Essay Conclusions: How to End an Essay (with examples)

Introduction to Essay Conclusions: How to End an Essay

The final paragraph is your last chance to shape the reader’s judgement. A strong ending doesn’t add new information; it consolidates your case, makes the significance clear, and leaves a confident final line.

In this lesson prepared by Learn English Weekly, you’ll find practical essay conclusion examples, step-by-step patterns for how to write an essay conclusion, and flexible essay ending sentences you can adapt for IELTS and academic writing.

Good conclusions do three jobs: (1) recap the core answer (not repeat!), (2) resolve the implications or counterpoints you raised, and (3) redirect the reader’s attention to a final takeaway, recommendation, or prediction.

What every conclusion must do (and what to avoid)

• Do: Restate the thesis in fresh words (no copy–paste).
• Do: Synthesise your two strongest reasons or findings.
• Do: Offer a final insight: implication, recommendation, or outlook.
• Avoid: New evidence, new case studies, or brand-new arguments.
• Avoid: Overlong summaries; keep it 3–5 sentences for most essays.
• Avoid: Formulaic “In conclusion…” + repetition with no value.

Rule of thumb: If your last paragraph could be swapped with your introduction and nobody notices, it’s too repetitive.

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The 3R Framework for conclusions (Recap → Resolve → Redirect)

R1 — Recap: Paraphrase your main answer in one crisp line.
R2 — Resolve: Show how your reasoning addresses the key tension or counter-argument.
R3 — Redirect: Leave the reader with a practical recommendation, policy point, or forward-looking idea.

Template:

• Recap: “Taken together, the evidence indicates [your answer].”
• Resolve: “While [counterpoint] holds in limited cases, [your reasoning] predominates.”
• Redirect: “Accordingly, [action/outlook] should guide future [policy/practice/research].”

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Essay conclusion examples by task/purpose

Use these samples as models. Notice the paraphrased thesis, the brief synthesis of reasons, and a clean final line.

A) Opinion/Argument (Agree/Disagree)

Prompt (short): Should cities invest more in public transport than roads?
Conclusion (3R):
Recap: Taken together, the evidence suggests that prioritising public transport is the most effective route to shorter journeys and cleaner air.
Resolve: Although road expansion can relieve bottlenecks briefly, demand quickly rebounds, whereas reliable buses and trains shift behaviour sustainably.
Redirect: Cities should therefore channel new infrastructure budgets into frequent services and bus-priority corridors.

B) Discussion (Both Views + Your View)

Prompt (short): Remote work vs office work.
Conclusion:
Recap: Overall, remote work strengthens focus while offices support mentoring and rapid problem-solving.
Resolve: Because most teams need both deep work and collaboration, neither extreme model is sufficient on its own.
Redirect: Organisations should adopt hybrid schedules, protecting meeting-free blocks and purposeful in-person days.

C) Advantages & Disadvantages (Evaluate)

Prompt (short): AI translation for learners.
Conclusion:
Recap: AI translation broadens access to authentic texts but can weaken independent vocabulary growth.
Resolve: Used as a checking tool rather than a drafting crutch, it enhances comprehension without eroding learning.
Redirect: Teachers should set clear guidelines: translate after attempting meaning, not before.

D) Problem–Solution

Prompt (short): Reducing plastic waste.
Conclusion:
Recap: Deposit-return schemes and targeted bans address both consumer habits and high-impact items.
Resolve: While enforcement costs exist, revenue from deposits and fines can fund local recycling capacity.
Redirect: Councils should pilot city-wide returns and measure reductions in single-use plastics over the first year.

E) Two-Part Question

Prompt (short): Why are fewer teenagers reading newspapers, and how can we reverse the trend?
Conclusion:
Recap: Teenagers favour fast, personalised updates; print cannot match the speed or relevance of mobile feeds.
Resolve: However, when schools teach media literacy and provide curated digital subscriptions, reading time increases.
Redirect: Partnerships between schools and news providers should expand discounted student access.

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How long should an essay conclusion be?

• IELTS / timed essays: usually 3–5 sentences (50–80 words).
• Longer academic essays: roughly 10–15% of the word count (but avoid padding).
• Always prioritise clarity over length. A sharp 3-line conclusion beats a vague 10-line one.

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Ending sentences that sound confident (swap-ins)

Use these essay ending sentences to finish with control. Mix and adapt.

• “On balance, the case for [your stance] is stronger, and policy should reflect that reality.”
• “The evidence points in one direction: [key action] cannot be postponed.”
• “If [stakeholders] act on these findings, [practical benefit] will follow.”
• “The question is no longer whether to act, but how to implement [measure] fairly.”
• “Ultimately, success will depend on [two criteria], not on rhetoric.”

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Common mistakes, and quick fixes

• New idea syndrome: Introducing fresh evidence in the last paragraph.
  Fix: Move it to a body paragraph or delete it.
• Thesis copy–paste: Repeating your thesis verbatim.
  Fix: Paraphrase with different structure and synonyms.
• Vague final line: Ending with “In conclusion…” and stopping.
  Fix: Add a clear recommendation, implication, or prediction.
• Over-hedging: “might perhaps possibly suggest”.
  Fix: One hedge is enough; choose may or can and delete the rest.
• No link to significance: Summarises, but never says why it matters.
  Fix: Add a redirect line naming policy, practice, or research next steps.

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Planning your conclusion in 60 seconds

1. Underline your thesis and top two reasons.
2. Paraphrase them into one recap line.
3. Name the main counterpoint and state why your case still holds.
4. Write one redirect sentence (action, implication, or outlook).
5. Read aloud and cut filler.

Mini model set (drop-in samples for class)

Health policy (argument):
“Taken together, the data show that taxing sugary drinks reduces preventable disease. While critics warn of regressive effects, ring-fenced revenue for school meals offsets this risk. Governments should therefore adopt modest, hypothecated levies.”

Education technology (adv/disadv):
“Ed-tech platforms expand access to resources but can distract learners. Used to supplement, not substitute, guided teaching, they raise attainment. Schools should prioritise tools that support deliberate practice rather than passive scrolling.”

Environmental planning (problem–solution):
“Urban air quality improves when high-emission vehicles face peak-hour charges. Although unpopular at first, public support grows once buses run faster. Cities should pair pricing with reinvestment in frequent services.”

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Teacher toolkit: a quick feedback rubric (three ticks)

• Recap (clear paraphrase of thesis) — ✓ / △
• Resolve (addresses counterpoint/complexity) — ✓ / △
• Redirect (practical action or outlook) — ✓ / △

Encourage students to label R1/R2/R3 in the margin during practice; remove labels once fluent.

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Conclusion

A persuasive ending is short, synthesised, and forward-looking.

Use Recap → Resolve → Redirect to compress your main answer, handle the tension honestly, and finish with purpose. Study the essay conclusion examples above, choose one confident final sentence, and your marker will close the script with a satisfied nod 😊

Next step: Explore more Writing Skills guides below.

Glossary

• conclusion (n.) — the final paragraph that summarises and closes the argument.
• synthesis (n.) — combining key ideas into a concise whole, not repeating them.
• implication (n.) — what your findings suggest should happen next.
• recommendation (n.) — a practical action the reader should take.
• prediction (n.) — a forward-looking statement based on your reasoning.
• paraphrase (v./n.) — express the same idea using different words/structure.
• counterpoint (n.) — the strongest opposing view or limitation.
• cohesion (n.) — how sentences connect through linkers and referencing.
• register (n.) — the formality and tone appropriate to the task.
• hedging (n.) — cautious language (may, can, tends to) to avoid over-claiming.

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Practise What You Learned

Questions

1. True/False: A strong conclusion should introduce at least one new example to show breadth.
2. In the 3R Framework, which step comes last?
   A. Recap
   B. Resolve
   C. Redirect
3. Which is the best ending sentence for a policy argument?
   A. “In conclusion, that is my essay.”
   B. “This topic is very important nowadays.”
   C. “Accordingly, councils should pilot city-wide deposit-return schemes next year.”
   D. “There are many factors to consider.”
4. Rewrite this weak recap so it paraphrases the thesis:
   Weak: “In conclusion, public transport is good.”
5. Short answer: What should not appear in a conclusion?

Answers Below.

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Answers:

1. False — no new evidence should be added.
2. C — Redirect.
3. C — clear action and timeframe.
4. Sample: “Overall, the evidence indicates that well-funded buses and trains are the most reliable way to cut congestion and emissions.”
5. New evidence/arguments; long digressions; copy-pasted thesis.