Mastering Your Conclusion Paragraph: The Key to Strong Essays

When it comes to wrapping up an essay, many students often feel a bit uneasy, right? It’s as if the final paragraph is the exclamation point on your brilliant ideas — no pressure! But fear not. Understanding how to write a compelling conclusion is within reach, especially when preparing for exams like the College Composition CLEP. So, what’s the most important thing to remember when you’re faced with drafting that all-important conclusion? It’s simple: provide a resolution to your argument.

You know what? Many people mistakenly think a conclusion is a place to reiterate the importance of the topic (option A), which is actually better suited for your introduction or even the body of your essay. A conclusion isn’t where you introduce new ideas or concepts, like a new thesis statement (option C). Trust me, nothing confuses a reader more than an unexpected twist in the final paragraph. Resolve things instead!

In this article, we’ll delve deep into the art of crafting a conclusion that not only resonates with your readers but also neatly ties up your arguments. It’s like the icing on a cake! A good resolution doesn’t restate your arguments verbatim. Rather, it emphasizes how your points contribute to the overall discussion, giving the reader something to think about long after they finish reading.

So, What Should You Do?

When writing a conclusion, these points should guide you:

1. Summarize Key Points: Remind the reader of your main arguments but in a fresh way. Think of it like giving them a quick recap of the best parts — you’re not just repeating, you’re rehashing the highlights.

2. Highlight the Significance: Why are your arguments important? What larger implications do they have? Maybe your topic links to a current event or a common challenge — use this to your advantage!

3. Address Any Contradictions: If throughout your essay you've touched on different viewpoints (hello essay complexity!), briefly acknowledge these and highlight how your stance brings clarity.

4. End with a Call to Action or Reflection: You want your readers to take away something impactful, right? Posing a reflective question or a call to action can leave them pondering your essay well after they’ve put it down.

Embrace the Resolution

Let’s circle back to why providing a resolution is so critical. Think of a story — every tale needs closure. Just as a film wraps up its plot threads, your conclusion resolves the arguments presented, offering a satisfying and cohesive finish. If you've built your essay like a well-crafted structure, the conclusion is the roof that keeps it all intact.

But here’s the thing: a conclusion also empowers you as a writer. It gives you a space to convey your final thoughts, pushing the needle towards a greater understanding of the topic. And that’s what college writing is all about, isn’t it? Making sense of complex ideas.

The next time you sit down to write, practice how you would incorporate these elements. Perhaps brainstorm how your resolution might work for various topics. Cultivating this skill can open new pathways for clarity and creativity in this aspect of writing.

In light of all this, remember; each time you write a conclusion, you’re practicing essential skills beyond the essay itself — skills that will feed into your overall writing prowess. So, step into the world of essay writing prepared to craft powerful conclusions, and you’ll be one step closer to achieving that solid score on the College Composition CLEP exam!