How to write a research paper conclusion
Think of the conclusion of your research paper as the finish line of your writing process. It’s not just “the end”; it’s the point at which your ideas make an impact and stick with your audience.
This guide will show how to end your research paper in a way that leaves a lasting impression. We’ll show you how to make your conclusion truly meaningful so that your readers will remember your research long after reading. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Analyze a research paper conclusion
Before, we get into the details, here is an example conclusion for a research paper on the effects of melting ice on polar bear habitats. It will show you how to apply the best practices and steps that will be covered in this guide:
Research paper conclusion example
Introduction
In conclusion, our study on how melting ice affects polar bears reveals their precarious survival. Rising temperatures and melting ice pose formidable challenges.
Appreciating the intricate dance between climate shifts and polar bear well-being holds the key to effective conservation strategies.
Refer to your thesis statement:Bridge the introduction and conclusion of your paper by revisiting the thesis statement introduced earlier.
This knowledge is crucial in our pursuit to unravel the delicate interplay between these creatures and their changing environments.
Digging deeper, we understand that the destiny of polar bears is closely linked to the health of their surroundings. The fragile balance between these top predators and their homes reveals how nature is deeply connected, even beyond the Arctic.
Highlight the significance of findings: Emphasize the broader implications of your research to underscore its importance.
The struggle of polar bears becomes an emblem of the wider climate crisis, urging us to become Earth’s custodians.
End with a thought-provoking question, a future prediction, or a recommendation
As we conclude, assessing our impact in shielding these bears reminds us of our actions’ transcendent scope. Create closure with reflection:
Encourage readers to reflect on their roles in the larger context of your research’s subject matter.
Step 2: Understand the purpose of conclusion
When it comes to the conclusion of your research paper, there are three main things to keep in mind: summarizing, emphasizing, and concluding. Let’s break them down:
- Summarizing: Don't introduce new ideas in your conclusion. Instead, summarize the key ideas you’ve discussed throughout your paper. Think of it as a brief summary of what you’ve been talking about.
- Emphasizing: This is your chance to draw attention to the most intriguing parts of your research. What are the main findings or noteworthy moments? Bring them to light and remind your readers of their significance.
- Concluding: The conclusion serves as the finishing touch to your research paper. It’s where you complete the story and give your readers a sense of closure. In the simplest terms, you’re saying, “Hey, we’ve covered a lot, and here’s why it all matters.”
How does the conclusion relate to your thesis statement and research goals? The main point you’re attempting to prove is in your thesis statement, which is sort of like the star of your essay. Your conclusion puts that star back on stage and demonstrates how every argument you’ve presented supports it. It is like saying, “See, everything we discussed leads to this big idea.”
Pro tip
Keep in mind that your conclusion is more than just a summary. It’s a way to emphasize the main ideas, draw attention to your important findings, and present your paper in a way that links back to your thesis and objectives.Step 3: Review key points and findings
Let’s go into the specifics of how to write a conclusion now that we are aware of its purpose. Here’s what you need to do:
- Summarize the Main Arguments and Findings: In this section of your conclusion, give a brief summary of the key points you’ve made throughout your research paper. Think of it as a quick rundown for your readers.
For instance, if your research paper discusses how polar bear populations are affected by climate change, one of your main arguments can be how melting ice caps disrupt the bears’ hunting patterns and breeding grounds.
- Emphasize the Most Critical Information: Not all points are created equal. Some are more important than others in supporting your thesis. Your job is to draw attention to the most important findings or arguments in the conclusion. These are the ones that truly emphasize your point.
Remembering the polar bear example, be sure to draw attention to your most important finding, which would be that declining sea ice is causing dramatic drops in polar bear populations.
Pro tip
Remember that clarity and conciseness are the main objectives here. Your readers should be able to quickly review the main points of your research and identify the most important sections.Step 4: Restate the thesis statement
After summarizing the key points and findings, it’s time to concentrate on your thesis statement, which is the core idea you’ve been trying to prove throughout your research. The conclusion gives your paper a sense of coherence and closure by restating your thesis.
Pro tip
The trick is that you shouldn’t simply copy and paste your introduction’s exact words. Instead, give it a new twist.- Rephrase Without Duplicating: Express your thesis in a different way than how you did in the introduction.
- Capture the Essence in a New Light: Presenting the essence of your thesis in a style that complements the conclusion’s tone can help you keep readers’ attention.
Example: Going back to the thesis statement
Introduction
....(Introduction starts)
....(Introduction continues)
Understanding how climate change affects polar bears is crucial for conservation efforts.
Thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence of your introduction
Body paragraphs
....(Body paragraphs start)
....(Body paragraphs continue)
Conclusion
Appreciating the intricate dance between climate shifts and polar bear wellbeing holds the key to effective conservation strategies.
Restatement, which is usually the first sentence of your conclusion
....(Conclusion continues)
You can both remind your readers of your thesis’ main point and demonstrate how far your research has advanced it by attentively restating it. It’s like taking a final bow on stage – you’re bringing the show full circle.
Step 5: Highlight the significance
In this step, we emphasize the significance of your research by exploring its broader implications beyond the immediate context:
- Discuss Broader Implications: Your study has wider consequences that go beyond its scope. Extend your discussion of how your findings might apply to more general topics or fields in the conclusion by moving beyond the details.
- Explain Why Your Findings Matter: Your research’s value goes beyond its data and results. It contributes to the growth of knowledge in the field. You could talk about how your research fills in knowledge gaps, refutes conventional wisdom, or points the way for future research in the context of your study.
Highlighting the significance example
Conclusion
....(Conclusion starts)
Digging deeper, we understand that the destiny of polar bears is closely linked to the health of their surroundings. The fragile balance between these top predators and their homes reveals how nature is deeply connected, even beyond the Arctic.
The sentence highlight the significance
....(Conclusion continues)
....(Conclusion ends)
You can emphasize the importance of your research in the larger academic context and emphasize its possible impact on fields other than those directly related to your study by underlining its significance without citing any specific instances.
Step 6: Create closure with reader
Let’s now examine techniques for convincingly concluding your research paper and creating a sense of closure for your readers:
- Introduce Thought-Provoking Questions: Asking questions that challenge readers to think more deeply will engage them. These questions should be connected to the topics of your research.
- Offer Predictions or Recommendations: Give your readers something to think about when they finish reading your paper. Make predictions or suggest future actions on the basis of your research.
Creating a closure with reader example
Conclusion
....(Conclusion starts)
....(Conclusion continues)
The struggle of polar bears becomes an emblem of the wider climate crisis, urging us to become Earth’s custodians. As we conclude, assessing our impact in shielding these bears reminds us of our actions’ transcendent scope.
A sentence to create a closure with the reader
....(Conclusion ends)
Step 7: Proofread and seek feedback
The path to a polished conclusion involves thorough review and refinement. Here’s how to make sure your conclusion shine:
- Review and Refine: Give your conclusion a critical reading. Keep an eye out for logical flow, clarity, and coherence. Make sure that each sentence contributes to the overall message.
- Take a Break for Objectivity: Take a break from your conclusion for a while before you finish. You can approach your work after this interval with fresh eyes, which will enable you to find any mistakes or awkward language that might have gone unnoticed. Think of your conclusion as a piece of the larger puzzle that makes up your research paper; it should fit perfectly and make a significant contribution.
Following these guidelines will help you to write a conclusion that clearly and persuasively summarizes the key points of your research.
Seek feedback
Getting feedback from others is an effective strategy to increase the impact of your conclusion. Here’s how to make the most of external perspectives:
- Share with Peers or Mentors: Do not be afraid to present your conclusion to peers, mentors, or colleagues. They may offer insightful suggestions and information that you might have overlooked. Consider revising your conclusion as a team effort.
Research paper conclusion best practices
A strong conclusion can significantly increase the impact of your research paper. It takes skill to write one. Here are some best practices to consider:
- Stay Concise: Your conclusion should be brief while covering the key points. Avoid needless repetition.
- Connect Back to the Introduction: Your conclusion should be similar to your introduction in terms of tone and language. This results in a circular structure that is fulfilling and memorable.
- Avoid Introducing New Concepts: Your conclusion is a synthesis and summary of existing content. Don’t add new ideas or arguments that weren’t covered before in your paper.
- Engage with the Future: Encourage readers to think about the future implications of your research. Ask provocative questions or identify interesting research areas.
- End on a Strong Note: The final impression your readers will have of your paper is your conclusion. Use impactful language or quotes that support your main message.
Remember that your conclusion is your last chance to give your readers something to remember you by. By using these best practices, you can write a conclusion that highlights the importance of your research and has a lasting impact.
If you want to learn more about academic writing, our next guide on avoiding plagiarism gives priceless advice to go along with your newly acquired conclusion-writing abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the conclusion of a research paper important?
The conclusion of a research paper is where you leave your readers with one last impression. It creates a sense of closure, highlights the importance of your findings, and summarizes the key points. A well-crafted conclusion reinforces the paper’s message and makes it more memorable.
Can I introduce new ideas in the conclusion?
No, the conclusion shouldn’t introduce new ideas or information. Its main function is to highlight and summarize the points made in the paper. Any new concepts or arguments should be introduced in the body of the paper.
How can I ensure my conclusion is effective?
To create an effective conclusion, make sure to:
- Summarize the main arguments and findings.
- Restate the thesis statement.
- Highlight the broader significance of your research.
- Create closure by leaving readers with thought-provoking questions or recommendations.
- Edit and proofread for clarity and conciseness.
Following these steps will help you craft a compelling and impactful conclusion for your research paper.
