Re-Statement of Argument

• With the entire body of the essay already read, the conclusion is a good place to restate your argument in a more succinct form. Explain your argument succinctly, and emphasize any important evidence that backs up major claims you have made. It is important to keep your review of your argument short and persuasive. The reader has already read a detailed version of the argument, so he doesn't need a detailed summary at the end of the essay. Trace the key points through to the conclusion.
  
  

Significance

• The conclusion is also traditionally a place for the author of the essay to discuss the significance of what has been found through the course of the study, and any implications it has for the field as a whole. For example, if during the course of the essay you have come across a new possible interpretation of "Moby Dick," it could affect not only how future readers see the work, it could also inspire critics to re-read the novel and refine any theories they had regarding the themes. This section of the conclusion is generally more relevant when something new has been discovered or something established has been partially discredited. Evidence for a change in viewpoint gives an essay special significance.
  
  

Limitations

• Rational academic works always acknowledge the limitations of their approach or in the scope of their research. The academic community relies heavily on criticism of previous work, so acknowledging any limitations in your approach is considered good practice. If there is anything you uncovered during the research for your essay that was out of the scope of your assignment's title, you can acknowledge it here. Likewise, if your approach to the essay itself had any inherent problems you can state them here, and explain how they may have affected the work.
  
  

Future Research

• The final section of a conclusion is often a call to action for the academic community, acknowledging any areas related to the field of study which require further research. During the course of writing an essay, you will often come upon an unexplored avenue of study, and this is a good place to list those. This is particularly true if your essay uncovered new information or discredited trusted old information.