Dana C. Elder suggests five possible types of conclusion:
- To gain audience support for the writer and turn audience support from the opposing position
- To highlight the strongest arguments supporting the writer and the primary weaknesses of the opposition
- To make a passionate appeal to the reader
- To summarize
- To suggest specific options for future action, research, or thought
Students should remember that a "conclusion is not a separate but an integral part of a complete essay." Oftentimes, the conclusion will reflect earlier parts of the essay (Elder 353), particularly the introduction when the writer has included in the introduction some bit of narration that illustrates the need for action or the problem the argument addresses.
To gain audience support for the writer and turn audience support from the opposing position
This approach is an appeal to ethos, which can be especially difficult, especially if the writer has not performed well prior to the conclusion (Elder 351). A writer's ethos is substantiated by her or her professionalism, knowledge of the subject, fairness, clarity, and overall representation. Edward P. J. Corbett suggests that this type of conclusion can include a recognition by the writer of his or her "shortcomings," a recognition of the strengths of the opposition, and graciousness toward the opposition, especially if that opposition has been harsh (Elder 351).
In a Rogerian essay, this might be accomplished by fairly, accurately, and graciously restating the opposing position, identifying those areas where the opposition's position is valid, and emphazing shared values and goals (Elder 351).
To highlight the strongest arguments supporting the writer and the primary weaknesses of the opposition
This approach is an appeal to logos. A writer can highlight the strongest arguments by reminding readers of the most telling evidence and any authority supporting that evidence, and by restating the limits or extent of situations or circumstances where the argument applies. In highlighting the primary weaknesses of the opposing side, the writer should be gracious, acknowledging the reasons behind the conclusions reached by the opposition and indicating how those reasons may be inadequate or misguided (Elder 352).
To make a passionate appeal to the reader
This aproach is an appeal to pathos. The aim is to stir the reader's emotions in favor of the conclusions reached by the writer. The writer, however, must not exceed, in his or her appeal, the logical grounds for the conclusion reached. The writer has to maintain a balance between cotton-candy sentimentality and demagoguery, playing on fear and prejudice (Elder 353).
To summarize
While this is often the most popular approach to a conclusion for students, it is seldom the best approach, especially if the writer simply restates the argument and evidence. In a summary conclusion, the goal is to show the inevitability of the writer's conclusions by restating the principle arguments and most telling reasons and evidence. In this way, the essay achieves a sense of completeness in having accomplished what the writer set out to do (Elder 353).
To suggest specific options for future action, research, or thought
The greatest danger in this type of conclusion is that the writer will initiate a new avenue of argument so that, rather than concluding, the essay opens into another discussion which is, then, not undertaken by the writer. The aim in this type of conclusion is to suggest ways and means of implementing the action called for in the argument or to highlight areas where further effort is needed (Elder 353).