la dissertation conclusion

Évitez les fautes dans vos écrits académiques

Évitez le plagiat gratuitement, faire une bibliographie gratuitement.

• Dissertation

Conclusion d’une dissertation : comment la rédiger ?

Publié le 29 novembre 2018 par Justine Debret . Mis à jour le 7 décembre 2020.

La conclusion d’une dissertation est un élément très important, car il s’agit de la dernière partie lue par votre examinateur.

Bien qu’elle puisse être facultative pour les dissertations juridiques, elle est en générale obligatoire dans la plupart des domaines d’études (littérature, économie, sciences politiques, histoire, …).

Conseil en or … Faites relire et corriger votre dissertation avant de la rendre. Les fautes sont lourdement pénalisées.

Table des matières

La conclusion d’une dissertation : à quoi sert-elle , les différentes parties d’une conclusion de dissertation, exemple complet de conclusion de dissertation, présentation gratuite.

Le rôle de la conclusion d’une dissertation est de clore le débat en répondant aux problèmes posés en introduction et de proposer un élargissement du sujet.

Elle doit être structurée et claire.

Corriger des documents en 5 minutes

Trouvez rapidement et facilement les fautes d'orthographe, de grammaire et de ponctuation dans vos textes.

• Correction d'un document en 5 minutes
• Appliquer les modifications en 1 clic
• Corriger des documents pendant 30 jours

Essayez le correcteur IA

La conclusion d’une dissertation est une synthèse du développement. Il faudra clairement indiquer la réponse à la problématique de l’introduction.

La conclusion d’une dissertation est donc composée de plusieurs éléments :

• Le rappel de la problématique.
• Le bilan (synthèse) des arguments des parties du développement.
• La réponse à la problématique de l’introduction.
• Une ouverture.

Les exemples suivants répondent au sujet « être libre, est-ce faire ce que l’on veut ? ».

1. Le rappel de la problématique

Il est nécessaire de rappeler la problématique de départ au lecteur. Elle a été dévoilée en introduction et il est donc nécessaire de la mentionner une dernière fois en conclusion.

2. La synthèse des arguments dans une conclusion de dissertation

Il s’agit du bilan de la dissertation. Vous devez brièvement reprendre les conclusions que vous avez faites dans votre développement.

Exemple de synthèse des arguments

3. la réponse à la problématique dans une conclusion de dissertation.

Dans la conclusion, il vous faut aussi formuler votre réponse à la problématique posée en introduction.

4. L’ouverture dans une conclusion de dissertation

L’ouverture d’une conclusion de dissertation permet de situer le sujet dans une perspective plus vaste. Elle montre que, même si vous avez répondu au sujet, vous n’avez pas tout résolu concernant le thème. Il s’agit de prolonger votre réflexion de manière subtile, c’est-à-dire qu’il faut éviter de poser une question ou de finir par une citation banale.

Voici un exemple de conclusion de dissertation.

Sujet  : Etre libre, est-ce faire ce que l’on veut ?

Nous avons donc interrogé le concept de liberté chez l’être humain.

L’Homme semble tout d’abord être un individu « libre » qui place sa raison au fondement de ses jugements et actions. Il semble posséder une liberté qui lui permet d’être responsable de sa personne ainsi que de ses actes de manière rationnelle. Or, l’Homme est aussi un individu complexe qui finalement se révèle être contrôlé par des entités qui sont supérieures à sa propre volonté rationnelle et qui la contrôlent. En effet, sa nature (par les désirs et instincts), son psychisme (par l’Inconscient) et la société (grâce à l’éducation) sont des éléments qui le régissent et donc entrave la liberté personnelle du sujet.

L’Homme semble donc s’illusionner sur sa capacité à désirer ou prendre des décisions rationnelles librement. Par conséquent, la question de la responsabilité de l’Homme se pose quant à son caractère coupable lorsqu’il commet des actes immoraux puisqu’il semble n’être pas libre et maître de sa propre volonté.

Ainsi, il est possible de s’interroger sur la responsabilité des terroristes quant à leurs actes. Les frères Tsarnaev sont considérés comme étant responsables des attentats qu’ils ont commis le 15 avril 2013 lors du Marathon de Boston. Toutefois, on peut se demander s’ils étaient libres et conscients de leurs actions ou non.

Vous pouvez utiliser cette presentation pour vos cours ou comme pense-bête.

Sur Google Slides En version PowerPoint

Citer cet article de Scribbr

Si vous souhaitez citer cette source, vous pouvez la copier/coller ou cliquer sur le bouton “Citez cet article” pour l’ajouter automatiquement à notre Générateur de sources gratuit.

Debret, J. (2020, 07 décembre). Conclusion d’une dissertation : comment la rédiger ?. Scribbr. Consulté le 26 mai 2024, de https://www.scribbr.fr/dissertation-fr/conclusion-dissertation/

Cet article est-il utile ?

Justine Debret

D'autres étudiants ont aussi consulté..., la méthode de la dissertation de philosophie , introduction de dissertation, plan de dissertation.

How To Write The Conclusion Chapter

A Simple Explainer With Examples + Free Template

By: Jenna Crossley (PhD) | Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | September 2021

So, you’ve wrapped up your results and discussion chapters, and you’re finally on the home stretch – the conclusion chapter . In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to craft a high-quality conclusion chapter for your dissertation or thesis project.

Overview: The Conclusion Chapter

• What the thesis/dissertation conclusion chapter is
• What to include in your conclusion
• How to structure and write up your conclusion
• A few tips  to help you ace the chapter
• FREE conclusion template

What is the conclusion chapter?

The conclusion chapter is typically the final major chapter of a dissertation or thesis. As such, it serves as a concluding summary of your research findings and wraps up the document. While some publications such as journal articles and research reports combine the discussion and conclusion sections, these are typically separate chapters in a dissertation or thesis. As always, be sure to check what your university’s structural preference is before you start writing up these chapters.

So, what’s the difference between the discussion and the conclusion chapter?

Well, the two chapters are quite similar , as they both discuss the key findings of the study. However, the conclusion chapter is typically more general and high-level in nature. In your discussion chapter, you’ll typically discuss the intricate details of your study, but in your conclusion chapter, you’ll take a   broader perspective, reporting on the main research outcomes and how these addressed your research aim (or aims) .

A core function of the conclusion chapter is to synthesise all major points covered in your study and to tell the reader what they should take away from your work. Basically, you need to tell them what you found , why it’s valuable , how it can be applied , and what further research can be done.

Whatever you do, don’t just copy and paste what you’ve written in your discussion chapter! The conclusion chapter should not be a simple rehash of the discussion chapter. While the two chapters are similar, they have distinctly different functions.  

What should I include in the conclusion chapter?

To understand what needs to go into your conclusion chapter, it’s useful to understand what the chapter needs to achieve. In general, a good dissertation conclusion chapter should achieve the following:

• Summarise the key findings of the study
• Explicitly answer the research question(s) and address the research aims
• Inform the reader of the study’s main contributions
• Discuss any limitations or weaknesses of the study
• Present recommendations for future research

Therefore, your conclusion chapter needs to cover these core components. Importantly, you need to be careful not to include any new findings or data points. Your conclusion chapter should be based purely on data and analysis findings that you’ve already presented in the earlier chapters. If there’s a new point you want to introduce, you’ll need to go back to your results and discussion chapters to weave the foundation in there.

In many cases, readers will jump from the introduction chapter directly to the conclusions chapter to get a quick overview of the study’s purpose and key findings. Therefore, when you write up your conclusion chapter, it’s useful to assume that the reader hasn’t consumed the inner chapters of your dissertation or thesis. In other words, craft your conclusion chapter such that there’s a strong connection and smooth flow between the introduction and conclusion chapters, even though they’re on opposite ends of your document.

Need a helping hand?

How to write the conclusion chapter

Now that you have a clearer view of what the conclusion chapter is about, let’s break down the structure of this chapter so that you can get writing. Keep in mind that this is merely a typical structure – it’s not set in stone or universal. Some universities will prefer that you cover some of these points in the discussion chapter , or that you cover the points at different levels in different chapters.

Step 1: Craft a brief introduction section

As with all chapters in your dissertation or thesis, the conclusions chapter needs to start with a brief introduction. In this introductory section, you’ll want to tell the reader what they can expect to find in the chapter, and in what order . Here’s an example of what this might look like:

This chapter will conclude the study by summarising the key research findings in relation to the research aims and questions and discussing the value and contribution thereof. It will also review the limitations of the study and propose opportunities for future research.

Importantly, the objective here is just to give the reader a taste of what’s to come (a roadmap of sorts), not a summary of the chapter. So, keep it short and sweet – a paragraph or two should be ample.

Step 2: Discuss the overall findings in relation to the research aims

The next step in writing your conclusions chapter is to discuss the overall findings of your study , as they relate to the research aims and research questions . You would have likely covered similar ground in the discussion chapter, so it’s important to zoom out a little bit here and focus on the broader findings – specifically, how these help address the research aims .

In practical terms, it’s useful to start this section by reminding your reader of your research aims and research questions, so that the findings are well contextualised. In this section, phrases such as, “This study aimed to…” and “the results indicate that…” will likely come in handy. For example, you could say something like the following:

This study aimed to investigate the feeding habits of the naked mole-rat. The results indicate that naked mole rats feed on underground roots and tubers. Further findings show that these creatures eat only a part of the plant, leaving essential parts to ensure long-term food stability.

Be careful not to make overly bold claims here. Avoid claims such as “this study proves that” or “the findings disprove existing the existing theory”. It’s seldom the case that a single study can prove or disprove something. Typically, this is achieved by a broader body of research, not a single study – especially not a dissertation or thesis which will inherently have significant  limitations . We’ll discuss those limitations a little later.

Step 3: Discuss how your study contributes to the field

Next, you’ll need to discuss how your research has contributed to the field – both in terms of theory and practice . This involves talking about what you achieved in your study, highlighting why this is important and valuable, and how it can be used or applied.

In this section you’ll want to:

• Mention any research outputs created as a result of your study (e.g., articles, publications, etc.)
• Inform the reader on just how your research solves your research problem , and why that matters
• Reflect on gaps in the existing research and discuss how your study contributes towards addressing these gaps
• Discuss your study in relation to relevant theories . For example, does it confirm these theories or constructively challenge them?
• Discuss how your research findings can be applied in the real world . For example, what specific actions can practitioners take, based on your findings?

Be careful to strike a careful balance between being firm but humble in your arguments here. It’s unlikely that your one study will fundamentally change paradigms or shake up the discipline, so making claims to this effect will be frowned upon . At the same time though, you need to present your arguments with confidence, firmly asserting the contribution your research has made, however small that contribution may be. Simply put, you need to keep it balanced .

Step 4: Reflect on the limitations of your study

Now that you’ve pumped your research up, the next step is to critically reflect on the limitations and potential shortcomings of your study. You may have already covered this in the discussion chapter, depending on your university’s structural preferences, so be careful not to repeat yourself unnecessarily.

There are many potential limitations that can apply to any given study. Some common ones include:

• Sampling issues that reduce the generalisability of the findings (e.g., non-probability sampling )
• Insufficient sample size (e.g., not getting enough survey responses ) or limited data access
• Low-resolution data collection or analysis techniques
• Researcher bias or lack of experience
• Lack of access to research equipment
• Time constraints that limit the methodology (e.g. cross-sectional vs longitudinal time horizon)
• Budget constraints that limit various aspects of the study

Discussing the limitations of your research may feel self-defeating (no one wants to highlight their weaknesses, right), but it’s a critical component of high-quality research. It’s important to appreciate that all studies have limitations (even well-funded studies by expert researchers) – therefore acknowledging these limitations adds credibility to your research by showing that you understand the limitations of your research design .

That being said, keep an eye on your wording and make sure that you don’t undermine your research . It’s important to strike a balance between recognising the limitations, but also highlighting the value of your research despite those limitations. Show the reader that you understand the limitations, that these were justified given your constraints, and that you know how they can be improved upon – this will get you marks.

Next, you’ll need to make recommendations for future studies. This will largely be built on the limitations you just discussed. For example, if one of your study’s weaknesses was related to a specific data collection or analysis method, you can make a recommendation that future researchers undertake similar research using a more sophisticated method.

Another potential source of future research recommendations is any data points or analysis findings that were interesting or surprising , but not directly related to your study’s research aims and research questions. So, if you observed anything that “stood out” in your analysis, but you didn’t explore it in your discussion (due to a lack of relevance to your research aims), you can earmark that for further exploration in this section.

Essentially, this section is an opportunity to outline how other researchers can build on your study to take the research further and help develop the body of knowledge. So, think carefully about the new questions that your study has raised, and clearly outline these for future researchers to pick up on.

Step 6: Wrap up with a closing summary

Tips for a top-notch conclusion chapter

Now that we’ve covered the what , why and how of the conclusion chapter, here are some quick tips and suggestions to help you craft a rock-solid conclusion.

• Don’t ramble . The conclusion chapter usually consumes 5-7% of the total word count (although this will vary between universities), so you need to be concise. Edit this chapter thoroughly with a focus on brevity and clarity.
• Be very careful about the claims you make in terms of your study’s contribution. Nothing will make the marker’s eyes roll back faster than exaggerated or unfounded claims. Be humble but firm in your claim-making.
• Use clear and simple language that can be easily understood by an intelligent layman. Remember that not every reader will be an expert in your field, so it’s important to make your writing accessible. Bear in mind that no one knows your research better than you do, so it’s important to spell things out clearly for readers.

Hopefully, this post has given you some direction and confidence to take on the conclusion chapter of your dissertation or thesis with confidence. If you’re still feeling a little shaky and need a helping hand, consider booking a free initial consultation with a friendly Grad Coach to discuss how we can help you with hands-on, private coaching.

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

You Might Also Like:

17 Comments

Really you team are doing great!

Your guide on writing the concluding chapter of a research is really informative especially to the beginners who really do not know where to start. Im now ready to start. Keep it up guys

Really your team are doing great!

Very helpful guidelines, timely saved. Thanks so much for the tips.

This post was very helpful and informative. Thank you team.

A very enjoyable, understandable and crisp presentation on how to write a conclusion chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks Jenna.

This was a very helpful article which really gave me practical pointers for my concluding chapter. Keep doing what you are doing! It meant a lot to me to be able to have this guide. Thank you so much.

Nice content dealing with the conclusion chapter, it’s a relief after the streneous task of completing discussion part.Thanks for valuable guidance

Thanks for your guidance

I get all my doubts clarified regarding the conclusion chapter. It’s really amazing. Many thanks.

Very helpful tips. Thanks so much for the guidance

Thank you very much for this piece. It offers a very helpful starting point in writing the conclusion chapter of my thesis.

It’s awesome! Most useful and timely too. Thanks a million times

Bundle of thanks for your guidance. It was greatly helpful.

Wonderful, clear, practical guidance. So grateful to read this as I conclude my research. Thank you.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

Conclusion de la dissertation : la méthode

Tu passes le bac de français ? CLIQUE ICI et deviens membre de commentairecompose.fr ! Tu accèderas gratuitement à tout le contenu du site et à mes meilleures astuces en vidéo.

Si tu es comme beaucoup de mes élèves, tu penses que la conclusion de dissertation a pour but de résumer les étapes de ton développement avant de proposer une ouverture.

Or cela n’est pas suffisant !

Certes, la conclusion fait le bilan des étapes de ton raisonnement, mais son rôle va au-delà : il s’agit du paragraphe final de ton devoir qui doit clore le débat soulevé dans ta copie.

Ta conclusion doit ainsi faire apparaître une réponse finale ferme et définitive au problème posé en introduction .

Pour cela, ta conclusion doit suivre 3 étapes, qui permettent d’aller du particulier au général :

1 – Rappelle les étapes de ton développement 2 – Propose une réponse ferme et définitive à la question 3 – Fais une ouverture

1 – Rappelle les étapes de ton développement

Dresse un bilan (ou rédige une courte synthèse) des étapes de ton développement. Par exemple, si tu as suivi un plan dialectique, rappelle la thèse, l’antithèse et la synthèse.

Dans la mesure du possible, ne répète pas ton annonce de plan à l’identique. Utilise des synonymes pour reformuler l’essentiel de ton raisonnement de façon originale.

2 – Propose une réponse ferme et définitive à la question

C’est là-dessus que tu es attendu !

Ton introduction a soulevé une problématique. Il est temps d’y répondre.

Normalement, tu as développé ta réponse finale dans ta troisième partie. Il te suffit donc de la reprendre de façon ferme et concise pour achever ta dissertation.

Répondre à la question ne signifie pas donner un avis personnel : « Moi, je pense que… ».

Ta réponse n’est certes pas neutre puisqu’il s’agit d’une réponse personnell e, mais elle doit être présentée comme une réponse réfléchie, comme l’aboutissement de ton raisonnement.

N’utilise jamais la première personne (« je ») : le « nous » ou le « on » impersonnel doivent être présents jusqu’à la dernière étape de ta dissertation.

3 – Propose un élargissement

L’élargissement (ou ouverture) est une phrase qui ouvre la réflexion sur une perspective plus générale . C’est un moyen de montrer que la discussion pourrait se prolonger.

Pour trouver une ouverture, passe en revue les possibilités suivantes :

• Ta réponse au sujet fait-elle émerger d’autres problèmes littéraires ?
• Ta réponse amène-t-elle à s’interroger sur un nouveau sujet ?
• La question se pose-t-elle dans un autre genre ou domaine artistique (peinture, cinéma, musique…) ?
• Peux-tu revenir aux notions de l’objet d’étude, en proposant un autre regard sur ce dernier ?
• Peux-tu ouvrir sur une citation d’auteur issue de l’oeuvre au programme ?

Comme pour l’accroche en introduction, ton élargissement doit absolument éviter les généralités trop éloignées de ton sujet .

Par exemple, la question «  Mais alors, quel est le but de la littérature ?  » est bien trop large : c’est une ouverture qui décrédibiliserait ta copie.

Propose une ouverture sur un sujet proche de celui traité dans ta dissertation . Le but est d’ouvrir le champ de la réflexion mais sans passer du coq à l’âne !

Au baccalauréat, il n’est pas toujours évident pour les lycéens de 1re de trouver une ouverture pertinente.

Si tu n’as que des idées d’ouverture vagues, banales ou clichés, mieux vaut sauter cette étape plutôt que de faire du remplissage maladroit qui pourrait laisser une mauvaise impression à ton correcteur.

3 formules pour réussir tes ouvertures :

@commentairecompose.fr Pour te démarquer au bac de français, teste ces 3 formules pour tes ouvertures 🚀 Que ce soit pour le commentaire ou la dissertation, l’ouverture est attendue dans ta conclusion: elle souligne ta culture littéraire et laisse ton correcteur sur une bonne impression. 📚✨ #bacdefrancais #conclusion #dissertation #commentaire #Apprendresurtiktok #profdefrançais #bonnenote ♬ son original – Amélie Vioux | Bac de français

Pour exceller au bac de français, teste ces 3 formules pour tes ouvertures en conclusion 🚀 Elles fonctionnent pour le commentaire et la dissertation. L’ouverture est attendue dans la conclusion: elle souligne ta culture littéraire et laisse ton correcteur sur une bonne impression. 📚✨ #bacdefrancais #conclusion #dissertation #commentaire #Apprendresurtiktok #profdefrançais #bonnenote

♬ son original – Amélie Vioux | Bac de français

Comment rédiger la conclusion d’une dissertation ?

Quelle que soit la matière (français, philosophie, économie, histoire-géo…), la conclusion est obligatoire et se rédige de la même façon.

Il s’agit toujours d’un paragraphe unique de 8-10 lignes qui débute par un alinéa .

La conclusion est isolée du reste du devoir par deux sauts de ligne .

Il est ainsi inutile de commencer ta conclusion par une formule telle que « Pour conclure », « En conclusion » : ces expressions sont lourdes et redondantes puisque le professeur identifie immédiatement ta conclusion qui se détache visuellement du développement . Il sait donc que la dernière partie de ton devoir correspond à la conclusion.

Afin de laisser une impression favorable à l’examinateur, soigne particulièrement l’ orthographe et la syntaxe .

La tentation est grande de la « bâcler » la conclusion en quelques minutes, avant la fin de l’épreuve, mais tu as tout intérêt à la préparer sérieusement au brouillon pour te démarquer avantageusement des autres copies.

N’oublie pas que la conclusion est la finalité de ton devoir et qu’elle sera lue attentivement par ton enseignant juste avant qu’il n’appose la note finale !

Exemple de conclusion de dissertation

Voici un exemple de conclusion de dissertation pour le sujet «  Le romancier doit-il nécessairement faire de ses personnages des êtres extraordinaires ? » :

Le héros hors du commun, extraordinaire, fascine indéniablement le lecteur, mais le personnage ordinaire suscite également son intérêt car il lui offre un miroir plus plausible et réaliste. Il convient toutefois de sortir de l’opposition binaire entre personnage extraordinaire et ordinaire car cette opposition ne permet pas de rendre compte de la complexité du personnage de roman et des attentes du lecteur qui s’intéresse à la singularité de chaque personnage. [Je récapitule les jalons de mon raisonnement et donne ma réponse finale ferme et définitive] . C’est ce qui fait dire à André Malraux « Un personnage n’est pas un individu en mieux ». Comme dans la vie réelle, chaque trajectoire individuelle, ordinaire ou extraordinaire, peut susciter l’intérêt pour peu qu’on essaie de l’appréhender dans sa complexité et sa singularité. [ouverture sur une citation]

Tu travailles la méthode de la dissertation ? Regarde aussi :

♦ Analyser un sujet de dissertation (méthode en 5 étapes) ♦ L’introduction de la dissertation ♦ Le plan de la dissertation ♦ Exemple de dissertation

Les 3 vidéos préférées des élèves :

• La technique INCONTOURNABLE pour faire décoller tes notes en commentaire [vidéo]
• Quel sujet choisir au bac de français ? [vidéo]
• Comment trouver un plan de dissertation ? [vidéo]

Tu entres en Première ?

Commande ton livre 2024 en cliquant ici ⇓.

Qui suis-je ?

Amélie Vioux

Je suis professeur particulier spécialisée dans la préparation du bac de français (2nde et 1re).

Sur mon site, tu trouveras des analyses, cours et conseils simples, directs, et facilement applicables pour augmenter tes notes en 2-3 semaines.

Je crée des formations en ligne sur commentairecompose.fr depuis 12 ans.

Tu peux également retrouver mes conseils dans mon livre Réussis ton bac de français 2024 aux éditions Hachette.

J'ai également publié une version de ce livre pour les séries technologiques ici.

Laisse un commentaire ! X

Merci de laisser un commentaire ! Pour des raisons pédagogiques et pour m'aider à mieux comprendre ton message, il est important de soigner la rédaction de ton commentaire. Vérifie notamment l'orthographe, la syntaxe, les accents, la ponctuation, les majuscules ! Les commentaires qui ne sont pas soignés ne sont pas publiés.

Site internet

• How it works

How to Write a Dissertation Conclusion – Example & Tips

Published by Jamie Walker at August 13th, 2021 , Revised On August 22, 2023

It is imperative for students to understand how to  write a dissertation  conclusion in order to achieve the highest grade in their dissertation project.

The concluding chapter of the dissertation should be appealing to the readers and give an accurate but concise review of what your research revolves around with special emphasis on the outcomes  and recommendations that you have derived from your research study.

The illustration below provides an insight into  how a first-class dissertation is structured , and we will now look in complete detail over how to manage the conclusion chapter of your dissertation.

The conclusion of a dissertation or thesis generally connects the beginning of your research ( introduction ,  research problem ,  research questions ) to the findings and implications of your research.

You must relate to the major  findings of your research  and answer the research questions that your study raised. There is no need to hesitate to state the limitations of research because it is natural that your research will have some limitations rather than none.

Writing a dissertation conclusion is, perhaps, the most critical aspect of your research work which is why it is vitally important to not miss out on the key elements surrounding a great dissertation conclusion.

Dissertation Conclusion Guidelines

Dissertation conclusion is a core element of your dissertation or thesis paper which is why you will be required to follow a specific set of guidelines in order to showcase the findings of your study in a logical manner.

How to Start a Dissertation Conclusion

Always write your conclusion in clear and simple language.  Before starting to write the conclusion chapter, it is important that students become familiar with the assessment criteria and expected outcomes in order to avoid complexities at a later stage.

The aim of a dissertation conclusion is to provide a brief overview of the main research work so the readers can figure out how your research study will add value to the existing literature.

Moreover, recommendations for future research and practitioners should also be provided in this section.

Difference between Conclusion & Discussion

The contents of the  discussion  and conclusion chapters are similar, and they are typically grouped together in journal articles and scientific papers.

Depending on your academic institute and the subject of your degree program, you could be asked to put discussion and conclusion together under the same chapter in your dissertation or thesis paper.

However, typically in a  dissertation or thesis paper , it is common to have a separate chapter for the conclusion to briefly state answers for all research questions, and summarise and reflect on the research.

The conclusion chapter is considerably shorter in length than the discussion. Here you will be expected to provide general statements to give readers a final impression of your research.

On the other hand, in the discussion chapter of a dissertation , the author states the major findings, and their interpretations and implications.

Do not introduce any new information, arguments, meanings, and interpretations in the conclusion chapter.

Does your Dissertation Have the Following?

• Great Research/Sources
• Perfect Language
• Accurate Sources

If not, we can help. Our panel of experts makes sure to keep the 3 pillars of the Dissertation strong.

What to Write in a Conclusion

An important question that one must address before writing a dissertation conclusion is what to write in a conclusion?

In the best case scenario, you will summarise the findings of your entire research in a comprehensive manner, but at the same time ensure that you are not just restating the points covered in the main body.

The purpose here is to present a synthesis of the major points covered which is why it is advised not to include any new ideas relating to your research at this point.

Methodology in a dissertation  can be a taxing and time consuming matter because a large chunk of your research is based on the methods you have adopted.

Essentially, the methodology should relate to the literature you have reviewed and provide academic justification to your  choice of research methods  – be it quantitative, qualitative or a mix of both.

Students must make sure that they shed adequate light on the methodology part in their dissertation conclusion.

It is essential to keep the dissertation conclusion concise and to the point rather than going into unnecessary details which would rather be a part of the main body.

Writing a dissertation conclusion is not a strenuous task if you stick to the fact that your goal here is to provide insight, evaluations and implications of your research study.

Structuring a Dissertation Conclusion

While writing a dissertation conclusion, you must be particular about the fact that it gives reflection of a cohesive argument and supports the points you have covered in the main body.

Your conclusion should depict the importance of why you chose this  specific research topic  and the impact your study will have on the society.

Providing solutions to the problems you have identified and predicting what might happen in the near future leaves a very good impression on the readers, and some of them might well be inclined to consider your argument long after.

When pondering over how to write a dissertation conclusion, it is important to relate your ideas with academics who are closely followed by your supervisor.

Although the dissertation belongs to you and you have the full right to express your own views where appropriate, there is absolutely no harm in slightly aligning your views with other researchers in order to achieve a good score.

Dissertation Conclusion Limitations

Every dissertation is likely to suffer from limitations which is precisely the reason why students must acknowledge and appropriately address them.

Limitations is an integral part of your dissertation conclusion because it will also help your readers to  understand your research design and philosophical approach .

This brief segment reflects upon the importance of the inherent limitations been identified; the reasons behind your choice of methods; and possible ways to counter the limitations.

It is recommended never to hide the limitations associated with your research, because your tutor will probably have years of experience with  different methods of research  and they will figure out these limitations even if you have not specifically discussed them.

Simply highlighting the dissertation limitations is not a very good idea because every research limitation must accompany ways in which it can be combated. Dissertation limitations can be methodological or conceptual.

It is necessary to briefly touch upon both types of limitations so your supervisor can figure out what part of your research was stalled by lack of data, cultural biases, sampling etc.

This section of the dissertation conclusion chapter is generally based on a world count – 200-500 words so it is appropriate to discuss only the most significant limitations of your study.

Dissertation Conclusion Length

Another important question that you might want to address in the final phase of your research work is how long should dissertation conclusion be? The length of a dissertation conclusion is in direct correlation with the length of the full dissertation paper.

On a simple basis the longer or more detailed your research is, the longer the conclusion it will have, and vice versa. The length will often depend on the writer’s personal judgement and making a call on such a matter might well turn out to be the difference between an ordinary and  professional dissertation writer.

The length of a dissertation conclusion chapter is generally 5-7% of the total dissertation word count.

Addressing Research Questions in Dissertation Conclusion

Make sure that you start your conclusion chapter by directly addressing the  research questions  or the  research problem  that your dissertation or thesis intended to address.

Conclusion chapter gives you the final chance to demonstrate to your readers that your research achieved what was aimed at the beginning of the research.

Provide a clear, concise and to the point answer to your research questions. You are not expected to repeat what you have already said in the discussion part of the paper, rather turn readers’ attentions towards a final outcome.

Dissertation Conclusion Example

No matter how much you dig into the details of writing a conclusion for your dissertation, it is always nice to have a look at a full-fledged example for guidance purposes. The graphic below gives a summarised view of what is to be written in a dissertation conclusion.

Here is an example of how to write a dissertation conclusion to help you better understand.

How to Write Dissertation Conclusion Example

Here is a dissertation conclusion example of a dissertation that aimed to test a theoretical argument based on an analysis of a case study; Proposed anaerobic digestion plant in Tripoli.

Chapter 5 – Dissertation Conclusion 5.1 Background This chapter highlights the crux of the study by briefly describing objectives and literature survey. The feasibility of the proposed plant is then discussed, leading to the study’s limitations and difficulties. In the end, some recommendations for future work are provided in brief. Some suggestions to improve and highlight the renewable energy generation techniques are also part of the chapter. 5.2 Literature Review, Survey and Interviews A Valora process AD plant, with a capacity of 0.8 tones of food waste per day, is proposed to be established in the city of Tripoli. This plant can assist the national grid in meeting the rising demands of electricity in Tripoli and on the outskirts. Public opinion about establishing such a plant is taken by conducting a survey. The survey results suggest that the people of Tripoli understand the need for a WTE plant and ensure their cooperation for the separate household food waste if provided with the containers by the municipal authorities. The food waste to energy generation plant provides a solution for both household food waste management in Tripoli and generating an adequate amount of electricity to meet the rising demand. An informal session of interviews has been conducted with the experts from the Energy Agency of Libya. The opinion and observation-based data collection are done in order to opt for the interpretive approach of research adequately. All five respondents recommended the idea of establishing an AD plant in Tripoli-Libya. Their comments and suggestions have also validated the plant location selected in the research as an appropriate location for establishing a plant. The idea of energy generation using sustainable methods is the main point they’ve endorsed. The research provides the solution for both; waste management in Tripoli and the introduction of sustainable energy generation methods in Libya. 5.3 Feasibility of the Proposed System A detailed, feasibly study was conducted, including technical details such as the amount of biogas generation, plant type, equipment sizing, and proposed location for the plant. Initial finances, operation and management costs of the proposed AD plant are estimated in the financial analysis of the proposed plant. Life cycle assessment is compared with food waste management to evaluate the environmental effects of the plant. The analysis suggests that the proposed AD plant is economically, technically and ecologically feasible to establish on 3rd Ring Road in Tripoli. 5.4 Limitations and Difficulties Some of the limitations and difficulties involved in the process of digestion or establishing a digestion plant are listed as follows; 1. Since many WTE technologies are designed to handle mixed-type food waste such as solid waste and municipal waste etc. Running the plant with specifically food waste is difficult as food waste makes comparatively less amount than MSW as a whole. 2. Some other WTE challenges include high capital cost, waste-gas cleanup, regulatory hurdles, and conversion efficiency. 3. Since domestic utilization of generated electricity is a primary objective, and it adds a limitation where even distribution of electricity distribution in domestic buildings is not possible if the plant is located outside the residential area. This issue can be resolved by centralizing a substation for the proper transmission and distribution. 4. Since the accuracy of the estimated analysis depends entirely on the data, and missing fields affect the accuracy of the estimations. 5. Since the survey is conducted among non-technical people and represents their views, no primary data is available that accurately estimates the energy generation from the amount of food or biogas generation. The calculations of estimation of biogas yield and energy generation are based on the equations taken from secondary resources thus can be erroneous. 5.5 Future Work This study is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of establishing a large-scale plant to provide an alternative and renewable energy solution. The whole idea is applicable and implementable in the proposed area. Instead, in the future, the idea can be evaluated for the individual high-rise buildings to make them self-sufficient in energy demand and supply and to reduce the load on the national electricity grid. A cross-national study involving cost-benefit analysis of family-sized digesters in Tripoli is yet to analyze in order to predict the future of biogas technology in Libya. Information about government subsidies on renewable energy generation plants in Tripoli is important but unknown yet. This study revolves around the utilization of food waste collected from residential buildings only. Although hotels, restaurants, and canteens can also provide a considerably high amount of food waste and it is relatively easy for them to collect it separately. Thus further work can be based on the food waste collection from the food consumption areas. It is important to remember that there is no need to restate the research objectives in conclusion. Your statements should incorporate answers to research questions without you having to repeat those questions. Here is another example of dissertation conclusion.

Hire an Expert Writer

Orders completed by our expert writers are

• Formally drafted in an academic style
• Free Amendments and 100% Plagiarism Free – or your money back!
• 100% Confidential and Timely Delivery!
• Free anti-plagiarism report
• Appreciated by thousands of clients. Check client reviews

Summarising and Reflecting on Research

As mentioned before, the conclusion chapter gives you that final opportunity to restate what your research study intended to achieve, what approach you took in the process, where  findings  you came up as a result of your study, and whether or not they were according to your expectations. In short, a conclusion section needs to provide an overview of the building blocks of your research.

It is common to use a reflective style of writing here, rather than simply restating what you have already written in the previous chapters. This approach will also help you to avoid repetition.

For example, if there were limitations of your chosen research methodology then you might want to briefly state whether or not that could have influenced the results of your research study. You can also highlight any new insights that you recorded during the process.

Focus more on the positives of your study although you will be expected to concisely state the limitations of your research as well.

The research approach employed for this research study provided new insight into B even though it limited the generalizability of findings.

Recommendations for Future in Conclusion Chapter

Although it is common to provide recommendations for future research work in the discussion chapter, it will be a good idea to provide an overview of those endorsements in the conclusion chapter with a focus on the practical and theoretical consequences of your results.

Practitioners should consider A and B based on these conclusions….Further research needs to be conducted for better understanding in regards to the implications of these findings….The effects of the relationship between A and B are still unclear, and so further research must be conducted…

Research pertaining to a dissertation or thesis is usually expected to discover, enlighten, and educate rather than frame the results as essentials for practitioners and policymakers.

Any recommendations related to business, application, and strategy should be presented as propositions to avoid overstating the appositeness of your work.

Never undermine your research work when making propositions for future research. Your work should be recognized as complete, thorough, and reliable without the need for further research to confirm your conclusions.

Stress the Importance of Your Research in Conclusion

You don’t want your readers to leave with the impression that your work did not make a valuable contribution to the existing knowledge in your area of study. Here are some ideas to demonstrate how this is done;

• Referring back to the problem statement to help readers understand how your work addresses the research problem originally identified.
• Elaborate how your results validated or tested an existing hypothesis or theory.
• Stating how your research was able to fill a certain gap in existing knowledge as pointed out in the literature review.

Again, it is recommended to avoid repetition. You do not want to reiterate what you have already discussed in the previous chapter.

Dissertation Conclusion Help from Experts

Writing a dissertation is no mean feat because it requires complete dedication and attention to detail in order to secure a good grade.

Even the very first part of your dissertation – topic selection can become a cumbersome task because of the  need to select a topic with a sufficient amount of literature available on it.

Despite putting in a lot of effort, you might still end up with a grade that is well below your own expectations which is why it is sometimes better off to approach professionals providing dissertation writing services so that the complexities surrounding a top-quality dissertation are handled by people with specialized skill set.

As we approach the conclusion of this piece, it should be clear by now as to what students are expected to do in the final phase of their dissertations. In short, they should have a clear idea about  how to write a dissertation conclusion .

Finally, it is important not to let yourself down by writing a mediocre conclusion and consequently lose crucial marks. The hard part of your dissertation is already completed so it is worthwhile to put in a concentrated effort to end on a high and impress your supervisor.

Struggling with any Chapter of your Dissertation?

Whether it is your dissertation introduction, literature review, methodology, conclusion or any other chapter, our expert dissertation writers can help you succeed. With our dissertation chapter writing service, you can be confident of having your individual chapters completed to your school’s exact guidelines. Click here to learn more about our dissertation chapter writing service. Find out how our dissertation services can help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pages is a dissertation conclusion.

The length of a dissertation conclusion varies but is typically around 1 to 2 pages. It succinctly summarizes key findings, discusses implications, and restates the significance of the study, providing a resolution to the research.

You May Also Like

This brief introductory section aims to deal with the definitions of two paradigms, positivism and post-positivism, as well as their importance in research.

How to Structure a Dissertation or Thesis Need interesting and manageable Finance and Accounting dissertation topics? Here are the trending Media dissertation titles so you can choose one most suitable to your needs.

Finding it difficult to maintain a good relationship with your supervisor? Here are some tips on ‘How to Deal with an Unhelpful Dissertation Supervisor’.

USEFUL LINKS

LEARNING RESOURCES

COMPANY DETAILS

• How It Works

The Dissertation: Writing in French

Dissertation is a very specific way to write what we call a “paper.” In France, this style is used in academics and the professional world alike.

The Necessities

• Personal reaction: Be sincere, though not informal.
• Use examples to affirm your point. Using examples limits verbiage, generalities, and banalities.
• Be clear and coherent : A good paper should resemble a mathematical proof more than a lyrical flood of words. Be understandable and operate by the Law of Occam’s Razor (the simplest explanation tends to be the best one.)
• Outline : Getting your ideas on paper is harder than coming up with them in the first place. In order to convey your ideas effectively to the reader, outline!

The Schema of a Dissertation

In order to write a dissertation, you need a problem or problématique. Situate that problem within your topic or subject. Do not begin to write without these ideas in mind.

Introduction

• The introduction must rapidly situate and introduce the problem. Cite briefly.
• Give an idea of the movement of the paper, but do not announce each step of your work.
• Define key words.
• Attract the reader!  

The Body 

Separated into parts and paragraphs, where each part is a main point in the problem and each paragraph is one idea or one aspect of an idea.

• Thesis – often the predominant point of view (the most common analysis)
• Synthesis: Establish some nuanced truth in between the two arguments or overcome of the initial contradiction by bringing in additional information.
• “Problem-Cause-Solution” Plan: Introduce and define a problem, pinpoint its causes, and propose a solution.
• Separate your argument into parts (in this case, two: benefits and pleasures)
• Order your arguments within each part
• first element of comparison (one point of view on an issue, for example)
• second element of comparison (an opposing point of view)
• Meditation on the facts presented in the first two parts
• Explanation of the formula (definition, par ex.)
• Commentary on the formula, for example, expansion of a definition, comments on appropriateness

The Conclusion

A conclusion must be written in the spirit of synthesis and with logical rigor. Coming to the end of an argument, a conclusion must be concise and strong. If desired, it can situate the results or thesis a more general sense.

(Desalmand, Paul and Tort, Patrick. Du plan à la dissertation. Paris : 1977) 

Mailing Address

Pomona College 333 N. College Way Claremont , CA 91711

Get in touch

Give back to pomona.

Part of   The Claremont Colleges

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Dissertation Conclusion

3-minute read

• 5th August 2015

After years of hard work, dedicated research and sleepless nights, you’re finally close to finishing your dissertation . You’ve reviewed the literature , gathered and analyzed data, and reflected on the results. Well done.

But what does it all mean? This is where the conclusion becomes crucial, as it allows you to summarize your work and its significance.

It’s therefore important that the conclusion to your dissertation is clear, concise and compelling. Here are a few “dos” and “don’ts” to keep in mind when writing your conclusion!

1. Summarize Your Argument

A good conclusion will briefly restate your hypothesis, key findings and the implications of your research. This will help the reader to follow your argument as a whole, bringing together various elements raised during the discussion.

2. Put Your Work in Context

The conclusion of your dissertation is a good place to restate the significance of your work. This might include how it contributes to existing knowledge in your field or its importance outside of academia.

3. Assess Limitations

No study is perfect, not even yours! Sorry to break the bad news!

On the plus side, you can discuss the limitations of your work at the end of your dissertation. Doing this will demonstrate your understanding of the research process. Issues you may want to consider include sample size and time constraints.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

4. Identify Implications for Future Research

Most dissertation conclusions include suggestions for how your work could inform future research. This could be a refinement of your own investigation, though it might also be a radical new idea suggested by your results!

1. Introduce New Material

Although it’s fine to offer an opinion or reflection at the end of your dissertation, introducing new arguments or evidence at this point is forbidden. If something is important enough to include in the conclusion, it should be part of the main body of your paper.

2. Write Too Much

Your conclusion should include a summary of what precedes it, but it isn’t necessary to go back over everything in depth. Try to make this chapter fairly snappy, relating what you have already read in an easily digestible way.

3. Keep Your Reader in Suspense

Unlike an episode of Game of Thrones , you can’t finish your dissertation on a cliffhanger! In your research, you will have set out to answer certain questions. Make sure that you address these explicitly in your conclusion so that nothing is overlooked.

If you follow these tips you should hopefully find writing that all – important concluding chapter a much simpler process. For more information about writing a dissertation or thesis, read our full dissertation writing guide . But if you need any more support, the experts at Proofed will be happy to look over your work!

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

9-minute read

How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation

Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...

8-minute read

Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement

Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...

7-minute read

Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...

4-minute read

Five Creative Ways to Showcase Your Digital Portfolio

Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...

How to Ace Slack Messaging for Contractors and Freelancers

Effective professional communication is an important skill for contractors and freelancers navigating remote work environments....

How to Insert a Text Box in a Google Doc

Google Docs is a powerful collaborative tool, and mastering its features can significantly enhance your...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

• How It Works
• PhD thesis writing
• Master thesis writing
• Bachelor thesis writing
• Dissertation writing service
• Dissertation abstract writing
• Thesis proposal writing
• Thesis editing service
• Thesis proofreading service
• Thesis formatting service
• Coursework writing service
• Research paper writing service
• Architecture thesis writing
• Computer science thesis writing
• Engineering thesis writing
• History thesis writing
• MBA thesis writing
• Nursing dissertation writing
• Psychology dissertation writing
• Sociology thesis writing
• Statistics dissertation writing
• Buy dissertation online
• Write my dissertation
• Cheap thesis
• Cheap dissertation
• Custom dissertation
• Dissertation help
• Pay for thesis
• Pay for dissertation
• Senior thesis
• Write my thesis

How to Write a Relevant Conclusion for Your Dissertation

The last portion of your dissertation is called the conclusion. The objective of the dissertation conclusion is to answer the primary question of the research, provide a summary of the research, make recommendations for possible research on the subject and list the new information that your research contributes to the field.

Although the discussion and the conclusion have similar elements, they are not the same. They may be combined in shorter journal articles and papers. However, in a thesis, both the conclusion and discussion must be included.

While a discussion includes specific interpretations and results, the conclusion makes broader statements to sum up all the important points of your research.

Writing a good conclusion is important to clarify the main discoveries and arguments of your research. Here are some tips on how to conclude a thesis.

Provide Answers to The Primary Question in Your Research

The first step is to understand how to start a conclusion. It must begin with the key question of your dissertation. This allows you to show the results of your work. It must be clear and concise. You do not have to repeat all the results discussed along the thesis. Just combine them into a few words that will become the final takeaway for readers.

For example, the conclusion for a dissertation that aims at making theoretical arguments by analysing case studies, the beginning can be as follows:

“A detailed analysis of the changing representations of the UK border policy and migration over the last ten years, the influence of media discourse in political decision making is highlighted in this dissertation”

Summarise Your Research

The thesis conclusion gives your readers a reminder about why you approached a topic in a certain way. You must summarize the expected results and the actual results that matched these expectations.

The summary should not have too many repetitions. It is not meant to summarize every chapter. Instead, it must reflect your views and ideas that were developed through the course of the thesis. This is also a good opportunity to list any limitations in the research. You can also highlight why your methodology was best suited for the topic discussed.

Here is an example of how to restate thesis in conclusion:

This research evidently shows “X” while raising a few questions about “Y”. In keeping with the example provided above, the summary can begin as follows: “In addition to showcasing the various representations of UK border policy, this thesis also raises questions on the credibility of media exposure in these representations.”

Provide Recommendations

In the discussion of your research, you may have provided possible areas to explore in future research. However, with the conclusion, you can elaborate on these suggestions. Make sure you include the implications of all your findings in the field of study.

These examples will help you understand ways to start a dissertation conclusion recommendation:

“Further research is required to determine the relationship between the changing political views on migration and their effect on global economy”, or, “Based on the conclusions of this research, practitioners may consider studying the relationship between migration and economy”

Make sure that you do not exaggerate how applicable your research is. Instead, provide broader statements to highlight important insights of your thesis. Remember, the conclusion must not include any new interpretations, data or arguments.

Highlight the Contributions of You Research

A good thesis is one that provides some new knowledge to a particular field of study. This gives your readers a very strong impression about the contributions of your thesis. You can highlight the contributions of your research in different ways as mentioned below:

• Go back to the problem statement and explain how your thesis has helped solve it.
• Use references from the literature review to showcase how your research has addressed any gaps in information.
• Write about how the results of your thesis challenges existing assumptions and theories.

You need to make sure that you do not repeat information that has already been covered in the discussion. Choose only the important points and provide a brief overview.

Complete the Dissertation

Once the conclusion is written, there are a few final steps to complete your dissertation:

• Write the thesis abstract in 200 words or less .
• Review your reference list and format it as per the writing style. You can also use online reference generators to speed up this process.
• Create the table of contents and complete the title page .

Make sure you review the document completely to ensure that there are no language errors.

Dissertation Conclusion Checklist

To make sure that you have understood the essence of the conclusion, compare this checklist with any available dissertation conclusion sample:

The research question is answered The argument is summarised There is some reflection on the methods and results Limitations, if any, are highlighted The most relevant recommendations are discussed The important contributions of the thesis are explained clearly There is no inclusion of new data

If you need any thesis writing help or wish to read through example of conclusion in thesis, our experts are always ready to help you. Get in touch with us now to create an impressive conclusion for your thesis.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment * Error message

Name * Error message

Email * Error message

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

As Putin continues killing civilians, bombing kindergartens, and threatening WWIII, Ukraine fights for the world's peaceful future.

Ukraine Live Updates

Cherchez-vous un sujet en particulier ?

• AUTRES CONSEILS
• COMPORTEMENT
• ACTIVITES EXTRASCOLAIRES
• LANGUES ETRANGERES

Ou lire un de nos articles les plus populaires ?

Les 12 avantages et inconvénients majeurs des réseaux sociaux.

• Dorian Mauro
• 28 janvier 2022

Comment rédiger un essai parfait ?

• Antoine Parat
• 1 octobre 2021

Liste des 52 verbes irréguliers en anglais à connaître (PDF)

FRANCAIS ET PHILOSOPHIE

Comment rédiger une conclusion parfaite ?

• mars 3, 2022

conseils pour les parents

Inscrivez-vous pour un cours d'essai gratuit @GoStudent

Guide gratuit pour motiver et accompagner votre enfant vers le succès scolaire.

Réservez dès maintenant

• Comment faire une conclusion ?
• La dissertation : méthode et exemple de conclusion
• Commentaire de texte - commentaire composé : méthode et exemple de conclusion

Trop souvent négligée et perçue comme peu importante, la conclusion d’un commentaire de texte ou d’une dissertation de philo a pour objectif de récapituler le raisonnement que tu as développé dans ta copie. Autrement dit, de faire un bilan. Dans l’idéal, tout cela ne doit pas te prendre plus d’une quinzaine de minutes. Attention cependant à ne pas bâcler cette dernière étape, car c’est le dernier souvenir que tu laisses à ton correcteur. Connecteurs logiques, réponse à la problématique et ouverture : GoStudent te guide pas à pas pour faire une bonne conclusion qui te fera gagner des points !

1 - Comment faire une conclusion ?

Quelles sont les parties d'une conclusion  .

La conclusion comporte généralement trois parties :

1 - Le récapitulatif des idées principales que tu as développées dans les deux ou trois grandes parties de ta rédaction.

Imagine que tu sois au lycée et que tu doives rédiger la conclusion d’un commentaire composé sur un extrait du livre Les Misérables , de Victor Hugo . La première partie de ta conclusion pourrait ressembler à ceci :

« Après avoir montré comment Victor Hugo utilise de nombreuses figures de style dans ses descriptions de la réalité historique, nous avons vu que ce procédé littéraire contribue à transformer les représentations du lecteur. » 

À lire aussi : Le top 5 des livres pour ados

2 - Dans un second temps, il faut répondre à la problématique que tu as soulevée dans l’introduction.

Pour rappel, la problématique est l’idée générale, l’idée directrice qui sert de fil conducteur à toute ta rédaction et à partir de laquelle tu construis ton argumentation. Pour réussir une dissertation ou un commentaire de texte, chaque paragraphe rédigé dans tes différentes parties doit répondre progressivement à la problématique. Sinon c’est le hors-sujet. ⛔️

Dans l'introduction notre problématique est la suivante : 

« Nous nous demanderons si l’auteur se contente de faire le récit de la réalité ou s’il fait exister sa propre vision grâce à sa gestion des procédés narratifs.  » 

Dans la conclusion nous pourrions dire :

« Il apparaît donc clairement que l’essentiel, pour Victor Hugo, n’est pas de décrire la réalité historique, mais d’encourager une transformation de la société en entraînant une prise de conscience des injustices sociales. » 

Si tu ne vois pas bien comment introduire la problématique, je t’invite à lire notre article qui t’explique en détail comment réussir une introduction en dissertation .

3 - Dans un dernier temps, tu dois rédiger une phrase finale d’ouverture . Nous en parlerons plus en détail dans le prochain paragraphe.

Comment commencer une conclusion ?

Maintenant que tu sais que la première partie d’une conclusion parfaite consiste à dégager les idées principales de ton travail, tu te demandes peut-être comment commencer. 

En vérité, c’est très simple. Il y a plein de tournures que les professeurs aiment beaucoup. Voici quelques exemples :

• Tout au long de ce travail, nous avons montré que l’auteur cherche à ……. puis nous avons vu comment ….. enfin, nous pouvons dire que …….
• Dans un premier temps nous avons examiné la façon dont l’auteur ….. Dans un second temps ….. Dans une dernière partie ….. 
• Dans la première partie de notre travail, nous avons montré comment ….. Par la suite, il est apparu que l’auteur …… 
• Comme nous l’avons vu dans un premier temps, Victor Hugo ….. de plus, nous avons montré que l’utilisation des figures de style…. Enfin …..

Tu vois que l’essentiel est de rendre la lecture fluide en utilisant des connecteurs logiques : « enfin, puis, dans un second temps, par la suite »

Qu'est qu'une ouverture dans une conclusion ?

Franchement, à quoi sert l’ouverture ? À donner un petit côté intello à ton travail et à montrer ta culture générale . Les profs adorent ça. Cet « élargissement » est tout simplement une nouvelle question que tu te poses à la fin de ton travail. 

Concrètement, vois l’ouverture comme si tu donnais une nouvelle idée de sujet de dissertation à ton prof.

Revenons à notre Victor Hugo. Après avoir résumé ton travail et répondu à la problématique, tu peux élargir le sujet en posant la question suivante :

« Nous présenter une nouvelle vision du monde qui nous touche et nous fait réfléchir, n’est-ce pas justement l’intérêt de la littérature ?  » 

Le prof sera content et il pourra même en faire un sujet pour son prochain devoir. 👍

2 - La dissertation : méthode et exemple de conclusion

Comment faire une conclusion de dissertation .

Qu’il s’agisse d’une rédaction de niveau collège en histoire-géographie, d’un essai au Bac de français ou de la conclusion d’une dissertation de philo en terminale, la méthodologie est la même. Seuls changent le nombre de mots et la qualité du style d’écriture.

À lire aussi : Comment rédiger un essai parfaitement ?

La mise en forme est importante. Il faut sauter au moins deux lignes entre la fin de ta dernière partie et le début de ta conclusion. Les trois paragraphes de ta conclusion doivent être visibles. Il faut revenir à la ligne entre chacun d’entre eux et essayer de faire des transitions pour soigner la formulation et retenir l’attention du lecteur. 👨‍🏫

Comme pour l’intro, le mieux est de commencer au brouillon et de prendre le temps de la relecture. La qualité de l’expression écrite est importante, il faut donc éviter les fautes d'inattention ! 

Exemple de conclusion dissertation de philo

Sujet : Être libre, cela signifie-t-il faire tout ce que l’on veut ?

1 - Bilan récapitulatif et principaux mots-clés :

« Comme nous l’avons montré dans un premier point, la vision humaniste des penseurs de la renaissance décrit l’homme comme un individu libre, grâce à sa raison et à sa faculté de jugement. Par opposition à une vision religieuse, ce libre-arbitre le rend responsable de ses actes et de son destin, ce que nous avons abordé dans un second temps. Cependant, la psychologie montre que l’Homme obéit aussi à des causes qui échappent à sa volonté(l’inconscient, les normes sociales, etc.)  »

2 - Réponse à la problématique : 

« La capacité à prendre des décisions librement semble donc être une illusion. Cela pose donc la question de la responsabilité individuelle lorsqu’un individu est jugé coupable d’actes illégaux ou immoraux .   »

3 - Ouverture : 

« Ainsi, on pourrait se poser la question de savoir dans quelle mesure il est possible de concilier justice et liberté. La loi n’est-elle pas une entrave à la liberté de chacun ? »

Exemple de conclusion dissertation français

Selon le sujet, la dissertation de français peut suivre plusieurs types de plans :

• Un plan dialectique (à éviter généralement) : thèse / antithèse / synthèse.
• Un plan analytique : description et explication d’une situation, analyse des causes et des conséquences.
• Un plan thématique (le meilleur) : il s'agit de développer une argumentation pour répondre progressivement à la question.

Attention, la conclusion de ta dissertation doit reprendre la même structure que ton plan. ⚠️

Sujet : La poésie de Guillaume Apollinaire s’invente-t-elle en rejetant le passé ?

« Nous avons vu qu’Apollinaire s'affranchit des règles de la poésie classique, aussi bien à travers l’absence de ponctuation que par la modernité du choix de ses sujets poétiques. Cependant, nous avons vu qu’il maintient l’usage traditionnel des quatrains. Cela semble indiquer une alliance entre l’ancien et le nouveau.  »

« Plus qu’une rupture radicale avec le passé, Apollinaire semble explorer de nouveaux horizons poétiques sans pour autant abandonner l'héritage des anciennes formes lyriques.   »

« Ne devrait-on pas considérer l'œuvre de Rimbaud comme étant celle qui ouvre résolument le chemin de la modernité ? »

3 - Commentaire de texte - commentaire composé : méthode et exemple de conclusion

Comment faire la conclusion d’un commentaire .

Le commentaire de texte, en philo ou en français est un exercice différent de la dissertation. 

Le but est de mobiliser tout le vocabulaire littéraire spécifique que tu connais pour décrire la langue utilisée par l’auteur (métaphore, hyperbole, oxymore, figures de style, etc.). Sans faire de paraphrase, tu dois expliquer comment l’auteur s’y prend pour produire des effets sur le lecteur.

À lire aussi : Le succès des métaphores  

Le fond et la forme sont donc indissociables. Il faut justement montrer comment la forme joue sur le fond. C’est-à-dire quels sont les procédés littéraires et comment le style de l’auteur impacte le lecteur.

Comme pour une composition d’histoire, la conclusion du commentaire de texte (conclusion commentaire composé) s’appuie sur l’analyse de l’extrait étudié.

Exemple conclusion commentaire de texte 

Sujet : Georges PEREC (1936-1982), Les Choses (1965)  – extrait du chapitre 2

« Dans un premier temps, nous avons étudié comment le cadre et le décor (meubles, décoration, lieu de vie) fonctionnent comme un révélateur des personnages. Puis nous avons vu que l’emploi des déterminants possessifs montre que les personnages sont possédés par leur appartement et non l’inverse. Enfin, le rythme des phrases et l’usage du conditionnel insistent sur l’étendue des possibles. »

« L’ouvrage de cet auteur reprend donc les codes du genre romanesque tout en y ajoutant une écriture poétique qui sculpte l’image des personnages.   »

« Cette manière de poser un cadre qui semble doté d’une individualité propre et qui agit en retour sur les personnages n’est-elle pas influencée par l’écume des jours, de Boris Vian et le monde fictif qu’il y décrit ? » 

Et si tu te demandes comment rédiger une conclusion de TPE , et bien tu peux appliquer exactement la même méthode ! 

Quoi qu’il arrive, n’hésite pas à t’entraîner sur des Annabac et à faire appel à nos professeurs particuliers . Ils sont à ton service pour te donner les conseils méthodologiques dont tu as besoin et pour t'aider à rédiger une conclusion parfaite . Il te suffit de laisser ton nom, ton prénom et ton adresse mail pour profiter d’une première leçon gratuite !

Vous souhaitez essayer les cours particuliers pour votre enfant ? Réservez une leçon d'essai gratuite avec nos meilleurs professeurs.

Meilleurs articles

• Par Dorian Mauro
• Dans AUTRES CONSEILS

• Par Antoine Parat
• Dans FRANCAIS ET PHILOSOPHIE

• Par Manon Stas
• Dans LANGUES ETRANGERES , RESSOURCES PEDAGOGIQUES (gratuit)

Comment être sûr d’être élu délégué de classe (discours, slogan, affiche) ?

• Dans AUTRES CONSEILS , À LA UNE

Tout savoir sur la crise des 7 ans

• Par Camille Robinson
• Dans COMPORTEMENT

Articles similaires

Les 10 livres à lire en été pour tous les âges

• août 1, 2022

Comment rédiger une explication de texte en philosophie parfaite ?

• mai 31, 2022

Comment rédiger une dissertation parfaite ?

• mai 24, 2022

Réservez une leçon d'essai gratuite

Réservez une leçon d'essai gratuite., inscrivez-vous pour votre leçon de soutien scolaire gratuite..

Writing the Dissertation - Guides for Success: The Conclusion

• Writing the Dissertation Homepage
• Overview and Planning
• The Literature Review
• The Methodology
• The Results and Discussion
• The Conclusion
• The Abstract
• Getting Started
• Annotated Example
• What to Avoid

Overview of writing the dissertation conclusion

The conclusion is the final chapter of the dissertation. It serves to reinforce your main argument and findings, before considering the wider implications of your research. Along with the introduction, it’s often the shortest chapter in a dissertation, but it is a chapter in its own right and should be given due care and attention.

Even so, the conclusion of a dissertation is sometimes hastily thrown together, culminating in a perfunctory and uninspiring end to such a substantial piece of work. Just like how nobody likes a bad ending to a movie, you want your conclusion to be an accurate and positive reflection of your dissertation that leaves your reader with a clear and satisfying end to the work.

Disciplinary differences

Please note: this guide is not specific to any one discipline. The conclusion can vary depending on the nature of the research and the expectations of the school or department, so please adapt the following advice to meet the demands of your project and department. Consult your supervisor for further guidance.

Guide contents

As part of the Writing the Dissertation series, this guide covers the essentials of writing a strong conclusion, giving you the necessary knowledge, tips and guidance needed to leave a positive impression on your markers! Here’s what to expect:

• Getting Started  - Defines the overarching purpose of the conclusion.
• Structure  - Breaks down the conclusion's 'narrow to broad' structure in two main parts.
• Annotated Example - Provides a sample conclusion with notes to highlight the strategies the writer uses.
• What to Avoid  - Covers a few frequent mistakes you'll want to...avoid!
• FAQs  - Guidance on first- vs. third-person, use of secondary literature and more.
• Checklist  - Includes a summary of key points and a self-evaluation checklist.

Training and tools

• The Academic Skills team has recorded a Writing the Dissertation workshop series to help you with each section of a standard dissertation, including a video on writing the dissertation conclusion  (embedded below).
• The dissertation planner tool can help you think through the timeline for planning, research, drafting and editing.
• iSolutions offers training and a Word template to help you digitally format and structure your dissertation.

What is the conclusion?

The conclusion isn’t simply a brief recap of your previous chapters. Instead, the conclusion revisits your primary research purpose – your research question(s) and/or hypotheses – and summarises and synthesises the main research findings, or areas of discussion, to reinforce how your dissertation responds to that purpose: how does it answer question X or prove argument Y to be correct?

The conclusion then moves beyond the immediate confines of your research to engage with the wider impact and relevance of your work. That is to say, you feed the work you have completed back into the wider context to emphasise how your research has advanced our understanding of this area. This is your final opportunity to leave a positive and lasting impression on your reader, so it’s important that your conclusion captures the essential information in your dissertation and emphasises its value in the relevant profession or field of research.

Structuring a conclusion

Whilst the conclusion of a dissertation is a chapter in its own right, it’s important to consider the role that the conclusion plays in the entire structure of your dissertation. You might recognise the shape below – what is sometimes called an ‘hourglass’ structure. This represents a typical structure for an essay or dissertation. Below, we'll explore what this shape suggests about earlier sections of the dissertation as well as the conclusion.

Figure 1: The ‘hourglass’ shape that symbolises the broad-to-narrow, then narrow-to-broad structure of a dissertation, and academic writing in general.

Introduction and literature review

• Broad to narrow – eases the reader into the discussion by introducing them to the broad situation within which your research sits.
• Narrows the focus through the literature review whilst maintaining a direct interest in the wider research context.
• Arrives at a narrow focus towards the end by clearly stating what your focus is, what research problem you are going to address, how you are going to address that problem and what your argument and findings are.

Main body (methodology, results and discussion)

• Narrow focus – provides the finer details of your dissertation by isolating particular aspects to discuss and scrutinise, such as the details of how your study was designed.
• Driven by the results of your study, with secondary material used to contextualise the meaning and significance of your findings.
• Narrow to broad – reinforces your main argument and findings, then...
• Broadens out by considering the wider implications of your work for the relevant profession or field of research.

A structure in two main parts

We’re going to break the conclusion down into two main parts:

1) A summary and synthesis of your main findings or discussion points that directly respond to, and address, your research question(s) and/or hypotheses. For this reason, it’s often useful to start by briefly repeating the research problem you’ve addressed. This constitutes the narrow part of the conclusion.

2) Engagement with the impact and relevance of your research to the wider, relevant context . This constitutes the broader part of the conclusion.

Let’s look at both in more detail.

Summary and synthesis

To write an effective conclusion for your dissertation, you need to do more than simply repeat the main points and findings of your research. Instead, you need to summarise and synthesise (definition below) your main findings and points of discussion, forming a cohesive picture for your reader that brings the different elements of your research together. This helps your reader to understand how you have reached a certain answer, or why you think your argument is correct.

It’s often useful to start with a brief recap of the research problem before stating how your dissertation has responded, in some way, to this problem by synthesising the main findings and discussion points. For example:

Despite extensive research on the application of tool X, this dissertation has noted an absence of rigorous research on how this tool can be applied to demographic Y. Considerable research demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of applying this tool when working with various demographics, particularly A and B, but the different demands associated with demographic Y restrict the suitability of these findings for this age group. In response, this dissertation has…

Following this, you need to outline how your dissertation has responded to this problem by summarising and synthesising your main findings and/or discussion points and reinforcing your main argument. Try summarising every one of your main findings or discussion points – keep it brief (one or two sentences) – and then, where possible, try and condense and connect this information to form a brief portrait of your dissertation. See ' Annotated example' for more on this.

Wider, relevant context

Once you have reinforced your research focus and your argument by summarising and synthesising your main findings, you need to relate your research to a wider, relevant context . This might include:

‘Returning’ to the introduction

As stated earlier, you conclusion shares a close relationship with your introduction with both acting as bookends that frame your entire dissertation – like the first scene and last scene of a film. For this reason, you need to return back to your introduction by revisiting the broad, but relative, themes that opened your dissertation as a way of contextualising your argument and results.

Ask yourself the question, ‘What do we now know that we didn’t at the start?’ The argument and findings won’t be a revelation to your reader, but framing them in this slightly broader context helps to reinforce the significance and contribution of your work. This brings your work ‘full circle’ and creates a neat symmetry to your work – a narrative thread for your reader to follow.

Recommendations for future research

Where necessary, it’s a good idea to include some suggestions for relevant future research that you think will help to further advance our knowledge of the research area. Don’t commit too many words to this. You simply need to state what contributions to the research field might be worth pursuing in the future and how this might further enrich our understanding of the topic. This serves to emphasise that your work is part of an evolving landscape of research, thus engaging with the wider context. This can often feature in the discussion chapter, rather than the conclusion (see our Writing the Results and Discussion guide for more).

Recommendations for practitioners

Depending on the nature of your research, it might be necessary to suggest some recommendations for relevant professionals and industry practitioners based on your findings. Remember these are only recommendations, and they must be consistent with your findings. Briefly mention how each recommendation would serve to address and, potentially, solve a problem faced by professionals. This helps your reader to understand the real-world implications and relevance of your work. Like recommendations for future research, this can often feature in the discussion. Consult your supervisor for discipline-specific guidance.

Annotated example

Take a look at this annotated example to see how the structural components discussed in the 'Structure' tab fit together to form a conclusion. This is only a short example, and your conclusion might be longer and slightly more detailed, but this gives you an idea of the flow and structure.

By focussing on the Arab Spring uprising, this dissertation has demonstrated the ways in which social media animates forms of civil empowerment through collective political action. Whilst other examples could have been used, this dissertation has highlighted how participants in the Arab Spring coordinated a strategic network of communication, drawing on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in both distinct and interrelated ways. By adopting social media in such a way, the Arab Spring not only demonstrates that social media can have a profound impact on forms of civil empowerment, but can also become a powerful political tool when deployed in a strategic and coordinated manner.

As outlined in Chapter 3: Methodology and Chapter 4: Results, this study collected quantitative data, such as the number of likes, retweets and views, to measure the reach of social media interactions on the Arab Spring uprising during a three month period. Qualitative data was also collected through the language and rhetoric employed by citizens posting comments, and the content of videos posted on the social media sites in question. This mixed-methods approach, along with the focus on three social media platforms, provided a triangulation of data that strengthened the depth of the research and allowed for a more nuanced portrait of how social media, when deployed in a coordinated way for a particular event, forms an interconnected network of channels through which information can flow freely. As evidenced by the quantitative data, with posts and retweets reaching their millions, the use of social media had a cumulative power with the Arab Spring by spreading the civil unrest and galvanising support for the cause.

Whilst the Arab Spring only represents one case of the relationship between social media and civil empowerment, this case study shows how the Arab Spring played an influential role in the mobilisation of the hashtag movement and the digitisation of civil activism. This is most clearly exemplified by the Me Too movement, supporting the fight against sexual harassment and assault, and Black Lives Matter, fighting against the racial oppression of black people. In examining the role of social media on these and other such cases of civil activism, perhaps a systematic comparison between social media and traditional forms of media, such as newspapers, would provide further opportunities to assess the relationship between social media and social activism.

Future research should also further explore the tension between social media and political censorship. Indeed, despite social media’s obvious potential as a tool for civil empowerment, Chapter Five: Discussion also pointed to the dangers of how oppressive governments can respond to the apparent threat of civil activism through aggressive forms of censorship. Moving forward, social media platforms must defend the freedom of its users to engage in socially active ways, and understanding the intersection between social media and political censorship is crucial to defending this freedom. Only by preserving this freedom can social media, and the internet in general, continue to realise its primary function as an open sources of communication that evades the restrictive censorship of traditional gatekeepers.

What to avoid

This portion of the guide will cover some common missteps you should try to avoid in writing your conclusion.

Excessive detail

The conclusion isn’t the place to repeat detailed statistics or retrace the finer nuances of an argument. You simply need to reinforce the main findings and the essential information in your dissertation. Only you can determine what you think is a necessary level of detail in your conclusion, but look at the following two examples as a guide:

• Excessive:  The results showed a considerable increase from Sample A to Sample E. As expected, Sample A started low with only 6 per cent. Sample B then showed an increase of 20 per cent, with Sample C then reaching 36 per cent to show a further increase of 16 per cent. Sample D furthered this trend, reaching 59 per cent. Sample E then reached 82 per cent, showing a 23 per cent increase from the previous sample.
• Improved: The results showed a considerable increase of 76 per cent from Sample A (6 per cent) to Sample E (82 per cent) with samples C to D and samples D to E both showing the largest increase of the study with a 23 per cent rise.

New information

You should avoid presenting any new information, such as primary data or theories, when writing your conclusion. Any primary or secondary material you deem important enough to state in the conclusion (although avoid excessive detail as stated above) should be evident in your results and/or discussion chapters.

'In conclusion...'

Whilst it might seem logical to start your conclusion with ‘In conclusion’, it’s best to avoid this. It’s not strictly wrong to start with ‘In conclusion’, ‘To summarise’, or some other variation of such phrases, but it reflects a somewhat lazy and clichéd approach given its excessive use.

The start of your conclusion should be obvious for two main reasons. Firstly, the chapter heading ‘Conclusion’ serves as a clear indication to your reader! Secondly, your conclusion should signal a rhetorical shift in your writing to a more reflective register. For example:

This dissertation has considered the complex ways in which…

The use of the present perfect tense here signals this shift to a reflective register.

Don’t state your core argument and main observations for the first time in the conclusion chapter. This is sometimes mistakenly employed as a way of maintaining a sense of mystery before the grand reveal at the end – like the dramatic third act of a play or the final twist in a film. Academic writing is not driven by the same intrigue as narrative storytelling. Instead, the ‘end’ or conclusion in a dissertation or written assignment should be clearly signposted early on – the abstract and the introduction – as a way of focusing the reader’s attention.

Q: How long should the conclusion be?

A: Roughly 5-10% of the dissertation’s word count (usually nearer the 5% end). So, for a 10,000 word dissertation, you should aim for anything between 500 words to 1,000. You should, however, be flexible with this. As always, it depends on the nature of your dissertation and the expected conventions in your department or school. It’s always worth seeking advice from your supervisor, but it’s safe to say that – along with the introduction (again dependent on the nature of the dissertation) – it’s often the shortest chapter in the dissertation.

Q: Should the conclusion include references to secondary literature?

A: Yes, but only when necessary. As noted in ' What to avoid' , you shouldn’t be bringing in new data, theories or information, which means you will likely revisit previously discussed work in light of your own findings and argument. Although you have already mentioned and cited the original work, it’s good practice to cite them again. This is also imperative in cases where you have cited more than one piece of work from the same author or authors. So, for example:

These findings support the work of Jones (2010) in which X and Y were both seen to…

Q: Should the conclusion be in the first-person or third?

A: It depends what you’ve been using throughout your dissertation – it’s important to be consistent. Typically, third-person is used in academic writing, although first-person is accepted in some disciplines. For instance, certain genres, such as reflective writing, demand the first-person. Consult your supervisor for further guidance.

The conclusion is your final chance to leave a positive impression on your reader, so it’s important that you conclude in a clear and engaging manner. Rather than simply repeating the main content from your previous chapters, you should be summarising and synthesising your main findings and discussion points and bringing them together to reinforce your central argument and respond to any research questions or hypotheses you have. You should then engage with the wider, relevant context by returning back to where you started in your introductory chapter to answer and consider the question,  ‘What do we now know that we didn’t before?’

Here’s a final checklist for writing an effective conclusion. Remember that not all of these points will be relevant for your conclusion, so make sure you cover whatever’s appropriate for your dissertation. The asterisk (*) indicates any content that might not be relevant for your dissertation. To save your own copy of the checklist to edit, please use the Word document, below.

• Conclusion self-evaluation checklist

• << Previous: The Results and Discussion
• Next: The Abstract >>
• Last Updated: May 23, 2024 9:36 AM
• URL: https://library.soton.ac.uk/writing_the_dissertation

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, automatically generate references for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation

How to Write a Dissertation | A Guide to Structure & Content

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided into at least four or five chapters (including an introduction and conclusion chapter).

The most common dissertation structure in the sciences and social sciences includes:

• An introduction to your topic
• A literature review that surveys relevant sources
• An explanation of your methodology
• An overview of the results of your research
• A discussion of the results and their implications
• A conclusion that shows what your research has contributed

Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an argument by analysing primary and secondary sources . Instead of the standard structure outlined here, you might organise your chapters around different themes or case studies.

Other important elements of the dissertation include the title page , abstract , and reference list . If in doubt about how your dissertation should be structured, always check your department’s guidelines and consult with your supervisor.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Be assured that you'll submit flawless writing. Upload your document to correct all your mistakes.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review / theoretical framework, methodology, reference list.

The very first page of your document contains your dissertation’s title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo. Many programs have strict requirements for formatting the dissertation title page .

The title page is often used as cover when printing and binding your dissertation .

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

The acknowledgements section is usually optional, and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you.

The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150-300 words long. You should write it at the very end, when you’ve completed the rest of the dissertation. In the abstract, make sure to:

• State the main topic and aims of your research
• Describe the methods you used
• Summarise the main results
• State your conclusions

Although the abstract is very short, it’s the first part (and sometimes the only part) of your dissertation that people will read, so it’s important that you get it right. If you’re struggling to write a strong abstract, read our guide on how to write an abstract .

In the table of contents, list all of your chapters and subheadings and their page numbers. The dissertation contents page gives the reader an overview of your structure and helps easily navigate the document.

All parts of your dissertation should be included in the table of contents, including the appendices. You can generate a table of contents automatically in Word.

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

Correct my document today

If you have used a lot of tables and figures in your dissertation, you should itemise them in a numbered list . You can automatically generate this list using the Insert Caption feature in Word.

If you have used a lot of abbreviations in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetised list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.

If you have used a lot of highly specialised terms that will not be familiar to your reader, it might be a good idea to include a glossary . List the terms alphabetically and explain each term with a brief description or definition.

In the introduction, you set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance, and tell the reader what to expect in the rest of the dissertation. The introduction should:

• Establish your research topic , giving necessary background information to contextualise your work
• Narrow down the focus and define the scope of the research
• Discuss the state of existing research on the topic, showing your work’s relevance to a broader problem or debate
• Clearly state your objectives and research questions , and indicate how you will answer them
• Give an overview of your dissertation’s structure

Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant to your research. By the end, the reader should understand the what , why and how of your research. Not sure how? Read our guide on how to write a dissertation introduction .

Before you start on your research, you should have conducted a literature review to gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic. This means:

• Collecting sources (e.g. books and journal articles) and selecting the most relevant ones
• Critically evaluating and analysing each source
• Drawing connections between them (e.g. themes, patterns, conflicts, gaps) to make an overall point

In the dissertation literature review chapter or section, you shouldn’t just summarise existing studies, but develop a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear basis or justification for your own research. For example, it might aim to show how your research:

• Addresses a gap in the literature
• Takes a new theoretical or methodological approach to the topic
• Proposes a solution to an unresolved problem
• Advances a theoretical debate
• Builds on and strengthens existing knowledge with new data

The literature review often becomes the basis for a theoretical framework , in which you define and analyse the key theories, concepts and models that frame your research. In this section you can answer descriptive research questions about the relationship between concepts or variables.

The methodology chapter or section describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to assess its validity. You should generally include:

• The overall approach and type of research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic)
• Your methods of collecting data (e.g. interviews, surveys, archives)
• Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place
• Your methods of analysing data (e.g. statistical analysis, discourse analysis)
• Tools and materials you used (e.g. computer programs, lab equipment)
• A discussion of any obstacles you faced in conducting the research and how you overcame them
• An evaluation or justification of your methods

Your aim in the methodology is to accurately report what you did, as well as convincing the reader that this was the best approach to answering your research questions or objectives.

Next, you report the results of your research . You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses, or topics. Only report results that are relevant to your objectives and research questions. In some disciplines, the results section is strictly separated from the discussion, while in others the two are combined.

For example, for qualitative methods like in-depth interviews, the presentation of the data will often be woven together with discussion and analysis, while in quantitative and experimental research, the results should be presented separately before you discuss their meaning. If you’re unsure, consult with your supervisor and look at sample dissertations to find out the best structure for your research.

In the results section it can often be helpful to include tables, graphs and charts. Think carefully about how best to present your data, and don’t include tables or figures that just repeat what you have written  –  they should provide extra information or usefully visualise the results in a way that adds value to your text.

Full versions of your data (such as interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix .

The discussion  is where you explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research questions. Here you should interpret the results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data and discuss any limitations that might have influenced the results.

The discussion should reference other scholarly work to show how your results fit with existing knowledge. You can also make recommendations for future research or practical action.

The dissertation conclusion should concisely answer the main research question, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your central argument. Wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you did and how you did it. The conclusion often also includes recommendations for research or practice.

In this section, it’s important to show how your findings contribute to knowledge in the field and why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known?

You must include full details of all sources that you have cited in a reference list (sometimes also called a works cited list or bibliography). It’s important to follow a consistent reference style . Each style has strict and specific requirements for how to format your sources in the reference list.

The most common styles used in UK universities are Harvard referencing and Vancouver referencing . Your department will often specify which referencing style you should use – for example, psychology students tend to use APA style , humanities students often use MHRA , and law students always use OSCOLA . M ake sure to check the requirements, and ask your supervisor if you’re unsure.

To save time creating the reference list and make sure your citations are correctly and consistently formatted, you can use our free APA Citation Generator .

Your dissertation itself should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents you have used that do not fit into the main body of your dissertation (such as interview transcripts, survey questions or tables with full figures) can be added as appendices .

Is this article helpful?

Other students also liked.

• What Is a Dissertation? | 5 Essential Questions to Get Started
• What is a Literature Review? | Guide, Template, & Examples
• How to Write a Dissertation Proposal | A Step-by-Step Guide

More interesting articles

• Checklist: Writing a dissertation
• Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates
• Dissertation binding and printing
• Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples
• Dissertation title page
• Example Theoretical Framework of a Dissertation or Thesis
• Figure & Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples
• How to Choose a Dissertation Topic | 8 Steps to Follow
• How to Write a Discussion Section | Tips & Examples
• How to Write a Results Section | Tips & Examples
• How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Conclusion
• How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Introduction
• How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples
• How to Write Recommendations in Research | Examples & Tips
• List of Abbreviations | Example, Template & Best Practices
• Operationalisation | A Guide with Examples, Pros & Cons
• Prize-Winning Thesis and Dissertation Examples
• Relevance of Your Dissertation Topic | Criteria & Tips
• Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates
• Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples
• Thesis & Dissertation Database Examples
• What is a Dissertation Preface? | Definition & Examples
• What is a Glossary? | Definition, Templates, & Examples
• What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips
• What is a Theoretical Framework? | A Step-by-Step Guide
• What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples

Reference management. Clean and simple.

How to write an excellent thesis conclusion [with examples]

Restate the thesis

Review or reiterate key points of your work, explain why your work is relevant, a take-away for the reader, more resources on writing thesis conclusions, frequently asked questions about writing an excellent thesis conclusion, related articles.

At this point in your writing, you have most likely finished your introduction and the body of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper . While this is a reason to celebrate, you should not underestimate the importance of your conclusion. The conclusion is the last thing that your reader will see, so it should be memorable.

A good conclusion will review the key points of the thesis and explain to the reader why the information is relevant, applicable, or related to the world as a whole. Make sure to dedicate enough of your writing time to the conclusion and do not put it off until the very last minute.

This article provides an effective technique for writing a conclusion adapted from Erika Eby’s The College Student's Guide to Writing a Good Research Paper: 101 Easy Tips & Tricks to Make Your Work Stand Out .

While the thesis introduction starts out with broad statements about the topic, and then narrows it down to the thesis statement , a thesis conclusion does the same in the opposite order.

• Restate the thesis.
• Review or reiterate key points of your work.
• Explain why your work is relevant.
• Include a core take-away message for the reader.

Tip: Don’t just copy and paste your thesis into your conclusion. Restate it in different words.

The best way to start a conclusion is simply by restating the thesis statement. That does not mean just copying and pasting it from the introduction, but putting it into different words.

You will need to change the structure and wording of it to avoid sounding repetitive. Also, be firm in your conclusion just as you were in the introduction. Try to avoid sounding apologetic by using phrases like "This paper has tried to show..."

The conclusion should address all the same parts as the thesis while making it clear that the reader has reached the end. You are telling the reader that your research is finished and what your findings are.

I have argued throughout this work that the point of critical mass for biopolitical immunity occurred during the Romantic period because of that era's unique combination of post-revolutionary politics and innovations in smallpox prevention. In particular, I demonstrated that the French Revolution and the discovery of vaccination in the 1790s triggered a reconsideration of the relationship between bodies and the state.

Tip: Try to reiterate points from your introduction in your thesis conclusion.

The next step is to review the main points of the thesis as a whole. Look back at the body of of your project and make a note of the key ideas. You can reword these ideas the same way you reworded your thesis statement and then incorporate that into the conclusion.

You can also repeat striking quotations or statistics, but do not use more than two. As the conclusion represents your own closing thoughts on the topic , it should mainly consist of your own words.

In addition, conclusions can contain recommendations to the reader or relevant questions that further the thesis. You should ask yourself:

• What you would ideally like to see your readers do in reaction to your paper?
• Do you want them to take a certain action or investigate further?
• Is there a bigger issue that your paper wants to draw attention to?

Also, try to reference your introduction in your conclusion. You have already taken a first step by restating your thesis. Now, check whether there are other key words, phrases or ideas that are mentioned in your introduction that fit into your conclusion. Connecting the introduction to the conclusion in this way will help readers feel satisfied.

I explored how Mary Wollstonecraft, in both her fiction and political writings, envisions an ideal medico-political state, and how other writers like William Wordsworth and Mary Shelley increasingly imagined the body politic literally, as an incorporated political collective made up of bodies whose immunity to political and medical ills was essential to a healthy state.

Tip: Make sure to explain why your thesis is relevant to your field of research.

Although you can encourage readers to question their opinions and reflect on your topic, do not leave loose ends. You should provide a sense of resolution and make sure your conclusion wraps up your argument. Make sure you explain why your thesis is relevant to your field of research and how your research intervenes within, or substantially revises, existing scholarly debates.

This project challenged conventional ideas about the relationship among Romanticism, medicine, and politics by reading the unfolding of Romantic literature and biopolitical immunity as mutual, co-productive processes. In doing so, this thesis revises the ways in which biopolitics has been theorized by insisting on the inherent connections between Romantic literature and the forms of biopower that characterize early modernity.

Tip: If you began your thesis with an anecdote or historical example, you may want to return to that in your conclusion.

End your conclusion with something memorable, such as:

• a call to action
• a recommendation
• a gesture towards future research
• a brief explanation of how the problem or idea you covered remains relevant

Ultimately, you want readers to feel more informed, or ready to act, as they read your conclusion.

Yet, the Romantic period is only the beginning of modern thought on immunity and biopolitics. Victorian writers, doctors, and politicians upheld the Romantic idea that a "healthy state" was a literal condition that could be achieved by combining politics and medicine, but augmented that idea through legislation and widespread public health measures. While many nineteenth-century efforts to improve citizens' health were successful, the fight against disease ultimately changed course in the twentieth century as global immunological threats such as SARS occupied public consciousness. Indeed, as subsequent public health events make apparent, biopolitical immunity persists as a viable concept for thinking about the relationship between medicine and politics in modernity.

Need more advice? Read our 5 additional tips on how to write a good thesis conclusion.

The conclusion is the last thing that your reader will see, so it should be memorable. To write a great thesis conclusion you should:

The basic content of a conclusion is to review the main points from the paper. This part represents your own closing thoughts on the topic. It should mainly consist of the outcome of the research in your own words.

The length of the conclusion will depend on the length of the whole thesis. Usually, a conclusion should be around 5-7% of the overall word count.

End your conclusion with something memorable, such as a question, warning, or call to action. Depending on the topic, you can also end with a recommendation.

In Open Access: Theses and Dissertations you can find thousands of completed works. Take a look at any of the theses or dissertations for real-life examples of conclusions that were already approved.

Writing a Conclusion

Writing a conclusion is an important part of any piece of writing. It is often possible to get a good overview of an assignment by looking briefly at the conclusion. However, writing a conclusion can be quite difficult. This is because it can often be hard to find something interesting or useful to say in the conclusion. Conclusions should be attractive and interesting but often they are rather dull and "formula written".

Although formulae for writing conclusions are tempting to use, it is always best to avoid set phrases such as "Therefore, let us conclude that..." which are clichés, and do not help to end your work in the best light.

Helpful information, advice and materials for writing conclusions

1. What are the typical ingredients in a conclusion?  

2. What are the differences between writing conclusions to essays and to dissertations/theses?

3. See a sample conclusion

4. Try a practice activity

5. Check out further advice on writing conclusions

6. Download a checklist to help you edit your written work

What are the typical 'ingredients' of a conclusion?  

Trzeciak and Mackay (1994) ( Study skills for academic writing. New York: Prentice Hall ) observe a number of useful "ingredients" that form part of a conclusion. Again (as with introductions) it will not always be necessary or desirable to include all the elements they mention. However, you will probably want to use some of these in some combination, in order to conclude your work.

• A summary of the main part of the text
• A deduction made on the basis of the main body
• Your personal opinion on what has been discussed
• A statement about the limitations of the work
• A comment about the future based on what has been discussed
• The implications of the work for future research
• Important facts and figures not mentioned in the main body

Pallant (2009) sees five basic ingredients of a conclusion as follows, though these will not always be used in the same conclusion:

• A summary of the main points (being careful not to repeat exactly what you have written before)
• Concluding statements  
• Recommendations
• Predictions

These recommendations probably apply more to discussion essays than they do to other kinds of assessed writing at university. For example, if you are writing a business plan or discussing a law scenario, or answering an examination question, you may not need the above elements, unless the question specifically asks you for them or unless it is known that it is expected of you in the discipline you are working in.

However, you will generally need a final section to indicate that you are 'rounding off' the discusion. Always be very careful to check what the conventions are in the discipline you are working in, and ideally, it is best to look at examples of past students' work so that you can see what you are aiming for.

  back ^

What are the differences between writing conclusions to essays and to dissertations/theses?  

When writing longer pieces of work, it is still very important to observe some of the principles above. For instance, you will still want to ensure that your conclusion really does conclude , and does not just go off at a tangent to discuss something that is unrelated to the thesis. Some people believe (mistakenly) that a conclusion is the place for you to relax and 'say whatever you want'. This is incorrect. If you do this, you will be likely to be marked down.

There are also likely to be some key differences in your approach when writing conclusions. Certainly, conclusions will be even more important in a dissertation or thesis, purely because of the length of the piece. Among the differences you will notice are the following:

• As well as having an overall conclusion to your dissertation or thesis, each chapter should also have a conclusion (as well as an introduction). The reason for this is that in a longer piece of writing, it becomes more important to remind the reader of what you have done and why you have done it, before you move onto the next stage.
• The conclusion of a dissertation or thesis is not an opportunity to engage in a personal 'rant'. You must draw out key aspects of the literature you have studied, along with your recommendations , and say how they are justified or contradicted by your research.
• It is a good idea in a chapter conclusion to remind the reader what happened in the chapter (e.g. In this chapter, the literature relating to the teaching of vocabulary was considered.). After this, you need to build a bridge linking this chapter with the next one. (e.g. This will be further discussed in the next chapter.)
• In a dissertation or thesis, there is likely to be a longer section on the limitations of your research . Important though this is, however, you also need to be sure to sell your research in the conclusion - so it is best not to be too negative or over-modest about your achievements at this point. The key to many dissertations and theses is the need to emphasise the contribution that it makes to research.
• In a dissertation or thesis, it is more likely that you will have a section on the need for future research . In an MA or MSc dissertation you may like to suggest something that could be developed from your work as a PhD thesis. In a PhD thesis you may like to indicate some potential for post-doctoral work.

Further advice on writing conclusions

When writing an assignment, be careful of the following points:

• The topic you are writing about may not always require a full conclusion (this is particularly the case if your work is heavily analytical or mathematical, or not very discursive.) Remember not all assignments require discussion. Check what the expectations are in your own department. Ask your tutor if you are not sure.
• Even if you do not need a full conclusion, remember that any assignment nearly always needs to be rounded off in some way and brought to an end. Consider this: will the reader know that you have finished your work? (Or will they just think that you have run out of time - or energy)?
• Keep in mind the balance of your assignment. The conclusion should be clear and relatively brief.
• In discussion-type assignments, it is often a better idea to raise questions and problems in the conclusion than to provide over-simplified/ naive answers to the assignment title. Examiners will usually be very wary of essays, theses or dissertations that presume to solve all the world's problems in a simplistic and trivial way. Remember, life is never that simple. However, remember not to introduce any new material in the conclusion.
• There is no need to go over everything again that you have already mentioned; this would be unnecessarily boring and tedious.
• Make sure that the conclusion is based on what you have said before. It is often tempting to go off at a tangent and to say things that are completely unrelated to the topic. Be wary of this.
• It is permissible to give your opinion in the conclusion but try to do so subtly and try not to sound too pompous or authoritarian . Usually your viewpoint will be obvious from your discussion, so there is no need to conclude with statements such as: In conclusion, I think Hamlet is a great play. Allow your enthusiasm for the topic to show in how you discuss it. Make sure that you do not use the conclusion as an opportunity to engage in an over-generalised an unfocussed 'rant'.
• Be careful with tenses. In a conclusion, you will usually want to use the present perfect (e.g. The aim of this dissertation has been to....) followed by the simple past (Chapter 1 provided an overview of...).
• Be very careful about using the word "conclusion" anywhere other than the conclusion itself! This can mislead the reader. If you use the word conclusion several times in an essay, the reader will give up trying to work out where the conclusion really is.

How to write a conclusion for a history essay

Every essay needs to end with a concluding paragraph. It is the last paragraph the marker reads, and this will typically be the last paragraph that you write.

What is a ‘concluding paragraph?

The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay that reminds the reader about the points you have made and how it proves the argument which you stated in your hypothesis .

By the time your marker reads your conclusion, they have read all the evidence you have presented in your body paragraphs . This is your last opportunity to show that you have proven your points.

While your conclusion will talk about the same points you made in your introduction , it should not read exactly the same.  Instead, it should state the same information in a more developed form and bring the essay to an end.

In general, you should never use quotes from sources in your conclusion.

Concluding paragraph structure

While the concluding paragraph will normally be shorter than your introductory and body paragraphs , it still has a specific role to fulfil.

A well-written concluding paragraph has the following three-part structure:

• Restate your key points
• Restate your hypothesis
• Concluding sentence

Each element of this structure is explained further, with examples, below:

1. Restate your key points

In one or two sentences, restate each of the topic sentences from your body paragraphs . This is to remind the marker about how you proved your argument.

This information will be similar to your elaboration sentences in your introduction , but will be much briefer.

Since this is a summary of your entire essay’s argument, you will often want to start your conclusion with a phrase to highlight this. For example: “In conclusion”, “In summary”, “To briefly summarise”, or “Overall”.

Example restatements of key points:

Middle Ages (Year 8 Level)

In conclusion, feudal lords had initially spent vast sums of money on elaborate castle construction projects but ceased to do so as a result of the advances in gunpowder technology which rendered stone defences obsolete.

WWI (Year 9 Level)

To briefly summarise, the initially flood of Australian volunteers were encouraged by imperial propaganda but as a result of the stories harsh battlefield experience which filtered back to the home front, enlistment numbers quickly declined.

Civil Rights (Year 10 Level)

In summary, the efforts of important First Nations leaders and activist organisations to spread the idea of indigenous political equality had a significant effect on sway public opinion in favour of a ‘yes’ vote.

Ancient Rome (Year 11/12 Level)  

Overall, the Marian military reforms directly changed Roman political campaigns and the role of public opinion in military command assignments across a variety of Roman societal practices.

2. Restate your hypothesis

This is a single sentence that restates the hypothesis from your introductory paragraph .

Don’t simply copy it word-for-word. It should be restated in a different way, but still clearly saying what you have been arguing for the whole of your essay.

Make it clear to your marker that you are clearly restating you argument by beginning this sentence a phrase to highlight this. For example: “Therefore”, “This proves that”, “Consequently”, or “Ultimately”.

Example restated hypotheses:

Therefore, it is clear that while castles were initially intended to dominate infantry-dominated siege scenarios, they were abandoned in favour of financial investment in canon technologies.

This proves that the change in Australian soldiers' morale during World War One was the consequence of the mass slaughter produced by mass-produced weaponry and combat doctrine.

Consequently, the 1967 Referendum considered a public relations success because of the targeted strategies implemented by Charles Perkins, Faith Bandler and the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

Ultimately, it can be safely argued that Gaius Marius was instrumental in revolutionising the republican political, military and social structures in the 1 st century BC.

3. Concluding sentence

This is the final sentence of your conclusion that provides a final statement about the implications of your arguments for modern understandings of the topic. Alternatively, it could make a statement about what the effect of this historical person or event had on history. 

Example concluding sentences:

While these medieval structures fell into disuse centuries ago, they continue to fascinate people to this day.

The implications of the war-weariness produced by these experiences continued to shape opinions about war for the rest of the 20 th century.

Despite this, the Indigenous Peoples had to lobby successive Australian governments for further political equality, which still continues today.

Ancient Rome (Year 11/12 Level)

The impact of these changes effectively prepared the way for other political figures, like Pompey, Julius Caesar and Octavian, who would ultimately transform the Roman republic into an empire.

Putting it all together

Once you have written all three parts of, you should have a completed concluding paragraph. In the examples above, we have shown each part separately. Below you will see the completed paragraphs so that you can appreciate what a conclusion should look like.

Example conclusion paragraphs: 

In conclusion, feudal lords had initially spent vast sums of money on elaborate castle construction projects but ceased to do so as a result of the advances in gunpowder technology which rendered stone defences obsolete. Therefore, it is clear that while castles were initially intended to dominate infantry-dominated siege scenarios, they were abandoned in favour of financial investment in canon technologies. While these medieval structures fell into disuse centuries ago, they continue to fascinate people to this day.

To briefly summarise, the initially flood of Australian volunteers were encouraged by imperial propaganda, but as a result of the stories harsh battlefield experience which filtered back to the home front, enlistment numbers quickly declined. This proves that the change in Australian soldiers' morale during World War One was the consequence of the mass slaughter produced by mass-produced weaponry and combat doctrine. The implications of the war-weariness produced by these experiences continued to shape opinions about war for the rest of the 20th century.

In summary, the efforts of important indigenous leaders and activist organisations to spread the idea of indigenous political equality had a significant effect on sway public opinion in favour of a ‘yes’ vote. Consequently, the 1967 Referendum considered a public relations success because of the targeted strategies implemented by Charles Perkins, Faith Bandler and the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. Despite this, the Indigenous Peoples had to lobby successive Australian governments for further political equality, which still continues today.

Overall, the Marian military reforms directly changed Roman political campaigns and the role of public opinion in military command assignments across a variety of Roman societal practices. Ultimately, it can be safely argued that Gaius Marius was instrumental in revolutionising the republican political, military and social structures in the 1st century BC. The impact of these changes effectively prepared the way for other political figures, like Pompey, Julius Caesar and Octavian, who would ultimately transform the Roman republic into an empire.

Additional resources

What do you need help with?

Download ready-to-use digital learning resources.

Copyright © History Skills 2014-2024.

Contact  via email

Standoff with armed suspect on 91 freeway in Anaheim ends in fatal shooting

A n hourslong standoff between an armed pursuit suspect and police that caused a full closure of the 91 freeway in Anaheim Friday ended around noon as the suspect lay on the roadway with an apparent fatal gunshot wound. 

Eastbound lanes of the 91 freeway at Imperial Highway reopened shortly after, with westbound lanes remaining closed until 3:38 p.m. as police officials conducted their investigation. 

It's not known at this time who fired the fatal shot, although police crisis negotiation teams had been communicating with the suspect driver by way of cellphone.

The standoff  was preceded by a police chase, as the driver was wanted for an armed stalking incident in Corona around 8 a.m. The suspect led police onto the 91 freeway, causing its closure and a traffic jam for miles before drivers began turning around and driving the wrong way to clear out.

For hours, the suspect sat inside a blue sedan wedged between two black law enforcement vehicles in the middle of the highway. Caltrans announced the freeway closure at 9 a.m., and the standoff continued until some time around noon.

A crisis negotiation team from the Corona Police Department Police communicated with the suspect by way of cellphone, as the suspect was considered armed and dangerous.

The freeway closure extended from where the 91 freeway meets the 55 freeway to the area around the Lakeview Avenue exit on the 91, Caltrans officials said just before 9 a.m. 

Around 10 a.m., some people stuck in the jam started turning around and the highway was pretty much emptied out by 11 a.m. California Highway Patrol had assisted drivers in getting off the closed highway, authorities said.

More than a dozen law enforcement officers, some of them holding up guns pointed at the car, and two K-9 units were involved in the police response.

Two elementary schools in the area — Orange Unified Pre-K and Crescent Elementary School — placed students under a shelter-in-place order due to the incident, school officials said. At Orange Unified, parents and buses were able to pick up students early.

From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., aerial footage showed cars packed tightly together on the highway behind at least a dozen patrol vehicles.

CHP confirmed the end of a pursuit and an ensuing criminal investigation led to the closure.

There appeared to be a traffic collision in one area of the traffic jam, where a semi-truck was parked horizontally on the highway.

"Please avoid the area and use caution while driving," Caltrans said in a traffic alert.

Caltrans provides drivers with traffic updates made in real-time through a map that can be found here. 

Mark Liu contributed to this report.

Toni Kroos: Real Madrid midfielder to retire from football after Euro 2024

Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has announced he will retire from professional football following the conclusion of this summer’s European Championship .

The 34-year-old’s last game for Real Madrid will be the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on June 1 at Wembley, where the German has the chance to win his fifth European Cup with the club.

Advertisement

On Monday, Kroos informed Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti of his intention to call time on his career.

In a statement confirming his retirement on Tuesday, Kroos said: “Real Madrid is and will be my last club”.

He continued: “After 10 years, at the end of the season this chapter comes to an end. I will never forget that successful time!

“I would particularly like to thank everyone that welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me.

“But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one.

“At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the European Championship.”

💜 #GraciasKroos 💜 pic.twitter.com/i78nLxczry — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 21, 2024

Kroos concluded: “I am happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it by my own.

“My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level. From now on there is only one leading thought: a por la 15!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS!”

The midfielder, who joined Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014, has won four La Liga titles during his decade-long stay in the Spanish capital.

A club statement released on Tuesday morning thanked the German for his integral contribution to one of the most successful period in the club’s 122-yearn history.

The statement said: “Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to Toni Kroos, a player who will go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football’s greatest legends.

Late-career Toni Kroos can still dominate a Champions League tie like few others

“Kroos will remain forever in the hearts of every Madridista thanks to his mastery of the game and the fact he has given his all for our jersey, a steady example of the values ​​of Real Madrid.”

Club president Florentino Pérez added: “Toni Kroos is one of the great players in Real Madrid history and this club will always be his home.”

Kroos was included in Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s provisional squad last week after deciding to return to the national team at the end of February.

The midfielder has 108 appearances for Germany and was a crucial part of Joachim Low’s side that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Kroos' sublime return suggests Nagelsmann's decision might be a masterstroke

The greatest German player of his generation?

Analysis by Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Is Toni Kroos the greatest German player of the current generation?

He is certainly in the conversation. He was fundamental to the World Cup win in 2014 and woven into the fabric of the four Real Madrid teams to have won the Champions League in the last decade.

In a week and a half, he has a good chance of collecting his fifth winners’ medal. An extraordinary record for an extraordinary player – perhaps one of the smoothest passers of the modern era, certainly among its most watchable.

In a sense, though, Kroos is not typically German. His style of play, perhaps, is not associated with the national archetype, even if that is based an outdated cliché.

The circumstances under which he left Bayern Munich in 2014 also makes him an outlier. From a very early age, Kroos knew his value – and in a way that to some, particularly in the more conservative parts of the country, likely saw as brash.

There is a famous story about Uli Hoeness chastising Kroos is the tunnel after a game in February. Kroos’ agent, Volker Struth, was renegotiating his contract and Hoeness was – to put it mildly – affronted by the wage demands.

“Put your agent right, you’ll never get €10m”, Hoeness is reported to have said.“I don’t need to,” Kroos replied. “We agree about that.”

Some of that acrimony lasted. Hoeness was actually quite critical of the decision to recall Kroos to the national team in December 2023 – “a signal from the Titanic” he described it as – but there is no question that Kroos has made Nagelsmann’s Germany better.

Amazingly, he looks almost unchanged from the player who left Bayern all those years ago. And perhaps that describes Toni Kroos most vividly: a world class footballer, but also a timeless one.

(Top photo: VI Images via Getty Images)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.