Strategies for Spotting a Conclusion

In many instances, essays may not state the overall conclusion in a clear way or, sometimes, may not state the conclusion (main claim) at all. If so, then you must construct the conclusion for yourself as best you can from the essay.

(A) Strategies for Spotting Conclusions

• Know where to look for conclusions in certain parts of the essay (introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph).
• Look for indicator words which signal conclusions. Words such as therefore, thus, hence, so, in conclusion, as a result, in short and the point is indicate conclusions.

Example

Nuclear powerplants are hazardous to human life and the environment. Thus, these plants should no longer be built. The indicator word thus at the beginning of the second sentence indicates the conclusion: these plants should no longer be built.

If no conclusion or main claim is stated, you can construct it by finding the main question which the essay directly addresses.