conclusion

A conclusion is the final part of a text, argument, or discussion. It states the overall outcome, synthesis, or judgment drawn from the preceding material, and it provides a sense of closure for the reader. In many contexts, the conclusion distills the core message and highlights its significance.

In writing, conclusions restate the central thesis or objective and synthesize the main points. They should be concise, avoid introducing new evidence, and may indicate the implications, consequences, or recommendations derived from the analysis.

In scientific reporting, conclusions connect results to the hypothesis or research questions, assess the strength of the evidence, acknowledge limitations, and suggest avenues for future work.

In logic and argumentation, a conclusion is the statement derived from premises through valid reasoning. Proper conclusions follow from evidence and do not contradict the presented premises.

The word derives from Latin concludere, meaning to shut or close. In English, "conclusion" can refer to the closing section of a document as well as the act of reasoning from premises to a result.

Common features include coherence with the body, brevity, and relevance to the main question. Avoid introducing new information; the strongest conclusions reflect the analysis rather than persuasive rhetoric.