What is the purpose of an essay's conclusion?

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Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of an essay's conclusion?

At its best, a conclusion brings the essay to a close by reinforcing the main idea and tying together the points made in the body. The idea here is to wrap up the argument so the reader leaves with a clear sense of the path you followed. The most effective move is to restate the thesis in a fresh, concise way and summarize the main points you used to support it, reinforcing how they connect to the thesis. It should not introduce new evidence or arguments, since that would require additional support and reopen discussion. It should not argue against the thesis or present unrelated examples, as that would undermine the sense of closure. Some writers include a final thought, implication, or call to action, but the central function remains to restate the thesis and recap the main points for a cohesive ending.

At its best, a conclusion brings the essay to a close by reinforcing the main idea and tying together the points made in the body. The idea here is to wrap up the argument so the reader leaves with a clear sense of the path you followed. The most effective move is to restate the thesis in a fresh, concise way and summarize the main points you used to support it, reinforcing how they connect to the thesis. It should not introduce new evidence or arguments, since that would require additional support and reopen discussion. It should not argue against the thesis or present unrelated examples, as that would undermine the sense of closure. Some writers include a final thought, implication, or call to action, but the central function remains to restate the thesis and recap the main points for a cohesive ending.

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