how to end a essay professionally

How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay

By the time you get to the final paragraph of your paper, you have already done so much work on your essay, so all you want to do is to wrap it up as quickly as possible. You’ve already made a stunning introduction, proven your argument, and structured the whole piece as supposed – who cares about making a good conclusion paragraph?

The only thing you need to remember is that the conclusion of an essay is not just the last paragraph of an academic paper where you restate your thesis and key arguments. A concluding paragraph is also your opportunity to have a final impact on your audience. 

Feeling Overwhelmed Writing Your Essay Conclusion?

Simply send us your paper requirements, choose a writer and we’ll get it done fast.

How to write a conclusion paragraph that leaves a lasting impression – In this guide, the team at EssayPro is going to walk you through the process of writing a perfect conclusion step by step. Additionally, we will share valuable tips and tricks to help students of all ages impress their readers at the last moment.

Instead of Intro: What Is a Conclusion?

Before we can move on, let’s take a moment here to define the conclusion itself. According to the standard conclusion definition, it is pretty much the last part of something, its result, or end. However, this term is rather broad and superficial.

When it comes to writing academic papers, a concluding statement refers to an opinion, judgment, suggestion, or position arrived at by logical reasoning (through the arguments provided in the body of the text). Therefore, if you are wondering “what is a good closing sentence like?” – keep on reading.

What Does a Good Conclusion Mean?

Writing a good conclusion for a paper isn’t easy. However, we are going to walk you through this process step by step. Although there are generally no strict rules on how to formulate one, there are some basic principles that everyone should keep in mind. In this section, we will share some core ideas for writing a good conclusion, and, later in the article, we will also provide you with more practical advice and examples.

Here are the core goals a good conclusion should complete:

• “Wrap up” the entire paper;
• Demonstrate to readers that the author accomplished what he/she set out to do;
• Show how you the author has proved their thesis statement;
• Give a sense of completeness and closure on the topic;
• Leave something extra for your reader to think about;
• Leave a powerful final impact on a reader.

Another key thing to remember is that you should not introduce any new ideas or arguments to your paper's conclusion. It should only sum up what you have already written, revisit your thesis statement, and end with a powerful final impression.

When considering how to write a conclusion that works, here are the key points to keep in mind:

• A concluding sentence should only revisit the thesis statement, not restate it;
• It should summarize the main ideas from the body of the paper;
• It should demonstrate the significance and relevance of your work;
• An essay’s conclusion should include a call for action and leave space for further study or development of the topic (if necessary).

How Long Should a Conclusion Be? 

Although there are no strict universal rules regarding the length of an essay’s final clause, both teachers and experienced writers recommend keeping it clear, concise, and straight to the point. There is an unspoken rule that the introduction and conclusion of an academic paper should both be about 10% of the overall paper’s volume. For example, if you were assigned a 1500 word essay, both the introductory and final clauses should be approximately 150 words long (300 together).

Why You Need to Know How to End an Essay:

A conclusion is what drives a paper to its logical end. It also drives the main points of your piece one last time. It is your last opportunity to impact and impress your audience. And, most importantly, it is your chance to demonstrate to readers why your work matters. Simply put, the final paragraph of your essay should answer the last important question a reader will have – “So what?”

If you do a concluding paragraph right, it can give your readers a sense of logical completeness. On the other hand, if you do not make it powerful enough, it can leave them hanging, and diminish the effect of the entire piece.

Strategies to Crafting a Proper Conclusion

Although there are no strict rules for what style to use to write your conclusion, there are several strategies that have been proven to be effective. In the list below, you can find some of the most effective strategies with some good conclusion paragraph examples to help you grasp the idea.

One effective way to emphasize the significance of your essay and give the audience some thought to ponder about is by taking a look into the future. The “When and If” technique is quite powerful when it comes to supporting your points in the essay’s conclusion.

Prediction essay conclusion example: “Taking care of a pet is quite hard, which is the reason why most parents refuse their children’s requests to get a pet. However, the refusal should be the last choice of parents. If we want to inculcate a deep sense of responsibility and organization in our kids, and, at the same time, sprout compassion in them, we must let our children take care of pets.”

Another effective strategy is to link your conclusion to your introductory paragraph. This will create a full-circle narration for your readers, create a better understanding of your topic, and emphasize your key point.

Echo conclusion paragraph example: Introduction: “I believe that all children should grow up with a pet. I still remember the exact day my parents brought my first puppy to our house. This was one of the happiest moments in my life and, at the same time, one of the most life-changing ones. Growing up with a pet taught me a lot, and most importantly, it taught me to be responsible.” Conclusion:. “I remember when I picked up my first puppy and how happy I was at that time. Growing up with a pet, I learned what it means to take care of someone, make sure that he always has water and food, teach him, and constantly keep an eye on my little companion. Having a child grow up with a pet teaches them responsibility and helps them acquire a variety of other life skills like leadership, love, compassion, and empathy. This is why I believe that every kid should grow up with a pet!”

Finally, one more trick that will help you create a flawless conclusion is to amplify your main idea or to present it in another perspective of a larger context. This technique will help your readers to look at the problem discussed from a different angle.

Step-up argumentative essay conclusion example: “Despite the obvious advantages of owning a pet in childhood, I feel that we cannot generalize whether all children should have a pet. Whereas some kids may benefit from such experiences, namely, by becoming more compassionate, organized, and responsible, it really depends on the situation, motivation, and enthusiasm of a particular child for owning a pet.”

What is a clincher in an essay? – The final part of an essay’s conclusion is often referred to as a clincher sentence. According to the clincher definition, it is a final sentence that reinforces the main idea or leaves the audience with an intriguing thought to ponder upon. In a nutshell, the clincher is very similar to the hook you would use in an introductory paragraph. Its core mission is to seize the audience’s attention until the end of the paper. At the same time, this statement is what creates a sense of completeness and helps the author leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Now, since you now know what a clincher is, you are probably wondering how to use one in your own paper. First of all, keep in mind that a good clincher should be intriguing, memorable, smooth, and straightforward.

Generally, there are several different tricks you can use for your clincher statement; it can be:

• A short, but memorable and attention-grabbing conclusion;
• A relevant and memorable quote (only if it brings actual value);
• A call to action;
• A rhetorical question;
• An illustrative story or provocative example;
• A warning against a possibility or suggestion about the consequences of a discussed problem;
• A joke (however, be careful with this as it may not always be deemed appropriate).

Regardless of the technique you choose, make sure that your clincher is memorable and aligns with your introduction and thesis.

Clincher examples: - While New York may not be the only place with the breathtaking views, it is definitely among my personal to 3… and that’s what definitely makes it worth visiting. - “Thence we came forth to rebehold the stars”, Divine Comedy - Don’t you think all these advantages sound like almost life-saving benefits of owning a pet? “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”, The Great Gatsby

Conclusion Writing Don'ts 

Now, when you know what tricks and techniques you should use to create a perfect conclusion, let’s look at some of the things you should not do with our online paper writing service :

• Starting with some cliché concluding sentence starters. Many students find common phrases like “In conclusion,” “Therefore,” “In summary,” or similar statements to be pretty good conclusion starters. However, though such conclusion sentence starters may work in certain cases – for example, in speeches – they are overused, so it is recommended not to use them in writing to introduce your conclusion.
• Putting the first mention of your thesis statement in the conclusion – it has to be presented in your introduction first.
• Providing new arguments, subtopics, or ideas in the conclusion paragraph.
• Including a slightly changed or unchanged thesis statement.
• Providing arguments and evidence that belong in the body of the work.
• Writing too long, hard to read, or confusing sentences.

In case, you have written a conclusion, but you're not sure if it’s good enough?

EssayPro provides all kinds of writing assistance. Send your work to one of our top writers to get it reviewed in no time.

Conclusion Paragraph Outline

The total number of sentences in your final paragraph may vary depending on the number of points you discussed in your essay, as well as on the overall word count of your paper. However, the overall conclusion paragraph outline will remain the same and consists of the following elements:

• A conclusion starter:

The first part of your paragraph should drive readers back to your thesis statement. Thus, if you were wondering how to start a conclusion, the best way to do it is by rephrasing your thesis statement.

• Summary of the body paragraphs:

Right after revisiting your thesis, you should include several sentences that wrap up the key highlights and points from your body paragraphs. This part of your conclusion can consist of 2-3 sentences—depending on the number of arguments you’ve made. If necessary, you can also explain to the readers how your main points fit together.

• A concluding sentence:

Finally, you should end your paragraph with a last, powerful sentence that leaves a lasting impression, gives a sense of logical completeness, and connects readers back to the introduction of the paper.

These three key elements make up a perfect essay conclusion. Now, to give you an even better idea of how to create a perfect conclusion, let us give you a sample conclusion paragraph outline with examples from an argumentative essay on the topic of “Every Child Should Own a Pet:

• Sentence 1: Starter
• ~ Thesis: "Though taking care of a pet may be a bit challenging for small children. Parents should not restrict their kids from having a pet as it helps them grow into more responsible and compassionate people."
• ~ Restated thesis for a conclusion: "I can say that taking care of a pet is good for every child."
• Sentences 2-4: Summary
• ~ "Studies have shown that pet owners generally have fewer health problems."
• ~ "Owning a pet teaches a child to be more responsible."
• ~ "Spending time with a pet reduces stress, feelings of loneliness, and anxiety."
• Sentence 5: A concluding sentence
• ~ "Pets can really change a child life for the better, so don't hesitate to endorse your kid's desire to own a pet."

This is a clear example of how you can shape your conclusion paragraph.

How to Conclude Various Types of Essays

Depending on the type of academic essay you are working on, your concluding paragraph's style, tone, and length may vary. In this part of our guide, we will tell you how to end different types of essays and other works.

How to End an Argumentative Essay

Persuasive or argumentative essays always have the single goal of convincing readers of something (an idea, stance, or viewpoint) by appealing to arguments, facts, logic, and even emotions. The conclusion for such an essay has to be persuasive as well. A good trick you can use is to illustrate a real-life scenario that proves your stance or encourages readers to take action. More about persuasive essay outline you can read in our article.

Here are a few more tips for making a perfect conclusion for an argumentative essay:

• Carefully read the whole essay before you begin;
• Re-emphasize your ideas;
• Discuss possible implications;
• Don’t be afraid to appeal to the reader’s emotions.

How to End a Compare and Contrast Essay

The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to emphasize the differences or similarities between two or more objects, people, phenomena, etc. Therefore, a logical conclusion should highlight how the reviewed objects are different or similar. Basically, in such a paper, your conclusion should recall all of the key common and distinctive features discussed in the body of your essay and also give readers some food for thought after they finish reading it.

How to Conclude a Descriptive Essay

The key idea of a descriptive essay is to showcase your creativity and writing skills by painting a vivid picture with the help of words. This is one of the most creative types of essays as it requires you to show a story, not tell it. This kind of essay implies using a lot of vivid details. Respectively, the conclusion of such a paper should also use descriptive imagery and, at the same time, sum up the main ideas. A good strategy for ending a descriptive essay would be to begin with a short explanation of why you wrote the essay. Then, you should reflect on how your topic affects you. In the middle of the conclusion, you should cover the most critical moments of the story to smoothly lead the reader into a logical closing statement. The “clincher”, in this case, should be a thought-provoking final sentence that leaves a good and lasting impression on the audience. Do not lead the reader into the essay and then leave them with dwindling memories of it.

How to Conclude an Essay About Yourself

If you find yourself writing an essay about yourself, you need to tell a personal story. As a rule, such essays talk about the author’s experiences, which is why a conclusion should create a feeling of narrative closure. A good strategy is to end your story with a logical finale and the lessons you have learned, while, at the same time, linking it to the introductory paragraph and recalling key moments from the story.

How to End an Informative Essay

Unlike other types of papers, informative or expository essays load readers with a lot of information and facts. In this case, “Synthesize, don’t summarize” is the best technique you can use to end your paper. Simply put, instead of recalling all of the major facts, you should approach your conclusion from the “So what?” position by highlighting the significance of the information provided.

How to Conclude a Narrative Essay

In a nutshell, a narrative essay is based on simple storytelling. The purpose of this paper is to share a particular story in detail. Therefore, the conclusion for such a paper should wrap up the story and avoid finishing on an abrupt cliffhanger. It is vital to include the key takeaways and the lessons learned from the story.

How to Write a Conclusion for a Lab Report

Unlike an essay, a lab report is based on an experiment. This type of paper describes the flow of a particular experiment conducted by a student and its conclusion should reflect on the outcomes of this experiment.

In thinking of how to write a conclusion for a lab, here are the key things you should do to get it right:

• Restate the goals of your experiment
• Describe the methods you used
• Include the results of the experiment and analyze the final data
• End your conclusion with a clear statement on whether or not the experiment was successful (Did you reach the expected results?)

How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

Writing a paper is probably the hardest task of all, even for experienced dissertation writer . Unlike an essay or even a lab report, a research paper is a much longer piece of work that requires a deeper investigation of the problem. Therefore, a conclusion for such a paper should be even more sophisticated and powerful. If you're feeling difficulty writing an essay, you can buy essay on our service.

However, given that a research paper is the second most popular kind of academic paper (after an essay), it is important to know how to conclude a research paper. Even if you have not yet been assigned to do this task, be sure that you will face it soon. So, here are the steps you should follow to create a great conclusion for a research paper:

• Restate the Topic

Start your final paragraph with a quick reminder of what the topic of the piece is about. Keep it one sentence long.

• Revisit the Thesis

Next, you should remind your readers what your thesis statement was. However, do not just copy and paste it from the introductory clause: paraphrase your thesis so that you deliver the same idea but with different words. Keep your paraphrased thesis narrow, specific, and topic-oriented.

• Summarise Your Key Ideas

Just like the case of a regular essay’s conclusion, a research paper’s final paragraph should also include a short summary of all of the key points stated in the body sections. We recommend reading the entire body part a few times to define all of your main arguments and ideas.

• Showcase the Significance of Your Work

In the research paper conclusion, it is vital to highlight the significance of your research problem and state how your solution could be helpful.

• Make Suggestions for Future Studies

Finally, at the end of your conclusion, you should define how your findings will contribute to the development of its particular field of science. Outline the perspectives of further research and, if necessary, explain what is yet to be discovered on the topic.

Then, end your conclusion with a powerful concluding sentence – it can be a rhetorical question, call to action, or another hook that will help you have a strong impact on the audience.

• Answer the Right Questions

To create a top-notch research paper conclusion, be sure to answer the following questions:

• What is the goal of a research paper?
• What are the possible solutions to the research question(s)?
• How can your results be implemented in real life? (Is your research paper helpful to the community?)
• Why is this study important and relevant?

Additionally, here are a few more handy tips to follow:

• Provide clear examples from real life to help readers better understand the further implementation of the stated solutions;
• Keep your conclusion fresh, original, and creative.

Address to our term paper writers if you need to proofread or rewrite essay.

Want to Have Better Grades?

Address to our professionals and get your task done asap!

So, What Is a Good Closing Sentence? See The Difference

One of the best ways to learn how to write a good conclusion is to look at several professional essay conclusion examples. In this section of our guide, we are going to look at two different final paragraphs shaped on the basis of the same template, but even so, they are very different – where one is weak and the other is strong. Below, we are going to compare them to help you understand the difference between a good and a bad conclusion.

Here is the template we used: College degrees are in decline. The price of receiving an education does not correlate with the quality of the education received. As a result, graduated students face underemployment, and the worth of college degrees appears to be in serious doubt. However, the potential social and economic benefits of educated students balance out the equation.

Strong Conclusion ‍

People either see college as an opportunity or an inconvenience; therefore, a degree can only hold as much value as its owner’s skillset. The underemployment of graduate students puts the worth of college degrees in serious doubt. Yet, with the multitude of benefits that educated students bring to society and the economy, the equation remains in balance. Perhaps the ordinary person should consider college as a wise financial investment, but only if they stay determined to study and do the hard work.

Why is this example good? There are several key points that prove its effectiveness:

• There is a bold opening statement that encompasses the two contrasting types of students we can see today.
• There are two sentences that recall the thesis statement and cover the key arguments from the body of the essay.
• Finally, the last sentence sums up the key message of the essay and leaves readers with something to think about.

Weak Conclusion

In conclusion, with the poor preparation of students in college and the subsequent underemployment after graduation from college, the worth associated with the college degree appears to be in serious doubt. However, these issues alone may not reasonably conclude beyond a doubt that investing in a college degree is a rewarding venture. When the full benefits that come with education are carefully put into consideration and evaluated, college education for children in any country still has good advantages, and society should continue to advocate for a college education. The ordinary person should consider this a wise financial decision that holds rewards in the end. Apart from the monetary gains associated with a college education, society will greatly benefit from students when they finish college. Their minds are going to be expanded, and their reasoning and decision making will be enhanced.

What makes this example bad? Here are a few points to consider:

• Unlike the first example, this paragraph is long and not specific enough. The author provides plenty of generalized phrases that are not backed up by actual arguments.
• This piece is hard to read and understand and sentences have a confusing structure. Also, there are lots of repetitions and too many uses of the word “college”.
• There is no summary of the key benefits.
• The last two sentences that highlight the value of education contradict with the initial statement.
• Finally, the last sentence doesn’t offer a strong conclusion and gives no thought to ponder upon.
• In the body of your essay, you have hopefully already provided your reader(s) with plenty of information. Therefore, it is not wise to present new arguments or ideas in your conclusion.
• To end your final paragraph right, find a clear and straightforward message that will have the most powerful impact on your audience.
• Don’t use more than one quote in the final clause of your paper – the information from external sources (including quotes) belongs in the body of a paper.
• Be authoritative when writing a conclusion. You should sound confident and convincing to leave a good impression. Sentences like “I’m not an expert, but…” will most likely make you seem less knowledgeable and/or credible.

Good Conclusion Examples

Now that we've learned what a conclusion is and how to write one let's take a look at some essay conclusion examples to strengthen our knowledge.

The ending ironically reveals that all was for nothing. (A short explanation of the thematic effect of the book’s end) Tom says that Miss Watson freed Jim in her final will.Jim told Huck that the dead man on the Island was pap. The entire adventure seemingly evaporated into nothingness. (How this effect was manifested into the minds of thereaders).

All in all, international schools hold the key to building a full future that students can achieve. (Thesis statement simplified) They help students develop their own character by learning from their mistakes, without having to face a dreadful penalty for failure. (Thesis statement elaborated)Although some say that kids emerged “spoiled” with this mentality, the results prove the contrary. (Possible counter-arguments are noted)

In conclusion, public workers should be allowed to strike since it will give them a chance to air their grievances. (Thesis statement) Public workers should be allowed to strike when their rights, safety, and regulations are compromised. The workers will get motivated when they strike, and their demands are met.

In summary, studies reveal some similarities in the nutrient contents between the organic and non-organic food substances. (Starts with similarities) However, others have revealed many considerable differences in the amounts of antioxidants as well as other minerals present in organic and non-organic foods. Generally, organic foods have higher levels of antioxidants than non-organic foods and therefore are more important in the prevention of chronic illnesses.

As time went by, my obsession grew into something bigger than art; (‘As time went by’ signals maturation) it grew into a dream of developing myself for the world. (Showing student’s interest of developing himself for the community) It is a dream of not only seeing the world from a different perspective but also changing the perspective of people who see my work. (Showing student’s determination to create moving pieces of art)

In conclusion, it is evident that technology is an integral part of our lives and without it, we become “lost” since we have increasingly become dependent on its use. (Thesis with main point)

You might also be interested in reading nursing essay examples from our service.

How To Write A Conclusion For An Essay?

How to write a good conclusion, how to write a conclusion for a college essay, related articles.

Conclusions

What this handout is about.

This handout will explain the functions of conclusions, offer strategies for writing effective ones, help you evaluate conclusions you’ve drafted, and suggest approaches to avoid.

About conclusions

Introductions and conclusions can be difficult to write, but they’re worth investing time in. They can have a significant influence on a reader’s experience of your paper.

Just as your introduction acts as a bridge that transports your readers from their own lives into the “place” of your analysis, your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make the transition back to their daily lives. Such a conclusion will help them see why all your analysis and information should matter to them after they put the paper down.

Your conclusion is your chance to have the last word on the subject. The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to synthesize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. It is also your opportunity to make a good final impression and to end on a positive note.

Your conclusion can go beyond the confines of the assignment. The conclusion pushes beyond the boundaries of the prompt and allows you to consider broader issues, make new connections, and elaborate on the significance of your findings.

Your conclusion should make your readers glad they read your paper. Your conclusion gives your reader something to take away that will help them see things differently or appreciate your topic in personally relevant ways. It can suggest broader implications that will not only interest your reader, but also enrich your reader’s life in some way. It is your gift to the reader.

Strategies for writing an effective conclusion

One or more of the following strategies may help you write an effective conclusion:

• Play the “So What” Game. If you’re stuck and feel like your conclusion isn’t saying anything new or interesting, ask a friend to read it with you. Whenever you make a statement from your conclusion, ask the friend to say, “So what?” or “Why should anybody care?” Then ponder that question and answer it. Here’s how it might go: You: Basically, I’m just saying that education was important to Douglass. Friend: So what? You: Well, it was important because it was a key to him feeling like a free and equal citizen. Friend: Why should anybody care? You: That’s important because plantation owners tried to keep slaves from being educated so that they could maintain control. When Douglass obtained an education, he undermined that control personally. You can also use this strategy on your own, asking yourself “So What?” as you develop your ideas or your draft.
• Return to the theme or themes in the introduction. This strategy brings the reader full circle. For example, if you begin by describing a scenario, you can end with the same scenario as proof that your essay is helpful in creating a new understanding. You may also refer to the introductory paragraph by using key words or parallel concepts and images that you also used in the introduction.
• Synthesize, don’t summarize. Include a brief summary of the paper’s main points, but don’t simply repeat things that were in your paper. Instead, show your reader how the points you made and the support and examples you used fit together. Pull it all together.
• Include a provocative insight or quotation from the research or reading you did for your paper.
• Propose a course of action, a solution to an issue, or questions for further study. This can redirect your reader’s thought process and help them to apply your info and ideas to their own life or to see the broader implications.
• Point to broader implications. For example, if your paper examines the Greensboro sit-ins or another event in the Civil Rights Movement, you could point out its impact on the Civil Rights Movement as a whole. A paper about the style of writer Virginia Woolf could point to her influence on other writers or on later feminists.

Strategies to avoid

• Beginning with an unnecessary, overused phrase such as “in conclusion,” “in summary,” or “in closing.” Although these phrases can work in speeches, they come across as wooden and trite in writing.
• Stating the thesis for the very first time in the conclusion.
• Introducing a new idea or subtopic in your conclusion.
• Ending with a rephrased thesis statement without any substantive changes.
• Making sentimental, emotional appeals that are out of character with the rest of an analytical paper.
• Including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in the body of the paper.

Four kinds of ineffective conclusions

• The “That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It” Conclusion. This conclusion just restates the thesis and is usually painfully short. It does not push the ideas forward. People write this kind of conclusion when they can’t think of anything else to say. Example: In conclusion, Frederick Douglass was, as we have seen, a pioneer in American education, proving that education was a major force for social change with regard to slavery.
• The “Sherlock Holmes” Conclusion. Sometimes writers will state the thesis for the very first time in the conclusion. You might be tempted to use this strategy if you don’t want to give everything away too early in your paper. You may think it would be more dramatic to keep the reader in the dark until the end and then “wow” them with your main idea, as in a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The reader, however, does not expect a mystery, but an analytical discussion of your topic in an academic style, with the main argument (thesis) stated up front. Example: (After a paper that lists numerous incidents from the book but never says what these incidents reveal about Douglass and his views on education): So, as the evidence above demonstrates, Douglass saw education as a way to undermine the slaveholders’ power and also an important step toward freedom.
• The “America the Beautiful”/”I Am Woman”/”We Shall Overcome” Conclusion. This kind of conclusion usually draws on emotion to make its appeal, but while this emotion and even sentimentality may be very heartfelt, it is usually out of character with the rest of an analytical paper. A more sophisticated commentary, rather than emotional praise, would be a more fitting tribute to the topic. Example: Because of the efforts of fine Americans like Frederick Douglass, countless others have seen the shining beacon of light that is education. His example was a torch that lit the way for others. Frederick Douglass was truly an American hero.
• The “Grab Bag” Conclusion. This kind of conclusion includes extra information that the writer found or thought of but couldn’t integrate into the main paper. You may find it hard to leave out details that you discovered after hours of research and thought, but adding random facts and bits of evidence at the end of an otherwise-well-organized essay can just create confusion. Example: In addition to being an educational pioneer, Frederick Douglass provides an interesting case study for masculinity in the American South. He also offers historians an interesting glimpse into slave resistance when he confronts Covey, the overseer. His relationships with female relatives reveal the importance of family in the slave community.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Douglass, Frederick. 1995. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself. New York: Dover.

Hamilton College. n.d. “Conclusions.” Writing Center. Accessed June 14, 2019. https://www.hamilton.edu//academics/centers/writing/writing-resources/conclusions .

Holewa, Randa. 2004. “Strategies for Writing a Conclusion.” LEO: Literacy Education Online. Last updated February 19, 2004. https://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Make a Gift

• Translators
• Graphic Designers

Please enter the email address you used for your account. Your sign in information will be sent to your email address after it has been verified.

The Concluding Paragraph: How to End Your Essay

Phew! You've finally finished most of that grueling essay on Charles Dickens' Great Expectations for your English class, but now you need to write that final paragraph. Or maybe you just wrote a biology research paper on osmosis and diffusion and need to conclude your findings. Either way, you're in the home stretch. This can be a bit of a daunting task because your conclusion is your last chance to leave an impression on your readers.

If your goal in writing your paper is to just finish and have it read by a professor or a few peers for a good grade, then you went about your paper the wrong way. You want your paper to matter, to have an impact, and this requires more than just writing what you think others want to hear. If you chose a particular topic to write about, you more than likely chose it for a reason. The essay conclusion is your last chance to explain why your paper matters.

No, seriously, so what? You've probably heard this phrase lots of times, whether in academic settings or real-life scenarios. That's because this is a simple yet important question that reveals intention. It's great if you think your paper is well-written and important, but it won't have much impact if others disagree and don't see the worth in your writing.

Why did the readers just spend time reading your paper? While some people may read your paper for fun, it is much more likely that readers are hoping to get something out of your paper. Perhaps they are professors looking for original ideas that they haven't considered before, or maybe your readers are fellow researchers who want to dive into specific material you are discussing. Either way, your paper has a purpose, just like the readers do, so you should justify your research to those same readers. If you are stuck asking yourself "so what?" after reading your paper, then you've got some work to do, but don't worry, we've got some suggestions to help craft a successful conclusion.

How to write a "so what?"

A "so what" will help you bring closure to your paper without completely shutting it down. What we mean by this is that you want your paper to have some closure, as that's what a conclusion implies, but you don't want to end opportunities for further discussion on your topic. This is when a "so what" comes in handy. Here are a few things to consider as you write a "so what" to apply to your paper:

• Relevance : The relevance speaks to the intention behind your paper. Why did you choose to write about this topic? How does it apply to the real world? For example, if you're writing a paper on why schools should cut down on their emission of greenhouse gases, you should explain how this coincides with something currently happening. Perhaps there is a school actively doing this successfully, so you can tie your argument back to this, showing how your argument applies to real time, while also highlighting the importance behind your argument.
• Implications : This is in line with the relevance of your piece. What does your paper add to the existing material surrounding this topic? Does it raise any further questions within the field that have not be explored/have limited research on them? If you find that your paper is lacking answers to these questions, then you may want to consider expanding your research or refining your ideas.
• Opportunity : Now that you've established the relevance of your piece and its implications, you can discuss future opportunities that your paper offers. For example, if you find that your paper on why schools should cut down on greenhouse gas emission raises questions about costs of alternative energy sources, then point to this. This is another opportunity for future research papers that will only add to the breadth of knowledge on the topic, making it more likely for that topic to become a point of discussion.

Including these components in your conclusion will help readers avoid the question "so what?"

Effective ways to write a conclusion

A strong conclusion helps reinforce a strong paper, so here are some things to keep in mind while crafting your conclusion:

• Be confident : This is key to any kind of writing you do, but especially in your conclusion. You must be confident in what you have written. You devoted a lot of time and effort into conducting research on this topic and analyzing it from your perspective. Do not undermine your work by saying it is just one paper in a sea of other papers. This will cut down on your credibility as a writer and make you seem uncertain about your own writing. In turn, the readers may be uncertain about what you've written.

Avoid these common mistakes

Since conclusions are meant to be leave a lasting impact on your readers, you want to avoid making any missteps in your final paragraph. If your entire paper is flawless but your conclusion is lackluster, then your paper will not be as successful as it could've been. Here are some things to avoid as you write your conclusion:

• Repetition and redundancy : While you should restate your thesis and main ideas, you should not repeat these ideas word for word. Repetition can be boring and cause people to lose interest in your writing. The readers already read your paper, so they don't want to reread the same thoughts. Instead, you should be adding a fresh take on what you've written. Now that you've written an entire paper on your topic, you should have new thoughts to add to your existing material.
• Transition statements : Readers have made it all the way through your paper, so they know they're at the conclusion. Avoid using common phrases like "overall", "to sum it up", or "in conclusion" because it states the obvious. These phrases are also tired and overused, adding little to the overall structure of your paper. A more effective approach is to begin your conclusion by restating the thesis, as we previously suggested.
• New content : It's important not to introduce new content in your paper's conclusion. What we mean by this is don't introduce new ideas that you haven't previously discussed within your introduction or body paragraphs. This would derail your essay from its original purpose, losing its central focus. If the information is essential to your overall argument, then you need to include it in the body of your paper and tie it in with your overall argument.
• Being unrealistic : While it is important for you to be confident in your writing and what it implies for future research, you should always be realistic about your findings and their implications. You should be honest about your topic and where it can lead, but be careful to not make false promises with no evidence to back up your claims.

Is a conclusion absolutely necessary?

This is a bit of a controversial topic, as we have been conditioned to expect conclusions for pretty much any kind of writing. We crave conclusions because they signify the end of a thought process and synthesize ideas, tying the entire paper together. This is helpful, but do we need to devote an entire paragraph or section of all our papers to a conclusion? The answer is no, depending on what kind of writing you're doing.

For example, if you're writing a research paper on the impact of aging on cellular composition for your chemistry class, odds are you're going to need to include a conclusion to synthesize your findings and explain why they matter. Ending this kind of paper with no conclusion leaves much undiscussed, especially considering this type of conclusion is meant to discuss findings and what those findings mean for future research about the topic. For this, we think conclusions are necessary.

So, when might a conclusion be unnecessary? For example, when you're writing an academic paper on a particular topic, such as a specific character's role in the plot of a novel, a conclusion might not be needed. As we previously discussed, you want to avoid repetition and redundancy. It might be that you devoted a lot of time in your body paragraphs to fully analyzing the character's role, expanding upon your thoughts with lots of quotes and evidence.

If you feel like you have proved your thesis throughout the body of your paper, you might not want to write a conclusion that just repeats everything you've been consistently discussing. If that is the case, you can devote the final two sentences or so of your final body paragraph to wrapping up your paper. Is this a typical conclusion? No, but that does not mean it's not effective. In fact, ending a paper like this can be just as effective, if not more effective, than writing a repetitive conclusion. Be sure that those last couple of sentences provide implications for future research or tie in with specific modern events, and you have yourself a conclusion within your final body paragraph.

In conclusion of conclusions

The key to writing a successful, effective conclusion is remaining simple and concise while highlighting the key features of your paper. In doing this, you'll draw attention to what is most important without complicating your previous work. After all, we want our readers to feel like what they read matters and has a purpose, so a direct conclusion will solidify this.

While you may be in the home stretch of writing your paper, you should make sure to take your time. Remember, your conclusion is only as good as the rest of your paper, so be sure to spend an equal amount of time on the introduction and body paragraphs as you do your final paragraph. Small errors will discredit your argument, so be sure to remain strong and steady as you bang that last bit of writing out!

Related Posts

How Does a Hypothesis Differ From a Research Question?

4 Essay Outline Templates That Will Simplify Your Writing Process

• Academic Writing Advice
• All Blog Posts
• Writing Advice
• Admissions Writing Advice
• Book Writing Advice
• Short Story Advice
• Employment Writing Advice
• Business Writing Advice
• Web Content Advice
• Article Writing Advice
• Magazine Writing Advice
• Grammar Advice
• Dialect Advice
• Editing Advice
• Freelance Advice
• Legal Writing Advice
• Poetry Advice
• Graphic Design Advice
• Logo Design Advice
• Translation Advice
• Blog Reviews
• Short Story Award Winners
• Scholarship Winners

Make your essay outstanding with expert editing

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

5 Examples of Concluding Words for Essays

4-minute read

• 19th September 2022

If you’re a student writing an essay or research paper, it’s important to make sure your points flow together well. You’ll want to use connecting words (known formally as transition signals) to do this. Transition signals like thus , also , and furthermore link different ideas, and when you get to the end of your work, you need to use these to mark your conclusion. Read on to learn more about transition signals and how to use them to conclude your essays.

Transition Signals

Transition signals link sentences together cohesively, enabling easy reading and comprehension. They are usually placed at the beginning of a sentence and separated from the remaining words with a comma. There are several types of transition signals, including those to:

●  show the order of a sequence of events (e.g., first, then, next)

●  introduce an example (e.g., specifically, for instance)

●  indicate a contrasting idea (e.g., but, however, although)

●  present an additional idea (e.g., also, in addition, plus)

●  indicate time (e.g., beforehand, meanwhile, later)

●  compare (e.g., likewise, similarly)

●  show cause and effect (e.g., thus, as a result)

●  mark the conclusion – which we’ll focus on in this guide.

When you reach the end of an essay, you should start the concluding paragraph with a transition signal that acts as a bridge to the summary of your key points. Check out some concluding transition signals below and learn how you can use them in your writing.

To Conclude…

This is a particularly versatile closing statement that can be used for almost any kind of essay, including both formal and informal academic writing. It signals to the reader that you will briefly restate the main idea. As an alternative, you can begin the summary with “to close” or “in conclusion.” In an argumentative piece, you can use this phrase to indicate a call to action or opinion:

To conclude, Abraham Lincoln was the best president because he abolished slavery.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

As Has Been Demonstrated…

To describe how the evidence presented in your essay supports your argument or main idea, begin the concluding paragraph with “as has been demonstrated.” This phrase is best used for research papers or articles with heavy empirical or statistical evidence.

As has been demonstrated by the study presented above, human activities are negatively altering the climate system.

The Above Points Illustrate…

As another transitional phrase for formal or academic work, “the above points illustrate” indicates that you are reiterating your argument and that the conclusion will include an assessment of the evidence you’ve presented.

The above points illustrate that children prefer chocolate over broccoli.

In a Nutshell…

A simple and informal metaphor to begin a conclusion, “in a nutshell” prepares the reader for a summary of your paper. It can work in narratives and speeches but should be avoided in formal situations.

In a nutshell, the Beatles had an impact on musicians for generations to come.

Overall, It Can Be Said…

To recap an idea at the end of a critical or descriptive essay, you can use this phrase at the beginning of the concluding paragraph. “Overall” means “taking everything into account,” and it sums up your essay in a formal way. You can use “overall” on its own as a transition signal, or you can use it as part of a phrase.

Overall, it can be said that art has had a positive impact on humanity.

Proofreading and Editing

Transition signals are crucial to crafting a well-written and cohesive essay. For your next writing assignment, make sure you include plenty of transition signals, and check out this post for more tips on how to improve your writing. And before you turn in your paper, don’t forget to have someone proofread your work. Our expert editors will make sure your essay includes all the transition signals necessary for your writing to flow seamlessly. Send in a free 500-word sample today!

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

3-minute read

How to Insert a Text Box in a Google Doc

Google Docs is a powerful collaborative tool, and mastering its features can significantly enhance your...

2-minute read

How to Cite the CDC in APA

If you’re writing about health issues, you might need to reference the Centers for Disease...

5-minute read

Six Product Description Generator Tools for Your Product Copy

Introduction If you’re involved with ecommerce, you’re likely familiar with the often painstaking process of...

What Is a Content Editor?

Are you interested in learning more about the role of a content editor and the...

The Benefits of Using an Online Proofreading Service

Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...

6 Online AI Presentation Maker Tools

Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• English Grammar
• Writing Paragraphs

How to Conclude a Paragraph

Last Updated: December 13, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Diane Stubbs and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Diane Stubbs is a Secondary English Teacher with over 22 years of experience teaching all high school grade levels and AP courses. She specializes in secondary education, classroom management, and educational technology. Diane earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware and a Master of Education from Wesley College. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 112,640 times.

If you want a body paragraph to be effective, you need to conclude it properly — a closing sentence is as imperative as a conclusion is to an essay or a research paper. Closing or concluding sentences act like a concluding paragraph in an essay and review the points you made in the paragraph. To effectively conclude a paragraph, restate your topic sentence and include what you taught the reader. Tailor the sentence to the type of essay you’re writing, whether it’s a persuasive or compare and contrast essay.

Reviewing Your Paragraph

• Focus on what you lay out in the topic sentence.
• Note your evidence and details.

• If your topic sentence reads, “Cats may be small, but they’re mighty predators,” then your main idea is that cats are big hunters.
• Your concluding statement should show how your paragraph supported the idea that cats are big predators. For example, a closing statement might read, “Based on these statistics, cats are predators who hunt frequently and decrease the area bird population.”

• For example, the closing statement above, “Based on these statistics, cats are predators who hunt frequently and decrease the area bird population,” reminds the reader that the paragraph just provided statistics about how often cats hunt and how they impact the local bird population. These details support the main idea, and the writer has mentioned both.

Drafting a Closing Statement

• Consequently
• As a result

• An example topic sentence might read: “Cats are natural predators because they enjoy hunting and will even hunt for sport.”
• Your concluding statement for this paragraph might read: “As a result of their continued hunts even after they’re domesticated and provided cat food, cats are proven to be natural predators.”

• As an example, “The data shows that cats hunt even when they have steady meals, which proves that they are natural hunters.”

• For example, “As the data shows, feral cats hunt 140% more than domestic cats.”

• For example, “Consequently, homes that own cats have fewer birds living in their yards.”

• For example, “In the end, cats hunt out of instinct.”

• For example, “To conclude, feral cats are more dangerous to birds than house cats because they have more hunting opportunities and kill more birds each year on average.” This sentence supports the main idea that feral cats hunt more than house cats and shows how the two details provided in the sentence link back to the topic sentence.

• For example, your closing statement could read, “In summation, statistics show that cats who wear bell collars are less of a threat to birds because they kill fewer birds even if they have the same number of hunting opportunities.” This signals to the reader that the writer has finished with one main idea and is moving onto another in a new paragraph.

Avoiding Common Errors

• You also want to avoid the word “you.” For example, don’t say, “As you can see” in your concluding sentence.
• There are some exceptions, such as if you’re writing an introductory paragraph or an opinion essay.

• Reread your concluding statement, then compare it to your paragraph. Do you reference one detail but not another? If it does, rewrite the sentence to address the main points, not the subpoints.

• A poor closing statement might read: “As you can see, the evidence suggests that cats like to hunt."
• A better closing statement could read: “Based on the data, cats look for opportunities to hunt for sport, proving they are natural predators."

Expert Q&A

• In some cases, the concluding statements in introductions and conclusions may have a slightly different format. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Remember that your goal is to show the reader your ideas. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Focus on your main idea. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Try to avoid sounding redundant. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Don’t just restate your topic sentence. Show how the details you’ve provided contribute to the main idea. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/paragraphs/
• ↑ https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/wrd/chapter/writing-summaries/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/
• ↑ https://lsa.umich.edu/sweetland/undergraduates/writing-guides/how-do-i-write-an-intro--conclusion----body-paragraph.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/argumentative_essays.html
• ↑ https://owl.excelsior.edu/rhetorical-styles/compare-and-contrast-essay/
• ↑ https://owl.excelsior.edu/rhetorical-styles/cause-and-effect-essay/
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-an-informative-essay/
• ↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/paragraphs-and-topic-sentences.html
• ↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/conclusion

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.

The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives. The Purdue OWL offers global support through online reference materials and services.

A Message From the Assistant Director of Content Development 

The Purdue OWL® is committed to supporting  students, instructors, and writers by offering a wide range of resources that are developed and revised with them in mind. To do this, the OWL team is always exploring possibilties for a better design, allowing accessibility and user experience to guide our process. As the OWL undergoes some changes, we welcome your feedback and suggestions by email at any time.

Please don't hesitate to contact us via our contact page  if you have any questions or comments.

All the best,

Social Media

Facebook twitter.

30 Examples: How To Apologize for a Mistake Professionally

By Status.net Editorial Team on February 4, 2024 — 14 minutes to read

Recognizing when you’ve made a mistake and displaying genuine regret is a valuable skill for building relationships and resolving conflicts professionally. Knowing how to apologize sincerely not only improves your standing in the eyes of others but also helps with your self-improvement.

Acknowledging the Mistake

Identify the error.

When apologizing for a mistake professionally, it’s important to first identify the error you made. Clearly stating the mistake shows that you understand the issue and can help prevent any miscommunication. This way, the person receiving the apology knows what you’re apologizing for. Consider using these example phrases to identify your mistake:

• “I realize that I missed the deadline for submitting the report.”
• “I mistakenly sent the incorrect version of the document to the client.”
• “I acknowledge that my error in the presentation impacted our team negatively.”

Accept Responsibility

Accepting responsibility for your mistake is a crucial element in a professional apology. It demonstrates accountability and conveys your sincerity:

• “I take full responsibility for the confusion caused by my actions.”
• “I understand that my mistake has created extra work for you, and I sincerely apologize.”
• “I want to assure you that I will learn from this experience and strive to do better in the future.”

Crafting the Apology

Choose the right medium.

Selecting the appropriate medium to apologize is crucial. When deciding on the method of communication, consider the severity and impact of the mistake. For minor slip-ups or misunderstandings, a simple email or direct message may suffice. However, if your mistake caused significant harm or confusion, a face-to-face conversation or even a well-drafted formal letter might be more appropriate.

Be Clear and Concise

It’s important to present a clear and concise apology by taking responsibility for your actions and acknowledging the effects of your mistake. Avoid using vague phrases or shifting blame, and instead, openly admit your fault. Describe the mistake and its consequences without over-exaggerating or downplaying its significance.

For instance, if you missed a crucial deadline, do not make excuses for your actions. Instead, your apology should be straightforward: “I apologize for failing to meet the deadline for (…) project, and I understand how this has negatively impacted our team. To rectify the situation, I will work diligently to complete the project as soon as possible.”

Express Regret

Expressing genuine regret and empathy for the consequences of your mistake strengthens the sincerity of your apology. Channel your feelings of remorse and describe how the mistake has affected the people involved or the organization as a whole.

If, for example, you made a thoughtless comment to a coworker, express your regret by saying, “I am truly sorry for my careless remark earlier. I understand how it may have hurt your feelings and caused unnecessary tension. I want to assure you that it was not my intention, and I will be more mindful of my words in the future.”

Timing Your Apology

Just as important as the content of the apology is when you express it. Waiting too long can make the apology seem insincere, but apologizing too soon might not give you enough time to fully understand the situation and the impact of your mistake. Take the time you need to gather all the necessary information, consider the consequences, and develop a genuine, well-thought-out apology.

When considering the timing of your apology, keep in mind the following:

• Assess the impact : Gauge how your mistake has affected the other person or the team. If the situation is causing immediate harm, address it quickly. If the damage seems minor, you may have more time to reflect and devise a thoughtful response.
• Learn from the situation : As soon as you notice the mistake, take the initiative to learn from it. This might involve seeking advice, researching possible solutions, or examining why the mistake occurred. Being able to demonstrate that you’ve gained insight from the situation can strengthen your apology.
• Acknowledge the mistake : In some cases, it’s appropriate to provide an immediate acknowledgment of your error, even if you haven’t yet fully comprehended its impact. This can demonstrate accountability and willingness to take responsibility for your actions.

For example, if you accidentally send a confidential email to the wrong recipient, you should immediately apologize for the mistake and inform them that you will follow up with more information. Afterward, you can investigate the situation further and compose a more detailed and sincere apology for the harm your mistake caused.

Including a Plan of Action

When apologizing for a professional mistake, it’s important to include a clear plan of action that demonstrates your understanding of the issue and commitment to rectifying it. This adds credibility to your apology and reassures the affected parties that you’re taking the matter seriously. Here’s how to effectively outline a plan of action in your apology:

• Acknowledge Begin by acknowledging the specific mistake that occurred. Doing so shows that you understand the gravity of the situation and are taking responsibility for your actions. Example : “I understand that the incorrect data I provided in the presentation negatively impacted our clients’ perception of our project.”
• Explain steps List the steps you intend to take in order to remedy the situation. This demonstrates your commitment to resolving the issue and preventing it from happening again in the future. Example : “To rectify this, I will conduct a thorough review of all data sources, ensure accurate information is presented to the clients, and implement a data verification process to avoid future errors.”
• Set a timeframe Provide a realistic timeframe for when you will carry out these steps. By showing that you have a clear schedule in mind, you convey a sense of urgency and dedication to your actions. Example : “I will complete the review and corrections within the next week and present the updated information to our clients immediately after. The data verification process will be in place by the end of the month.”
• Offer support Lastly, show willingness to provide assistance where needed. This illustrates your genuine concern for the situation and your desire to make things right. Example : “If you require any additional support or information during this process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.”

Offering Remediation

• Identify the issue and its impact : Acknowledge the specific mistake and its repercussions. This shows you understand the gravity of the situation. For example, tell your client, “I realize that the error in the financial report has led to budget miscalculations.”
• Propose a solution : Present a concrete plan to fix the problem and ensure it doesn’t happen again. Be proactive, rather than waiting for them to demand a solution. For instance, you could say, “To address this, I will revise the report and implement a new review process for future financial documentation.”
• Provide a timeline : Offer a clear timeline for your solution. This illustrates that you’re serious about resolving the problem promptly. You might tell them, “I will have the corrected report to you by the end of the day, and the new review process will be in place by next week.”
• Offer compensation : Depending on the severity of the mistake, consider offering compensation as a gesture of goodwill. This could be a discount on their next invoice or a free service. For example, “As a token of our apology, we’d like to offer a 10% discount on your next order with us.”
• Keep communication open : After the initial apology and remediation offer, continue to communicate with the affected party. Update them on the progress of your solution and check-in to ensure they’re satisfied with your efforts.

Here’s an example of a professional apology incorporating these steps:

Dear [Client], I realize that the error in the financial report has led to budget miscalculations. To address this, I will revise the report and implement a new review process for future financial documentation. I will have the corrected report to you by the end of the day, and the new review process will be in place by next week. As a token of our apology, we’d like to offer a 10% discount on your next order with us. I will keep you updated on our progress, and please feel free to contact me with any concerns.

Avoiding Common Apology Pitfalls

When apologizing professionally, it’s important to avoid some common pitfalls that can make your apology seem insincere or ineffective. Here are a few things to watch out for:

• Using qualifiers: Phrases like “I’m sorry if…” or “I apologize but…” can undermine your message. Instead, own your mistake and state why you’re sorry. For example: “I apologize for the confusion caused by the incorrect information in the report.”
• Making excuses: It’s tempting to explain the reasons behind the mistake, but doing so can sound defensive. Keep the focus on your remorse and the actions you’re taking to fix the issue. Compare: “I’m sorry, I was swamped with other tasks” with “I apologize for the delay and have prioritized the project to ensure it’s completed on time.”
• Shifting blame: Even if you genuinely feel that someone else contributed to the mistake, it’s crucial to take responsibility for your part in it. A collaborative approach is better, as in: “I apologize for the miscommunication. Next time, we’ll work together to make sure everyone is on the same page.”

Additionally, bear in mind these communication tips for a successful apology:

• Choose the right medium: Consider whether an email, phone call, or face-to-face meeting would be most appropriate based on the seriousness and nature of the mistake.
• Find the right timing: Ideally, apologize as soon as you realize the error. However, ensure you have all necessary information and have thought through your apology properly before reaching out.
• Be specific: Clearly describe the mistake and show that you understand its impact on others. Avoid uncertainty and vagueness.
• Offer a solution: Where possible, propose a way you can correct the mistake or make amends for the situation. This shows commitment and sincerity.
• Reflect and improve: Be willing to learn from the experience and take steps to prevent similar mistakes in the future.

Examples of Professional Apologies

When it comes to apologizing professionally, it’s important to recognize the mistake, take responsibility, and offer a solution. Here’s a list of examples that demonstrate how to apologize professionally in different situations.

• “I’m sorry for the miscommunication in yesterday’s email, I should have been more clear. Let’s set up a call to discuss this further.”
• “I apologize for the delay in sending you the report. I will prioritize it and ensure you receive it by tomorrow.”
• “I’m sorry for the confusion during the meeting. I will send out a summary of key points for clarification.”
• “I apologize for missing the deadline on the project, I will work extra hours to make up for it.”
• “I’m sorry for not getting back to you sooner, your email was accidentally marked as spam.”
• “My apologies for the incorrect invoice. I will correct the error and send you a revised copy.”
• “I’m sorry if my feedback seemed harsh. I value your input and will work on improving my communication.”
• “I apologize for not receiving the package on time. I will investigate with our shipping department and keep you updated.”
• “I’m sorry for any inconvenience caused by my absence. I had a family emergency and couldn’t make it to the meeting.”
• “I apologize for the late response. I was dealing with a personal matter, but I’m here to help now.”
• “I’m sorry that my presentation wasn’t well-received. I appreciate your feedback and will incorporate it into future presentations.”
• “I apologize for not following up on our discussion. Here’s an action plan for moving forward.”
• “I’m sorry for not acknowledging your idea during the brainstorming session, it had great potential.”
• “I apologize for any confusion caused by my previous email. Please let me know if you need further clarification.”
• “I’m sorry for not giving enough credit to your hard work on the project. I appreciate your efforts.”
• “I apologize for not including you in the decision-making process, your opinion is valuable to us.”
• “I’m sorry for the mix-up in scheduling. I will re-arrange our appointments to avoid further conflicts.”
• “I apologize for the oversight on the proposal. I will make the necessary revisions.”
• “I’m sorry that our new software isn’t meeting your expectations. Let’s set up a training session to address any concerns.”
• “I apologize for any inconvenience my mistake caused. I will do my best to fix it immediately.”
• “I’m sorry for not properly training our team on the new policies. I will schedule a refresher session as soon as possible.”
• “I apologize for the miscommunication between departments. I will work on improving our internal communication.”
• “I’m sorry for the error in the presentation. I will correct it and send an updated version.”
• “I apologize for any discomfort my comments may have caused. I will work on being more mindful in the future.”
• “I’m sorry for my part in the disagreement. Let’s schedule a time to discuss how we can resolve this issue.”
• “I apologize for not providing the information that you requested. I will gather the data and send it to you shortly.”
• “I’m sorry for my tardiness in our meeting. I know it’s important to respect your time.”
• “I apologize for the issues with our product. We are working on a solution, and I appreciate your patience.”
• “I’m sorry that the customer wasn’t satisfied with our service. I will personally handle their concerns and make necessary improvements.”
• “I apologize for my negative tone earlier. I was feeling frustrated, and it wasn’t helpful. Let’s focus on finding a solution.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What are effective ways to apologize for an error in the workplace.

An effective way to apologize for an error in the workplace is to be sincere and direct. Accept responsibility for your mistake and address how you plan to correct it. Offer solutions and show your commitment to making things right. For example:

“I realize I made a mistake with the project deadline, and I take full responsibility for it. I will work extra hours this week to make sure we are back on track, and I’ll double-check all deadlines in the future.”

Can you give examples of sincere apologies for mistakes in professional emails?

Here are two examples of sincere apologies in professional emails:

• “I apologize for the confusion caused by my previous email. I accidentally included incorrect information, and I understand this may have caused some disruptions. Please find the corrected information attached, and let me know if you have any questions.”
• “I’m sorry about the mistake in the report you received. I’ve corrected the error and attached the updated version for your review. I appreciate your understanding and will take steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

How can I word an apology in a business letter when I’ve made a mistake?

When writing an apology in a business letter, be clear and concise. Start by acknowledging your mistake, and then explain the steps you’re taking to rectify the problem:

“I would like to formally apologize for the errors found in our recent invoice. We have reviewed our records and found the discrepancies. To resolve this issue, we have credited your account with the appropriate amount. Please find the updated invoice enclosed.”

What are some strategies for communicating a mistake and apologizing without using the word ‘sorry’?

Instead of using the word ‘sorry’, try acknowledging the error and focusing on how you plan to fix it. For example:

• “I made an error in the calculation, and I will promptly correct it. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”
• “I appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the issue with the shipment. We’ll ensure everything is correctly delivered by tomorrow.”

In what manner can one offer a heartfelt apology for causing any inconvenience in a work setting?

To offer a heartfelt apology in a work setting, show empathy by acknowledging the impact your mistake had on others and express your regret. Then, indicate your plan to prevent similar problems in the future:

“I understand that my mistake created extra work for you, and I deeply regret any inconvenience. Please know that I’m taking steps to ensure that this won’t happen again, and I’ll be more diligent in the future.”

What is the appropriate structure for a professional apology when acknowledging a personal error?

An appropriate structure for a professional apology includes three main points:

• Acknowledge the mistake: Be clear and specific on what went wrong, and accept responsibility for the error.
• Offer a solution: Explain how you will rectify the situation and prevent it from happening again.
• Express gratitude: Thank the affected party for their patience and understanding.

For example:

“I recently became aware that I made a mistake in our client presentation. I take full responsibility for the oversight and have corrected the error. Moving forward, I will double-check all materials before submitting them. Thank you for your understanding and support.”

• 20 Examples: How to Answer the Phone Professionally
• 42 Communication Skills Self Evaluation Comments Examples
• How to End an Email Professionally (Examples)
• Effective Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace (Examples)
• Communication Skills: Performance Review Examples (Rating 1 - 5)
• 50 Inspiring Examples for 7 Communication Skills for a Resume

Here's How to Watch the 'After' Movies in Order (Chronologically and by Release Date)

Catch up with Tessa and Hardin's romance.

Love doesn’t always come with a happily ever after. Based on the best-selling novel by Anna Todd , the After film series follows the studious and innocent Tessa Young ( Josephine Langford ) and the dangerously rebellious Hardin Scott ( Hero Fiennes Tiffin ) as they find themselves in a passionate yet tumultuous relationship. Now a hit sensation, the After series explores what it takes to keep the fire alive in a relationship. New to the After series? Here’s how you should watch the films in order.

Editor's Note: This piece was updated on November 6, 2023.

'After' Movies in Order of Release

• After - April 12, 2019
• After We Collided - October 23, 2020
• After We Fell - September 30, 2021
• After Ever Happy - September 7, 2022
• After Everything - September 13, 2023

'After' Movies in Chronological Order

After (2019).

After introduces Tessa Young, a high school graduate who’s just about to start her first day at Washington Central University as an undeclared economics major. On the day of her move-in, she’s accompanied by her caring yet rather controlling mother, Carol Young, and her high school sweetheart Noah Porter. Upon her arrival, Tessa is greeted by Steph Jones, Tessa’s roommate, and her girlfriend, Tristan. Unlike the studious Tessa, Steph and Tristan are all about the party scene. Nevertheless, Tessa gets along with her new friends and settles down at her dorm. Steph invites Tessa to a party at a frat house, to which she reluctantly agrees. There, Tessa gets to know the rest of Steph and Tristan’s clique, which just so happens to include Hardin Scott, a mysterious boy she met in her dorm room. The group suggests playing Truth or Dare, and Tessa is dared to lock lips with Hardin. She bluntly refuses and escapes the party, accidentally wandering around Hardin’s house. Hardin suddenly enters and the two share a lingering moment before Tessa snaps out of it and leaves.

For the next couple of days, Hardin persuades Tessa to come with him to a lake house. Before they know it, the two start flirting with each other and eventually kiss in the water. But the passion doesn’t last long, and later on, in the movie, it’s become apparent that Hardin is adamant about the idea of dating. Heartbroken, she continues to ignore Hardin, but her heart softens after Hardin gets himself into an emotional outburst at home. Despite her friends’ warnings to take things slow with Hardin, Tessa doesn’t listen to them and continues a seemingly perfect dating life with him. Everyone is always telling her that Hardin is up to something. Although she ignores them at first, Hardin, under the pressure of his friends, finally confesses to Tessa that Hardin is dared to make Tessa make fall in love with him and break her heart in the end. Tessa realizes that her relationship with Hardin is just one big lie.

After spending some time at home, she returns to university and applies for an internship at Vance Publishing. She spends more time in her classes. On the day of her English paper essay submission, her professor puts her aside and gives her an essay Hardin submitted, which sounds like it’s meant for Tessa. After class is dismissed, Tessa and Landon sit on the campus lawn. She reads the essay, which happens to be a letter from Hardin professing his feelings for her.

Watch on Netflix

After We Collided

After We Collided starts off with Hardin dreaming of Tessa, only to wake up all alone in his car, upset that Tessa hasn’t been replying to his texts. As he exits his car, a homeless man who is desperately looking for someone abruptly approaches him, prompting Hardin to shoo him away. Meanwhile, at Vance Publishing, Tessa begins her first day as a bright intern. However, things go down south after an awkward encounter with her new co-worker, Trevor Matthews. Tessa is immediately welcomed by secretary Kimberly (who is revealed to be Vance’s romantic interest), and Christian Vance, the founder of Vance Publishing.

One night, Tessa attends a nightclub with her co-workers to pique a potential investor's interest. However, after too many drinks, things got hot and heavy. From dancing with strangers to one accidental kiss, Tessa, in her drunken stupor, calls Hardin and gloats about how much she’s having now. Trevor suddenly finds her and the two return to their hotel room. Tessa accidentally spills her wine onto Trevor’s clothes and asks him to undress, so she can wash off the stains. All of a sudden, Hardin storms into the room, angry at a half-naked Trevor and cursing him out of the room. The pair’s rage doesn’t last long, and eventually, the two sleep with each other.

But their peaceful reunion doesn’t last long. Tessa soon comes to terms with the complicated mess that is in her work life and comes to terms with her true feelings for Hardin. Things get even more complex with Hardin’s family coming into the mix, with his mother Trish Daniels suddenly visiting him in the States and befriending Tessa. Tessa also goes on a venture searching for her long-lost father, who appears in the ending in the most surprising way possible.

After We Fell

In After We Fell , Tessa and Hardin are now happily living together, but deep down, they’re still incredibly insecure about themselves. Tessa receives an offer to work for Vance Publishing at their Seattle office. While she’s excited about the opportunity, Hardin doesn’t share the same sentiment. He’s afraid that their long-distance relationship wouldn’t work and more trouble ensues. Also, it doesn’t help that Hardin initially wants to bring Tessa to London after graduation.

Despite this, Tessa takes up the opportunity to move to Seattle. The jealousy-ridden Hardin becomes incredibly jealous, especially since she’ll be in the same city as Trevor. Meanwhile, Tessa has other struggles to tend to; she’s trying to reconnect with her estranged father, whom she has not seen for nine years. Hardin, originally reluctant about Tessa meeting her father for fear of getting hurt, finds himself bonding with the man as they bond about their alcoholism.

Everything seems smooth sailing until Hardin takes Tessa to London for his mother’s wedding. He is hesitant at first because he’s scared that Tessa will judge his past and origins. With Vance’s encouragement, Hardin invites Tessa to his mother’s wedding. Things appear fine, but the happiness is short-lived. The night before his mother’s wedding, Hardin accidentally encounters Vance having sex with his mom. Kimberly finds out about Vance’s cheating ways and is furious with him. Things take for the worse when Vance reveals to Hardin a long-lost secret.

After Ever Happy

When Hardin discovers his family's dark secret, he plunges into a pit of despair from which he is unable to escape. Tessa is fed up with trying to rescue Hardin from his misery only to find out that Hardin is the only one who can do it. To Hardin's dismay, Tessa eventually suggests that they take a break from each other. Hardin is furious at the idea, but eventually, they part ways and spend time figuring out what they truly want in life. As they cross with each other again in the future, they have the opportunity to rekindle their relationship or repeat their same old mistakes again. Is passion alone enough to keep their relationship strong? Or is this the end for Tessa and Hardin?

After Everything

After Everything shows the aftermath of Hardin's break-up with Tessa and his deteriorating mental state as he struggles to cope with not being with Tessa anymore. He's also struggling with his work, suffering from a bad case of writer's block. Hardin decides to travel to Lisbon, Portugal, in order to make amends with Natalie, but unfortunately isn't so welcome. As his journey progresses, Hardin once again crosses paths with Tessa, but only time will tell if the former couple will rekindle their flame.

Rent on Amazon

Is AI a good tool?

I. introduction.

AI(Artificial Intelligence) is a tool that simulates human interactions. Using AI can make it easier to research solutions to problems. This is due to AI being able to search and sift through infromtation from the internet to find the answer. AI can also help analyze information, such as being able to analyze a basic template for an essay and help give sub-topics in what order in order to help students write essays. AI is also very helpful to software engineering because it can help pull up reference code for problems from the internet so students can reference it. There are limits to this, based on if the problem has a solution on the internet. Sometimes AI can only pull up similar solutions. This means it is still important for software engineers to still be able to understand the coding concepts used in the code in order to make sure it does what is required. Throughout the semester of Spring 2024, I have used AI such as ChatGPT, Bing Copilot, and Google Bard to help with coding and organizing essays.

II. Personal Experience with AI:

I have used AI in class this semester in the following areas:

• Experience WODs e.g. E18 During Experience WODs, I would usually try to rely on myself and then look at the tutorial afterward. If I still have problems I would ask ChatGPT to analyze the instructions to help give clearer directions. Usually experience WODs focus on trying new things so ChatGPT is almost useless in helping the user, unless the user has at least a basic understanding of what they’re doing.

• In-class WODs Similar to inj-class practice WODs, I would use AI to either try and get the answer directly, but it would not always work.
• Essays For essays I would usually try to avoid, or just not use AI. For essays the most I would do would be to scan the text prompt and create a template of sub topics and layout for my essay. Then I would fill in the essay by myself.
• Final project I did not use AI for the Final Project, since I mainly focused on reusing old code from previous assignments.
• Learning a concept / tutorial AI is very helpful in understanding concepts. When I was learning about how to fix errors in code. The error messages are not always the most descriptive. This led to using ChatGPT to give an in depth description of what the error message is and how to solve it. It can also be used to describe, different coding concepts such as AI. The beginning definition of AI is based on what AI is according to ChatGPT.
• Answering a question in class or in Discord In ICS314 we were actually encouraged to use AI to learn about questions posed in class. Using AI does give a in depth explanation of the concepts being asked about. However, I also learned that when using different AI systems, results can vary. Sometimes there is a little difference, but it can also be to the point where the answers of different AI systems contradict. This is due to the limitations of AI, in that AI can only give answers based on the internet. If internet articles are incorrect, AI will give an incorrect answer.
• Asking or answering a smart-question Using AI to ask a smart-question is sometimes useful, however usually the best answer comes from a link to a message board
• Coding example e.g. “give an example of using Underscore .pluck” As seen in the picture above, ChatGPT was used to create the code in greenjobs using a .pluck function.
• Explaining code I used ChatGPT to help analyze code, and the functions of different functions of code only when looking at JavaScript functions.
• Writing code Asking ChatGPT write code is easy for simple functions, however it is close to impossible for an exact answer when creating a webpage on an HTML file. When creating an HTML file, the AI doesn’t have access directly all the time so it can create strange code sometimes. So the website doesn’t look correct. I learned that formating a HTML file still requires user knowledge to create correctly. AI can only at most give a template.
• Documenting code I don’t use AI to document code. I just do all the documentation by myself.
• Quality assurance AI doesn’t necessarily always assure quality dues to not always seeing everything, but it is still helpful in providing hints about what changes could be made based on user input.
• Other uses in ICS 314 not listed above I would usually use AI to learn about concepts mainly math or physics problems that I find difficult to analyze quickly.

III. Impact on Learning and Understanding:

AI is a very helpful tool when used properly. What I consider proper use is using Chat GPT to solve a problem step by step and showing the process to better understand. Of course, AI is very likely to be used improperly, just giving the direct answer. The direct answer doesn’t help in learning, but learning the process of how to tackle a problem is very helpful.

IV. Practical Applications:

I used AI to try and fix the problem of how my computer was not using ‘mup’ properly. ‘mup’ is a method to deploy an internet program. I was using ChatGPT to try and figure out what was wrong with my computer setup. In the end I was able to go through several steps of updating my node to the most current node, and ChatGPT gave concise directions of what to do, and how to do it. This was done using commands given by ChatGPT in the command prompt.

V. Challenges and Opportunities:

AI can only learn so much and help so much on computer problems. I would usually use ChatGPT, Google Bard, or Bing Copilot. ChatGPT is what I usually like to rely on, but the version I was using can not analyze pictures. Although Google Bard and Bing Copilot can analyze pictures, most coding doesn’t require pictures to analyze problems. I once tried to use Google Bard to help in a HTML file setup, to setup the file in a similar format to the picture based on meteor, however it created a very complicated code structure that did not work. The code did not create the desired HTML file format.

VI. Comparative Analysis:

I prefer ChatGPT for help in coding due to it being able to usually create code, and respond to requests to changes of the code relatively well. Although when trying to understand a conceptual problem based on a picture, I would use Google Bard. Google Bard does a good job analyzing conceptual problems, but sometimes gives the wrong answers in coding.

VII. Future Considerations:

I believe that the future of AI is a very helpful tool that will probably be able to replace most coding positions, due to its high flexibility in creating code based off of already existing code. Although, it is still important to have people to always double check the AI. Since any answers of AI is based on pre-existing information, if the infromation is incorrect, the AI will draw incorrect solutions.

VIII. Conclusion:

In conclusion, AI is a very helpful tool in coding. However, it is only a useful tool at helping to learn how to code if used in a certain way. Learning the process is very important for learning, and AI can teach the process, but it can also just spit out the answer as well.