Drafting: Wrapping It Up

In this lesson, you will finish the draft for your research paper and submit it to your teacher. In particular, you will work on the conclusion of your paper.

The conclusion is a very important part of a paper. Let’s compare a research paper to a house. The thesis statement would be the foundation on which the entire paper stands. Consequently, the body paragraphs make up the floor of the house, because they stand solidly on the premises made by the thesis statement. This means that the conclusion ends up being the roof of the paper that caps off all of your arguments nicely.

What does the conclusion of a paper do? The main purpose of the conclusion is to summarize the main ideas of the paper in an engaging way. The conclusion rarely includes new information or even quotations. Rather, it presents the author’s final thoughts in a memorable way, showing the significance of the research. A conclusion should also give the reader a sense that the paper is complete and that there are no loose ends.

Objectives

Write a memorable conclusion that effectively summarizes the main ideas of the research paper
Review a peer's research paper and evaluate how well it fulfills the writing purpose
Understand and apply conventions for in-text citations using MLA style

To wrap up your research paper, you will focus on writing a strong conclusion. The conclusion serves an important role in summarizing the main ideas of your paper in an engaging way. It should leave a lasting impression on the reader and show the significance of your research.

Here are the steps to write an effective conclusion for your research paper:

1. Start by rephrasing your thesis statement: Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement in a slightly different way. This reminds the reader of your main argument and brings the paper full circle.

2. Summarize your main points: Provide a concise summary of the key points discussed in your paper. Highlight the main arguments and evidence presented in the body paragraphs.

3. Avoid introducing new information: Unlike the body paragraphs, the conclusion should not include any new information or quotes. Stick to summarizing what you have already discussed.

4. Make a final statement: End your conclusion with a memorable final thought that emphasizes the significance of your research. This could be a reflection, a call to action, or a broader implication related to your topic.

5. Ensure completeness: Review your paper to make sure there are no loose ends or unanswered questions. The conclusion should give the reader a sense of closure and satisfaction.

Remember to maintain a smooth transition from your body paragraphs to the conclusion. You want to make sure that your conclusion smoothly wraps up your paper and provides a satisfying ending.

In addition to completing your own conclusion, you may also have the opportunity to review a peer's research paper and evaluate how well their conclusion fulfills the writing purpose. Pay attention to their ability to summarize the main ideas, use engaging language, and create a sense of completeness.

Finally, it is essential to understand and apply the conventions for in-text citations using the MLA style. Refer to your MLA style guide or online resources to ensure you are citing your sources correctly within your paper.

With these steps in mind, you can effectively wrap up your research paper by writing a compelling conclusion.

Steps:

1. Review your thesis statement and main ideas. Before writing your conclusion, it’s important to remind yourself of what you’ve already written. Start by reviewing your thesis statement and main ideas in the body paragraphs. Consider how they relate to each other and how they support your thesis statement.

2. Write a summary of your main ideas. In one or two sentences, summarize the main ideas you’ve explored in your research paper. Be concise but also engaging, using language that draws the reader in and emphasizes the importance of your research.

3. Restate your thesis statement. Restate your thesis statement in a different way, emphasizing its importance and significance to your research. This helps to tie together your conclusion and show the reader how your research fulfills the purpose of your paper.

4. End with a memorable statement or call to action. End your conclusion with a memorable statement or a call to action. This could be a quote, a rhetorical question, a suggestion for further research, or a personal reflection. Whatever you choose, make sure it reinforces the main ideas of your paper and leaves the reader with a lasting impression.

5. Review and revise. Once you’ve written your conclusion, go back and review it. Check for any loose ends or unanswered questions you may have left in the body paragraphs. Make sure your conclusion ties everything together and leaves the reader with a sense of closure. Revise as necessary until you feel satisfied with the final product.

6. Submit your draft to your teacher. Once you’ve finished your conclusion, review the entire draft of your research paper and make any final edits or revisions based on feedback from peers or your teacher. Then submit it to your teacher for their review and feedback.

7. Review a peer's research paper. Read a peer’s research paper and evaluate how well it fulfills the writing purpose. Identify areas where the conclusion could be strengthened and offer suggestions for improvement.

8. Understand and apply conventions for in-text citations using MLA style. Review the guidelines for in-text citations using MLA style and make sure your research paper follows these conventions. Keep in mind that properly citing sources is a crucial part of academic writing and plagiarism can have serious consequences.