One way to finish a paper is to bring it full circle; in other words, relate your conclusion to your introduction. This technique is particularly useful when you tell a story or use a quote in the introduction. Use key terms or ideas from the introduction, but do not simply repeat them. When you restate your thesis, it is best to not simply rewrite it word for word; the conclusion should provide extra insight gained from the research you presented in your paper.
Another way to approach a conclusion paragraph is to answer the question “So what?” You want the reader to care about your subject, and the conclusion is a place where you can tell your reader why he should care. Point out how the information in your paper can be applied to the lives of your readers and their futures. You want your readers to take something away from your work, and this conclusion technique allows them to see your subject in a broader context or gain insight into your viewpoints. Be authoritative and convince the reader that what you have said in your paper is important.
Formal papers and essays often are meant to be persuasive. One strategy for your conclusion is to redirect your reader, or to encourage them to agree or understand your viewpoint. The conclusion is a chance to bring the reader out of your paper and back into their world; you have written an effective conclusion when the reader thinks he can apply what he has read to his life. Pose questions to challenge the reader. You do not have to bring in new information to give new meaning to your paper, but you can demonstrate how your ideas work together. In this type of conclusion, do not be overly sentimental because it is the end of your paper; the conclusion paragraph should mirror the same tone or voice you used throughout your paper.
The conclusion is your last chance to leave an impression on the reader. You want your entire paper to be memorable, but the conclusion is the last thing people read, and you want people to think about your paper even after they have put it down. Include a quotation, vivid image, call to action, comparison to other situations or propose results or consequences in your conclusion. All statements you make in your conclusion should be supported by information in the body of your paper. Do not write more than one paragraph, as a straightforward and short conclusion packs more of a punch than two or three paragraphs. Avoid using phrases such as “in conclusion” or “in closing”; the reader can see the last paragraph is your conclusion. Do not introduce new information in your paper; any information you want to present needs to be in the body of the paper. The conclusion is meant to summarize the points you brought up in your paper.