Writing a Strong Concluding Statement

People have been writing persuasive arguments for thousands of years. Over time, great thinkers figured out that the ending of a speech or essay is just as important as the beginning. Let's look at how conclusions evolved.

So here's the big question this lesson answers: How do you write an ending to an argument essay that actually follows from the argument you've made? It's not about just saying "In conclusion…" and stopping. It's about wrapping things up in a way that makes your reader nod and think, "Yes, that makes total sense."

Before we look at examples, let's nail down what a concluding statement (the final paragraph or section of your essay) actually needs to do. There are four main principles.

Let's look at how a concluding statement fits into the overall structure of an argument essay. This diagram shows the full "architecture" of the essay, and you can see how the conclusion connects back to every other part.

Notice how the dashed arrows flow from the body paragraphs into the conclusion. That's the "follows from" part. Your concluding statement doesn't float by itself—it catches everything that came before it and ties it together in one strong final paragraph. The green curved arrow on the right shows how your original claim echoes in the conclusion, restated in new words.

Writing a great conclusion isn't magic. It follows a simple pattern. Here's a framework you can use every time you write an argument essay.

Let's break down each piece of this formula.

Part 1: Restated Claim

Go back to your introduction and find your claim (the main argument you're making). Now rewrite it using different words. This reminds your reader what the whole essay was about without sounding like a broken record.

Part 2: Evidence Echo

Write one or two sentences that briefly recall the key reasons from your body paragraphs. You're not repeating all the details—just giving a quick summary that shows how everything fits together.

Part 3: Lasting Thought

End with something that sticks. You have several options here: a call to action (tell the reader what to do), a big-picture statement (explain why this matters beyond just your essay), or a thought-provoking question. Pick whichever fits your topic best.

When you follow this three-part pattern, your conclusion naturally "follows from" your argument. Each piece connects back to something you already said. Nothing comes out of nowhere.

The third part of your conclusion—the lasting thought—is where you have the most creative freedom. Let's explore the different options so you can pick the best one for any essay.

All five types work well. The key is choosing one that fits your essay's tone. If your argument was about safety, an emotional appeal might be powerful. If your argument was about fairness, a thought-provoking question could be perfect. Try different types and see which one feels right.

Let's write a concluding statement together, step by step. We'll work with a sample argument essay about whether schools should allow students to bring their own devices (phones, tablets, etc.) to class.

Now that you know what a good conclusion looks like, let's talk about what to avoid. Many students make the same mistakes, and once you recognize them, you can steer clear.

The skill you're building right now—writing a conclusion that follows from your argument—will grow with you as a writer. Let's peek at how this same skill shows up at higher levels.

In 7th and 8th grade, you'll write longer arguments with more complex evidence. Your conclusions will need to do more heavy lifting—connecting ideas across paragraphs and showing deeper understanding. But the foundation you're building right now is the same one you'll use in high school essays, college papers, and even professional writing. Master the three-part formula now, and you'll be ready for anything.

Time to try it yourself! Work through these five problems from easiest to hardest. Click "Show Answer" when you're ready to check your thinking.