We can all think of times when we finished watching a film with satisfaction. The ending might have been a surprise, yet it somehow brought things to a fitting close and was in keeping with the story. It left us pondering what was important in the film; it made us think. While the ending of an essay might not always pack the same punch as a great movie’s final scene, there are similarities. As with a film, the ending of an essay must bring a sense of closure. It might remind the reader of the essay’s most important insights and is likely to offer fresh thoughts arising from them. Like the closing sequence of a film, it should leave its audience (in this case, the examiner) with a strong overall impression. As with first impressions, final impressions last.
Writing a great conclusion might seem a big ask — especially when written under the constraints of an exam. But the good news is, there are tips and techniques that you can learn. Let’s begin by considering some common pitfalls. Then we’ll look more closely at the elements of strong conclusions, and, finally, we’ll consider two examples so we can see what the theory looks like when it’s put into practice.
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