🎯 Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Write effective conclusions in 2-3 sentences
- Avoid common conclusion mistakes that lower your band score
- Use cohesive devices naturally throughout your essay
- Connect ideas smoothly between and within paragraphs
- Paraphrase your thesis statement effectively
Writing Effective Conclusions
⚡ The Golden Rule
Your conclusion should be 2-3 sentences maximum. It's the shortest part of your essay. Don't waste time here - the body paragraphs are where you earn your marks!
The 3-Step Conclusion Formula
✅ Step 1: Restate Your Position (Sentence 1)
Paraphrase your thesis statement from the introduction. Use different words but keep the same meaning.
Example Thesis: "I believe that mandatory community service is beneficial for both teenagers and society."
Conclusion Restatement: "In conclusion, I strongly support requiring young people to participate in voluntary work."
✅ Step 2: Summarize Main Reasons (Sentence 2)
Briefly mention your two main arguments. Keep it very concise - just a reminder, not detailed explanation.
Example: "This approach helps adolescents develop essential life skills while simultaneously addressing real community needs."
✅ Step 3: Final Thought (Optional Sentence 3)
Add a prediction, recommendation, or broader implication. This is optional but can strengthen your conclusion.
Example: "If implemented widely, such programs could create a generation of more socially conscious citizens."
Complete Conclusion Examples
📌 Two-Sentence Conclusion (Most Common)
In conclusion, I strongly support requiring young people to participate in voluntary work. This approach helps adolescents develop essential life skills while simultaneously addressing real community needs.
📌 Three-Sentence Conclusion (With Final Thought)
In conclusion, I firmly believe that mandatory community service benefits both teenagers and society. Young people gain valuable experience and character development while communities receive much-needed volunteer support. If implemented widely, such programs could create a generation of more socially conscious citizens.
Common Conclusion Mistakes
❌ Mistake 1: Introducing New Ideas
Wrong: "In conclusion, community service is beneficial. Additionally, schools should also focus on environmental education and digital literacy skills."
Why it's wrong: You're introducing new topics that weren't discussed in the body paragraphs. The conclusion only summarizes what you already said.
❌ Mistake 2: Being Too Long
Wrong: A conclusion that's 5-6 sentences or 60+ words.
Why it's wrong: You're wasting time on the least important part. Body paragraphs need your time and words, not conclusions.
❌ Mistake 3: Copying Your Thesis Word-for-Word
Thesis: "I believe that mandatory community service is beneficial."
Wrong Conclusion: "In conclusion, I believe that mandatory community service is beneficial."
Why it's wrong: You need to show lexical variety. Paraphrase your thesis using different vocabulary.
❌ Mistake 4: Being Uncertain
Wrong: "In conclusion, maybe community service might be beneficial, but I'm not completely sure."
Why it's wrong: After writing a whole essay defending your position, you can't suddenly be uncertain! Stay confident and clear.
Useful Conclusion Starters
| Phrase | Formality | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In conclusion, | Formal ⭐ | In conclusion, I firmly support this approach. |
| To conclude, | Formal ⭐ | To conclude, the benefits clearly outweigh the drawbacks. |
| In summary, | Formal ⭐ | In summary, both approaches have merit. |
| Overall, | Semi-formal | Overall, I believe the advantages are significant. |
| To sum up, | Less formal | To sum up, education reform is essential. |
💡 Pro Tip: Simon's Method
Former IELTS examiner Simon recommends keeping conclusions to just 1-2 sentences. His Band 9 essays often have extremely short conclusions: "In conclusion, I believe X because Y and Z." That's it! Don't overthink conclusions - they're the least important paragraph.
Cohesive Devices & Linking Words
⚠️ Important Warning from IELTS Examiners
Using too many fancy linking words (like "Furthermore," "Moreover," "Nevertheless") can actually LOWER your score to Band 6! Examiners call this "mechanical" or "over-use of cohesive devices." The Band 9 descriptor says cohesion should be used in a way that "attracts no attention."
The Right Way to Link Ideas
🔗 Simple & Natural (Use These!)
- and - adding ideas
- but - contrasting
- because - giving reasons
- so - showing result
- which - adding info
- that - connecting clauses
- while - contrasting
- when - time relationship
✅ Formal (Use Sparingly)
- However, - contrast
- Therefore, - result
- Moreover, - addition
- Furthermore, - addition
- Although - concession
- Despite - concession
- Consequently, - result
📍 For Signposting
- Firstly, - first point
- Secondly, - second point
- For example, - giving example
- For instance, - giving example
- In particular, - specific case
- Such as - listing examples
🚫 Avoid These (Too Fancy!)
First and foremostLast but not leastOn the other hand(too long)In addition to this(wordy)What is moreTo begin with
Better Ways to Create Cohesion
✅ Method 1: Reference Words
Use pronouns and reference words to connect ideas without linking words.
Example:
"Community service teaches valuable skills. This experience prepares young people for future careers. These benefits extend beyond individual development to impact entire communities."
✅ Method 2: Repetition of Key Words
Repeat important words or use word families (noun/verb/adjective forms).
Example:
"Education is fundamental to success. Quality education provides opportunities. Well-educated individuals contribute more to society."
✅ Method 3: Synonyms and Paraphrasing
Use different words with similar meanings to avoid repetition.
Example:
"Teenagers benefit from volunteering. Young people develop empathy. Adolescents gain real-world experience."
✅ Method 4: Logical Progression
Let ideas flow naturally from one to the next without explicit linking words.
Example:
"Students need practical skills. Most schools focus only on theory. [Natural flow - no linking word needed!] Employers value hands-on experience more than academic knowledge."
Comparison: Good vs. Over-Linked Writing
| ❌ Over-Linked (Band 6) | ✅ Natural Cohesion (Band 7-8) |
|---|---|
| Moreover, community service is beneficial. Furthermore, it teaches responsibility. In addition to this, young people gain skills. What is more, communities benefit too. | Community service teaches responsibility and practical skills. This experience benefits both young people and their local communities, creating positive impacts that extend far beyond the volunteer hours themselves. |
| First and foremost, education is important. Secondly, it creates opportunities. Last but not least, society benefits. | Education opens doors to better opportunities, which in turn creates a more skilled workforce. These individual benefits ultimately strengthen society as a whole. |
🎯 The Golden Balance
In a 280-word essay, aim for:
• 3-4 formal linking words (Firstly, However, For example, Therefore)
• 8-10 simple connectors (and, but, because, which, that)
• Multiple reference words (this, these, such, it)
• Natural topic vocabulary repetition
• Some synonyms and paraphrasing
Interactive Cohesion Practice
Activity 1: Build a Cohesive Paragraph
Drag the sentences into the correct order to create a cohesive paragraph. Pay attention to the linking devices!
Available Sentences (Drag these):
Build Your Paragraph (Drop in order):
Activity 2: Choose the Best Linking Word
Select the most appropriate word for each sentence:
1. Community service teaches responsibility. , it helps young people develop empathy.
2. some students complain about the time commitment, the benefits outweigh these concerns.
3. Schools should teach practical skills employers value real-world experience.
4. Technology has improved education significantly. , not all students have equal access to digital resources.
Activity 3: Improve Cohesion
Read this paragraph with poor cohesion:
"Education is important. Education helps people get jobs. Jobs are needed for money. Money helps people live. People need education."
Now rewrite it with better cohesion using:
- Reference words (this, these, it)
- Synonyms (different words for "education" and "people")
- Simple connectors (because, which, that)
- Natural flow between ideas
Model Essay Conclusions
Study these Band 7-9 conclusions from different essay types. Notice how they're all short, clear, and effective!
📌 Opinion Essay (Band 9)
Question: Some people believe university education should be free. Do you agree or disagree?
In conclusion, I firmly believe that higher education should remain accessible to all through government funding. The societal benefits of an educated population far outweigh the costs of providing free university tuition.
✓ 2 sentences | ✓ Clear position | ✓ Summarizes main argument | ✓ Uses paraphrase
📌 Discussion Essay (Band 8)
Question: Some say children should learn to compete, others say they should cooperate. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
In conclusion, while competition can drive achievement, I believe cooperation is ultimately more valuable. Teaching children to work collaboratively prepares them better for modern workplaces and creates a more harmonious society.
✓ 2 sentences | ✓ Acknowledges both sides | ✓ Clear opinion | ✓ Future-focused
📌 Problem-Solution Essay (Band 8)
Question: Traffic congestion is becoming worse in cities. What are the causes and solutions?
To conclude, urban traffic problems stem primarily from inadequate public transport and over-reliance on private vehicles. Addressing these issues requires significant investment in mass transit systems and policies that discourage car use in city centers.
✓ 2 sentences | ✓ Summarizes causes | ✓ Summarizes solutions | ✓ Clear and direct
📌 Advantages-Disadvantages Essay (Band 7)
Question: More people work from home. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
In summary, remote work offers significant benefits in terms of flexibility and cost savings. While social isolation and communication challenges exist, I believe the advantages clearly outweigh these drawbacks for most professionals.
✓ 2 sentences | ✓ Mentions both sides | ✓ Clear judgment | ✓ Balanced evaluation
📌 Two-Part Question (Band 8)
Question: Why do people travel abroad? Is this positive or negative?
In conclusion, people travel internationally to experience different cultures and broaden their perspectives. This trend is overwhelmingly positive, fostering global understanding and cultural exchange despite some environmental concerns.
✓ 2 sentences | ✓ Answers both parts | ✓ Clear evaluation | ✓ Acknowledges concerns
What Makes These Conclusions Strong?
- Short and focused: All are exactly 2 sentences (35-45 words)
- Clear conclusion phrases: "In conclusion," "To conclude," "In summary"
- Paraphrased thesis: Different words from the introduction, same meaning
- Brief summary: Quick reminder of main points, not detailed
- No new ideas: Only discuss what was already mentioned in body paragraphs
- Confident tone: "I firmly believe," "clearly outweigh," "overwhelmingly positive"
Write Your Own Conclusion
📝 Practice Task
Essay Question: "Some people think that teenagers should have jobs while they study. Others believe students should focus only on their education. Discuss both views and give your opinion."
Imagine you've written the body paragraphs where you:
• Discussed how part-time work teaches responsibility and time management
• Explained that academic focus is important for future success
• Stated your opinion that a balance is best (limited work hours are beneficial)
Step 1: Plan Your Conclusion (Notes)
Step 2: Write Your Conclusion (2-3 sentences)
📋 Self-Check Checklist
Before submitting, ask yourself:
- ☐ Is my conclusion 2-3 sentences (35-50 words)?
- ☐ Did I start with a conclusion phrase?
- ☐ Did I paraphrase my thesis (not copy it)?
- ☐ Did I briefly mention my main arguments?
- ☐ Did I avoid introducing new ideas?
- ☐ Is my position clear and confident?
- ☐ Did I use good vocabulary and grammar?
💡 Model Answer (Click to reveal)
🎯 Lesson 5 Key Takeaways
- Conclusions should be SHORT: 2-3 sentences maximum, 35-50 words
- Never introduce new ideas in your conclusion - only summarize what you already said
- Paraphrase your thesis using different vocabulary, don't copy it word-for-word
- Use linking words sparingly: Too many fancy linkers = lower score (Band 6)
- Natural cohesion is better: Use reference words, synonyms, and logical flow
- Simple connectors work best: and, but, because, which, that
- Formal linkers in moderation: 3-4 per essay (Firstly, However, Therefore)
- Your conclusion is the LEAST important paragraph - don't waste time on it!