How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper
Are you struggling to write a conclusion for your research paper? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many students find it challenging to wrap up their research papers effectively. Your conclusion is the final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader, so it’s crucial to get it right. In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write a conclusion for a research paper that leaves a lasting impression.
The Purpose of a Conclusion

Before we dive into the strategies for writing a conclusion, it’s essential to understand the purpose of a conclusion in a research paper. A conclusion serves several vital purposes, including:
Summarizing the Main Points of the Research Paper
Your conclusion should summarize the main points of your research paper in a concise and straightforward manner. It should give your reader a clear understanding of the key takeaways from your research.
Restating the Thesis Statement
Your conclusion should restate your thesis statement while taking into account the evidence you’ve presented in your research paper.
Providing Recommendations for Future Research
Your conclusion should provide recommendations for future research. This is an opportunity to suggest areas for further research or to highlight gaps in the current research that need to be addressed.
By fulfilling these purposes, your conclusion will tie together all the essential elements of your research paper and leave a lasting impression on your reader.
Strategies for Writing a Conclusion
Now that we understand the purpose of a conclusion let’s dive into the strategies for writing an effective conclusion. Here are three strategies to consider:
Revisiting the Introduction
One of the most effective ways to write a conclusion is to revisit the introduction of your research paper. Your introduction should have set the stage for your research paper and provided a roadmap for your reader. By revisiting the introduction, you can remind your reader of the key points you’ve covered in your research paper.
Emphasizing the Significance of the Research
Your conclusion should emphasize the significance of your research. You should highlight the impact that your research has on the field and why it’s essential to continue studying this topic.
Providing a Call to Action
Finally, your conclusion should provide a call to action. This is an opportunity to inspire your reader to take action based on the findings of your research. You might encourage your reader to engage in further research, to implement your findings, or to take some other form of action.
By using these strategies, you can write an effective conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your reader. In the next section, we’ll provide you with some tips for writing an effective conclusion.
Tips for Writing an Effective Conclusion
Now that we’ve discussed the strategies for writing a conclusion, let’s dive into some tips to help you write an effective conclusion. Here are three tips to consider:
Keep it Concise
Your conclusion should be concise and to the point. You’ve already covered all the essential points in your research paper, so there’s no need to rehash them in your conclusion. Instead, focus on summarizing the main points and highlighting the significance of your research.
Avoid Introducing New Information
Your conclusion is not the place to introduce new information. Stick to the key points you’ve covered in your research paper and avoid introducing new information.
Use Strong, Impactful Language
Your conclusion should use strong, impactful language that leaves a lasting impression on your reader. Avoid using weak or passive language and instead use language that conveys confidence and authority.
By following these tips, you can write an effective conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your reader. In the next section, we’ll discuss some common mistakes to avoid when writing a conclusion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Writing a Conclusion
Writing a conclusion is not easy, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are three common mistakes to avoid when writing a conclusion:
Repeating Information from the Body of the Paper
Your conclusion should not repeat information from the body of your research paper. Instead, it should summarize the key points and highlight the significance of your research.
Making Unsupported Claims
Your conclusion should not make unsupported claims. Stick to the evidence you’ve presented in your research paper and avoid making claims that can’t be backed up by evidence.
Undermining the Importance of the Research
Your conclusion should not undermine the importance of your research. Instead, it should highlight the significance of your research and the impact it has on the field.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can write an effective conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your reader. In the next section, we’ll wrap up this article with some final thoughts on writing an effective conclusion.
Conclusion
Writing a conclusion for a research paper can be challenging, but by following the strategies and tips outlined in this article, you can write an effective conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your reader. Remember to keep it concise, avoid introducing new information, and use strong, impactful language. By doing so, your conclusion will tie together all the essential elements of your research paper and leave a lasting impression on your reader.
Strategies for Writing a Conclusion
In this section, we’ll explore some strategies for writing a conclusion that effectively summarizes your research and leaves a lasting impression on your reader.
Revisiting the Introduction
One of the most effective strategies for writing a conclusion is to revisit the introduction of your research paper. Your introduction should have provided a roadmap for your reader, outlining the key points you’ll cover in your research paper. By revisiting the introduction in your conclusion, you can remind your reader of the key points you’ve covered and provide a sense of closure to your research.
Emphasizing the Significance of the Research
Another strategy for writing a conclusion is to emphasize the significance of your research. Your conclusion should highlight the impact that your research has on the field and why it’s essential to continue studying this topic. You might discuss the implications of your findings or suggest areas for further research.
Providing a Call to Action
Finally, your conclusion should provide a call to action. This is an opportunity to inspire your reader to take action based on the findings of your research. You might encourage your reader to engage in further research, to implement your findings, or to take some other form of action.
By using these strategies, you can write an effective conclusion that summarizes your research and leaves a lasting impression on your reader.
Tips for Writing an Effective Conclusion
In addition to the strategies outlined above, there are some tips you should keep in mind when writing a conclusion for your research paper.
Keep it Concise
Your conclusion should be concise and to the point. You’ve already covered all the essential points in your research paper, so there’s no need to rehash them in your conclusion. Instead, focus on summarizing the main points and highlighting the significance of your research.
Avoid Introducing New Information
Your conclusion is not the place to introduce new information. Stick to the key points you’ve covered in your research paper and avoid introducing new information. Any new information should be included in the body of your research paper, not the conclusion.
Use Strong, Impactful Language
Finally, your conclusion should use strong, impactful language that leaves a lasting impression on your reader. Avoid using weak or passive language and instead use language that conveys confidence and authority. Your conclusion is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader, so make sure it’s strong and impactful.
By following these tips, you can write an effective conclusion that summarizes your research and leaves a lasting impression on your reader.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Writing a Conclusion
Writing a conclusion is not easy, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are three common mistakes to avoid when writing a conclusion:
Repeating Information from the Body of the Paper
One of the most common mistakes to avoid in writing a conclusion is repeating information from the body of the paper. Your conclusion should summarize the key points you’ve made in your research paper, but it should not repeat them verbatim. Instead, your conclusion should tie together all the essential elements of your research paper and leave a lasting impression on your reader.
Making Unsupported Claims
Another common mistake to avoid in writing a conclusion is making unsupported claims. Your conclusion should be based on the evidence you’ve presented in your research paper. Avoid making claims that can’t be backed up by evidence, as this can undermine the credibility of your research.
Undermining the Importance of the Research
Finally, your conclusion should not undermine the importance of your research. Your conclusion should highlight the significance of your research and the impact it has on the field. Avoid downplaying the importance of your research or making it seem less important than it really is.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can write an effective conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your reader.
Conclusion
In conclusion, writing a conclusion for a research paper is an essential part of the research process. Your conclusion is the final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader, so it’s crucial to get it right. By summarizing the main points of your research paper, restating your thesis statement, and providing recommendations for future research, you can write an effective conclusion that ties together all the essential elements of your research paper.
Remember to keep your conclusion concise, avoid introducing new information, and use strong, impactful language. By doing so, your conclusion will leave a lasting impression on your reader and inspire them to take action based on the findings of your research.
We hope that the strategies and tips outlined in this article have been helpful in guiding you through the process of writing an effective conclusion. We encourage you to try out these strategies in your own research papers and see the difference they can make. With practice, you’ll be able to write compelling conclusions that leave a lasting impression on your reader.