Conclusion Paragraphs

Your conclusion paragraph should logically conclude your essay, just like your concluding sentences logically conclude your body paragraphs. The conclusion paragraph should begin by restating your thesis, and then you should broaden back out to a general topic. End the conclusion paragraph with a closing statement.

This paragraph looks like the reverse of your introduction paragraph, going from specific to general.

Restate your thesis. The first sentence of your concluding paragraph should restate your thesis. In order to restate your thesis, the meaning of your thesis should not change, but the words need to. One way you can do this is by reversing the order of the clauses in your thesis. The clauses are also rephrased, rather than simply copying them and moving them. You can change some vocabulary words for synonyms or change the part of speech. Compare the thesis with the restatement below.

Thesis: Some of the best ways to prevent sleep disorders are establishing good sleep habits, doing regular exercise, and making a comfortable bedroom environment.
Restated Thesis: Overall, these simple actions can make a significant impact on the quality of our sleep.

Apply your thesis to general contexts. Connect your thesis back to the general topics you mentioned in your introduction. You may invite the reader to make some change based on your essay or discuss possible actions that others should take.

Give a closing statement. Your closing statement is very similar to the concluding sentence of a body paragraph except that you will not restate your main idea at the very end of your paper. Your closing statement can be a prediction, suggestion, or opinion.

Example: Conclusion Paragraph

Overall, these simple habits can make a significant impact on the quality of our sleep. People need good sleeping habits and good exercising habits if they want to sleep well at night. You might think that poor sleep is a normal problem in our modern day. However, preventing sleep problems is possible. We don't have to be tired every day if we make good choices and prepare our bodies for rest. We spend a large portion of our time asleep; we should enjoy it.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Practice restating

Rewrite each thesis statement as you would at the beginning of a conclusion paragraph.

The best solution to have the perfect hair is to use horse shampoo because it will make your hair grow faster, become stronger, and be shinier.
Boys and girls are unique in their personalities and their features.
In order to learn Japanese, we need to find a teacher, buy a textbook and make native speaker friends.

Exercise 2: Identify types of paragraphs

Identify whether each paragraph is an introduction, body, or conclusion paragraph.

1. The low self-esteem of a person can disappear as that person learns to recognize their strengths. When you focus on the things you can do instead of what you cannot, you enable yourself to achieve greater heights. Whenever you are faced with a shortcoming or a weakness, remember instead what your greatest strengths are and think about what you can achieve by using these strengths. In addition to recognizing your skills, you can further improve yourself by teaching or sharing those talents with others around you. Doing so will help you realize that there are others who need your capabilities. You will see that you have unique talents and that you are important as an individual. Therefore, at the very moment you identify your abilities, you are boosting your self-worth.

Type of Paragraph: ____________________________

2. The United States and Chile have similar celebrations for Halloween and Christmas, but most of these traditions change due to culture, language, or season. Both celebrations are important in every country, and are special and unique. The important thing is that it does not matter in what part of the world you are, just enjoy every culture. In the end, they are both holidays, so celebrate!

Type of Paragraph: ____________________________

3. How many times have we tried to keep a goal? How many times do we feel frustrated for not being able to reach our goals? We live in a world where everybody sets goals in their lives to improve themselves. One of the goals people usually set is to live healthier, but most of the time we set unrealistic goals that make our path harder than it should be. However, there are simple things that we can do to achieve our desired goal. In order to have a healthy life we should eat smart, exercise regularly and develop good habits.

Type of Paragraph: _____________________________

Exercise 3: Evaluate a conclusion

Read this essay and answer the questions below:

Introduction 1:

Homework is a regular part of school, but many students feel it causes too much stress. Some believe it helps learning, while others think it takes away from free time and rest. This essay will explore whether homework should be banned.

Body 1:

Many students feel overwhelmed by the amount of homework they receive each day. After spending hours at school, they come home only to do more work, which can lead to stress and lack of sleep. This often leaves little time for family, hobbies, or rest. On the other hand, some teachers argue that homework helps students practice and remember what they learned in class. However, too much homework can actually lower motivation and make students dislike learning. A better solution might be to give less homework or make it optional for extra practice, which might reduce stress for students.

Conclusion 1:

Homework can help students learn, but too much of it can cause stress and take away from important free time. Schools should find a better balance by giving less homework or making it more meaningful. This way, students can enjoy learning without feeling overwhelmed.

Question 1: Look at the first sentence in the introduction, and the first sentence in the conclusion. Do they have the same meaning?

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Question 2: Look at the second sentence and the third sentence in the conclusion. Are the ideas mentioned in the body ? Does the conclusion include any new information?

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Tips: When you write a conclusion, look carefully your statement in your introduction to restate the statement. After that, look at your body paragraph and summarize main ideas in your conclusion paragraph. Note: Don't mention any new ideas.

Exercise 4: Write a conclusion

Now, you will write a conclusion for the essay below:

Introduction:

Exercise keeps our bodies strong and our minds healthy. Many people do not get enough movement each day. This essay will explain why daily exercise is important for everyone.

Body 1:

Regular exercise helps improve heart health, build muscle, and increase energy levels. It also reduces the risk of many diseases like diabetes and obesity. Besides the physical benefits, exercise is great for mental health—it can reduce stress, improve mood, and help people sleep better. Even simple activities like walking or stretching can make a big difference. Because of these benefits, everyone should try to include some form of exercise in their daily routine.

Body 2:

Exercise also helps improve concentration and memory, which can be especially helpful for students and workers. When we move our bodies, the brain releases chemicals that make us feel happier and more focused. Additionally, being active can boost self-confidence and encourage social interaction when done with friends or groups. These benefits show that exercise is not only good for the body but also essential for overall well-being. Making time for daily activity can improve many areas of life.

Before you write, follow these instructions:

1. What is your thesis statement in the introduction? => paraphrase it

2. Look at the body paragraphs, what are the main ideas ? => Summarize them in different words.

Conclusion:

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