To conclude an argumentative essay, state the answer your evidence supports, connect the reasons that led to it, and explain what follows from that answer. Do not start a second argument in the final paragraph.
The difficult part is deciding what your essay has actually established. Here is a worked example, followed by an editing method you can use on your own draft.
An argumentative essay conclusion, with its context
Invented teaching example: suppose an essay asks whether a university library should stay open for two extra hours on weekday evenings. Its body has already discussed a fictional student survey, evening room-use records and a staffing-cost estimate. These are assumed materials for this example, not real research or evidence you can cite.
The essay’s position is limited: trial the extra hours during exams, rather than introduce them throughout the year.
A weak ending: The library should open later because students need it. There are advantages and disadvantages, but opening later is best. In conclusion, this would help everyone.
This ending does not explain why the benefits justify the cost. It also changes a limited proposal into an unsupported promise to everyone.
A more useful ending:
The evidence supports a trial of two additional evening hours during the exam period, not a permanent extension throughout the year. The survey identifies students who need a study space, while the room-use records place that demand within a specific part of the term. Staffing costs remain a constraint, so the case is for a limited trial with attendance and cost reviewed before renewal. The decision should turn on whether the extra hours meet that demonstrated need at an acceptable cost.
What changed? The first sentence gives a precise answer. The next connects two kinds of evidence instead of listing the essay’s headings. The final sentences retain the cost objection and make the recommendation conditional. If the body had not already discussed the trial and how to assess it, those ideas would need developing there first.
Draft from your argument, not from a sentence starter
Write three rough notes beside your final body paragraph:
- My answer is… Include its limits. “A trial during exams” is a different claim from “longer hours always help”.
- The reasons fit together because… Explain their relationship. In the example, the survey describes a need and the usage records help locate when it occurs.
- This means… Identify a consequence your argument earns. It might be a qualified recommendation, a changed interpretation or a question the analysis leaves open.
Turn those notes into connected sentences, then remove the prompts. Harvard’s conclusion guidance stresses the argument’s significance and disciplinary context; there is no single ending that suits every assignment.
Do you have to mention the counterargument again?
Only when it helps clarify the final judgment. The library example keeps the cost constraint because it explains why a trial is justified instead of a permanent change. It does not reopen the whole debate. A substantial objection needs space for an answer in the body, not its first appearance in the conclusion.
How long should it be?
Follow the assignment’s requirements. A four-to-six-sentence rule is not a universal standard. For a short essay, a compact paragraph may be enough; a longer argument may need more space to connect its findings. Stop when the answer, its reasoning and its significance are clear—not when a sentence quota is filled.
Check for claims that grew during the rewrite
Underline words such as all, always, proves and will. Compare each with what your body actually supports. In the weak example, “everyone” fails that check. Also remove any new statistic that would need explaining before the reader could assess it.
Hope College’s writing centre recommends connecting the main ideas rather than repeating a list of them. Read your introduction and conclusion together: the ending should answer the question you opened, with the benefit of the argument in between.
If you cannot make that connection yet, check the supporting paragraphs before polishing the ending. The PEEL paragraph guide can help you find where a claim is missing evidence or explanation.
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