If our hypothetical accused has an alibi, an eyewitness description of the actual culprit, and no DNA evidence placing them at the scene of the crime, then a seamless summary of these facts using this advice may read as follows: Consider how each point works in tandem with the others to arrive at the conclusion you have drawn-or want the reader to draw-from your work. Use transitional phrases to move from one idea to the next. The time required to travel between these locations is too significant for this to be possible no person could have successfully accomplished this task without their absence being noted. The alibi provided by my client's employer and colleagues indicates that there were no plausible means by which my client could have left the office, robbed the bank, and made it back to their desk without being noticed. Think of it this way-if a lawyer's client has an alibi supported by their employer and colleagues that they were at work when a particular crime took place, the lawyer might summarize this finding as follows: Next, concisely present each summary in a sentence or two for the reader. Create a summary of each point as well as the significant contributions each makes to your argument. To begin this process, review the main points you made within your paper. In the courtroom, once the closing argument has begun, a lawyer will try to persuade the jury to consider all of the valid points they presented throughout the case and why that evidence matters-similarly, you should explain to your reader why they should care about what you said in your paper. Instead, you want to summarize your evidence while reminding the reader why it is significant in the context of your paper. Be careful not to repeat your introduction or main ideas verbatim. Your conclusion is the big finish to your paper. This is what your conclusion paragraph should also achieve. Lawyers explain why their evidence is superior to that of the opposing council and why the judge or jury should consider their arguments when arriving at a verdict. Step 2: Prove ItĮvery good lawyer's closing argument is presented with intent and persuasion.
Rephrasing your main point to establish your conclusion and tie all your arguments together is an effective way to kick off the paragraph and begin to bring your thought process full circle for your reader. Let's dive in! Step 1: Anchor ItĪ good conclusion paragraph begins by transitioning your message from the body of your paper to the conclusion and anchoring it to your thesis statement.Ī transitional phrase should be used in the opening of your conclusion consider using a phrase like "it is clear," "it is evident," or "overall." Similarly, a lawyer might begin their closing argument with a line like "without a doubt." This sentence will set the tone for the rest of the concluding argument.
Luckily, we've crafted a foolproof, three-step method to show you how to write a conclusion. This is particularly important because a reader will typically remember the conclusion paragraph more vividly than the beginning of your paper. The conclusion is your last opportunity to persuade your reader that the information you just imparted is significant. The same goes for the concluding paragraph in a piece of writing. If you've ever seen or read about a great lawyer (or watched a great actor play a great lawyer) in action, you know that a key element in winning a case is the closing argument.