Alternatives to 'In Conclusion' for Engaging Writing

When it comes to concluding any piece of writing, the phrase 'in conclusion' can often feel outdated and repetitive. Here's a list of alternatives you can use to make your conclusion more engaging and effective.

Common Alternatives to 'In Conclusion'

There are several ways to signal the end of a piece without saying 'in conclusion.' Here are some of the most frequently used alternatives:

To sum up In summary Ultimately To conclude In closing Finally As a final point To wrap up

Alternative Phrases to 'In Conclusion'

Another interesting set of phrases can also be used to denote the end of a piece. Here are some more options:

To sum up In summary Overall it may be said In sum On the whole All in all In closing Lastly On a final note To summarise the above To put it all together Briefly to conclude Considering all of these In ending this In the end Summing up Taking everything into account To wrap it all up Ultimately

Why Avoid 'In Conclusion'?

When writing personal pieces such as essays, books, or plays, it's important to remember that the reader can usually infer the end based on the context. Here are a few reasons to avoid using 'in conclusion':

It can send the wrong message, treating the reader as if they are incapable of understanding the piece without explicit signals. Readers often know that the end of a piece is near based on page layout and other visual cues. Using 'in conclusion' unnecessarily adds redundancy to your writing. Historically, 'in beginning' is not used to signal the start of a piece, highlighting the redundant nature of such signals.

Best Practices for Concluding

To conclude effectively without using 'in conclusion,' you can:

Use the final paragraph to summarize the main points of the piece. End with a strong statement that emphasizes the main argument or conclusion. Reference the initial thesis or question to tie the piece together. Provide a glimpse into future developments or implications based on the content.

For example, you might say something like:

"In conclusion, this essay has discussed A, B, and C, highlighting their significance in the field of study. Further research could explore how these findings impact related areas."

Or, alternatively:

"To sum up, the key takeaways from this discussion are A, B, and C. These points collectively argue that..."

By using these alternatives and best practices, you can create a more engaging and effective conclusion for your writing.