Writing an argumentative essay isn’t as easy as it sounds. Many students fail to make convincing arguments, while others have trouble staying focused. But we understand. Persuasion isn’t everyone’s forte. Many learners fumble along, never mastering the art, while others write scripts that are just good enough. While you can stumble into the last paragraph of your essay, your conclusion will always give you away. A weak argumentative essay conclusion can ruin an otherwise perfect work, leaving your audience frustrated and confused. Your primary objective should be winning and making an impression on your readers. There’s no better place to do this in an argumentative essay than the conclusion. However, many writers miss this sacred opportunity. So, if you want to know how to write a conclusion for an argumentative essay, stick around for some of our exciting tips.
Why a powerful conclusion matters
We know you’re more interested in the tips for enhancing your conclusion, but do you know why the section matters the most in your argumentative writing? To begin with, all the parts of an essay are critical because they contribute towards the final product. However, the conclusion weaves everything together. It helps readers to synthesize the arguments presented in the body parts, making them more significant. Most importantly, it replays the essay in the readers’ minds, reminding them why it’s crucial.
A solid conclusion is also vital for summarizing your argument. Listen, not everyone will read your essay word by word. For one reason, they may not spare time for your articulated argument. However, they’ll check your conclusion for the summarized version of your piece. The conclusion serves such individuals’ interests. It allows them to understand your thesis in minutes. Therefore, it must be as powerful as possible.
An argumentative essay is about presenting both sides of the coin and choosing one, providing solid and grounded arguments for your decision. An argumentative conclusion allows you to address the counterarguments and provide rebuttals. This way, you can convince readers that your position is well-thought-out and not mere hearsay. This is a straightforward way of building trust and credibility.
Lastly, a well-drafted and powerful conclusion leaves an impression on the reader. Your objective isn’t to write another piece but to leave your audience with an indelible message. Yes, they’ve read about climate change, but let them go home thinking about how their iron roofs will melt while in their sleep one night! This isn’t about shock or gore but opening their eyes to the realities of your argument. Always remember that a powerful conclusion for an argumentative essay can sway opinions, inspire action, and solidify your position in the minds of your audience.
Tips for a winning conclusion
We’re finally here. The tips. So, what matters the most and what doesn’t count so much, read along to find out how to take your argumentative essays to the next level and leave a lasting impact on your readers!
Always recap your main points
There’s a common saying among Christians that goes, “Remind them even if they know.” It must be derived from a verse none of us is privy to. The thrust of the message is that humans tend to forget things, even the important ones. As such, it’s your duty as a writer to recap your main points to refresh your readers’ minds. While the main body paragraphs allow you to present evidence, analyze data, and make persuasive claims, the conclusion is about taking your message home. Repeat them!
Be concise
The question, “How long is a conclusion?” has no straight answer. The secret to any winning conclusion is to be brief. We don’t mean just being short, but finding a way to present all your vital points and arguments in as few words as possible. The secret is to avoid repeating the same information verbatim and instead summarize each main point. If you’re compelled to write more, the arguments you’ve presented in the body paragraphs are wanting. If your content is solid, a few sentences will more than suffice.
Be mindful of flow and order
You can get away with arranging your points haphazardly in the body paragraphs but not in the conclusion. Here, the order in which you place your points matters a lot. The general agreement is to present your arguments chronologically. What came first should be highlighted first. Alternatively, you can adopt a more impactful approach. Perhaps you’re wondering which methods to choose in a conclusion argumentative essay. The answer is simple. Put your best foot forward by presenting your most compelling evidence first. However, whatever your choice is, be logical.
Emphasize the importance of your stand
The Internet has opened the door for every Tom, Dick, and Harry to write and share essays. Consequently, there are many papers on almost any topic in education, business, leisure, and other areas. At some point, you may wonder if there’s anything not explored yet. Therefore, don’t forget that your paper will be among many if not millions. Most importantly, there could be a writer or writers with opposing views and well-researched pieces. Make your work stand out by incorporating language highlighting the importance of your argument and position. Remember that strong and persuasive speech signals readers’ minds to be more focused. A few examples to consider include “crucial,” “vital,” “essential,” or “game-changing.”
Use real-world examples
Whatever your argument, real-world examples will always spice it up. People like things and ideas they can relate to. It would help if you carried out some research and determined how to weave current events into your work. An argumentative essay conclusion example can be as simple as melting ice cream in the summer. While it might seem far-fetched, these examples demonstrate the relevance of your viewpoint in the real world.
Always address counterarguments and provide rebuttals
Argumentative essays can be rigid. They’re not about putting your points out but engaging others who’ve done the same. Without this, yours is just another piece of junk. Addressing counterarguments and providing rebuttals is a crucial aspect of how to end an argumentative essay. Give credit where it’s due. Acknowledge and discuss opposing viewpoints, showing your readers their weaknesses and failures. This isn’t about leveling the playing ground but respecting your audience’s reasoning. Dealing with rebuttals is a bit trickier because it requires presenting facts while remaining respectful and logical with opponents’ views. An author who dismisses points they disagree with outrightly may come off as unprofessional and unreasonable.
Use emotional appeal
You have many linguistic and stylistic devices to create solid arguments. You can’t win everyone through reasoning. So, don’t shy away from using emotional appeal. It’s one of the oldest tools in the argumentative essay playbook. Try resources like storytelling, personal anecdotes, or vivid descriptions, and you’ll never go wrong.
Be concise and logical to leave an impression!
Crafting a powerful conclusion remains a significant challenge for many, including seasoned writers. In this guide, we’ve explored how to conclude an argumentative essay in seven simple steps. While there are many ways to go about it, summarizing your main points is crucial. Also, don’t forget to address counterarguments convincingly while providing solid rebuttals. Spice it up with some real-world examples and heartwarming linguistic techniques. If you do these, you’ll never ask how to write a conclusion again.
