Where Did Conclusions Come From?
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."
Core Principles of a Strong Conclusion
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.
Restate Your Claim
Reflect on Your Evidence
Follow Logically
Leave a Lasting Impression
The Anatomy of an Argument Essay
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.
How to Build a Concluding Statement — Step by Step
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.
Types of Lasting Thoughts
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.
| Type | What It Does | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional Appeal | Makes the reader feel something strongly | "No student should ever feel too tired to learn because their lunch break was cut short." |
| Thought-Provoking Question | Gets the reader thinking beyond the essay | "If recess helps students learn better, why would any school take it away?" |
| Big-Picture Statement | Connects the topic to a larger idea | "When we invest in play, we invest in children's futures." |
| Call to Action | Tells the reader what to do next | "Students, teachers, and parents should come together to fight for longer recess." |
| Future Vision | Paints a picture of what could happen | "Imagine a school where every kid comes back to class energized and ready to learn." |
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.
Worked Example: Writing a Conclusion
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.
Common Mistakes vs. Strong Moves
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.
| ❌ Weak Move | ✅ Strong Move | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Starting with "In conclusion…" | Jump right into your restated claim | "In conclusion" is filler. Your reader already knows they're at the end. |
| Copy-pasting your introduction | Rewrite your claim in new, fresh words | Repeating the same sentences word-for-word feels lazy and boring. |
| Bringing up a brand-new argument | Only reference ideas already in the essay | New evidence doesn't "follow from" your argument. It feels like a surprise topic change. |
| Ending with "That is why I think…" | End with a lasting thought (call to action, question, big idea) | "That is why I think" just repeats your claim weakly. A lasting thought inspires the reader. |
| Writing just one sentence | Write 3–5 sentences for a full concluding section | One sentence can't restate, echo evidence, AND leave a lasting impression. |
Looking Ahead: Where This Skill Goes Next
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.
| Level | What You Do Now (6th Grade) | What Comes Next (7th–8th Grade & Beyond) |
|---|---|---|
| Restating the Claim | Rewrite your claim in new words | Synthesize your claim with new insight gained from the argument itself |
| Echoing Evidence | Briefly mention your main reasons | Show how multiple pieces of evidence connect to each other and create a bigger picture |
| Lasting Thought | Call to action, question, or big-picture idea | Discuss implications, limitations, or connect to broader debates in society |
| Length | One strong paragraph (3–5 sentences) | A full concluding section that might be several paragraphs in a research paper |
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.
Practice Problems
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.
Pulling It All Together
A strong concluding statement is the final paragraph of your argument essay, and it has one big job: to show that your ending follows logically from everything you've already written. You build it using three parts. First, restate your claim using fresh, new words—never copy your introduction word for word. Second, write an evidence echo that briefly reminds the reader of the key reasons and evidence from your body paragraphs. Third, close with a lasting thought—a call to action, a thought-provoking question, a big-picture idea, or a future vision—that sticks in your reader's mind.
The most important rule? Never introduce a brand-new idea in your conclusion. Every sentence should connect back to what you already argued. When you follow this pattern, your conclusion won't feel tacked on or random. Instead, it will feel like the natural destination of a journey your reader has been on since your very first sentence. That's what it means to write a conclusion that follows from the argument presented.