Texas A&M International University
Writing Center DEVELOPING CONCLUSIONS
Conclusions provide time for readers to reflect on the information they just read. It not only synthesizes the information
contained in the paper but also provides space for final thoughts, suggestions, and any information that the reader will
want or need. Below are a few strategies that can lead to effective conclusions.
Conclusion Strategies
1: A Call for Action During November and December, approximately 250 16- and 17-year-olds in
Laredo were involved in car accidents; this number represents nearly twelve
Provide a sense of urgency percent of all local 16- and 17-year-old drivers. However, if citizens vote to
by encouraging readers to increase the age for obtaining a driver’s license from 16 to 18, we’ll all see a
act. significant decrease in the rising number of accidents caused by inexperienced
teen drivers.
2: Issue a Warning According to Paul Young Auto Mall, a local car dealership, car sales for 16-
and 17-year-olds rose thirty percent this year. Unfortunately, the number of
Instead of telling people fatal car accidents involving these inexperienced drivers also increased. If we
what to do, explain the neg- continue to ignore this serious and growing problem, our highways and roads
ative consequences of inac- can become dangerous for not only these 16- and 17-year-old drivers but also
tion. for older, safety-conscious drivers and innocent by-standers.
3: An insightful As a state politician was recently quoted in Texas Monthly, “I’m all in favor of
quote keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools; let’s start with cars.”
Although giving a car to a 16- or 17-year-old may be considered a rite of pas-
Use a relevant quote that sage in American society, it is also the parents’ responsibility to consider the
has potential to impact safety of other drivers on the road. Parents must realize that handing their
readers. teenagers a car can be just as dangerous as handing them a loaded gun.
4: Go Full Circle Introduction: The Ramírez family, including a three-month-old child, was
killed last night when their minivan was struck head-on by a 16-year-old Mus-
Refer to ideas or themes tang driver who received his license just three days earlier. The state legislators’
mentioned in the introduc- proposal to raise the age for obtaining a permanent driver’s license from 16 to
tion as a way to go full cir- 18 will reduce the large number of traffic accidents caused by 16- and 17-year
cle. -old drivers.
Conclusion: Although it is too late for the Ramírez family who lost their lives
because of a 16-year-old driver, it is not too late for legislators to do some-
thing about our safety on the road. Raising the age for obtaining a driver’s li-
cense from 16 to 18 will lead to fewer traffic accidents. The safety of our fam-
ilies should not be jeopardized because 16- and 17-year-olds lack experience
behind the wheel.
Updated 9-16-16 1
DEVELOPING CONCLUSIONS
Additional Tips for Conclusions
Answer the “SO WHAT” question
Show readers why the ideas presented in the essay are important, significant, relevant, etc. This will provide a complete
sense of closure for readers. This can be done using the four strategies listed before.
Remind readers of validity
The conclusion provides the final opportunity to demonstrate how all ideas, claims, evidence, etc. are valid. Take the time
to remind the readers why all claims and evidence is appropriate and significant.
Create new insights
A reader should come away from the conclusion with new insights and a desire to reader further on the topic. They
should not, however, be introduced to an entirely new topic.
Things to Avoid
“In conclusion,…;” “To sum up,…;” “As a result,
Don’t announce the conclusion.
…;” “In this essay, I have proven that…”
Undoubtedly, raising the age to obtain a driver’s li-
cense to 18 will decrease traffic accidents. However,
Don’t introduce new ideas in the conclusion. raising the age to obtain a driver’s license to 18 will
also prove to be a financial benefit for parents, thus
proving that the benefits are widespread.
Hence, the state legislators’ proposal to raise the age
Don’t repeat the thesis word-for-word from the for obtaining a permanent driver’s license from 16 to
introduction. 18 will reduce the large number of traffic accidents
caused by 16- and 17-year-old drivers.
The unspeakable horrors that may arise if the age to
obtain a driver’s license isn’t raised are vast. A child
may become orphaned, their life torn asunder, be-
cause his/her parents’ lives were taken by a reckless
Don’t be overly emotional or sentimental.
teenager. The issue will determine if it will even be
safe to venture out into the streets anymore, so con-
tact your local representative and encourage him or
her to support this age limit increase.
