How to Structure Your Conclusion
How This Chapter Can Help You
- Understand the role of a conclusion in an essay
- Summarise your main points effectively
- Leave a clear final message without adding new ideas
- Use the four step method to write a strong conclusion
Video Version
Watch the PowerPoint video with voiceover for this chapter.
What Does a Conclusion Do?
Your conclusion is the final part of your essay. It should be about 10% of your total word count.
A clear conclusion:
- Reminds the reader what your essay has examined
- Summarises the key points you discussed
- Shows what the overall evidence suggests
- Ties your ideas together so your essay feels complete
- Leaves a final message about why the topic matters
- Does not introduce any new information
Essay Question Example
We will use this example question throughout this chapter: “Discuss the causes of homelessness in Ireland in the last ten years.”
How to Structure Your Conclusion
Most conclusions follow three simple steps:
Step 1 – Remind the Reader of the Essay Question and Focus
Begin by clearly reminding the reader what your essay has examined or discussed.
This should link directly back to the essay question, but you should not copy it word for word.
Example: This essay has examined the main causes of homelessness in Ireland over the last ten years.
Step 2 – Summarise Key Points
Briefly restate the main arguments you discussed in your essay
Example: The key issues discussed included the urgent need for housing reform to increase affordability, the importance of expanding mental health and social support services, and the necessity of better government planning and funding to address long term housing insecurity.
Step 3 – Overall Position or Takeaway
Explain what the evidence shows overall. This helps to show understanding rather than simple summary.
Example:
Overall, the evidence suggests that homelessness is driven by a combination of structural and social factors rather than individual circumstances alone.
Step 4 – Leave a Final Message
End with a final sentence that explains why the topic matters or highlights its wider importance.
Example: Addressing these factors is essential for developing long term and effective solutions to homelessness in Ireland.
Example: Full Conclusion
Essay Question: Discuss the causes of homelessness in Ireland in the last ten years.
This essay has examined the main causes of homelessness in Ireland over the last ten years. The key issues discussed included the urgent need for housing reform to increase affordability, the importance of expanding mental health and social support services, and the necessity of better government planning and funding to address long term housing insecurity. Overall, the evidence suggests that homelessness is driven by a combination of structural and social factors rather than individual circumstances alone. Addressing these factors is essential for developing long term and effective solutions to homelessness in Ireland.
Note: Your own conclusion may be longer and more detailed. Always follow the instructions provided in your assignment brief or by your lecturer.
Now Try This
Now that you have seen how a conclusion works, try this activity to check your understanding. Drag each sentence into the correct part of the conclusion.
Essay Question: “Discuss the causes of homelessness in Ireland in the last ten years.”
Interactive Build your Conclusion H5P activity created by Róisín Kelly. CC BY NC 4.0.
Downloads
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Quick Guide – How to Write a Conclusion
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Worksheet – Practice Your Conclusion
Coming Up Next
In the next chapter, we will look at:
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How to use sentence starters and transition phrases
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Ways to make your ideas flow smoothly from one paragraph to the next
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Phrases for adding evidence, linking ideas, and writing conclusions
