How to Write Great Essays

HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS
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first, second, third
finally
simultaneously
it follows that
CONCLUSION
Your concluding paragraph (or statement in shorter essays) can simply restate your thesis
and the points you made in the body of your essay. A restatement, summary, or conclusion
can effectively reinforce these points, but remember to reword them and keep the conclu-
sion fresh. You should not repeat your introduction, or use phrases such as “I wrote about,”
or “This essay was about.”
If you have the time, end with something more interesting. A speculative conclusion refers
to a future possibility or prediction, such as “perhaps years from now . . .” If you wrote about
a problem, try a conclusion that offers a solution. If you have a fitting quotation, use it to
conclude your essay. The person quoted does not have to be famous, but the quote should
help you to make your point. For example, “My third grade teacher put it best . . . ” These
types of conclusions can leave your reader with a better overall impression of your work
(although be aware that you can’t overcome a weak essay with a clever conclusion).
GREAT QUESTION
“What if I come up with a great new idea when writing my conclusion?”
ANSWER
In order to use the idea, you must be able to revise your thesis statement to include it,
or at least hint at it. You don’t want to turn in an essay that shows you didn’t come up
with anything interesting until the final paragraph. A revision of your introduction can
make it appear as though you had the great new idea before you even began writing.
Conclusion Checklist
✔
Do not contradict anything you said earlier in the essay.
✔
Be clear and concise.
✔
Do not introduce new information.
✔
Maintain the tone you used in the rest of your essay (review “Appropriate Lev-
els of Formality” in Chapter 3).
✔
Do not repeat your introduction.
✔
Do not use clichéd sayings or phrases (“You can’t judge a book by its cover,”
“In conclusion,” “As I stated above”).
✔
Do not apologize for anything (especially lack of time).

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