end essay with a bang

How to Write a Conclusion: End Your Writing With a Bang

In this article, we explain how to write a conclusion or a strong ending that leaves the reader wanting more.

Whether you’re writing a thesis paper or a non-fiction book, you are going to need an effective conclusion. A conclusion should summarize the main points of the work, so the reader walks away with a basic idea of what you have written.

Yet the conclusion should not simply repeat everything you said in your body paragraphs. In fact, for some writers, the concluding paragraphs are the hardest to write, because they want to say something else about the work without simply restating everything they already wrote.

Learning how to write a conclusion is an important part of becoming a good writer, and this guide will help.

Step 1. Tie in Your Thesis Statement

Step 2. restate your main points, step 3. connect to your opening statements, step 4. add additional insight, what to avoid in your conclusion, basic outline of a conclusion, common types of conclusions, a final word on how to write a conclusion, how to write a conclusion for an essay, how to write a conclusion in a research paper, how to write a conclusion paragraph.

So when you come to the end of your piece of writing, you need to create a conclusion paragraph. This paragraph answers the reader’s question of “so what?” about what you have written. It gives a “why” to what you have already stated.

So how can you write one? Here are some steps to follow that will make your conclusion strong.

Tie your conclusion back to your original thesis statement. While you do not want to copy it word-for-word, you can restate it in a different way.

Doing this shows the reader why you spent the time writing your piece to support your original idea.

Next, restate your main points. Summarize the ideas differently than you originally discussed.

The reader should come away from the conclusion with a thorough review of everything you said in your writing.

Connect your conclusion to the introduction in some way. Since the introduction likely had your thesis statement, this is one way to do so, but you can also tie in the two by stating similar concepts or reviewing the story you opened the piece using.

A good conclusion to a research paper or essay will add a bit of insight to the piece. This is where you tell people why they should care about what you wrote. 

Your additional insight can create a sense of closure as well. The reader should come away from the closing sentence with a feeling that the piece is complete and they have all of the information they need.

When writing a conclusion, you need to avoid some common mistakes . Remember, this is where you want to bring your ideas full circle and leave the reader with a final impression of your writing. As such, avoid these problems:

• Do not introduce a new idea or thesis in the conclusion. If you have something further to say on the topic, it needs to be placed elsewhere in the piece.
• Do not use words like “in summary” or “in conclusion”. The reader should know that you are writing the conclusion and does not need you to state this.
• Avoid changing the tone of your piece. This should stay constant from the first sentence to the final word of your writing. 

There is a basic outline you can follow when writing a  conclusion paragraph . Here is the template to follow:

• Topic Sentence: Repeat your thesis statement in a new way to be the topic sentence of your paragraph. Don’t restate it exactly. While this isn’t plagiarism, it is boring to read.
• Supporting Sentences: Restate your main arguments and points in the next sentences. Connect the ideas to one another.
• Closing Sentence: this is your final statement, call-to-action or concluding thought. It finishes the entire piece.

There are three main types of conclusions you can make in a piece of writing. These include:

• Summarizing: These conclusions rehash the main points of the essay or report. They show the importance of your ideas and cover the key points so the reader remembers what you spoke on. A summary conclusion does not give opinions or feelings.
• Editorializing: These conclusions are part of argumentative essays, and they state the implications of your argument. They may also include a call-to-action on the topic or try to create a personal connection with the reader. This is the type of conclusion that talks about feelings and beliefs.
• Externalizing: These conclusions transition from your essay or paper to further study or some future research on the topic. This is particularly helpful in papers on complex subject matter.

If you follow the basic outline and void common mistakes , you can learn how to write a conclusion that works. Your conclusion gives you the chance to have the last word on your topic and make a restatement of your main ideas. It rounds out the body of the paper and makes your work look finished.

A strong conclusion also has a major impact on the reader. If you have done your job right, it leaves the reader with a new understanding on the topic you have written about and draws the reader to your main conclusion. 

FAQs on How to Write a Conclusion

When you are writing an essay , you will use a basic structure of introduction, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion. The conclusion paragraph will restate your thesis and your supporting paragraphs in a concise, simple format.

A conclusion in a research paper will restate your thesis statement and your main outline points. You may not have room in one paragraph for all of the points of your paper, but the main points get restated in the conclusion.

Nicole Harms has been writing professionally since 2006. She specializes in education content and real estate writing but enjoys a wide gamut of topics. Her goal is to connect with the reader in an engaging, but informative way. Her work has been featured on USA Today, and she ghostwrites for many high-profile companies. As a former teacher, she is passionate about both research and grammar, giving her clients the quality they demand in today's online marketing world.

View all posts

So much is at stake in writing a conclusion. This is, after all, your last chance to persuade your readers to your point of view, to impress yourself upon them as a writer and thinker. And the impression you create in your conclusion will shape the impression that stays with your readers after they've finished the essay.

The end of an essay should therefore convey a sense of completeness and closure as well as a sense of the lingering possibilities of the topic, its larger meaning, its implications: the final paragraph should close the discussion without closing it off.

To establish a sense of closure, you might do one or more of the following:

• Conclude by linking the last paragraph to the first, perhaps by reiterating a word or phrase you used at the beginning.
• Conclude with a sentence composed mainly of one-syllable words. Simple language can help create an effect of understated drama.
• Conclude with a sentence that's compound or parallel in structure; such sentences can establish a sense of balance or order that may feel just right at the end of a complex discussion.

To close the discussion without closing it off, you might do one or more of the following:

• Conclude with a quotation from or reference to a primary or secondary source, one that amplifies your main point or puts it in a different perspective. A quotation from, say, the novel or poem you're writing about can add texture and specificity to your discussion; a critic or scholar can help confirm or complicate your final point. For example, you might conclude an essay on the idea of home in James Joyce's short story collection,  Dubliners , with information about Joyce's own complex feelings towards Dublin, his home. Or you might end with a biographer's statement about Joyce's attitude toward Dublin, which could illuminate his characters' responses to the city. Just be cautious, especially about using secondary material: make sure that you get the last word.
• Conclude by setting your discussion into a different, perhaps larger, context. For example, you might end an essay on nineteenth-century muckraking journalism by linking it to a current news magazine program like  60 Minutes .
• Conclude by redefining one of the key terms of your argument. For example, an essay on Marx's treatment of the conflict between wage labor and capital might begin with Marx's claim that the "capitalist economy is . . . a gigantic enterprise of dehumanization "; the essay might end by suggesting that Marxist analysis is itself dehumanizing because it construes everything in economic -- rather than moral or ethical-- terms.
• Conclude by considering the implications of your argument (or analysis or discussion). What does your argument imply, or involve, or suggest? For example, an essay on the novel  Ambiguous Adventure , by the Senegalese writer Cheikh Hamidou Kane, might open with the idea that the protagonist's development suggests Kane's belief in the need to integrate Western materialism and Sufi spirituality in modern Senegal. The conclusion might make the new but related point that the novel on the whole suggests that such an integration is (or isn't) possible.

Finally, some advice on how not to end an essay:

• Don't simply summarize your essay. A brief summary of your argument may be useful, especially if your essay is long--more than ten pages or so. But shorter essays tend not to require a restatement of your main ideas.
• Avoid phrases like "in conclusion," "to conclude," "in summary," and "to sum up." These phrases can be useful--even welcome--in oral presentations. But readers can see, by the tell-tale compression of the pages, when an essay is about to end. You'll irritate your audience if you belabor the obvious.
• Resist the urge to apologize. If you've immersed yourself in your subject, you now know a good deal more about it than you can possibly include in a five- or ten- or 20-page essay. As a result, by the time you've finished writing, you may be having some doubts about what you've produced. (And if you haven't immersed yourself in your subject, you may be feeling even more doubtful about your essay as you approach the conclusion.) Repress those doubts. Don't undercut your authority by saying things like, "this is just one approach to the subject; there may be other, better approaches. . ."

Copyright 1998, Pat Bellanca, for the Writing Center at Harvard University

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Conclude an Essay (with Examples)

Last Updated: April 3, 2023 Fact Checked

Writing a Strong Conclusion

What to avoid, brainstorming tricks.

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,201,682 times.

So, you’ve written an outstanding essay and couldn’t be more proud. But now you have to write the final paragraph. The conclusion simply summarizes what you’ve already written, right? Well, not exactly. Your essay’s conclusion should be a bit more finessed than that. Luckily, you’ve come to the perfect place to learn how to write a conclusion. We’ve put together this guide to fill you in on everything you should and shouldn’t do when ending an essay. Follow our advice, and you’ll have a stellar conclusion worthy of an A+ in no time.

Things You Should Know

• Rephrase your thesis to include in your final paragraph to bring the essay full circle.
• End your essay with a call to action, warning, or image to make your argument meaningful.
• Keep your conclusion concise and to the point, so you don’t lose a reader’s attention.
• Do your best to avoid adding new information to your conclusion and only emphasize points you’ve already made in your essay.

• “All in all”
• “Ultimately”
• “Furthermore”
• “As a consequence”
• “As a result”

• Make sure to write your main points in a new and unique way to avoid repetition.

• Let’s say this is your original thesis statement: “Allowing students to visit the library during lunch improves campus life and supports academic achievement.”
• Restating your thesis for your conclusion could look like this: “Evidence shows students who have access to their school’s library during lunch check out more books and are more likely to complete their homework.”
• The restated thesis has the same sentiment as the original while also summarizing other points of the essay.

• “When you use plastic water bottles, you pollute the ocean. Switch to using a glass or metal water bottle instead. The planet and sea turtles will thank you.”
• “The average person spends roughly 7 hours on their phone a day, so there’s no wonder cybersickness is plaguing all generations.”
• “Imagine walking on the beach, except the soft sand is made up of cigarette butts. They burn your feet but keep washing in with the tide. If we don’t clean up the ocean, this will be our reality.”
• “ Lost is not only a show that changed the course of television, but it’s also a reflection of humanity as a whole.”
• “If action isn’t taken to end climate change today, the global temperature will dangerously rise from 4.5 to 8 °F (−15.3 to −13.3 °C) by 2100.”

• Focus on your essay's most prevalent or important parts. What key points do you want readers to take away or remember about your essay?

• For instance, instead of writing, “That’s why I think that Abraham Lincoln was the best American President,” write, “That’s why Abraham Lincoln was the best American President.”
• There’s no room for ifs, ands, or buts—your opinion matters and doesn’t need to be apologized for!

• For instance, words like “firstly,” “secondly,” and “thirdly” may be great transition statements for body paragraphs but are unnecessary in a conclusion.

• For instance, say you began your essay with the idea that humanity’s small sense of sense stems from space’s vast size. Try returning to this idea in the conclusion by emphasizing that as human knowledge grows, space becomes smaller.

• For example, you could extend an essay on the television show Orange is the New Black by bringing up the culture of imprisonment in America.

Community Q&A

• Always review your essay after writing it for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and don’t be afraid to revise. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
• Ask a friend, family member, or teacher for help if you’re stuck. Sometimes a second opinion is all you need. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/self-help-resources/grammar/transition-signals
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/argument_papers/conclusions.html
• ↑ http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/conclude.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions
• ↑ https://www.pittsfordschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=542&dataid=4677&FileName=conclusions1.pdf
• ↑ https://www.cuyamaca.edu/student-support/tutoring-center/files/student-resources/how-to-write-a-good-conclusion.pdf
• ↑ https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185935

About This Article

To end an essay, start your conclusion with a phrase that makes it clear your essay is coming to a close, like "In summary," or "All things considered." Then, use a few sentences to briefly summarize the main points of your essay by rephrasing the topic sentences of your body paragraphs. Finally, end your conclusion with a call to action that encourages your readers to do something or learn more about your topic. In general, try to keep your conclusion between 5 and 7 sentences long. For more tips from our English co-author, like how to avoid common pitfalls when writing an essay conclusion, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Eva Dettling

Jan 23, 2019

Did this article help you?

Mar 7, 2017

Jul 16, 2021

Gabby Suzuki

Oct 17, 2019

Nicole Murphy

Apr 26, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how to wrap up my college essay with a bang.

I’ve heard the conclusion is super important in a college essay because it's the last thing the adcoms read. I don’t want to just summarise everything I’ve said, but I also don't know how to leave a memorable impression. Any tips?

Absolutely, the conclusion of your essay is vital since it's your final chance to resonate with the admissions committee. You want to ensure it reflects not just what you've experienced, but also how you've grown or what you aspire to achieve going forward. Consider tying back to a thematic element introduced at the beginning of your essay for a cohesive feel. An effective strategy is to project forward - take the insights or growth you've discussed and explain how it will shape your future decisions or actions. For example, if your essay is about a community service experience that changed your perspective, your conclusion might touch on how this will influence your approach to community and collaboration in a college environment. Remember, the end of your essay is your parting word, so make it thoughtful and forward-looking!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Apr 5, 2023

How to Conclude an Essay (With Examples)

Don't let a weak conclusion ruin your hard work. Learn how to end your essay with impact. Get inspired to craft a satisfying conclusion for your essay with these examples and tips!

Writing an essay is a complex and challenging task that requires careful planning and execution. While the introduction and body of an essay are essential in conveying information, the conclusion is equally vital in leaving a lasting impression on the reader. The conclusion is the final opportunity for the writer to make a persuasive argument and leave the reader with a sense of closure. 

A well-crafted conclusion should summarize the essay's main points, restate the thesis in a fresh way, and leave the reader with a thought-provoking message. In this essay, we will explore different strategies and examples of writing an effective conclusion that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.

In recent times, AI-powered writing assistants have become increasingly popular among content creators, writers, and students. Jenni.ai stands out for its innovative and user-friendly features among the many AI-powered writing assistants available today.

One of the standout features of Jenni.ai is its user-friendly interface. The platform is designed to be easy to use, even for people with little or no technical knowledge. The software is also compatible with various devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, making it accessible to users on the go. Below we will see the conclusion examples essay, which you can write using Jenni.ai!

5 Effective Strategies for Crafting an Impactful Conclusion

The conclusion of an essay is a crucial element that can make or break the reader's overall impression of the piece. A poorly written conclusion can leave the reader feeling satisfied and interested, while a well-crafted conclusion can leave a lasting impact and reinforce the central message of the essay. 

In this article, we will explore five practical strategies for crafting a memorable conclusion that will leave a positive impression on the reader. Whether you are writing a persuasive essay or a personal reflection, these strategies will help you create a clear, concise, and compelling conclusion.

Summarizing the Main Points

Summarizing the main points is one of the most effective strategies for crafting a memorable conclusion to an essay. By summarizing the key takeaways from the essay, the writer reinforces the main message and helps the reader to understand better the significance of the information presented.

To effectively summarize the main points, it is essential to identify the key ideas and information that were presented in the essay. This can be done by reviewing the body paragraphs and identifying the main arguments or points made. Once these critical ideas have been identified, the writer can then craft a concise and clear summary of the main points.

Restating the Thesis in a Fresh Way

Restating the thesis in a fresh way is another effective strategy for crafting a memorable conclusion to an essay. The thesis statement is the main point or argument of the essay, and restating it in a fresh way can help to reinforce the main message and leave a lasting impact on the reader.

To effectively restate the thesis in a fresh way, the writer should consider using different words or phrasing to express the same idea. This can help to avoid repetition and keep the reader engaged. The writer may also consider using a different structure or approach to the thesis statement, such as turning it into a question or using a metaphor to convey the main message.

One approach to restating the thesis in a fresh way is to use a parallel structure . This involves using the same grammatical structure for each point in the thesis statement. For example, if the thesis statement is "Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, learn, and work," the writer could restate it as "Communication, learning, and work have all been revolutionized by technology."

Leaving the Reader with a Thought-Provoking Message

Leaving the reader with a thought-provoking message is a powerful way to conclude an essay. By providing the reader with a new perspective or challenging them to think more deeply about the topic, the writer can leave a lasting impact and inspire further reflection.

To leave the reader with a thought-provoking message, the writer should consider incorporating a quote, statistic, or anecdote that highlights the importance of the topic and encourages the reader to consider their own beliefs and values. The writer may also consider asking a rhetorical question or offering a call to action that encourages the reader to take action or make a change.

One approach to leaving the reader with a thought-provoking message is to use a quote from a notable figure or expert in the field. This can help to lend credibility to the argument and inspire the reader to think more deeply about the topic. For example, if the essay is about climate change, the writer could end with a quote from a scientist or environmental activist that emphasizes the urgency of the issue.

Using Call-to-Action to Encourage Further Reflection

Using a call-to-action to encourage further reflection is a powerful way to conclude an essay. A call-to-action encourages the reader to take a specific action or change their behaviour based on the information presented in the essay. This can help to create a sense of urgency and inspire the reader to take concrete steps towards addressing the issue.

To use a call-to-action effectively, the writer should consider the intended audience and tailor the message accordingly. The call-to-action should be specific, actionable, and relevant to the topic of the essay. It should also be presented in a way that is persuasive and compelling.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Concluding an Essay

Concluding an essay is an essential part of the writing process, as it gives the writer an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader. However, there are several common mistakes that writers make when crafting their conclusions, which can detract from the overall impact of the essay.

One common mistake is simply summarizing the main points of the essay without adding anything new. While it is important to review the key ideas presented in the essay, a conclusion should offer something more, such as a thought-provoking message or a call-to-action.

Another mistake is introducing new ideas or information that was not previously discussed in the essay. The conclusion should be a logical extension of the ideas presented in the essay, rather than an opportunity to introduce new topics.

Using clichéd phrases or overly formal language can also be a mistake when concluding an essay. The conclusion should be written in a clear and concise style that is consistent with the tone of the essay.

Failing to address any potential counterarguments or opposing viewpoints is another common mistake in concluding an essay. By acknowledging alternative perspectives, the writer can strengthen their own argument and demonstrate their understanding of the topic.

In conclusion, crafting a memorable and effective conclusion for an essay is essential for leaving a lasting impression on the reader. By summarizing the main points, restating the thesis in a fresh way, leaving the reader with a thought-provoking message, using call-to-action, and avoiding common mistakes, a writer can ensure that their conclusion is impactful and adds value to their essay. 

Crafting a Compelling Conclusion: Examples and Techniques

Crafting a compelling conclusion for an essay is a crucial element of effective writing. A well-written conclusion can leave a lasting impression on the reader and make the overall essay more memorable. However, many writers struggle to create a conclusion that is both powerful and concise. 

In this article, we will explore some examples and techniques for crafting a compelling conclusion. We will discuss how to summarize the main points, restate the thesis in a fresh way, leave the reader with a thought-provoking message, use call-to-action to encourage further reflection and avoid common mistakes. By following these techniques, writers can create a conclusion that enhances the overall impact of their essay and leaves a positive impression on their readers.

Summarizing the Main Points: A Brief Recap

Summarizing the main points of an essay is a crucial element of crafting a compelling conclusion. It allows the reader to reflect on the key ideas presented in the essay and reinforces the main argument. In this section, we will explore some tips and techniques for summarizing the main points effectively.

One effective strategy for summarizing the main points is to use transitional phrases that signal the end of one idea and the beginning of another. These phrases can include "in conclusion," "to sum up," or "to wrap things up." Using these transitional phrases can help the reader understand that the conclusion is coming and prepare them to reflect on the main points of the essay.

Restating the Thesis in a Fresh Way: Adding New Insights

Restating the thesis in a fresh way is a powerful technique that can elevate the impact of an essay's conclusion. It allows the writer to add new insights to the thesis statement, demonstrating a deeper understanding of the topic and providing a fresh perspective for the reader. In this section, we will explore some strategies for restating the thesis in a fresh way.

One effective way to restate the thesis is to use a different angle or approach. This means taking the core message of the thesis and presenting it in a new way. For example, if the thesis is "technology is changing the way we work," a new angle could be " the rise of technology is creating new opportunities for the modern workforce. " This restatement provides a fresh perspective that adds new insights to the thesis statement.

Leaving the Reader with a Thought-Provoking Message: Encouraging Reflection

The conclusion of an essay should leave a lasting impression on the reader. One way to achieve this is by leaving the reader with a thought-provoking message that encourages reflection. In this section, we will explore some strategies for leaving the reader with a thought-provoking message.

One effective way to leave the reader with a thought-provoking message is to ask a rhetorical question. A rhetorical question is a question that doesn't require an answer but is meant to stimulate thinking. For example, if the essay is about the impact of social media on mental health , a rhetorical question could be "What would our lives be like without social media?" This question encourages the reader to reflect on the role of social media in their own lives and consider the impact it has on their mental health.

In addition to using rhetorical questions and powerful statements, it is important to connect the message back to the reader's own life. This can be achieved by asking the reader to reflect on their own experiences or encouraging them to take action based on the essay's message. For example, if the essay is about the impact of climate change, the conclusion could encourage the reader to reduce their carbon footprint or get involved in local environmental initiatives.

Using Call-to-Action to Encourage Further Engagement: Inspiring Action

The call-to-action (CTA) is a powerful tool for concluding an essay. It prompts the reader to take a specific action, whether it's to learn more, donate to a cause, or simply think about a topic in a new way. When used effectively, a call-to-action can leave a lasting impression on the reader and inspire them to take action.

One effective way to use a CTA is to tie it to the thesis or main argument of the essay. By doing so, the CTA feels like a natural extension of the essay's content, rather than a jarring or unrelated request. For example, if the essay is about the importance of reducing plastic waste, the CTA could be a suggestion to switch to reusable grocery bags or to sign a petition advocating for plastic bag bans.

In conclusion, crafting a compelling conclusion is an essential aspect of writing an impactful essay. Summarizing the main points, restating the thesis in a fresh way, leaving the reader with a thought-provoking message, and using a call-to-action are all effective techniques to make your conclusion memorable and leave a lasting impression on the reader. By following these strategies, you can ensure that your essay concludes in a strong and memorable way, effectively communicating your message and engaging your audience. 

Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Conclusion

When it comes to writing a conclusion, many people tend to rush through it, treating it as an afterthought rather than an integral part of their writing. However, a well-written conclusion can be the difference between a good piece of writing and a great one. 

In this article, we will discuss some common pitfalls to avoid when crafting your conclusion. By being mindful of these mistakes, you can ensure that your conclusion leaves a lasting impression on your readers and effectively summarizes your ideas. So, let's dive in and learn how to write a conclusion that truly shines.

Don't introduce new information

When it comes to crafting a conclusion, one of the most common mistakes is introducing new information. Your conclusion should serve as a summary of the ideas and arguments you have presented throughout your essay or article, not as an opportunity to introduce new concepts or evidence. 

Introducing new information in your conclusion can be confusing for readers, as it disrupts the flow of your writing and may raise questions that you do not have time to answer. Consider the following points to help you avoid introducing new information in your conclusion:

Stick to your thesis: Your thesis statement should provide the focus for your essay or article. Make sure your conclusion reiterates your thesis and provides a sense of closure to your argument.

Recapitulate your main points: Identify the key arguments or points you have made in your essay or article, and provide a brief summary of each one. This will help to reinforce the main ideas of your writing and provide a sense of coherence to your conclusion.

Avoid new evidence or arguments: Resist the urge to introduce new evidence or arguments in your conclusion. Instead, focus on synthesizing the evidence and arguments you have already presented, and highlight their significance for your readers.

Use clear and concise language: Your conclusion should be easy to understand and should use clear and concise language. Avoid using technical jargon or complex sentences, and instead, focus on communicating your ideas in a straightforward and accessible manner.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your conclusion effectively summarizes your ideas and arguments, without introducing new information. Your readers will appreciate the clarity and coherence of your writing, and you will be able to end your essay or article on a strong and impactful note.

Avoid summarizing your entire essay

While it may seem counterintuitive, one of the common pitfalls to avoid in writing a conclusion is summarizing your entire essay. Your conclusion should not be a repetition of everything you have already stated in your essay or article. Instead, it should provide a concise overview of your main points and their significance. Summarizing your entire essay in your conclusion can be repetitive and can make your writing feel redundant.

To avoid summarizing your entire essay, focus on synthesizing your main points into a few key takeaways. Consider the following points to help you avoid summarizing your entire essay in your conclusion:

Identify your most important points: Take a moment to reflect on the main arguments and ideas you have presented in your essay or article. Identify the most important points that you want your readers to remember.

Provide a brief summary: Once you have identified your most important points, provide a brief summary of each one. Make sure to highlight their significance and how they support your overall argument.

End with a strong, memorable statement

The conclusion of your essay or article is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your readers. To achieve this, you should aim to end with a strong and memorable statement that summarizes your key ideas and leaves your readers with something to ponder. A strong conclusion can help to reinforce your main argument and make your writing more impactful and memorable.

To end your writing with a strong, memorable statement, consider the following points:

Reiterate your thesis statement: Your thesis statement is the foundation of your argument. Restating it in your conclusion can help to reinforce your main point and provide a sense of closure to your readers.

Use vivid language: To make your conclusion more impactful, use vivid and descriptive language that engages your readers' senses and emotions. This can help to create a lasting impression and leave your readers with a sense of resonance.

Provide a call to action: If your writing relates to a particular issue or problem, consider providing a call to action that encourages your readers to take action or make a change. This can help to create a sense of urgency and motivate your readers to get involved.

End with a question: Ending your writing with a thought-provoking question can leave your readers with something to ponder and encourage them to engage more deeply with your ideas. Make sure the question is relevant and directly relates to the main themes of your writing.

Use a quote: A powerful quote that relates to your topic can help to reinforce your main argument and make your writing more memorable. Choose a quote that is relevant and resonates with your readers.

Consider the tone and purpose of your writing

When writing a conclusion, it's important to consider the tone and purpose of your writing. The tone of your conclusion should match the overall tone of your writing and the purpose of your conclusion should align with the goals you set out to achieve in your writing. Failure to consider these factors can lead to a weak or ineffective conclusion that doesn't leave a lasting impression on your readers.

To ensure that the tone and purpose of your conclusion are aligned with the rest of your writing, consider the following points:

Determine the purpose of your writing: Before you begin writing your conclusion, identify the purpose of your writing. Are you trying to persuade your readers, inform them about a particular topic, or entertain them with a story? Understanding the purpose of your writing will help you craft a conclusion that reinforces your overall message.

Avoid introducing new information: Your conclusion should not introduce new information or ideas. Instead, it should summarize the main points you have already made and provide a sense of closure for your readers.

In conclusion, crafting a strong conclusion is essential for making your writing more impactful and memorable. By avoiding common pitfalls such as introducing new information or summarizing your entire essay, and instead focusing on a strong, memorable statement that matches the tone and purpose of your writing, you can leave a lasting impression on your readers. 

In summary, writing a compelling conclusion is a crucial part of any successful essay. By incorporating the strategies and examples provided in this article, you can learn how to effectively summarize your main points, leave a lasting impression on your readers, and drive your message home. Whether you're writing an academic paper, a blog post, or a personal essay, a strong conclusion can make all the difference in leaving a positive and memorable impact on your audience. So, take these tips for conclusion essay examples to heart, and start crafting conclusions that truly resonate with your readers today. 

Are you tired of struggling with your writing and want to take your skills to the next level? Then sign up for Jenni.ai ! This AI-powered writing assistant can help you write with confidence and precision. With its cutting-edge technology and user-friendly interface, Jenni.ai can provide you with personalized suggestions to help you craft compelling essays, articles, and more. Try it out today and experience the power of AI for yourself!

Try Jenni for free today

Create your first piece of content with Jenni today and never look back

Have a language expert improve your writing

Check your paper for plagiarism in 10 minutes, generate your apa citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• College essay

How to End a College Admissions Essay | 4 Winning Strategies

Published on October 16, 2021 by Meredith Testa . Revised on May 31, 2023.

The ending of your college essay should leave your reader with a sense of closure and a strong final impression.

Table of contents

Endings to avoid, option 1: return to the beginning, option 2: look forward, option 3: reveal your main point, option 4: end on an action, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

A bad conclusion can bring your whole essay down, so make sure to avoid these common mistakes.

Summarizing

Unlike an academic essay, an admissions essay shouldn’t restate your points. Avoid ending with a summary; there’s no need to repeat what you’ve already written.

Phrases like “in conclusion,” “overall,” or “to sum it up” signal that you have nothing to add to what you’ve already written, so an admissions officer may stop reading.

Stating the obvious

Instead of stating the obvious, let your work speak for itself and allow readers to draw their own conclusions. If your essay details various times that you worked tirelessly to go above and beyond, don’t finish it by stating “I’m hardworking.” Admissions officers are smart enough to figure that out on their own.

You should also avoid talking about how you hope to be accepted. Admissions officers know you want to be accepted—that’s why you applied! It’s okay to connect what you discuss in the essay to your potential future career or college experience, but don’t beg for admission. Stay focused on your essay’s core topic.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Many successful essays follow a “sandwich,” or full-circle, structure , meaning that they start with some image or idea, veer away from it in the middle, and then return to it at the end.

This structure is clean, self-contained, and satisfying for readers, so it’s a great choice if it works with the topic you’ve chosen.

In the “sandwich” essay outlined below, a student discusses his passion for musical theater. Instead of simply stating that interest, his essay starts with a funny anecdote about a minor fire that erupted on set. At the end, it returns to this anecdote, creating a sense of closure.

• Intro: I may be the world’s worst firefighter.
• Flashback to working on the school musical
• Demonstrate my passion for theatre
• Detail the story of the theater set catching fire
• Show how I made the most of the situation
• Conclusion: I proved my value as a director, an actor, and a writer that week一even if I was a terrible firefighter.

Many successful essays end by looking forward to the future. These endings are generally hopeful and positive—always great qualities in an admissions essay—and often connect the student to the college or their academic goals.

Although these endings can be highly effective, it can be challenging to keep them from sounding cliché. Keep your ending specific to you, and don’t default to generalities, which can make your essay seem bland and unoriginal.

Below are a good and a bad example of how you could write a “looking forward” ending for the musical theater “firefighter” essay.

Sometimes, holding back your main point can be a good strategy. If your essay recounts several experiences, you could save your main message for the conclusion, only explaining what ties all the stories together at the very end.

When done well, this ending leaves the reader thinking about the main point you want them to take from your essay. It’s also a memorable structure that can stand out.

However, if you choose this approach, it can be challenging to keep the essay interesting enough that the reader pays attention throughout.

In the essay outlined below, a student gives us snapshots of her experience of gymnastics at different stages in her life. In the conclusion, she ties the stories together and shares the insight that they taught her about different aspects of her character and values.

• Passionate, excited
• Sister born that day—began to consider people beyond myself
• Realizing that no matter how much I love gymnastics, there are more important things
• I’d been working especially hard to qualify for that level
• It came after many setbacks and failures
• I had to give up time with friends, first homecoming dance of high school, and other activities, and I considered quitting
• Conclusion: I’m still all of those selves: the passionate 7-year-old, the caring 11-year-old, and the determined 15-year-old. Gymnastics has been a constant throughout my life, but beyond the balance beam, it has also shown me how to change and grow.

Ending on an action can be a strong way to wrap up your essay. That might mean including a literal action, dialogue, or continuation of the story.

These endings leave the reader wanting more rather than wishing the essay had ended sooner. They’re interesting and can help you avoid boring your reader.

Here’s an example of how this ending could work for the gymnastics essay.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

There are a few strategies you can use for a memorable ending to your college essay :

• Return to the beginning with a “full circle” structure
• Reveal the main point or insight in your story
• Look to the future
• End on an action

The best technique will depend on your topic choice, essay outline, and writing style. You can write several endings using different techniques to see which works best.

Unlike a five-paragraph essay, your admissions essay should not end by summarizing the points you’ve already made. It’s better to be creative and aim for a strong final impression.

You should also avoid stating the obvious (for example, saying that you hope to be accepted).

There are no set rules for how to structure a college application essay , but these are two common structures that work:

• A montage structure, a series of vignettes with a common theme.
• A narrative structure, a single story that shows your personal growth or how you overcame a challenge.

Avoid the five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in high school.

When revising your college essay , first check for big-picture issues regarding message, flow, tone, style , and clarity. Then, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Testa, M. (2023, May 31). How to End a College Admissions Essay | 4 Winning Strategies. Scribbr. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/conclusion-college-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Meredith Testa

Other students also liked, how to write a great college essay introduction | examples, college essay format & structure | example outlines, how to revise your college admissions essay | examples, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

The Significance of a Powerful Essay Conclusion

A conclusion should be strong. The last impression matters no less than the first one. Typically, a reader judges their experience based on what they’ve read last. Therefore, you shouldn’t miss the chance to make a favorable impression of you as a thinker and writer in the powerful conclusion.

The essay conclusion should bring a sense of closure to your reader. At the same time, it should inspire a new discussion by pointing at the larger meaning and implications of the topic.

To provide a sense of closure in the final paragraph:

• Make a connection between the first and the last paragraphs. Simple reiteration of a word or a phrase will do the trick.
• Aim for simplicity. Monosyllabic language can cause an effect of understated drama.
• Use compound or parallel sentences to make a conclusion more balanced. A pattern of repetition will bring some closure to a complex discussion.

Pass this quiz to find the writing service up to your needs

Answer a few simple questions. It may take under 2 minutes

What is your academic level?

High school

Pursuing PhD

What type of paper you are more likely to require?

Dissertation

What is more important for you?

Quality of writing

Reasonable price

Adherence to instructions

Friendly support

How do you prefer to communicate with a writer?

All options are fine

Choose the country you prefer your writer to be from:

Here are the services that suit your needs best upon the given answers.

CyberPaperBoy

MyAdmissionsEssay

To end the discussion without closing it off:

• Underscore your point or offer a slightly different perspective by concluding with a direct quote from the primary or secondary source. To emphasize your argument, go for a quote from a book you are discussing. Alternatively, use an opposing scholarly opinion to look at the subject matter from a different angle. For example, you might conclude an essay on the use of irony in Wallace’s Infinite Jest by adding texture to your writing with the author’s direct quote. Or you might end your final point with the scorching critique of the book’s cult following, which is ironic in itself. However, a caveat is due here: whatever you include in the ending paragraph of your essay, make sure to have the last word.
• Put your discussion in the context of a larger conversation. For instance, link your essay on slavery to the modern instances of institutional racism.
• End your essay by assigning new meanings to its key terms. For example, conclude an essay on the Marxist critique of capitalism by redefining the term “crisis of capitalism” as “the crisis of morality” and, thereby, rejecting the premise that freedom can be reduced to the exercise of economic power.
• Use the conclusion to consider the implications of your argument. What does your discussion suggest? For instance, an essay on cisgender privilege might open with the idea that a revolutionary path lies ahead of those taking the intersex and transgender discourse seriously. The conclusion might offer a new but related point that the gradual reformation of a social agenda is impossible in the ossified intellectual environment of the West.

How not to conclude an essay:

• Avoid summarizing an essay. You can go for a brief summary of the key argument if your essay is more than ten pages However, don’t rehash your main points in the conclusion of a short essay.
• Evade phrases such as “in conclusion”, “in summary”, “to sum up”, Reserve them for oral presentations. The final paragraph is a sufficient indication of the fact that the narrative is about to end. By pointing out the obvious your risk irritating your readers.
• Avoid apologizing for your work. After thoroughly researching a topic, you know way more about it than several pages of discussion can hold. The conclusion places you in a position to persuade your readers. Therefore, you should forsake self-doubt and avoid including sentences that undermine your authority.

Benefit from surprisingly efficient and professional paper writing . In 3 hours, you will have an exquisite essay on your computer.

• Public Speaking Classes
• Corporate Presentation Training
• Online Public Speaking Course
• Northeast Region
• Midwest Region
• Southeast Region
• Central Region
• Western Region
• Presentation Skills
• 101 Public Speaking Tips
• Fear of Public Speaking

How to End Your Presentation with a Bang

So you’ve spent days (maybe weeks) putting together a killer presentation. Now, you stand up with confidence, present every bullet point with poise, and then you get all the way to the end… and the presentation just fizzles.

It’s like a marathon runner who trains for months (maybe years), then just a half mile before the finish line, starts to cramps and can’t finish the race.

The last thing that you tell your audience will most likely be what they remember. So, you want to end your presentation with a bang!

In this post, we will cover three things that you should absolutely avoid when you close your presentation. In addition, we will also cover 6 killer ways to end on a positive note.

By the way, for more details about how to organize a good speech, see the following. 7 Foolproof Ways to Start a Presentation . | How to Design a Presentation Quickly .

Eliminate these “Show Stoppers” from Your Presentation Conclusion

Avoid Ending Your Presentation with a Question & Answer Period.

One of the things that drives me up the wall is ending a fantastic presentation with a Q & A session that has a high propensity to just flop.

It reminds me of some sage advice from my jr high school football coach. He was an old-school running game type of coach. He’d say,

“In football, when you pass the ball, only three things can happen and two of them are bad.”

I kind of feel the same way about Question & Answer periods. There are only three ways that Q & A sessions can end, and two of them are bad .

Yes, If your audience asks you great questions, you can end your presentation on a high note. However, if your audience asks you odd questions or uninteresting questions, you can end on a low note. Even worse than getting crappy questions, though is getting no questions. Now, the ending will just seem odd.

When I present, I encourage people to ask questions DURING my presentation . That way, I can use a more dynamic way to end my presentation with a bang.

Don’t End by Thanking the Audience for Their Time.

When you stand up to speak, you should have the attitude that your audience is there to hear from you because you have important information that they need. When you thank your audience for their time, you are conceding that their time is more important than your time.

Also Avoid an Abrupt Ending with No Conclusion.

This happened to me early in my career. The first time that I really bombed a speech, I made two really big mistakes. The first was that I sped through the information so quickly that I finished in less than half of the allotted time. Then, I just ran out of things to say, so I sat down. The people in the audience were confused. I had more time and the ending was so abrupt, that they weren’t sure if I was finished.

So, spend time preparing your conclusion. Practice it a few times, and you will end on a high note.

Bonus Tip: Warn Your Audience Ahead of Time that Your Speech is Coming to a Close.

Our brains are wired to look for structure in things. That’s why people get frustrated with cliffhangers in movies. Only in movies, there’s a sequel. In speeches and presentations, the end is the end.

Give a hint that you are nearing a close a couple of slides or paragraphs before you actually do. Saying something like, “So let’s review what we’ve discussed so far”, “As I wrap up this presentation” or “In conclusion”.

Signaling the close prepares your audience for the ending. Ironically, it also makes the ending more memorable.

Secrets to a Powerful Presentation Ending – 6 Ways to End Your Presentation with a Bang

Not that we have covered what NOT to do, let’s focus on a few, turnkey ways to end your presentation with a bang.

(1) End Your Presentation with a Brief Summary You Key Points.

This technique works really well because it allows you to repeat your key points a few times. This repetition helps your audience remember the content better.

An Example of Using a Summary to End Your Presentation with a Bang!

A couple of months ago, I had a class member that used this technique really well. She worked for a local TV station that was trying to attract new viewers. Here is the presentation outline that she created:

We Can Increase the Number of Young Viewers by Focusing More on Our Social Media Platforms Teens get most news from social media. Increase coverage w/ teens increases interest in station. Making social media selective will make us stand out against competition.

[Introduction] “My topic today is about how we can increase the number of young viewers by focusing more on social media. The things that we are going to cover are, how teens get most of their news from social media, that if we increase our coverage with teens there will also be a corresponding increase in interest in our TV station, and how making our social media selective will allow us to stand out from the competition.”

After the introduction, the speaker would then cover the “meat” of the presentation by going through each point with specific examples and evidence about how each of those points is true.

At the conclusion, the speaker could just recap by saying, “So in conclusion, since teens get most of their news via social media, if we increase our coverage with teens, we will also increase interest in our station, and if we make our social media selective we will stand out from the crowd, I believe that we can increase the number of young viewers by focusing more on social media.”

The summary technique is a very easy way to conclude your speech, and it will also increase the retention of your audience.

For additional examples, see How to Write a Speech in Just a few Steps .

(2) End with an Example, Story, or Anecdote.

I spoke for another 45 minutes, and then I finished the presentation by describing the success story of one of my class members. He had implemented the very content that I had just delivered to that breakout session group. However, he was delivering a very data-intense presentation for the Center for Disease Control. (So his content was even more boring than the type of content the audience had to deliver.) The story showed the group how a speaker can take even boring, data-filled material and deliver it well.

Those contrasting stories — the one at the start of my presentation, and the one at the end, work really well together. They bookend the entire presentation.

An Easy Way to Find a Funny Anecdote to End Your Presentation.

Sometimes a good anecdote or funny story can be a good way to end on a positive as well. A good place to get funny anecdotes is from Reader’s Digest . (RD has a great book published that has just funny work-related stories. You can purchase it here: Laughter the Best Medicine @ Work: America’s Funniest Jokes, Quotes, and Cartoons )

This is kind of an embarrassing incident, but it shows that if you get a little creative, any type of story can be a great ending.

I was training an instructor years ago, and I had her just pick a random funny anecdote from Reader’s Digest. I told her that, no matter what the story was about, I’d find some way to insert the funny story into our class. Here is the story that she picked…

A woman went to her boss saying that she was going to go home early because she was feeling sick. The boss, having just gotten over a cold said that he hoped it wasn’t something that he had given to her. A coworker overhearing the conversation said, ‘I hope not. She has morning sickness.'”

(Obviously, this instructor-in-training also had a sense of humor, as well.) I thought about it a while, and I just ended the session with, “So, in summary, one of the most important parts of the presentation design process is knowing your audience. In fact, that reminds me of a story…” I then just added the anecdote word-for-word, and I got a big laugh.

I created a whole series of posts on storytelling starting with Storytelling in Public Speaking .

(3) Finish Your Speech by Telling the End of an Earlier Story.

Then, I finished the presentation by telling how, just a year later, after a little outside training, I had to stand in front of over 400 people to give an acceptance speech for an award. This time, I was calm, and I used my humor to win over the audience, and I killed it. By continuing the story and providing a positive result at the end, it makes for a pretty nice presentation ending.

So start with a story where you had a challenge and end with a success story about how you overcame that challenge.

(4) End Your Presentation with an Open-Ended Question.

That’s why people are drawn to thought-provoking questions. So a great way to end your speech is with a well-designed, thought-provoking question.

When I teach a class, I use this technique before almost every break. For instance, if I teach an hour-long session, it will be easy for the audience to forget a lot of the content if it isn’t reinforced right away. So, by asking a thought-provoking question about the content, it stimulates the content in the minds of the audience.

When you ask questions, though, avoid easy questions where the answer is an obvious “yes” or “no.” Instead, ask open-ended questions. The easiest way to do this is to ask for the audience members’ opinions.

For instance, if my title is “Starting with a 3-Point Outline Will Help You Save Time When You Design Presentations,” I could end the speech with a question like, “Based on what we’ve talked about today, how can you see starting with a three-point outline helping you save time?”

Any answers that the audience provides will help me prove my point. The more the better.

(5) Give the Audience a Call-to-Action at the End of Your Speech.

Just as an FYI, here, though, if you ask them to do a single thing, they are more likely to do it. If you ask them to do a second thing, they are more likely to do neither. Sp, to prevent that and to inspire your audience, challenge them to do one specific thing from your speech.

If your presentation is about why your company should invest in advertising, make your call to action very specific. “So, my suggestion is that we increase our advertising budget by 10% and use that budget for additional re-targeting ads.”

The thing to keep in mind here is that the more calls to action that you have, the less likely they will do anything. So, make your call to action just a single item. And make the item easy to implement.

(6) The Echo Close Is an Inspirational Way to End Your Speech with a Bang.

A wise man once said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” So, when you present, kindle the fire of knowledge. Kindle the fire of enthusiasm. Kindle the fire of humor. Kindle the fire of empathy. And you will kindle the fire of learning from your audience.

Another example might be.

So, in conclusion, brevity in public speaking is pretty important. In fact, George Orwell once said, “If it is possible to cut a word out of your speech, always cut it out.” So, when you create a presentation, cut the fluff. Cut the repetitive bullets. Cut the platitudes. And when you do, you will cut the confusion from your audience.

It is an easy technique if you prepare the ending and practice it a few times.

So that concludes the six ways that you can end your presentation with a bang. However… There is…

“One More Thing”

Steve Jobs was famous for concluding his keynotes with “One more thing…” then following it up with a surprising fact, feature, or innovation.

Why is this effective? Because it leaves people talking.

Regardless of how you choose to end your presentation, spend a little time on the ending. Make it flawless, and you will leave your audience wanting more! If you do, you will end your presentation with a bang!

Choose the Best Presentation Ending for Your Presentation Purpose

With all of the great choices, how do we know which presentation ending to use? Luckily, we have created a free handout to help you pick the best presentation ending. Although many of the tips above will work in many different types of speeches, the handout will help you identify which ending will accomplish specific purposes for your specific presentation.

For instance, if your goal is to help your audience retain the content, then summarizing your key points is a great choice. If your purpose is to inspire the audience, you might try the Call to Action or Echo technique instead. Just complete the form below for instant access!

Download the Free “How to End Your Presentation” Handout!

Podcasts , presentation skills

View More Posts By Category: Free Public Speaking Tips | leadership tips | Online Courses | Past Fearless Presentations ® Classes | Podcasts | presentation skills | Uncategorized

• Speech Writing
• Delivery Techniques
• PowerPoint & Visuals
• Speaker Habits
• Speaker Resources
• Speech Critiques
• Book Reviews
• Browse Articles
• ALL Articles
• Learn About Us
• About Six Minutes
• Meet Our Authors
• Write for Us
• Advertise With Us

10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang

End your speech with an attitude , not a platitude .

Instead of firing off a perfunctory “thank you,” consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the podium.

With the flair of a fireworks finale, you’ll trigger spontaneous applause to a well-rehearsed, well-timed, and well-executed performance — a performance that reflects all the anticipation of a logger’s cry: Timbeerrrrrrrrrrr!

This article shows you how to close your speech with a bang.

Call Attention to the Close of Your Speech

Contrary to the prevailing practice of too many politicians and business and community leaders, the most influential speakers don’t end their speeches with a perfunctory and mundane “Thank you.” That’s too easy. And too lazy.

It takes creative thinking and a compelling delivery to end your speech with a mighty climax that relegates the perfunctory “thank you” as superfluous. No wonder that only seven of the 217 speeches listed in William Safire’s anthology Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History conclude with “thank you.”

Examples of How to End a Speech

“ Instead of firing off a perfunctory ‘thank you,’ consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the podium. ”

Consider these examples of resounding speech conclusions from Patrick Henry, William Jennings Bryant and Winston Churchill. You can learn from these to spark your creative energy and capture the spirit of ending with a bang.

On the brink of the American Revolution, the colonists were debating the war. Patrick Henry concluded a stirring speech on March 23, 1775 with this:

“Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me give me liberty or give me death.”

At the Democratic National Convention in 1896, William Jennings Bryan concluded his stirring speech against the gold standard in national currency with the words that have become the title of his speech:

“Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests and toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns: you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.”

In the face of a German threat of an invasion upon England in World War II, Winston Churchill on June 18, 1940 called upon all of the British to brace themselves. He concluded his speech with the words that have become the title of the speech:

“Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that if the British Commonwealth and Empire lasts for thousands of years, men will say: ‘This was their finest hour.’”

End Your Speech on a High Note

Leading speakers end their speeches like the opera star—on a high note, vocally and intellectually. Just as the comedian should leave ‘em laughing, the speaker should leave ‘em thinking. Last words linger. Last words crystallize your thoughts, galvanize your message, and mobilize your audience.

Study the following 10 templates and adapt your speech to end your speech with a bang :

“ Just as the comedian should leave ‘em laughing, the speaker should leave ‘em thinking. ”

• Bookend Close
• Challenge Close
• Repetitive Close
• Title Close
• Sing Song Close
• Callback Close
• Movie Close
• Quotation Close
• Third Party Close

#1 – Bookend Close

For a bookend speech closing, refer back to your opening anecdote or quote and say, “We have arrived, now, where we began.”

Then reiterate the message you want your audience to remember. This will achieve symmetry in the classic 3-part speech outline : Tell ‘em what you are going to tell ‘em; tell ‘em, then tell ‘em what you just told ‘em.’

#2 – Challenge Close

Challenge your audience to a pply what you have told them in the speech.

If you were concluding a speech on the importance of taking action, you could say:

“Let’s turn from spectators into participants. Let’s recall the inspiring words of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who said: ‘Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to remain with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.’ We have too much to do to sit on the sidelines. We need you to step out of the gray twilight into the bright sunshine so that we can all see the dawn of a new day.”

#3 – Echo Close

“ Last words crystallize your thoughts, galvanize your message, and mobilize your audience. ”

Focus on one word in a quotation and emphasize that word to echo your final point.

For example, consider the five echoes of the word “do” in this ending to a speech on the importance of getting involved in the education process:

“More than 450 years before the birth of Christ, Confucius said: ‘What I hear, I forget; what I see, I remember; what I do , I understand.’ Let’s do it together. We’ve heard what we have to do . We’ve seen what we need to do . Now is the time to do it, and, together, we can do it.”

#4 – Repetitive Close

Find a phrase and structure it in a repetitive format that strikes the cadence of a drummer, building to a crescendo ending of a motivational speech:

“Architects cannot renovate it. Businesses cannot incorporate it. Churches cannot inculcate it. Developers cannot innovate it. Engineers cannot calculate it. Governments cannot legislate it. Judges cannot adjudicate it. Lawyers cannot litigate it. Manufacturers cannot fabricate it. Politicians cannot appropriate it. Scientist cannot formulate it. Technicians cannot generate it. Only you can orchestrate it.”

#5 – Title Close

Give your speech a provocative title that encapsulates your message memorably. Then, use the title of your speech as your closing words to stir your audience to think more fully about what they just heard, reinforcing the title of the speech that you referenced earlier.

Hint : Try writing the ending of your speech first to better construct the title.

#6 – Sing Song Close

Ask the audience to repeat a phrase that you used several times in your speech.

Let say your phrase is: “Together, we can win.” You repeat that phrase over and over again. Then just before your close, you say: “I know that all of you are talented, all of you are driven. I know that none of us can do this alone, but (pause) Together (pause) we can (pause until the audience responds.)

#7 – Callback Close

Refer back to a story you told where some activity was not fully completed . Then pick up the story and close it around your theme.

For example:

“Remember those bubbles that four year old held so gently in his hands? Well now those same gentle hands are now poised skillfully around the hearts of hundreds of people. Today he is a heart surgeon.”

#8 – Movie Close

For example, in concluding a speech on the maturity of a product line and the need to leave the past behind and create new and different products, an executive concluded a speech with a reference to growing pangs. The speaker alluded to the final scene in the movie Summer of ‘42 . The main character is Hermie. Now an adult he is reminiscing about his lost adolescence.

“ ‘Life is made up of small comings and goings. And for everything we take with us, there is something that we leave behind. In the summer of ’42, we raided the Coast Guard Station 4 times. We saw 5 movies. And we had 9 days of rain. Benji broke his watch. Oskie gave up the harmonica. And in a very special way, I lost Hermie, forever.’ So too this year, in a very special way, we have lost our old company in a very special way. Now we are moving on to a stronger, more mature company.”

#9 – Quotation Close

Use a famous quotation to harness the audience’s attention, much like turning on a spotlight.

For example, if you were concluding a speech on the importance of maintaining self confidence in the face of adversity, you could say:

“We have to be like the bird –the bird that author Victor Hugo one observed – the bird that pauses in its flight awhile, on boughs too light, – on a branch that is likely to break– feels that branch break, yet sings, knowing she hath wings.”

#10 – Third Party Close

Take the use of a quotation up a notch with the Third Party Close. Leverage the use of a quotation in context of your message. Use the premise of that quotation to frame your finale so that it serves as a launching pad to lift your message high for the audience to more fully appreciate.

If you were concluding a speech on the importance of embracing change, you could say:

Change has become a way of life to a better life. We have to recall the insight of President Abraham Lincoln, on the brink of Civil War and fighting the near 100-year long tradition of slavery in the United States dating back to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who owned slaves. Lincoln looked change directly in the eye and said: “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present and future. As our circumstances are new, we must think anew and act anew.” And so must we. We need to look at this old issue in a new way, not simply for today but to make our tomorrows more rewarding, more fulfilling, and more compelling because of the change we make today. With your help, we can think anew and act anew on the issue before us today.”

Your Speech Ending Challenge

May you think anew about ending your speeches. Try one of these 10 techniques and turn the podium into your personal fireworks platform.

Fire off spectacular ideas with blazing after thoughts. Light up your audience with insight. Fire your most poignant salvos in the fleeting seconds of your speech. And make sure your message resounds in your audience’s ears… with a bang!

Please share this...

This is one of many public speaking articles featured on Six Minutes . Subscribe to Six Minutes for free to receive future articles.

Image credit: Cannes - Firework 2014 by ludovick ( CC BY 2.0 )

Add a Comment Cancel reply

E-Mail (hidden)

Subscribe - It's Free!

Similar articles you may like....

• 5 Keys to End Your Speech with a Great Call-to-Action
• Speech Critique: Dan Pink (TED 2009)
• Bookending Your Speech: A Master Technique
• Speech Analysis: Gettysburg Address – Abraham Lincoln
• Rally Your Audience with a Signature Close
• Toastmasters Speech 2: Organize Your Speech

Find More Articles Tagged:

25 comments.

A very nice example for “#5 – Title Close” is Mark Hunter’s winning speech http://www.markhunter.com.au/sinkFullOfGreenTomatoes.aspx

Great posting — lots of good closings. In my experience, endings where you circle back to the beginning are particularly effective, as are endings that get the audience to do something (small) that’s relevant to your topic — one that the author doesn’t consider.

Great article, Pete. I especially like #7 – The Callback Close. I am a speech coach and recently blogged about how to end a presentation. Like you, I also chose fireworks as my image and metaphor. I would appreciate your feedback! http://sarahgershman.blogspot.com/2010/07/end-with-fireworks.html

Thanks, Sarah

I LOVE THE ECHO CLOSE!

This are great points that will help me a lot. I’m enrolled in NOVA CST-100 and I have a speech do this Wednesday. I’ll make sure to use this helpful tips since i have a tendency of starting my speeches strong but not being able to close strong. Thank you.

Thank you for publishing tips on how to make a provocative closing speech. Your article has helped me a lot. More power and Mabuhay!

These are brilliant! Thanks so much! Kathleen

So true! It is so awesome!

You could also end your speech or essay with a poem, like #9.

Was looking for an ending for a speech that i had to give to Drs, nurses on their cultural evening celebrations and i found wonderful thoughts here. Appreciate all who have contributed.May this effort put in reach many more.

Just read CALLBACK CLOSE. A fascinating one for me and many of the others.

I’m trying to write a speech about the extinction of the Moa bird and I don’t know how to finish it.

These are awesome! Thanks a million! 🙂

Awesome!!!!!!

very helpful. I fired up to write a powerful ending to my speech!

I think that all of these are really good ways to end your speech but, there are so many to choose from, that its really hard to choose like just one.

Awesome advice learned a lot. Was very insightful and helpful.

This was really a blast. I prefer number three”the echo close”. It was the one that drew my attention and I think I will always use it when ending my debate. Thank you

Yes, your comment reminds me of the ending to a poem by one of the world’s favorite authors, Robert Frost’s “Stopping by the woods on snowy eve…” (Or something to that effect: unable to take the time to look it up but think this is the ending: “…and miles to go before I sleep. Miles to go before I sleep.” Thanks for reminding me of it with your comment…;-)

This was very useful info i loved it

#6 ‘Sing song close’ works wonders. I had tried it during my speech & it was an instant action with the audience participation.

Thanks so much for your experience, examples and wisdom on how to better communicate, the key to understanding and even world peace.

I like the your speech ending challenge

DLungan, this is one of the best, if not the best article I have read on the topic. Thank you for sharing!

Recent Tweets

RT @ANU_RSAT: 10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang: http://t.co/vzcgJAYvp5 . How many of these will we see at #ANU3MT2014, I wonder? #phdc… — @LAS_Centre Sep 9th, 2014

RT @ANU_RSAT: 10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang: http://t.co/vzcgJAYvp5 . How many of these will we see at #ANU3MT2014, I wonder? #phdc… — @thesiswhisperer Sep 9th, 2014

“Instead of firing off a perfunctory ‘thank you,’ consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from… http://t.co/EOIIHLDCsn — @wconferences Sep 11th, 2014

#publicspeaking End your speech with a bang & send them home buzzing: https://t.co/BepUCON9FI — @SuttonSpeakers Feb 13th, 2016

10 Ways to End Your Speech With a Bang https://t.co/KCR201YcuE by @6minutes — @BenjaminBallA Feb 21st, 2016

It’s all about how you leave them. Check out 10 ways to end your speech with a bang: https://t.co/mMBr8CVf6f — Release Your Voice (@ReleaseUrVoice) Jun 29th, 2016

Worried about ending your speech? Here are a few techniques and some great examples: https://t.co/JF6cQ71AIH — @NicoleLAckman Sep 5th, 2016

10 Ways to End Your Speech With a Bang https://t.co/1MyIXtVZDq — @MelSherwood_ May 8th, 2017

10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang https://t.co/q9PFPiPOTE via @6minutes — Meet Me Next (@MeetMeNext) Jun 23rd, 2017

Instead of firing off a perfunctory “thank you,” consider launching fireworks of final passionate thoughts from the… https://t.co/Qxvp5i1oPp — Free You Up VA (@freeyouupva) Mar 4th, 2019

9 Blog Links

Pivotal Public Speaking » 10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang — Oct 13th, 2009

10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang | Speech Topics — Jul 6th, 2011

Public Speaking: Making Your Last Words Last « LEADERSHIP MINTS — Sep 19th, 2011

Three Simple Tips on How to Deliver a Powerful and Persuasive Speech | Art Marketing - Maria Brophy — Jan 31st, 2012

2. Effective opening and closing | The Perfect Presentation — May 16th, 2012

Kissing Sleeping Beauty With More Than Lip Service « LEADERSHIP MINTS — Jun 13th, 2012

End Your Speech on a High Note » BNI Marin Chapter – Network 54 – Join Today — Aug 6th, 2012

The Big Finish, or how to end a speech with oomph. « Speak for Yourself — Feb 13th, 2013

Strengthening Your Q & A Punch « LEADERSHIP MINTS — Jul 18th, 2013

Six Minutes Copyright © 2007-2022 All Rights Reserved.

Read our permissions policy , privacy policy , or disclosure policy .

Comments? Questions? Contact us .

• Free Samples
• Premium Essays
• Editing Services Editing Proofreading Rewriting
• Extra Tools Essay Topic Generator Thesis Generator Citation Generator GPA Calculator Study Guides Donate Paper
• Essay Writing Help
• About Us About Us Testimonials FAQ
• Studentshare
• Creative Writing
• How to End a Composition With a Bang

How to End a Composition With a Bang - Essay Example

• Subject: Creative Writing
• Type: Essay
• Level: College
• Pages: 7 (1750 words)
• Downloads: 1

Extract of sample "How to End a Composition With a Bang"

Writing Tips: How to End an Essay With a Bang

By the time you get to the conclusion of your essay, chances are you are already tired and ready to call it quits. It is why many students submit papers with very weak conclusions. Giving a proper conclusion is essential regardless of how captivating the entire article was. Giving your essay a reasonable conclusion leaves the reader impressed and gives you a chance to drive your views on the topics at hand.

It means that students must know how to end an essay with a bang if they are to excel in their written assignments. The ending doesn’t have to be in the concluding paragraph. Normal paragraphs throughout the essay should also have sound concluding sentences. It will ensure that your piece is conclusive throughout and easy for the reader to follow through.

Planning Your Conclusion Paragraph

A reasonable end should always remind the reader why he or she should care about your paper. The end should be a good reflection of the entire argument that highlights the main points. A good ending should prompt the audience to go through your paper again to absorb sections they skimmed.

The ending should address an audience who is looking for a reason to care about your paper. Why do you think your essay is relevant to them? Since this is the last section of your paper, they will read, using it to give purpose creates a hook onto which future discussions can hinge.

Jot down the important points of your paper long before starting. It will help you stay focused when writing. In addition to this, the outline will give you a clear picture of the important points that must go into your end.

Not everything has to go into your ending. Don’t fill it up with every little detail you discussed in your paper. The goal is to address the article’s important ideas and won’t stray to the extent of introducing new arguments that were not handled in the write up in the first place.

In essence, the end should echo the introduction that cajoled the reader into looking into your writing. Look at the questions you raised or promises you made when starting and tell us how your paper addressed them. Your work here is to remind the audience how you met your intent and move them towards reflecting on the important aspects of the essay.

A good example is working on an essay whose introduction touched on how social media makes physical meetings between friends less frequent. Your conclusion has to touch on this again, explaining how your paper found it to be true or false, and its impacts on society. For instance, you could reveal that even though physical interactions are less, people can be friends with more people than before. Going the extra step gives your conclusion the power, to sum up, the arguments you presented in the essay while also driving more of your findings home.

A reasonable conclusion gives a practical application of the facts addressed in the piece. It is a way to provide all the research and data you presented purpose. Such a move gives the essay memorability hence giving the reader a reason to care about what you were talking about.

You can use a simple empirical result, for instance, how two opposing parties came together to meet a common goal to highlight how even the most enthusiastic antagonists can always find common ground for the better good.

In a glance, your plan should focus on:

• Finding a way to address the ‘So What?’ question from the reader
• Identifying the main thoughts in your essays
• Thinking of your ending
• Summarize main points in your article
• Avoid adding new content to your ending
• Keep the attention on your main idea of the piece.

Introducing Your Conclusion with a Transition

Using a transition phrase or word is an excellent way to signify that it is time to finish the piece. Sometimes, it is evident to the reader if you have completed all the arguments, and it is the last paragraph of the essay. Most modern writers rarely use transitions. You can copy them or choose to use a transition. If you decide to use one, avoid apparent phrases like ‘to sum it up’ or ‘in conclusion.’

A handy trick to penning the excellent ending is by picking the topics sentences of your important paragraphs in the paper. If you have mastered the art of creating topics sentences, chances are these will have the points you want to reinforce in your bottom line. Don’t copy and paste. Remember to reword them in a captivating way as the reader won’t be amused to read sentences they have already encountered before.

Top Tips to Remember When Writing the Conclusion

So far, you have the basics needed to do a proper concluding paragraph for your essay. Here are some extra points you could you to make the very last paragraph or paragraphs of your article more captivating.

• Conclusions have to be just the right length. There are no hard rules on how long or how short the paragraph should be. However, our research has shown that five to seven sentences are enough. Anything quicker than this might not cover crucial points in the paper. More extended conclusions will digress and end up annoying the reader
• The paragraph should be authoritative and convincing. If you have a solid argument backed by facts, there is no point in being timid and apologizing for your ending. Don’t use words like ‘I believe.’ If your paper is well done, you have already earned an authoritative conclusion
• Papers with thesis statements will benefit from a reintroduction of the thesis. Naturally, the argument if the focal point of such an essay. Talking about it and telling us how you proved it is an excellent way to finish up the assignment
• Look for a creative way to voice your thesis again instead of just copying what you had at the start of the essay. The new wording will make your writing more inspired and give you a chance to leave a lasting impression on the audience’s mind
• Don’t degrade your qualifications. Some people go with statements like ‘I might not be a professor in..’ Such statements will make you less credible as the reader will leave the essay with the notion that you were not experienced enough to write something trustworthy. Let them decide your credibility on their own
• The last words of the conclusion carry the weight. They can make or break your essay. Don’t turn them into a tirade of fluff. Look for punchy authoritative words that keep the people reading your essay focused on the topics perhaps leave them with questions they will ponder over as they internalize your writing.

You Can Be Ironic or Rhetorical

Using stylistic devices in your conclusion could also give it some character. It is a good idea, especially if it is a literature piece or light-hearted topics. You can use irony or even humor to identify with the audience and leave them with something related to remember. Serious papers can make do with a rhetorical ending that prompts the audience to think through everything and draw their findings in addition to what you point out.

Either way, the bottom line should prompt the readers to take action. It is a good way not only to drive points home but also to ensure that your essay installs change.

How to End Your Essay With a Quote

A quote from within your essay or even from a secondary scholar could be an excellent way to end some articles. You can tap into respected scholars and channel their accomplishments by showing how your writing resonates with their ideas.

• Quoting your professor gives you a primary source while channeling accepted authorities or leaders gives you secondary quotes
• Well-placed quotes will make your piece more engaging and also give means to drive points home. For instance, a quote from a well-known scholar will resonate with readers and open them up to your conclusion since they can now relate it to something you already know
• Quoting academics who are well-known champions in your topics or those who wrote whatever you are reviewing gives you more credibility – especially if your conclusion concurs with them. Don’t forget to add your own words to back up the quote. It will otherwise overshadow your writing.

How to Conclude an Informative Essay

Informative essays, too, need firm conclusions. They give something memorable to the reader, as it is the last information the audience will absorb. Once again, your goal will be summarizing the main points you handled in the entire essay. Don’t forget that the paragraph should not be a mere copy paste job. You have to rephrase, interpret, and lend your own informed opinions to the paragraph.

A good way to achieve this is by answering a question like ‘What is the most important take away on this topic?’ Emphasizing such a takeaway in your conclusion will be a win. In essence, the audience should go away with the important points in mind even if they just read your introduction and skip straight to the conclusion.

Don’t get derailed and start arguing out your points in the ending. You might end up introducing new ideas and won’t have time to address them sufficiently. Remember that the conclusion is only a couple of sentences, and you can only handle so much with so few words at your disposal.

Writing a Conclusion for an Analytical Essay

Most analytical essays address the majority of their information within distinct sections long before concluding. It doesn’t mean that an ending is unnecessary in such a setting. You still need a paragraph that:

• Summarizes the important points you have in your essay
• Summarizes your interpretations of the topics and the findings you got from your research
• The last sentence that sums everything up using a quote, rhetoric or your analytical composition

When penning the conclusion, ensure that it is unique enough not to be a copy of what you said before. Shoddy paraphrasing that lends no value will be easy to identify. You don’t want to make the readers feel like they are going through a bland section of the essay full of information they have already encountered. You want them to feel like you have aggregated important points in a concise easy to remember the paragraph.

A reasonable ending shouldn’t be hard to write if you practice often. The worst thing you can do is turn in your essay without trying to put one in. You will get better at it with time as long as you keep practicing.

• Cited: 0 times
• Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF How to End a Composition With a Bang

Applauding william paterson universitys concert performance, development of a quota sample for a survey, reflection paper on the global idea of the commons by nonini donald, porters five forces and its application in international business, ellingtons adult life and career, arcade fire rock band, wells fargo bank, gaia and anthropic views by philosophers and scientists.

• TERMS & CONDITIONS
• PRIVACY POLICY
• COOKIES POLICY

END ESSAY WITH A BANG

All Formats

Resource types, all resource types.

• Rating Count
• Price (Ascending)
• Price (Descending)
• Most Recent

End essay with a bang

Essay Writing Toolkit Unit (6-12)

Finish with a BANG ! Writing Support

Middle School Persuasive Writing Unit with Final Creative Presentation

• Google Drive™ folder

Informational Essay Posters

5 paragraph essay outline

• Word Document File

Writing Graphic Organizer for a 5 Paragraph Essay Bing, Bang , Boom!

World - Global History Multiple Choice Final Exam

English 2 EOC Argumentative Writing Flipbook

Argumentative Paragraph Hyperdoc-T-RCRC-Co Method (Foundational Lesson)

• Google Docs™

How to Write Like a College Student: Writing the Conclusion

Summer Writing Plan a Vacation Project Activity

• Google Apps™

Conclusions and Ending that Take the Cake!

Character Lunch Essay

Brave New World Comprehensive Objective Test with Answer Key

• Easel Activity

Tuck Everlasting Bank of Printable Teaching Resources

Understanding Business Ethics and Social Responsibility Test Bank

Hamlet Essay Prompts / Discussion Questions

Argument Unit | Maintain a Formal Tone Lesson | Activity | Word Bank | Game

Personal Narrative Essay Brainstorming Activity

Punching Bag Rex Ogle Novel Study Curriculum Lessons Editable Answer Keys

• Google Slides™

Excessive Celebrations in Football NFL Opinion Essay Common Core TNReady Aligned

Punching Bag Rex Ogle Novel Study Curriculum/Answer Keys/Editable

Ban Fortnite: Save our Relationships! An Argumentative Essay Activity

National Bank / Bank of the United States Civic Literacy Essay (New Regents Style)

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think

Allene W. Leflore

Finished Papers

• History Category
• Psychology Category
• Informative Category
• Analysis Category
• Business Category
• Economics Category
• Health Category
• Literature Category
• Review Category
• Sociology Category
• Technology Category

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• 25 March 2024

How did the Big Bang get its name? Here’s the real story

• Helge Kragh 0

Helge Kragh is a historian of science at the University of Copenhagen.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Today 'Big Bang' is a household phrase, used even by people who have no idea of how the Universe was born some 14 billion years ago. Credit: Henning Dalhoff/SPL

You have full access to this article via your institution.

“Words are like harpoons,” UK physicist and astronomer Fred Hoyle told an interviewer in 1995. “Once they go in, they are very hard to pull out.” Hoyle, then 80 years old, was referring to the term Big Bang, which he had coined on 28 March 1949 to describe the origin of the Universe. Today, it is a household phrase, known to and routinely used by people who have no idea of how the Universe was born some 14 billion years ago. Ironically, Hoyle deeply disliked the idea of a Big Bang and remained, until his death in 2001, a staunch critic of mainstream Big Bang cosmology.

Several misconceptions linger concerning the origin and impact of the popular term. One is whether Hoyle introduced the nickname to ridicule or denigrate the small community of cosmologists who thought that the Universe had a violent beginning — a hypothesis that then seemed irrational. Another is that this group adopted ‘Big Bang’ eagerly, and it then migrated to other sciences and to everyday language. In reality, for decades, scientists ignored the catchy phrase, even as it spread in more-popular contexts.

This new map of the Universe suggests dark matter shaped the cosmos

The first cosmological theory of the Big Bang type dates back to 1931, when Belgian physicist and Catholic priest Georges Lemaître proposed a model based on the radioactive explosion of what he called a “primeval atom” at a fixed time in the past. He conceived that this primordial object was highly radioactive and so dense that it comprised all the matter, space and energy of the entire Universe. From the original explosion caused by radioactive decay, stars and galaxies would eventually form, he reasoned. Lemaître spoke metaphorically of his model as a “fireworks theory” of the Universe, the fireworks consisting of the decay products of the initial explosion.

However, Big Bang cosmology in its modern meaning — that the Universe was created in a flash of energy and has expanded and cooled down since — took off only in the late 1940s, with a series of papers by the Soviet–US nuclear physicist George Gamow and his US associates Ralph Alpher and Robert Herman. Gamow hypothesized that the early Universe must have been so hot and dense that it was filled with a primordial soup of radiation and nuclear particles, namely neutrons and protons. Under such conditions, those particles would gradually come together to form atomic nuclei as the temperature cooled. By following the thermonuclear processes that would have taken place in this fiery young Universe, Gamow and his collaborators tried to calculate the present abundance of chemical elements in an influential 1948 paper 1 .

Competing ideas

The same year, a radically different picture of the Universe was announced by Hoyle and Austrian-born cosmologists Hermann Bondi and Thomas Gold. Their steady-state theory assumed that, on a large scale, the Universe had always looked the same and would always do so, for eternity. According to Gamow, the idea of an ‘early Universe’ and an ‘old Universe’ were meaningless in a steady-state cosmology that posited a Universe with no beginning or end.

Over the next two decades, an epic controversy between these two incompatible systems evolved. It is often portrayed as a fight between the Big Bang theory and the steady-state theory, or even personalized as a battle between Gamow and Hoyle. But this is a misrepresentation.

Soviet–US nuclear physicist George Gamow was an early proponent of Big Bang cosmology. Credit: Bettmann/Getty

Both parties, and most other physicists of the time, accepted that the Universe was expanding — as US astronomer Edwin Hubble demonstrated in the late 1920s by observing that most galaxies are rushing away from our own. But the idea that is so familiar today, of the Universe beginning at one point in time, was widely seen as irrational. After all, how could the cause of the original explosion be explained, given that time only came into existence with it? In fact, Gamow’s theory of the early Universe played almost no part in this debate.

Rather, a bigger question at the time was whether the Universe was evolving in accordance with German physicist Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which predicted that it was either expanding or contracting, not steady. Although Einstein’s theory doesn’t require a Big Bang, it does imply that the Universe looked different in the past than it does now. And an ever-expanding Universe does not necessarily entail the beginning of time. An expanding Universe could have blown up from a smaller precursor, Lemaître suggested in 1927.

An apt but innocent phrase

On 28 March 1949, Hoyle — a well-known popularizer of science — gave a radio talk to the BBC Third Programme, in which he contrasted these two views of the Universe. He referred to “the hypothesis that all the matter in the universe was created in one big bang at a particular time in the remote past”. This lecture was indeed the origin of the cosmological term ‘Big Bang’. A transcript of the talk was reproduced in full in the BBC’s The Listener magazine, and Hoyle mentioned it in his 1950 book The Nature of the Universe , which was based on a series of BBC broadcasts he made earlier the same year.

How dwarf galaxies lit up the Universe after the Big Bang

Although Hoyle resolutely dismissed the idea of a sudden origin of the Universe as unacceptable on both scientific and philosophical grounds, he later said that he did not mean it in ridiculing or mocking terms, such as was often stated. None of the few cosmologists in favour of the exploding Universe, such as Lemaître and Gamow, was offended by the term. Hoyle later explained that he needed visual metaphors in his broadcast to get across technical points to the public, and the casual coining of ‘Big Bang’ was one of them. He did not mean it to be derogatory or, for that matter, of any importance.

Hoyle’s ‘Big Bang’ was a new term as far as cosmology was concerned, but it was not in general contexts. The word ‘bang’ often refers to an ordinary explosion, say, of gunpowder, and a big bang might simply mean a very large and noisy explosion, something similar to Lemaître’s fireworks. And indeed, before March 1949, there were examples in the scientific literature of meteorologists and geophysicists using the term in their publications. Whereas they referred to real explosions, Hoyle’s Big Bang was purely metaphorical, in that he did not actually think that the Universe originated in a blast.

The Big Bang was not a big deal

For the next two decades, the catchy term that Hoyle had coined was largely ignored by physicists and astronomers. Lemaître never used ‘Big Bang’ and Gamow used it only once in his numerous publications on cosmology. One might think that at least Hoyle took it seriously and promoted his coinage, but he returned to it only in 1965, after a silence of 16 years. It took until 1957 before ‘Big Bang’ appeared in a research publication 2 , namely in a paper on the formation of elements in stars in Scientific Monthly by the US nuclear physicist William Fowler, a close collaborator of Hoyle and a future Nobel laureate.

How Einstein built on the past to make his breakthroughs

Before 1965, the cosmological Big Bang seems to have been referenced just a few dozen times, mostly in popular-science literature. I have counted 34 sources that mentioned the name and, of these, 23 are of a popular or general nature, 7 are scientific papers and 4 are philosophical studies. The authors include 16 people from the United States, 7 from the United Kingdom, one from Germany and one from Australia. None of the scientific papers appeared in astronomy journals.

Among those that used the term for the origin of the Universe was the US philosopher Norwood Russell Hanson, who in 1963 coined his own word for advocates of what he called the ‘Disneyoid picture’ of the cosmic explosion. He called them ‘big bangers’, a term which still can be found in the popular literature — in which the ultimate big banger is sometimes identified as God.

A popular misnomer

A watershed moment in the history of modern cosmology soon followed. In 1965, US physicists Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson’s report of the discovery of the cosmic microwave background — a faint bath of radio waves coming from all over the sky — was understood as a fossil remnant of radiation from the hot cosmic past. “Signals Imply a ‘Big Bang’ Universe” announced the New York Times on 21 May 1965. The Universe did indeed have a baby phase, as was suggested by Gamow and Lemaître. The cosmological battle had effectively come to an end, with the steady-state theory as the loser and the Big Bang theory emerging as a paradigm in cosmological research. Yet, for a while, physicists and astronomers hesitated to embrace Hoyle’s term.

Work by US physicists Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson vindicated the Big Bang theory. Credit: Bettmann/Getty

It took until March 1966 for the name to turn up in a Nature research article 3 . The Web of Science database lists only 11 scientific papers in the period 1965–69 with the name in their titles, followed by 30 papers in 1970–74 and 42 in 1975–79. Cosmology textbooks published in the early 1970s showed no unity with regard to the nomenclature. Some authors included the term Big Bang, some mentioned it only in passing and others avoided it altogether. They preferred to speak of the ‘standard model’ or the ‘theory of the hot universe’, instead of the undignified and admittedly misleading Big Bang metaphor.

Nonetheless, by the 1980s, the misnomer had become firmly entrenched in the literature and in common speech. The phrase has been adopted in many languages other than English, including French ( théorie du Big Bang ), Italian ( teoria del Big Bang ) and Swedish ( Big Bang teorin ). Germans have constructed their own version, namely Urknall , meaning ‘the original bang’, a word that is close to the Dutch oerknal . Later attempts to replace Hoyle’s term with alternative and more-appropriate names have failed miserably.

The many faces of the metaphor

By the 1990s, ‘Big Bang’ had migrated to commercial, political and artistic uses. During the 1950s and 1960s, the term frequently alluded to the danger of nuclear warfare as it did in UK playwright John Osborne’s play Look Back in Anger, first performed in 1956. The association of nuclear weapons and the explosive origin of the Universe can be found as early as 1948, before Hoyle coined his term. As its popularity increased, ‘Big Bang’ began being used to express a forceful beginning or radical change of almost any kind — such as the Bristol Sessions, a series of recording sessions in 1927, being referred to as the ‘Big Bang’ of modern country music.

In the United Kingdom, the term was widely used for a major transformation of the London Stock Exchange in 1986. “After the Big Bang tomorrow, the City will never be the same again,” wrote Sunday Express Magazine on 26 October that year. That use spread to the United States. In 1987, the linguistic journal American Speech included ‘Big Bang’ in its list of new words and defined ‘big banger’ as “one involved with the Big Bang on the London Stock Exchange”.

Today, searching online for the ‘Big Bang theory’ directs you first not to cosmology, but to a popular US sitcom. Seventy-five years on, the name that Hoyle so casually coined has indeed metamorphosed into a harpoon-like word: very hard to pull out once in.

Nature 627 , 726-728 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00894-z

Gamow, G. Nature 162 , 680–682 (1948).

Article   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Fowler, W. A. Sci. Mon. 84 , 84–100 (1957).

Google Scholar  

Hawking S. W. & Tayler, R. J. Nature 209 , 1278–1279 (1966).

Article   Google Scholar  

Download references

Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

Related Articles

• Astronomy and astrophysics

This super-Earth is the first planet confirmed to have a permanent dark side

News 28 MAR 24

Thermonuclear explosions on neutron stars reveal the speed of their jets

Article 27 MAR 24

The complex circumstellar environment of supernova 2023ixf

Electrons flip a switch on optical communications

News & Views 27 MAR 24

Optomechanical realization of the bosonic Kitaev chain

High-fidelity spin qubit operation and algorithmic initialization above 1 K

How Sydney Harbour Bridge was shaping up 100 years ago

News & Views 26 MAR 24

Are we in the Anthropocene yet?

Editorial 20 MAR 24

It’s final: the Anthropocene is not an epoch, despite protest over vote

News 20 MAR 24

ECUST Seeking Global Talents

Join Us and Create a Bright Future Together!

Shanghai, China

East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST)

World-Class Leaders for Research in Materials Science

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS, Japan) calls for outstanding researchers who can drive world-class research in materials science.

Tsukuba, Japan (JP)

National Institute for Materials Science

Professor of Experimental Parasitology (Leishmania)

To develop an innovative and internationally competitive research program, to contribute to educational activities and to provide expert advice.

Belgium (BE)

Institute of Tropical Medicine

PhD Candidate (m/f/d)

We search the candidate for the subproject "P2: targeting cardiac macrophages" as part of the DFG-funded Research Training Group "GRK 2989: Targeti...

Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen (DE)

Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e.V.

At our location in Dortmund we invite applications for a DFG-funded project. This project will aim to structurally and spatially resolve the altere...

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

What is the best custom essay writing service?

In the modern world, there is no problem finding a person who will write an essay for a student tired of studying. But you must understand that individuals do not guarantee you the quality of work and good writing. They can steal your money at any time and disappear from sight.

The best service of professional essay writing companies is that the staff give you guarantees that you will receive the text at the specified time at a reasonable cost. You have the right to make the necessary adjustments and monitor the progress of the task at all levels.

Clients are not forced to pay for work immediately; money is transferred to a bank card only after receiving a document.

The services guarantee the uniqueness of scientific work, because the employees have special education and are well versed in the topics of work. They do not need to turn to third-party sites for help. All files are checked for plagiarism so that your professors cannot make claims. Nobody divulges personal information and cooperation between the customer and the contractor remains secret.

Johan Wideroos

Week closes with a whimper, but quarter ends with a bang

• S&P 500, Dow close slightly higher on Thurs; Nasdaq edges down
• Q1 gains: S&P 500 10.2%, Dow 5.6%, Nasdaq 9.0%
• Dollar edges up on Thurs; gold gains >1%; crude, bitcoin advance >2%
• U.S. 10-Year Treasury yield inches up to ~4.21% on Thurs

WEEK CLOSES WITH A WHIMPER, BUT QUARTER ENDS WITH A BANG

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Thursday, slouching across the finish line of a listless, low-volume week truncated by the Good Friday holiday.

Still, Wall Street's sideways drift this week wraps up a robust quarter, with the S&P 500 notching its biggest Jan-Mar percentage gain since 2019.

In the first three months of the year, the benchmark index advanced by a solid 10.2%.

As for the Nasdaq and the Dow, they have increased 9.0% and 5.6%, respectively, since the ball dropped in Times Square.

Here's your closing snapshot:

(Stephen Culp)

FOR THURSDAY'S EARLIER LIVE MARKET POSTS:

WHAT IF THE PCE PRICE INDEX COMES IN HOT? - CLICK HERE

TESLA SET FOR WORST Q1 EVER, TOUCHES S&P 500 BOTTOM - CLICK HERE

SMALL CAP Q4 EARNINGS SHOWING WEAKNESS - CLICK HERE

RBC LIFTS S&P 500 YEAR-END 2024 TARGET TO 5,300 - CLICK HERE

EASTER EGG HUNT: THURSDAY DATA OFFERS GOOD/BAD SURPRISES - CLICK HERE

U.S. STOCKS STRUGGLE TO HATCH GAINS AHEAD OF EASTER BREAK - CLICK HERE

GDP - NOT THE THREE LETTERS EUROPE STOCKS ARE LOOKING FOR - CLICK HERE

STRONG Q1 GAINS MAY HAVE BULLS CHARGING THROUGH 2024 - CLICK HERE

A SWEET RISE IN COCOA, BUT BITTER EASTER EGGS - CLICK HERE

EURO ZONE COMPANIES MORE CONFIDENT - SURVEY - CLICK HERE

A HAT-TRICK FOR THE STOXX - CLICK HERE

EUROPEAN SHARES SET TO END A SECOND QUARTER IN THE GREEN - CLICK HERE

EUROPEAN FUTURES RISE AHEAD OF LONG WEEKEND - CLICK HERE

YEN TRADERS ON TENTERHOOKS - CLICK HERE

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

The One Idea That Could Save American Democracy

By Astra Taylor and Leah Hunt-Hendrix

Ms. Taylor and Ms. Hunt-Hendrix are political organizers and the authors of the book “Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea.”

These days, we often hear that democracy is on the ballot. And there’s a truth to that: Winning elections is critical, especially as liberal and progressive forces try to fend off radical right-wing movements. But the democratic crisis that our society faces will not be solved by voting alone. We need to do more than defeat Donald Trump and his allies — we need to make cultivating solidarity a national priority.

For years, solidarity’s strongest associations have been with the left and the labor movement — a term invoked at protests and on picket lines. But its roots are much deeper, and its potential implications far more profound, than we typically assume. Though we rarely speak about it as such, solidarity is a concept as fundamental to democracy as its better-known cousins: equality, freedom and justice. Solidarity is simultaneously a bond that holds society together and a force that propels it forward. After all, when people feel connected, they are more willing to work together, to share resources and to have one another’s backs. Solidarity weaves us into a larger and more resilient “we” through the precious and powerful sense that even though we are different, our lives and our fates are connected.

We have both spent years working as organizers and activists . If our experience has taught us anything, it is that a sense of connection and mutualism is rarely spontaneous. It must be nurtured and sustained. Without robust and effective organizations and institutions to cultivate and maintain solidarity, it weakens and democracy falters. We become more atomized and isolated, suspicious and susceptible to misinformation, more disengaged and cynical, and easily pitted against one another.

Democracy’s opponents know this. That’s why they invest huge amounts of energy and resources to sabotage transformative, democratic solidarity and to nurture exclusionary and reactionary forms of group identity. Enraged at a decade of social movements and the long-overdue revival of organized labor, right-wing strategists and their corporate backers have redoubled their efforts to divide and conquer the American public, inflaming group resentments in order to restore traditional social hierarchies and ensure that plutocrats maintain their hold on wealth and power. In white papers, stump speeches and podcasts, conservative ideologues have laid out their vision for capturing the state and using it as a tool to remake our country in their image.

If we do not prioritize solidarity, this dangerous and anti-democratic project will succeed. Far more than just a slogan or hashtag, solidarity can orient us toward a future worth fighting for, providing the basis of a credible and galvanizing plan for democratic renewal. Instead of the 20th-century ideal of a welfare state, we should try to imagine a solidarity state.

We urgently need a countervision of what government can and should be, and how public resources and infrastructure can be deployed to foster social connection and repair the social fabric so that democracy can have a chance not just to limp along, but to flourish. Solidarity, here, is both a goal worth reaching toward and the method of building the power to achieve it. It is both means and ends, the forging of social bonds so that we can become strong enough to shift policy together.

Historically, the question of solidarity has been raised during volatile junctures like the one we are living through. Contemporary conceptions of solidarity first took form after the democratic revolutions of the 18th century and over the course of the Industrial Revolution. As kings were deposed and the church’s role as a moral authority waned, philosophers and citizens wondered how society could cohere without a monarch or god. What could bind people in a secular, pluralistic age?

The 19th-century thinkers who began seriously contemplating and writing about the idea of solidarity often used the image of the human body, where different parts work in tandem. Most famously, the French sociologist Émile Durkheim put solidarity at the center of his inquiry, arguing that as society increased in complexity, social bonds between people would strengthen, each person playing a specialized role while connected to a larger whole. Solidarity and social cohesion, he argued, would be the natural result of increasing social and economic interdependence. But as Durkheim himself would eventually recognize, the industrial economy that he initially imagined would generate solidarity would actually serve to weaken its fragile ties, fostering what he called anomie, the corrosive hopelessness that accompanied growing inequality.

In the United States, solidarity never achieved the same intellectual cachet as in Europe. Since this nation’s founding, the concept has generally been neglected, and the practice actively suppressed and even criminalized. Attempts to forge cross-racial solidarity have met with violent suppression time and again, and labor organizing, effectively outlawed until the New Deal era, still occupies hostile legal ground. Decades of market-friendly policies, promoted by Republicans and Democrats alike, have undermined solidarity in ways both subtle and overt, from encouraging us to see ourselves as individual consumers rather than citizens to fostering individualism and competition over collectivity and cooperation.

As our profit-driven economy has made us more insecure and atomized — and more susceptible to authoritarian appeals — the far right has seized its opportunity. A furious backlash now rises to cut down the shoots of solidarity that sprung up as a result of recent movements pushing for economic, racial, environmental and gender justice. In response, programs that encourage diversity and inclusion are being targeted by billionaire investors, while small acts of solidarity — like helping someone get an abortion or bailing protesters out of jail — have been criminalized.

Awaiting the return of Mr. Trump, the Heritage Foundation has mapped out a plan to remake government and society, using the full power of the state to roll back what it calls “the Great Awokening” and restore a Judeo-Christian, capitalist “culture of life” and “blessedness.” “Woke” has been turned into a pejorative so that the word can be wielded to tarnish and break the solidarity that people have only just begun to experience.

Our vision of a solidarity state offers a pointed rejoinder to this project. Social democrats and socialists have been right to emphasize the need for redistribution and robust public investment in goods and services. We must restructure our economy so that it works for the many and not the few. But unlike conservatives — think, for example, of Margaret Thatcher, the prime minister of Britain who in 1981 said, “Economics are the method; the object is to change the heart and soul” — liberals and leftists have tended to downplay the role of policy in shaping public sensibilities. This is a mistake.

Laws and social programs not only shape material outcomes; they also shape us, informing public perceptions and preferences, and generating what scholars call policy feedback loops. There is no neutral state to aspire to. Policies can either foster solidarity and help repair the divides that separate us or deepen the fissures.

Today, the American welfare state too often does the latter. As sociologists including Suzanne Mettler and Matthew Desmond have detailed, lower-income people tend to be stigmatized for needing assistance, while more-affluent citizens reap a range of benefits that are comparatively invisible, mainly through tax credits and tax breaks. Both arrangements — the highly visible and stigmatized aid to the poor and the more invisible and socially acceptable aid to the affluent — serve to foster resentment and obscure how we are all dependent on the state in various ways.

Instead of treating citizens as passive and isolated recipients of services delivered from on high, a solidarity state would experiment with creative ways of fostering connection and participation at every opportunity for more Americans. What if we had basic guarantees that were universal rather than means-tested programs that distinguish between the deserving and undeserving, stigmatizing some and setting groups apart? What if, following the model of a widely admired program in Canada, the government aided groups of private citizens who want to sponsor and subsidize migrants and refugees? What if public schools, post offices, transit systems, parks, public utilities and jobs programs were explicitly designed to facilitate social connection and solidarity in addition to providing essential support and services?

We’ll get there only if we take up the challenge of building solidarity from wherever we happen to sit. Both means and end, solidarity can be a source of power, built through the day-to-day work of organizing, and our shared purpose. Solidarity is the essential and too often missing ingredient of today’s most important political project: not just saving democracy but creating an egalitarian, multiracial society that can guarantee each of us a dignified life.

Astra Taylor and Leah Hunt-Hendrix are political organizers and the authors of the book “Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

Rooster Teeth's Red vs. Blue Will End With a (Feature-Length) Bang

N ews dropped earlier this month that Warner Bros. Discovery is shuttering Austin, Texas-based animation company Rooster Teeth —and now one of the studio’s most beloved titles is getting a big send-off. Red vs. Blue: Restoration, the web series’ 19th season, is arriving in May, and it’ll be released as a single feature film.

Here’s the synopsis for the film, which like all of Red vs. Blue is set within the world of Xbox game franchise Halo : “When the universe’s greatest villain returns in a terrifying new form, old adversaries, the Reds and Blues of Blood Gulch, will have to set aside their differences to save the galaxy one last time.”

Burnie Burns returned to the series he co-created to write the script for the film, which is directed by another Red vs. Blue veteran, Matt Hullum. “I’m thrilled to return for Red vs. Blue: Restoration, and to conclude this incredible 21-year journey with our longtime fans,” Burns said in a press release. Added Hullum, “Red vs. Blue has been a cornerstone of Rooster Teeth’s legacy, and we’re immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Burns and Hullum also introduce the Restoration trailer, released today:

Red vs. Blue: Restoration runs 87 minutes; starting May 7, you can buy it from Amazon Prime Video , AppleTV , Google Play, Vudu and more for $14.99. If you’d prefer to rent it instead, it’ll be available May 21 for $4.99.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel , Star Wars , and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV , and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who .

For the latest news, Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Who is in form as the Premier League hits the business end of the season?

Arsenal face their biggest test of the campaign on Sunday. Their trip to Manchester City could not have come at a better time

By Ben McAleer for WhoScored

D omestic duties return with a bang this weekend as Manchester City host Arsenal in what could prove a decisive clash in the Premier League title race. Just a point separates the pair at the top of the table and, with Liverpool playing Brighton earlier in the day on Sunday, neither side can afford to drop points at the Etihad.

Before the big games this weekend, WhoScored have assessed the players who have shone in recent weeks. To qualify, players must have featured in two of their side’s last three games, and six of their last eight. The ratings are also weighted chronologically, with recency bias coming into effect.

10) Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United

While Manchester United have not been in great form in recent weeks, losing two of their last three league outings, Fernandes has been doing all he can to help his side in the final third. The United captain has scored one goal and provided two assists across his last six outings. The latter figure should be higher, though, with Fernandes having made 23 of United’s 75 key passes (30.7%) in that time. Rating: 7.52

9) Phil Foden, Manchester City

Foden is enjoying his best season to date and the hope is that he can continue his excellent campaign when City host Arsenal. Foden has scored three times in his last three games, including a brace in the Manchester derby , but a sub-par display in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool last time out – his third lowest rating of the season – has impacted his form rating. Rating: 7.60

8) Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal

The first of five Arsenal players to make the top 10. Martinelli has directly contributed to 10 league goals this season but four of those have come in his last six outings. The winger has scored twice in that run, including a decisive strike in the 3-1 win over Liverpool , and his best of the campaign came in his last outing as Arsenal trounced Sheffield United. He scored the winning goal in the home victory over Manchester City back in October and supporters will be hoping for a repeat this weekend. Rating: 7.61

7) Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool

Mac Allister has been superb in recent weeks for Liverpool, making the most of his chance to push forward and play with more freedom. The Argentinian did not disappoint in the holding role, but the emergence of Wataru Endo as a key man in the Liverpool midfield has helped the World Cup winner thrive. Mac Allister has been directly involved in a goal in each of his last four league games, scoring two and providing three assists, to justify Jürgen Klopp’s decision to encourage the former Brighton man forward. Rating: 7.66

6) Cole Palmer, Chelsea

Palmer’s move from Manchester City raised eyebrows, but he has proven a stunning signing for Chelsea. It was a rare win for the club given their transfer dealings since Todd Boehly took control at Stamford Bridge. Palmer has been directly involved in six goals across his last six league appearances, assisting four times in that run, which included a match-winning display in the recent 3-2 win over Newcastle. Rating: 7.67

5) Rodrigo Muniz, Fulham

Muniz has capitalised on the absence of Raúl Jiménez at Fulham, scoring his sixth and seventh league goals of the season in their 3-0 win over Tottenham prior to the international break. The Brazilian has struck six times in his last six league appearances, with his performance against Spurs his best rated in the league this term. Rating: 7.70

4) Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal

The four top spots in the form rankings are all taken by Arsenal players. The Norwegian, like so many of his teammates, returned from the winter break with a flourish, with two of his six goals and three of his six assists coming in his last five outings. Ødegaard’s three best displays of the campaign came in that same period. Rating: 7.92

3) Bukayo Saka, Arsenal

Saka has been in sensational form in 2024. The Arsenal winger has been directly involved in a goal in all but one of his last six league outings, only failing to score or assist in the 2-1 win over Brentford earlier this month. Three of his four best rated outings in the league this season have come in his last five appearances as he shone in comfortable wins over West Ham, Newcastle and Burnley. Rating: 8.01

2) Kai Havertz, Arsenal

While many scoffed at Arsenal’s decision to spend big on Havertz in the summer, the German is shining in Mikel Arteta’s team. He may have joined to replace the departing Granit Xhaka in midfield, but Havertz has been exceptional leading the charge for the team, having scored in each of his last four league outings. An additional two assists in that period have propelled the 24-year-old to second in our form standings. Rating: 8.07

1) Declan Rice, Arsenal

Rice has proven a game-changing addition to the Arsenal midfield both on and off the ball – and he is getting better and better. Of the 11 goals Rice has scored or set up this season, six have come in his last five appearances, including one goal and two assists in the resounding victory at his former club West Ham last month. The 25-year-old has also chipped in with 12 tackles and interceptions combined, and 12 key passes. Not only is he in fine form for his club, but he will go to City on Sunday having captained his country. Rating: 8.15

• Guardian Sport Network
• Premier League
• Manchester City

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

• The A.V. Club
• The Takeout
• The Inventory

Rooster Teeth's Red vs. Blue Will End With a (Feature-Length) Bang

The 19th season of the web series, red vs. blue: restoration , arrives in may with a twist: it's an 87-minute film rather than individual episodes..

News dropped earlier this month that Warner Bros. Discovery is shuttering Austin, Texas-based animation company Rooster Teeth —and now one of the studio’s most beloved titles is getting a big send-off. Red vs. Blue: Restoration , the web series’ 19th season, is arriving in May, and it’ll be released as a single feature film.

Here’s the synopsis for the film, which like all of Red vs. Blue is set within the world of Xbox game franchise Halo : “When the universe’s greatest villain returns in a terrifying new form, old adversaries, the Reds and Blues of Blood Gulch, will have to set aside their differences to save the galaxy one last time.”

Burnie Burns returned to the series he co-created to write the script for the film, which is directed by another Red vs. Blue veteran, Matt Hullum. “I’m thrilled to return for Red vs. Blue: Restoration , and to conclude this incredible 21-year journey with our longtime fans,” Burns said in a press release. Added Hullum, “ Red vs. Blue has been a cornerstone of Rooster Teeth’s legacy, and we’re immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Burns and Hullum also introduce the Restoration trailer, released today:

Red vs. Blue: Restoration runs 87 minutes; starting May 7, you can buy it from Amazon Prime Video , AppleTV , Google Play, Vudu and more for $14.99. If you’d prefer to rent it instead, it’ll be available May 21 for $4.99.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel , Star Wars , and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV , and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who .