What is a conclusion? It is the end of the story or solution to the problem. The readers should be reminded of the main idea and feel that the story has come a full circle with an ending.

Ending is a conclusion that builds force until reaching a peak of power and intensity.

True/False: The conclusion should normally make up about 20 to 25 percent of your speech. False: Feedback: The conclusion should normally take up no more than 5 to 10 percent of your speech. ____________ is the audience’s perception of whether the speaker is qualified to speak on a given topic.

Try adding these concluding phrases and conclusion transition words to your repertoire:

1. all in all.
2. all things considered.
3. altogether.
4. finally.
5. in brief.
6. in conclusion.
7. in essence.
8. in short.

4 Ways to Improve Paragraph Transitions

1. Transition Words. Transition words cue the reader to relationships between your ideas, especially for a change of ideas.
2. Topic Sentences. At the beginning of each supporting paragraph, start with a topic sentence.
3. Organization. The organization of your paper can also help boost the paragraph transitions.
4. Relationships.

Ending the Essay: Conclusions

1. Conclude by linking the last paragraph to the first, perhaps by reiterating a word or phrase you used at the beginning.
2. Conclude with a sentence composed mainly of one-syllable words.

Initially OR to start with (less formal) = first(ly) Then / next / after that / afterwards = later. In addition / additionally = second(ly) Furthermore / moreover OR what’s more (less formal) = third(ly) In conclusion / lastly OR in the end (less formal)= finally.

Transition words and phrases, also called linking or connecting words, are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.