Writing a compelling conclusion is essential to wrap up your essay effectively. It’s crucial to know the different ways to say “to conclude” in order to add a touch of variety and sophistication to your writing. This guide will provide you with formal and informal options to conclude your essay, along with some tips and examples to help you master this skill.
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Formal Ways to Conclude an Essay
When writing an academic or formal essay, it’s important to use appropriate language that reflects your understanding of the topic and your ability to convey your thoughts effectively. Here are some formal phrases you can use:
1. In conclusion
This is the most direct and widely used phrase to signal the end of your essay. It clearly indicates that you are summarizing your main points and providing a final thought.
Example: In conclusion, it is evident that pollution is a significant threat to our environment, and immediate action is required to mitigate its harmful effects.
2. To sum up
This phrase is useful when you want to provide a concise summary of your main ideas and highlight their importance.
Example: To sum up, the research findings indicate a strong correlation between regular exercise and improved mental health, emphasizing the need for physical activity in our daily lives.
3. Ultimately
Using “ultimately” in your conclusion shows that you have considered various perspectives or arguments and have reached a final judgment.
Example: Ultimately, the government’s intervention is necessary to address the rising unemployment rates and provide support for economic stability.
Informal Ways to Conclude an Essay
When writing in a more conversational or informal style, you can use these phrases to conclude your essay:
1. All in all
This phrase is commonly used in informal writing to summarize the main points and present a general statement.
Example: All in all, the road trip was a thrilling adventure, filled with laughter, beautiful scenery, and unforgettable memories.
2. To wrap it up
“To wrap it up” is an idiomatic expression that adds a touch of informality while still conveying the sense of concluding and summarizing.
Example: To wrap it up, the book explores the complexities of human relationships and offers a profound understanding of love and loss.
3. In a nutshell
Using this phrase signals that you are summarizing the key points in a concise and straightforward manner.
Example: In a nutshell, the research findings indicate a need for improved educational policies to enhance student performance and success.
Regional Variations
While English is a global language, certain regional variations in informal speech and expressions may exist. It’s important to be aware of these variations but use them sparingly in formal writing. Here are a few examples:
1. To sum it all up (North America)
This phrase is commonly used in North American English to summarize the main points.
Example: To sum it all up, the vacation was an incredible experience that provided an opportunity to relax and unwind.
2. All things considered (British English)
In British English, “all things considered” is a popular phrase used to present an overall assessment or judgment.
Example: All things considered, the pros of renewable energy sources outweigh the cons, making them a viable option for a sustainable future.
Tips when Concluding an Essay
Now that you have a range of phrases to conclude your essay, here are some additional tips to make your conclusion even stronger:
1. Restate your thesis statement
In your conclusion, briefly restate your thesis statement or main argument to remind your readers of your main focus.
2. Summarize your main points
Provide a concise summary of your main ideas or arguments, ensuring that you do not introduce any new information.
3. End with a final thought
Leave your readers with a thought-provoking question, a call to action, or a suggestion for further research to make your conclusion more impactful.
Remember, your conclusion is your last chance to make an impression on your readers. Therefore, craft it carefully and ensure it leaves a lasting impact.
