Concluding Sentences

An effective concluding sentence draws together all the ideas you have raised in your paragraph. It reminds readers of the main point—the topic sentence—without restating it in exactly the same words. The topic sentence and the concluding sentence are very similar. They frame the body of the paragraph. Compare the topic sentence and concluding sentence from the previous example:

Topic sentence: There are numerous advantages to owning a hybrid car.

Concluding sentence: Given the low running costs and environmental benefits of owning a hybrid car, it is likely that many more people will follow Alex’s example in the near future.

Notice the use of the synonyms advantages and benefits. The concluding sentence reiterates the idea that owning a hybrid is advantageous without using the exact same words. It also summarizes two examples of the advantages covered in the supporting sentences: low running costs and environmental benefits.

You should avoid introducing any new ideas into your concluding sentence. A conclusion is intended to provide the reader with a sense of completion. Introducing a subject that is not covered in the paragraph will confuse the reader and weaken your writing.

A concluding sentence may do any of the following:

• Restate the main idea.
  • Example: Homelessness is a growing problem in North America.
• Summarize the key points in the paragraph.
  • Example: Increased rental costs, lack of affordable housing, and population growth are some of the many factors contributing to homelessness.
• Draw a conclusion based on the information in the paragraph.
  • Example: These statistics indicate that unless we take action, homeless rates will continue to rise.
• Make a prediction, suggestion, or recommendation about the information in the paragraph.
  • Example: Based on this research, the homeless rate will continue to rise unless we take evasive action.
• Offer an additional observation about the controlling idea.
  • Example: Homelessness is preventable.