In writing any academic or scientific paper, it is important to end the write up with a strong conclusion. A conclusion is meant to provide a thoughtful end to the write-up. Conclusions have a significant influence on the experience of the reader when reading your paper. Plus, conclusions are very difficult to write but are worth spending time on.
Conclusions are supposed to help readers transition back into their lives as introductions had served as a bridge to help them transition from their daily lives into your analysis. Also, conclusions are written to help readers see why the information in the paper should matter to them.
Also, conclusions serve as a form of last chance for you to persuade your readers to see your point of view. Therefore, the conclusion shapes the final impressions that stay with the reader after they are done reading your paper. Also, the conclusion should convey a sense of closure and completeness and also the larger meaning and implication of the paper.
The conclusion is said to be an important aspect of any writing. This is because a lot can be said about the paper just by looking at the conclusion. A conclusion can be difficult because it can be hard to find something interesting to say, but it must be interesting.
Get assistance from a writing service!
What Should Your Conclusion Contain?
There are a few important aspects that should form your conclusion. It is not important that your conclusion should have all these but at least most of them.
Your conclusion should be made up of:
A deduction that has been derived from the body of the paper.
A summary of the information, ideas, and arguments in the main text of your paper
Your opinion on the things discussed in the paper
A discussion on the limitations of the work you have carried out.
A recommendation on the future work that can be done as regards improving on your paper
The important facts and figures that were not mentioned in the body of the paper.
A prediction of the future based on what has been discussed in your paper
So, How Do You Write a Strong Conclusion?
The conclusion is the last part of your paper and should clearly answer the research questions. Also, the conclusion should summarize the research and, at the same time, making recommendations for future works. Plus, the conclusion shows the new idea you are contributing to the body of knowledge in that field.
Conclusions are meant to be engaging, concise, and leave your reader with a clear understanding of your research. As such your conclusion be
- Similar to the discussion
Your conclusion should be written to contain similar elements to those in the discussion aspect of the paper. Rather than discussing the specific results and interpreting the data, your conclusion should make broad statements that sum up the most important findings of the research.
- Concise
Your conclusion should be around 5 to 7 % of the overall word count of your paper. The type of paper you are writing actually defines the length of the conclusion. For example, an empirical study often has a short conclusion that focuses on summarizing the findings and recommendations.
- Answer your research questions
Your conclusion is expected to begin with the research questions that your paper aimed at answering. Plus, your conclusion must provide a clear and concise answer to those questions.
The conclusion serves as a reminder to your reader on why you use a particular approach, what your research expected to find, and how well the findings matched your expectations. Also, your conclusion should give an overview of the steps taken in conducting the research as well as how effective your methodology was in answering your research questions.
- Recommendations oriented
The conclusion is a good place to give and elaborate on recommendations for future research. Also, your conclusion should explain the implications of tour findings for theories and practices.
- An emphasis on your contributions
Your conclusion should be written in a way that leaves your reader with a strong impression of how your research has contributed to the body of knowledge in your field. This can be done by emphasizing how your research solves a problem. Plus, how you have addressed a gap identified in the body of knowledge. Additionally, by demonstrating how your findings have challenged or confirmed and existing theory or assumption.
Tips for Writing an Effective Conclusion
- When writing your conclusion, you should use some new words to convey your ideas and not just repeat the thesis and facts already stated in the paper. Explain the problem and how you have been able to solve it in a new light.
- Make all the paths and directions given in your paper come to a logical end in your conclusion. Plus, try to show how all those points earlier stated work together.
- Try to write your conclusion so that it shows the impact of the problem on the everyday life of the readers. Also, it shows the impact of the solution on everyday life.
- Your conclusion should be positive and strong.
- Make sure to count your points from the most useful to the less valuable one.
- Your conclusion should be written in a way that it calls for some sort of action.
- Try to leave your readers with something to think about after they are done with your paper.
- Your conclusion should begin with the general and end with specific.
- Ensure to summarize your main arguments in 1 to 2 sentences.
What Your Conclusion Should not Contain
- Your conclusion should not contain any new interpretation, data, or arguments.
- Do not repeat the list of the results that have been discussed already.
- You should avoid exaggerating the applicability of your research.
- Your conclusion should not contain any apology for what you have written in your paper.
- Avoiding focusing on the minor points of the research.
- Avoid beginning with an overused and unnecessary phrase, such as in conclusion.
- Avoid making an emotional and sentimental appeal that goes against the analytical character of the paper.
2