How to Write a Conclusion For an Argumentative Essay
The art of writing an impactful argumentative essay extends beyond just presenting well-researched facts and compelling logic. Within the realm of academic writing, an argumentative essay serves as a platform to voice and defend a viewpoint on a particular issue. However, the true power of such essays lies not only in the presentation of arguments but also in the finesse with which they are concluded. This pivotal closing section, commonly known as the conclusion, wields the ability to leave a lasting impression on readers and fortify the stance presented throughout the essay.
At its core, an argumentative essay is designed to persuade, to make a case for a particular perspective or solution on a given topic. These essays are not mere platforms for expressing opinions but rather structured canvases upon which a well-reasoned and supported argument is painted. Many aspiring essay writers on CanadianWritings find that mastering the art of crafting impactful conclusions is a crucial skill for creating persuasive and memorable essays With every argument presented, evidence provided, and counterargument addressed, the essay navigates through a sea of information to guide readers towards the author’s viewpoint.
The conclusion, often the final taste left in a reader’s mouth, plays an indispensable role in shaping the ultimate impact of the essay. It functions as the culmination of the journey embarked upon within the essay’s body paragraphs. Here, the scattered puzzle pieces of argumentation are meticulously arranged, forming a comprehensive picture that drives home the author’s standpoint.
In addition to providing closure, the conclusion serves as a place of reflection. It allows readers to pause, take a step back, and view the entirety of the essay in a consolidated form. By revisiting the main arguments and summarizing the evidence, the conclusion reinforces the credibility of the author’s stance.
Beyond a mere summary, the conclusion solidifies the argument’s essence in the reader’s mind. It elevates the essay from a collection of points to a cohesive perspective that demands attention. This section isn’t just a formality; it’s an opportunity to reaffirm the essay’s central thesis, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Key Components of a Strong Conclusion
A compelling conclusion is the finishing touch that leaves a lasting imprint on the reader’s mind, crystallizing the arguments presented throughout the essay. This section explores the crucial components that contribute to the strength of a conclusion, ensuring that your argumentative essay reaches its zenith.
The conclusion should begin by revisiting the central thesis statement, reminding the reader of the overarching point you sought to establish. This reinforces the core theme of the essay and ensures that the reader understands the purpose of your argument.
While restating the thesis, aim to present it in a slightly different way than it appeared in the introduction. This prevents monotonous repetition and offers a fresh perspective on the thesis while retaining its essence. Consider using synonyms, varied sentence structures, or a different angle to present the main idea.
Summarize the main arguments you presented in the body paragraphs. Keep it concise but comprehensive, highlighting the pivotal points that support your thesis. Strive for clarity and avoid delving into extensive detail, as the goal is to provide a succinct overview. By carefully studying the techniques employed by successful essays writers, both novices and experienced essay writers can enhance their ability to craft compelling and effective conclusions.
Focus on the strongest pieces of evidence or the most impactful arguments you made. These should resonate with the reader and underscore the validity of your position. By spotlighting the most compelling aspects of your argument, you reaffirm your stance while engaging the reader’s intellect.
A robust conclusion acknowledges the existence of opposing viewpoints. Briefly summarize a key counterargument, demonstrating your awareness of alternative perspectives. This displays fairness and thoroughness in addressing the complexity of the issue.
After acknowledging the counterargument, reiterate why your viewpoint remains superior. Highlight the weaknesses or limitations of the counterargument and emphasize how your evidence and reasoning provide a more compelling and well-supported stance.
Offering a Sense of Closure
If your essay began with a captivating hook or an engaging anecdote, circle back to it in your conclusion. By doing so, you create a sense of narrative closure, reminding the reader of the journey they embarked upon and tying the essay together in a satisfying manner.
Illustrate how the arguments presented in the body have illuminated or evolved the initial question or problem posed in the introduction. This full-circle approach enhances the coherence of your essay and reinforces the thematic unity of your work.
Connect your argument to real-world scenarios, highlighting the tangible implications of your stance. This bridges the gap between theoretical discourse and practical relevance, demonstrating the value of your argument beyond the confines of the essay.
Engage the reader by underscoring the personal relevance of the topic. Explain why the issue matters in their lives or the broader context, establishing a sense of connection that lingers even after the essay concludes.
Providing a Call to Action or Future Considerations
Inspire curiosity and intellectual growth by suggesting areas for further research or exploration related to your topic. This demonstrates your essay’s role as a stepping stone in a larger academic or societal dialogue.
Pose thought-provoking questions that remain unanswered by your essay but invite continued contemplation. This invites the reader to engage with the topic on a deeper level and consider the intricacies beyond the scope of your argument.
If applicable, urge readers to take specific actions aligned with your argument. Whether it’s supporting a cause, altering behaviors, or seeking further education, this empowers the reader to translate the essay’s ideas into tangible steps.
Detail the potential positive outcomes that could arise if your argument is put into practice. By depicting the positive changes that can result from embracing your viewpoint, you motivate the reader to consider the transformative power of your ideas.
Writing an Effective Conclusion
The conclusion of an argumentative essay holds the potential to elevate your entire piece from a collection of thoughts to a masterfully orchestrated argument. This section delves into the art of crafting an effective conclusion, exploring language, tone, avoiding clichés, conciseness, and providing practical examples.
Your conclusion is not the place for doubt or uncertainty. Reiterate your position with confidence, making it clear that your stance is supported by strong evidence and well-reasoned arguments. This assertive tone reinforces the credibility of your position and leaves a lasting impression.
The conclusion is not the platform to introduce fresh information or launch new arguments. Stick to summarizing and reinforcing the existing points. Introducing new content at this stage can confuse the reader and dilute the impact of your conclusion.
While phrases like “In conclusion,” “To sum up,” and others serve a purpose, they’ve become clichés that can make your conclusion seem formulaic. Instead, aim for more dynamic and original ways to signal the end of your essay.
Write your conclusion with language that encapsulates the essence of your argument and leaves a strong impression. Utilize vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, or thought-provoking questions to evoke deeper reflection from your readers.
While it’s important to summarize your main points, avoid redundant repetition. Instead, aim to condense your arguments into a concise form, highlighting the core essence of your stance and the evidence that supports it.
The conclusion should neither be overly brief nor overly long. Strive for a balance that adequately wraps up your essay without dragging on. Typically, a conclusion should be around 10-15% of the total essay length.
Final Tips for Writing an Exceptional Conclusion
Sum up the significance of a well-written conclusion. Remind readers that this final section is their last impression of your argument, and it plays a crucial role in shaping their takeaway.
Emphasize the importance of revising your conclusion and seeking feedback from peers or mentors. Fresh perspectives can identify areas for improvement and ensure that your conclusion is polished to perfection.
Highlight that the conclusion is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on your reader’s perspective. By leaving them with a memorable and thought-provoking conclusion, you can encourage them to think critically about your argument beyond the confines of your essay.
