How to Write
Conclusion
March 30, 2022
Structure of Conclusion
Conclusion Structure
Contents Included
Thesis Restate the thesis (using synonyms
and paraphrases)
& remind the reader of your stance/po-
sition
Summary Summarize the main ideas/ key points
you discussed in your body paragraphs
Future Focus Suggestion/Recommendation/Predic-
tion/Solution
Implications for your field/ Significance
of the topic
Sample Conclusion Structure
Conclusion (Thesis + Summary + Future Focus)
In conclusion, this essay has discussed three key areas of
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and has argued that
it is an important consideration for larger companies in
2020. In promoting a good reputation in being environ-
mentally friendly, supporting local companies and provid-
ing positive working conditions, evidence suggests that this
will improve profitability and encourage outside environ-
ment in the long-run. Our future prediction is that as con-
sumers are becoming more ethically minded, now is the
time to invest in CSR.
Useful Expressions for Conclusion
Announcing your conclusions and summarizing content
In conclusion / In summary / In sum / To sum up, our work …
Our work has led us to conclude / the conclusion that …
We have presented / outlined / described …
In this paper / study / review we have …
This paper has investigated / explained / given an account of …
Restating the results (Conclusions section)
The evidence from this study suggests / implies / points towards the idea /
intimates that …
The results / findings of this study indicate / support the idea / suggest that
…
In general, / Taken together, these results suggest / would seem to sug-
gest that …
An implication / A consequence / The upshot of this is the possibility that …
Useful Expressions for Conclusion
Highlighting achievements (Conclusions section)
Our research / This paper has highlighted / stressed / under-
lined the importance of …
We have managed to do / succeeded in doing / been able to
do / found a way to do X.
We have found an innovative / a new / a novel / a cutting-edge
solution for …
We have obtained accurate / satisfactory / comprehensive re-
sults proving / demonstrating / showing that …
We have devised a methodology / procedure / strategy which …
We have confirmed / provided further evidence / demonstrated
that …
Useful Expressions for Conclusion
Considerable progress has been made / insight has been gained with
regard to …
Taken together, these findings suggest / implicate / highlight a role
for X
Our study provides the framework / a springboard / the backbone /
the basis / a blueprint / an agenda / a stimulus / encouragement for a
new way to do X.
The strength / strong point / value / impact / benefit / usefulness /
significance / importance of our work / study / contribution lies in …
X provides a powerful tool / methodology for …
X ensures / guarantees that X will do Y, and it can be generalized to
…
Our investigations into this area are still ongoing / in progress and
seem likely to confirm our hypothesis.
These findings add to a growing body of literature on / substantially to
our understanding of X.
Parallel Structures
Parallel structure means that coordinate parts of a
sentence, such as items in a series or list, have the same
grammatical form. Items in a series must be all nouns,
all verbs, or all participles, and so on. There are two rea-
sons it is important to maintain parallelism in a series:
Parallelism
Sentences that maintain parallelism are much easier to
read and process than those that do not.
With parallel structure:
- I like running, singing, and reading.
Without parallel structure:
- I like running, singing, and to read
Parallelism
Maintaining parallelism helps writers avoid grammatically
incorrect sentences.
An example of a grammatically incorrect sentence without
parallel structure:
- The computer’s ability to multi-task, defend against
viruses, and overall usability all improved when I updated
the operating software.
The grammar error becomes clear when you make a bul-
let-point list of each item following the part of the sentence
that each item is meant to complete:
Parallelism
The computer’s ability to:
- Multi-task
- Defend
- Usability
“The computer’s ability to usability improved” is a grammatically
incorrect sentence because all words following the phrase “the
computer’s ability” must be verbs, but “usability” is a noun. By
maintaining a parallel structure, you will avoid grammatically incor-
rect sentences containing lists.
Parallelism
If you are unsure if a sentence is parallel and has grammatically cor-
rect structure, try making a bullet-point list like the one above.
Writers should use parallel structure whether the items in the list or
series are grammatical subjects, predicates, or objects.
Mowing the lawn, trimming the shrubs, and edging the sidewalk took
her two hours to complete.
The writer interviewed two subject matter experts, edited four drafts,
and composed two press releases.
On Saturdays they may visit the open-air market, the docks, or the
park.
