thought-provoking question at the end should not counter the essay.
Use active voice, precise wording, and compelling language. Avoid phrases that might sound too vague, like “Both sides present valid evidence” or “It is one of several points of view.” They read as though you are not convinced yourself.
Address the Broader Context
Expanding the scientific relevance of the thesis in a broader context gives your work more depth. It shows how the argument aligns with the overall picture and how it can contribute to further research.
It can be in the form of the following:
- Insights your paper gave on the topic that might influence broader narrative;
- Potential directions for further research;
- The ways your idea can be practically applied;
- The contribution to a bigger discussion.
Proofread and Edit
It is entirely normal to be unsatisfied with your initial draft. Argumentative essays are complicated overall, and the conclusion is specifically tricky.
You might even rewrite it several times with different strategies and wording. Make sure you have enough time to proofread it carefully.
Pay attention to the logical flow, wording, and style. Avoid overused phrases like “in summary” or “in conclusion.” Also, pay attention to the arguments’ order and the linking words that make it all come together.
Ask your friend to read your paper and give feedback. What is their impression of your argument? What ideas do they have after the conclusion? Getting an outside perspective allows you to determine whether you were successful in your intent.
Conclusion
In musical terms, the conclusion is a crescendo that has to end with a powerful and distinctive note that will leave the audience amazed.
