How to Write a Strong Conclusion (150 to 200 words)
The hard thinking is already done. The conclusion should wrap it up clearly.
Your conclusion doesn’t need to introduce anything new. It should tie your ideas together and leave the reader with a clear, lasting impression.
What to include:
Restate your thesis: Rephrase your central argument and remind the reader of your key insight.
Answer the Line of Inquiry (LOI): Be direct. State the final answer to the question established at the start.
Final thought: Explain why the argument matters. Connect it to the bigger picture by showing what the text reveals about society, human nature, or power.
Example
LOI: How does Atwood use narrative voice and literary techniques to explore the manipulation of female identity under patriarchal oppression in The Handmaid’s Tale?
Restate the Thesis
In conclusion, Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale uses narrative voice, symbolism, and intertextual allusions to expose how **women in Gilead** are systematically controlled, while also highlighting **Offred’s quiet resistance**. These techniques show the tension between identity and oppression in a patriarchal regime.
Reflect on the Line of Inquiry (LOI)
By focusing on Offred’s **internal conflict** and **limited choices**, Atwood reveals how identity is shaped and constrained by those in power, not only through force, but through more subtle tools like psychological control, religious ideology, and the manipulation of language.
Final Thought
Though Gilead is fictional, the anxieties Atwood unpacks remain relevant. Her novel acts as a **sharp reminder** of how easily **autonomy can be eroded** when power is left unchecked, and why resistance, however quiet, matters. It prompts readers to question the narratives and systems that influence identity today.
