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Study Section 22: How to Write a Conclusion

22.1 Connect

Your final thoughts as a writer will be recorded in your conclusion. This is where you have the
chance to leave your reader with what they should remember about your entire essay. Since your
thesis statement was absolutely essential to your paper, it must be restated here. Your other major
points should be paraphrased here as well.

22.2 Conclusions

Do not end your paper like this:
a. Thanks for reading my paper…

b. I hope you enjoyed my paper…

c. The End!

d. As you can see… (never address anything to “you” in a paper)

Proper ways to end your paper:
a. You may pose a question or a statement for the reader to think about.

b. You could conclude with a quotation from or reference to a primary or secondary source, one
that amplifies your main point or puts it in a different perspective.

c. Restate the thesis.

d. Paraphrase the most important points of your essay.

e. Leave a lasting thought. This is the final sentence of your paper, so it’s your last chance to
convince the reader and/or prove your point.

Sample One

The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 was the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history,
taking the lives of between twenty and forty million people. It killed more people than World War I. More
people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. It
became a worldwide epidemic, most likely because of troop movements around the globe. Only time will tell
if any other pandemic will ever leave the world in a worse state.

Sample Two

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