How to End a Research Paper: Tips and Strategies for a Strong Conclusion

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By Amber Robertson

Are you struggling to wrap up your research paper effectively? The conclusion is a crucial part of your paper that can make or break your work. It’s your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader and reiterate the importance of your research. A strong conclusion can leave the reader feeling satisfied and informed, while a weak conclusion can leave them feeling confused or unfulfilled.

In this article, we’ll provide you with some tips and strategies to help you end your research paper with impact. From summarizing your key findings to offering recommendations for future research, we’ll cover everything you need to know to write a compelling conclusion that will leave a lasting impression on your reader.

The first step in writing a strong conclusion is to summarize your key findings. This is your opportunity to remind your reader of the main points of your research and emphasize the significance of your work. Your summary should be concise and to the point, highlighting the most important aspects of your research.

One effective way to summarize your key findings is to create a bullet-point list of the main points you want to highlight. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that you don’t miss any important information. Be sure to use language that is clear and easy to understand, avoiding jargon or technical terms that may confuse your reader.

Another effective way to summarize your key findings is to restate your thesis statement. This will remind your reader of the research question you set out to answer and reaffirm the relevance of your work. Be sure to use different wording than your original thesis statement to avoid repetition.

Restate the Thesis Statement

The conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader
The conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader

After summarizing your key findings, the next step is to restate your thesis statement. Your thesis statement is the central argument of your research paper, and restating it in your conclusion will help to remind your reader of the research question you set out to answer.

When restating your thesis statement, be sure to use different wording than your original statement to avoid repetition. You can also add additional context or insights that you may have gained during your research to further emphasize the relevance of your work.

By restating your thesis statement, you can reaffirm the significance of your research and leave a lasting impression on your reader.

Provide Recommendations

One effective way to end your research paper is to provide recommendations for future research. This shows that your work is part of a larger conversation and that there is still more to be discovered in your field of study.

When providing recommendations, be sure to consider the limitations of your research and suggest areas where further investigation would be beneficial. You can also propose practical applications of your research that could be beneficial to society or industry.

Another effective way to provide recommendations is to suggest ways in which your research could be expanded upon or improved. This could include using different methods or approaches, exploring different variables, or incorporating different perspectives.

By providing recommendations for future research, you can demonstrate the significance of your work and leave a lasting impact on your reader.

Concluding Remarks

The conclusion of your research paper is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader. To do so, you should aim to provide a call to action or final thought that will leave them thinking about your research long after they’ve finished reading.

Your concluding remarks should be concise and impactful, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the significance of your research. Consider ending with a thought-provoking question or a powerful quote that encapsulates the main message of your paper.

Remember that your concluding remarks will be the last thing your reader reads, so make sure they leave a strong impression.

Formatting and Editing Tips

Formatting and editing are critical components of writing a strong conclusion to your research paper. Here are a few tips to help you ensure your conclusion is formatted and edited to perfection:

  • Format your conclusion appropriately: Your conclusion should be formatted in the same style as the rest of your paper. This includes using the same font, margins, and spacing throughout.

  • Edit for clarity and conciseness: Your conclusion should be clear and concise, avoiding any unnecessary fluff or repetition. Be sure to proofread your conclusion carefully for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

  • Use subheadings: Use subheadings to break up your conclusion into smaller sections. This will make it easier for your reader to follow your argument and ensure that your conclusion is well-organized.

By following these formatting and editing tips, you can ensure that your conclusion is polished and professional, leaving a strong impression on your reader.