Why Endings Matter
Have you ever listened to someone tell a story, and then they just… stopped? No ending! That feels weird, right? A good ending is like the bow on a present. It wraps everything up and makes it feel finished.
For a very long time, people have known that the end of a piece of writing is super important. Writers, teachers, and storytellers have always tried to leave their readers with one last thought that sticks in their brain. Let's look at how people have thought about endings over time.
So, the big question this lesson answers is: How do you write a great ending for your writing? Let's find out together!
The Key Ideas About Concluding Statements
A concluding statement is the last sentence (or last few sentences) in your writing. A concluding section is a whole ending paragraph. Both do the same job: they tell the reader, "We're done, and here's what matters most."
Think of it this way. Your writing is like a sandwich. The introduction is the top piece of bread. The body (the middle part with all your details) is the yummy stuff inside. And the conclusion is the bottom piece of bread. Without that bottom piece, your sandwich falls apart!
It Wraps Up Your Ideas
It Uses Different Words
It Gives a Final Thought
It Feels Like "The End"
See What a Conclusion Looks Like
Look at the picture below. It shows how a piece of writing fits together, and where the concluding statement goes. The green part at the bottom is your conclusion!
See how the conclusion is at the very bottom? It comes after all the details and reasons. It brings everything together by reminding the reader of the main topic — without repeating the exact same words from the introduction.
How to Write a Concluding Statement
Writing a conclusion is like following a simple recipe. You have a few easy steps. Let's walk through them!
Step 1 — Think Back. Before you write your ending, look back at the beginning of your writing. What was the big topic? What did you want the reader to know? For example, if you wrote about why recess is important, your big idea was "recess is important."
Step 2 — Say It in New Words. Don't just copy your first sentence. If your opening said, "Recess is important for kids," your ending could say, "Playing outside during the school day really helps students." See? Same idea, different words!
Step 3 — Add a Final Thought. This is the special part. Share a feeling, a wish, or tell the reader why this topic matters. You might say, "Every kid deserves time to play and have fun!" That gives the reader something to think about after they finish reading.
Starter Words That Help
Some words and phrases can help you start your concluding statement. Here are a few you can use:
Different Types of Conclusions
Did you know there are different ways to end your writing? The kind of conclusion you write depends on what type of writing you are doing. Let's look at three types!
| Type of Writing | What Your Conclusion Does | Example Ending |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion Writing | Restates your opinion and tells why it matters | "That is why I believe our school should have a garden. It would teach us so much!" |
| Informational Writing | Sums up the facts you shared | "As you can see, butterflies go through four amazing stages in their life cycle." |
| Narrative Writing (Stories) | Ends the story and shows how the character feels | "Max smiled as he walked home. He had finally found the courage to try something new." |
Notice how each type of conclusion does something a little different. In opinion writing, you remind the reader what you believe. In informational writing, you sum up what you taught them. In a narrative, you finish the story so the reader feels satisfied.
Worked Example: Writing a Conclusion Step by Step
Let's say you wrote a short opinion piece about why reading is fun. Here is how you would write a concluding statement, step by step.
Do's and Don'ts of Conclusions
Now that you know how to write a concluding statement, let's look at what works well and what doesn't. This will help you avoid common mistakes!
| ✅ DO THIS | ❌ DON'T DO THIS | WHY? |
|---|---|---|
| Restate your main idea in new words | Copy your first sentence word for word | Readers want to hear your idea in a fresh way |
| Add a feeling, wish, or "why it matters" | Just stop writing suddenly | A final thought makes the reader feel satisfied |
| Use conclusion starter words | Write "The End" (for essays and reports) | "The End" is for stories, not for opinion or informational writing |
| Keep it short — 1 to 3 sentences | Write a whole new paragraph of new facts | The conclusion wraps up — it does not add new information |
| Connect back to your topic | Talk about something totally different | Staying on topic keeps your writing strong and clear |
Growing Your Conclusion Skills
Right now in 3rd grade, you are learning to write one or two sentences that wrap up your writing. But as you get older, your conclusions will grow, too!
| Grade Level | What Your Conclusion Looks Like |
|---|---|
| 3rd Grade (You!) | 1–2 sentences that restate your main idea and add a final thought |
| 4th–5th Grade | A whole paragraph that sums up your reasons and connects them to a bigger idea |
| Middle School | A conclusion paragraph that also makes the reader think about what comes next |
The good news is that the skill you're learning right now — restating your idea and adding a final thought — is the building block for everything that comes later. You are setting yourself up for success!
As you practice, try to make each conclusion a little bit different. Sometimes end with a question ("Don't you think everyone should try it?"). Sometimes end with a wish ("I hope one day we can all…"). The more ways you practice ending your writing, the stronger your writing will become.
Practice Time!
Now it's your turn! Try these five activities. For each one, click "Show Answer" to see a great example answer. Remember, your answer can be different — there are many good ways to write a conclusion!
Let's Wrap It All Up!
A concluding statement or section is the ending of your writing. It has one big job: to make the reader feel like everything is wrapped up. You do this by restating your main idea in new words and then adding a final thought — like a feeling, a wish, or a reason why your topic matters. You can use helpful starter phrases like "In conclusion," "For all these reasons," or "As you can see" to signal to the reader that the ending has arrived.
Remember, a strong conclusion does not add brand-new information or copy your introduction word for word. It connects back to everything you already wrote and leaves the reader with one last thought they can carry with them. Whether you are writing an opinion piece, an informational report, or a story, a great conclusion is what turns good writing into amazing writing. You've got this!