How to start and end an essay

by Rose

In the first paragraph, you should state the topic and/or your opinion, and you may include one or more of the following techniques.

• Make reference to an unusual or striking idea/scene/situation
• Address the reader directly and/or ask a rhetorical question.
• Start with a quotation or thought provoking statement.

In the last paragraph, you should state your opinion and/or give a balanced consideration of the topic, and you may include one or more of the following techniques.

• Finish with a quotation
• Ask a rhetorical question
• Give the reader something to consider

Useful set expressions and phrases for ending an essay

To begin a conclusion:

• In conclusion,
• On balance,
• All things considered,
• Taking everything into consideration,
• To conclude,
• To sum up,
• All in all,
• Finally,

If you want to express balanced considerations/opinion indirectly, use one of these:

• it can (must) be said (claimed...) that...
• it seems (appears) that...
• it would seem that...
• it is likely (possible, unlikely, foreseeable...) that...
• it is clear (obvious) that...
• there is no (little) doubt that...
• the best course of action would be to...
• it is true to say that...

Examples:

• All things considered, the obvious conclusion to be drawn is that...
• To conclude, it can be said that...

If you want to express opinion directly, use one of these:

• It is my belief (opinion) that...
• I (firmly) believe (feel, think) that...
• I am convinced that
• I am inclined to believe that...

Examples:

• For the above-mentioned reasons, therefore, I believe that...
• Taking everything into account, I therefore conclude that...