The Strong Conclusion

The conclusion is the last thing the examiner reads. It leaves the final impression. A weak conclusion can undermine an otherwise strong essay, while a confident, well-crafted conclusion can elevate a good essay to an excellent one.

Yet conclusions are often the most neglected part of Section B essays. Candidates run out of time, energy, or ideas, and end up with a limp final paragraph that merely repeats the introduction. This lesson teaches you how to write conclusions that draw threads together, reinforce your thesis with added nuance, and leave the reader with something to think about.

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What a Conclusion Should Do

A strong Section B conclusion accomplishes three things:

Function	What It Involves
1. Synthesise	Draw together the key threads of your argument into a cohesive whole — not a list, but a unified position
2. Reinforce with nuance	Restate your thesis, but with the added depth that comes from having explored the arguments and counterarguments
3. Elevate	End with a forward-looking observation, a broader implication, or a thought-provoking reflection that gives the essay resonance