Writing an Effective Conclusion
The Writer’s Block
Learning Commons
https://blackburn.edu/current-students/lumpkin/academic-support-services
An effective Conclusion (depending on the genre of the paper):
• Reminds the reader of the overall argument
• Pursues the implications of the argument (so what does the argument
mean?)
• Identifies limits to the argument
• Reconsiders the original issue
• States or restates what action(s) you want your audience to take
Again, let’s say the goal of your paper is to argue that every U.S. citizen
should own an iPad. In the Conclusion, after you wrap-up and remind the
reader what the argument is...
You might explore what effect it will have on education or the country as a
whole when everyone owns an iPad (pursue implications).
You might concede that it is not feasible for the government to give out free
iPads to everyone (identify limits).
You might realize that not just U.S. citizens, but people across the globe,
should each have an iPad (reconsider original issue).
You might tell the audience to go out and buy an iPad today! (state action
you want audience to take).