The conclusion of your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the examiner. Crafting an effective conclusion is crucial for solidifying your argument and ensuring coherence. In this guide, we will discuss how to improve your IELTS Writing Task 2 conclusions, provide examples, and offer practical tips to enhance your writing skills.
Understanding the Importance of a Strong Conclusion
A well-written conclusion serves several purposes:
- Restating the main points: It should summarize the key arguments presented in your essay.
- Providing closure: It wraps up your essay in a coherent manner.
- Leaving an impression: It helps to reinforce your overall stance and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Key Elements of an Effective Conclusion
1. Restate Your Thesis Statement (H3)
Your conclusion should begin by restating your thesis statement in a slightly different way. This helps to remind the reader of your central argument without sounding repetitive.
Example:
- Original Thesis: “Government-imposed regulations on single-use plastics are essential to combat environmental pollution.”
- Restated Thesis: “In conclusion, regulating single-use plastics is crucial to mitigating the impact of pollution on our environment.”
2. Summarize Main Points (H3)
Briefly summarize the main points you discussed in your body paragraphs. This reinforces your arguments and ties them together.
Example:
“In addition to regulating plastics, promoting alternative materials and raising public awareness can significantly reduce plastic waste.”
3. Offer a Final Thought or Call to Action (H3)
A strong conclusion often includes a final thought or a call to action, encouraging the reader to consider the implications of your argument or suggesting further action.
Example:
“Ultimately, addressing plastic pollution requires collective effort from both the government and society. Only through combined initiatives can we hope to make a meaningful impact.”
Practical Examples
Let’s apply these techniques to a sample IELTS Writing Task 2 prompt:
Sample Prompt
“Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs (for example working for a charity, improving the neighborhood or teaching sports to younger children). To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
Sample Conclusion
“To sum up, making unpaid community service a mandatory aspect of high school education could foster responsibility and empathy in students, while also benefiting society. By participating in charitable activities, improving their neighborhoods, or mentoring younger children, students gain valuable life skills and contribute positively to their communities. Hence, integrating community service into the high school curriculum is an idea worth considering for its long-term benefits.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Introducing new ideas: Your conclusion is for summarizing, not for presenting new arguments.
- Repeating the introduction verbatim: Restate your thesis and main points in a fresh, concise manner.
- Overly general statements: Make sure your conclusion remains relevant and specific to your essay.
Practice Tips
- Write multiple conclusions: Practice writing different conclusions for the same essay prompt to refine your technique.
- Review sample essays: Analyze the conclusions in high-scoring IELTS essays.
- Seek feedback: Have a teacher or peer review your conclusions and provide constructive feedback.
- Timed practice: Simulate exam conditions by writing complete essays, including conclusions, within the time limit.
Conclusion
Crafting an effective conclusion for your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay involves restating your thesis, summarizing main points, and leaving the reader with a final thought or call to action. By practicing these techniques and avoiding common pitfalls, you can enhance the coherence and impact of your essay’s conclusion. Remember, a strong conclusion not only ties your arguments together but also reinforces your overall stance, leaving a positive impression on the examiner.
Interaction
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