1. Restate your thesis (but don't simply repeat it): Summarize your main argument in a new and insightful way, highlighting the key findings and their significance. Avoid simply paraphrasing your introduction. Instead, show how your evidence has supported your claims.
2. Summarize your main points: Briefly reiterate the most important supporting evidence and analysis you've presented. This provides a concise recap for the reader.
3. Offer implications and/or future research: What are the broader implications of your findings? How do they contribute to the existing body of knowledge? What questions remain unanswered that could be explored in future research? This demonstrates the significance of your work and opens up avenues for further exploration.
4. Provide a strong concluding statement: This is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression. It should be memorable, thought-provoking, and reflect the overall significance of your research. This could be a powerful statement, a call to action, or a concise summary of the lasting impact of your findings.
Different Approaches to the Concluding Statement:
* Provocative question: Leave the reader with a thought-provoking question that encourages further reflection on the topic.
* Call to action: Suggest a course of action based on your findings. This works well if your research has clear practical implications.
* Synthesis of findings: Offer a broader perspective by connecting your findings to a larger context or theme.
* Forward-looking statement: Briefly discuss the potential future impact of your research or related areas of study.
Things to Avoid:
* Introducing new information: Don't introduce new evidence or arguments in your conclusion.
* Apologizing for your work: Avoid phrases like "I may not have fully answered the question" or "This is just a preliminary study." Instead, focus on the strengths of your research.
* Making overly broad generalizations: Your conclusions should be supported by the evidence presented in your paper.
* Simply summarizing your paper point-by-point: Aim for synthesis and insightful reflection rather than a mechanical recap.
By following these guidelines, you can craft a conclusion that effectively summarizes your research, highlights its significance, and leaves a lasting impression on your reader. Remember to maintain a consistent tone and style throughout your paper, including your conclusion.