Writing Conclusions 3. The Final “So what?

” Strategy
This guide online: [Link]/3LXg Part of generating a thesis statement sometimes
requires answering the “so what?” question—that is,
1. About explaining the significance of your basic assertion.
Though expectations vary from one discipline to the When you use the “so what?” strategy to write your
next, the conclusion of your paper is generally a place conclusion, you are considering what some of the
to explore the implications of your topic or argument. implications of your argument might be beyond the
In other words, the end of your paper is a place to look points already made in your paper. This strategy allows
outward or ahead in order to explain why you made the you to leave readers with an understanding of why
points you did. your argument is important in a broader context or
how it can apply to a larger concept.
2. Writing the Conclusion
In the past, you may have been told that your For example, consider a paper about alcohol abuse
conclusion should summarize what you have already in universities. If the paper argues that alcohol abuse
said by restating your thesis and main points. It among students depends more on psychological
is often helpful to restate your argument in the factors than simply the availability of alcohol on
conclusion, particularly in a longer paper, but most campus, a “so what?” conclusion might tie together
professors and instructors want students to go threads from the body of the paper to suggest that
beyond simply repeating what they have already universities are not approaching alcohol education
said. Restating your thesis is just a short first part of from the most effective perspective when they focus
your conclusion. Make sure that you are not simply exclusively on limiting students’ access to alcohol.
repeating yourself; your restated thesis should use
new and interesting language. To use this strategy, ask yourself, “How does my
argument affect how I approach the text or issue?”
After you have restated your thesis, you should not
just summarize the key points of your argument. Your 4. The “Connecting to a Course Theme”
conclusion should offer the reader something new to Strategy
think about—or, at the very least, it should offer the When you use the “connecting to a course theme”
reader a new way of thinking about what you have said strategy to write your conclusion, you are establishing
in your paper. a connection between your paper’s thesis and a larger
theme or idea from the course for which you are
You can employ one of several strategies for taking writing your paper.
your conclusion that important step further:
For example, consider a paper about mothers and
• Answer the question, “So what?” daughters in Eudora Welty’s Delta Wedding for a class
• Connect to a larger theme from the course called “The Inescapable South.” This paper argues
• Complicate your claim with an outside source that a strong dependence on the mother is analogous
• Pose a new research question as a result of your to a strong dependence on the South. A “connecting
paper’s findings to a course theme” conclusion for this paper might
• Address the limitations of your argument propose that Welty’s daughter characters demonstrate
what type of people can and cannot escape the South.
The strategy you employ in writing a conclusion for
your paper may depend upon a number of factors: To use this strategy, ask yourself, “What is an overall
theme of this course? How does my paper’s thesis
• The conventions of the discipline in which you are connect?”
writing
• The tone of your paper (whether your paper is
5. The “Complicating Your Claim” Strategy
analytical, argumentative, explanatory, etc.)
When you use the “complicating your claim” strategy
• Whether your paper is meant to be formal or
to write your conclusion, you are using one or more
informal
additional resources to develop a more nuanced final
thesis. Such additional resources could include a new
Choose a strategy that best maintains the flow and
outside source or textual evidence that seemingly
tone of your paper while allowing you to adequately tie
contradicts your argument.
together all aspects of your paper.
For example, consider a paper about Ireland’s • Unless your discipline requires them, remove
neutrality during World War II. This paper argues that obvious transitions like “in conclusion,” “in
Ireland refused to enter the war because it wanted to summary,” and “in result” from your conclusion;
assert its sovereignty, not because it had no opinion they get in the way of the actual substance of your
about the conflict. A “complicating your claim” conclusion.
conclusion for this paper might provide historical • Consider taking a strong phrase from your
evidence that Ireland did aid the Allies, suggesting conclusion and using it as the title or subtitle of
that the Irish were more influenced by international your paper.
diplomacy than their formal neutrality might suggest.
Also, be sure to proofread your conclusion carefully for
To use this strategy, ask yourself, “Is there any errors and typos. You should double-check your entire
evidence against my thesis?” or “What does an outside paper for accuracy and correct spelling as well.
source have to say about my thesis?”

6. The “Posing a New Question” Strategy

When you use the “posing a new question” strategy
to write your conclusion, you are inviting the reader to
consider a new idea or question that has appeared as
a result of your argument.

For example, consider a paper about three versions

of the folktale “Rapunzel.” This paper argues that
German, Italian, and Filipino versions of “Rapunzel” all
vary in terms of characterization, plot development,
and moral, and as a result have different themes. A
“posing a new question” conclusion for this paper
might ask the historical and cultural reasons for how
three separate cultures developed such similar stories
with such different themes.

To use this strategy, ask yourself, “What new question

has developed out of my argument?”

7. The “Addressing Limitations” Strategy

When you use the “addressing limitations” strategy to
write your conclusion, you are discussing the possible
weaknesses of your argument and, thus, the fallibility
of your overall conclusion. This strategy is often
useful in concluding papers on scientific studies and
experiments.

For example, consider a paper about an apparent

correlation between religious belief and support for
terrorism. An “addressing limitations” conclusion for
this paper might suggest that the apparent correlation For free help at any stage of the writing process,
relies on the paper’s definition of “terrorism” and, contact us at the following address:
since the definition is not objective, the apparent
correlation might have been wrongly identified. Writing Tutorial Services
Wells Library Information Commons
To use this strategy, ask yourself, “In what aspects Indiana University
is my argument lacking? Are there circumstances in
Phone: (812) 855-6738
which my conclusions might be wrong?”
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8. Polishing Your Conclusion—and Your Paper Support WTS: [Link]/3LYl
After you’ve completed your conclusion, look over
what you have written and consider making some See our website for more writing guides, hours, times,
small changes to promote clarity and originality: and locations.