how to write a conclusion for a law essay

how to write a conclusion for a law essay

Writing an Effective Conclusion for a Law Essay

1. Importance of a Strong Conclusion

More than any other part of the essay, the conclusion presents an opportunity for the writer to engage in interpretative discussion drawing on the ideas developed in the body of the essay. This is probably one of the most difficult and also the most fulfilling opportunities in writing a conclusion. The writer has the space to write freely and without inhibitions. This section of the conclusion allows for the writer to provide a clear indication of the meaning and implications of their research. By restating their argument then considering the wider implications of their research, the writer serves to bring the reader to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the argument. Although this element of the conclusion may appear to be bordering on the grandiose, it is in fact necessary to the establishment of a strong conclusion.

To understand the importance of a good conclusion, the best way is to think of a bad conclusion as an investment in a financial institution that fails. Notwithstanding the considerable effort put into the body of an essay, the quality of the introduction and the conclusion will ultimately determine the grade that the work receives. In the introduction, the writer attempted to set the scene and suggest the theme or thesis of the essay: in the conclusion, the writer must return to the theme and bring the essay to a strong, definite close. Failing to make a connection between the introduction and the conclusion with an argument. A conclusion should mirror the introduction, but not repeat it, to ensure a thorough connection it is necessary to repeat the introduction in the conclusion. This can simply be done by making a summary of everything said by the writer in the essay, and then stating once again their argument.

2. Elements to Include in a Law Essay Conclusion

The conclusion is a general summary of the essay. This is because you are expected to take a position and present an argument in order to convince the reader of your views. The language used and the way you have presented your arguments both make it easier for the reader to positively accept the views, concepts, and the essence of the paper. Therefore, in the conclusion, it is mandatory to at least briefly reintroduce each main chapter and restate your thesis in order to stress the relevance of the essay. Then, summarize in a few sentences how your arguments have brought you to your conclusion. This act of summarizing your arguments can help in allowing the reader to recall what it is he or she has read and can, in some cases, bring around a change of opinion. A good method to add some uniqueness and creativity to your conclusion is to connect your thesis to a bigger picture. An example could be making a statement comparing your thesis to a modern-day issue. For example, relating an essay on legislation for the protection of national security to the current state of anti-terrorism laws. This method will demonstrate a clear understanding of the subject and fulfill the third of the requirements of a high distinction. The conclusion also needs the element of finality to a better or lesser extent depending on the amount of certainty you want to portray. This is because a conclusion on a law essay does not want to leave the impression of an unresolved topic. If you have researched and proven your thesis throughout the paper, you want to leave the reader with a full and unequivocal understanding of your position, how it was formed, and why it is valid. In order to promote agreement, it is a good idea to finish the conclusion the same way a persuasive essay would, i.e. by trying to win over the reader. A way in which lawyers do this is by using persuasive devices. A suggestion, asking a rhetorical question, analyzing a quote, or recounting a personal anecdote can be good methods.

3. Strategies for Crafting a Compelling Conclusion

There are several approaches that are inculcated by different writers while writing the conclusion. An effective conclusion is simple and to the point. It should have an impact on the reader’s mind. Hence, the writer should opt for the strategy that is in favor of the theme. One of the widely used strategies is to write a conclusion by linking it with the introduction. It is like making a circle from the starting point and ending at the same point. This strategy is good when there is a clear link between the start and the end of the essay. However, if the essay is long or complex, a summative conclusion will be more effective. Another common strategy is to finish the essay with a rhetorical question that will reign in the reader’s mind. An effective conclusion will answer the major points in the essay. A better conclusion should answer the details in the essay with reliable information and logically justify the conclusions. It should be devoid of any stress or overstatement. Overstating is as bad as trying to prove an argument with logic.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Law Essay Conclusion

An example of this may be an EU law question on free movement, both people and goods. A conclusion could be deduced from the previous answer stating that not all barriers are equal and the market is an important issue; therefore, goods are more important than people. This could be fully developed, but has shown clear understanding. At this point, it is too easy to fall into the trap of commenting on right and wrong answers, given that has to be avoided. In an exam scenario, right and wrong answers questions will often actually specify that the conclusion should not contain the result. Step back and look at the question and see if you can gather anything from what you have just said. If the conclusion appears to be trying to force an answer on a different question, then it is an irrelevant one. This is time-wasting and could result in the irrelevant point being marked! Unfortunately, this is a common problem and practice is the only way to avoid it.

The most common mistake students make is to spend too much time on the syllogism and not enough on the conclusion. It is likely for this reason that syllogisms are generally marked more leniently than other parts of the essay. As mentioned earlier, the conclusion should take the reader from the question to a well-reasoned answer. This means that you should already have done some of the conclusion in previous parts of the question. However, there is a danger of simply repeating what you have said already, and mere repetition will not merit extra marks. In general, the conclusion should be based on what you have just said, but should simplify it and extract the most important points, possibly to show how they interrelate. This will demonstrate understanding of not just the question, but of the general principles and policies behind it.

To merit a first class, a conclusion in a law essay needs to have a good syllogism and take the reader from the question to a well-reasoned answer. The conclusion should be clear and relatively brief. Grammar and spelling will greatly affect the impression of quality and the consequent grade. Poor spelling and grammar will detract from the final product and could result in a 2:2 mark rather than a 2:1 or a 2:1 rather than a first, as an otherwise exceptional answer could be tainted by poor presentation. Always proofread your work. Finally, essays should be set out and presented in a manner that aids the reader’s understanding. Remember, the marker has not just marked your essay; they may have 50 or more scripts to mark.

5. Examples of Well-Written Law Essay Conclusions

An example of a good conclusion to a paper that asks the reader to consider the position of women in Christian societies in a literal and/or legal context: “Today, in the modern world, the question of whether women should have leadership positions in Christian societies can be debated without much consequence. However, in earlier times, it would have been unthinkable. The acceptance or rejection of women holding such positions would have depended on the society’s attitude towards the role of women, which would be reflected in the type of rulership or dominion ascribed to women. Ideally, the position of women in society would align with the normative ideal of Christian women. Unfortunately, this has not always been the case. It has been argued that in their pursuit to imitate men and gain power over them, women have exceeded the bounds of ‘submission’ and, in doing so, have rejected male authority and perhaps even that of Jesus Christ himself. Some believe that this has contributed to the violation of the second commandment, with God being displeased but not yet punishing women for this transgression. The worst forms of punishment and degradation of women are said to have occurred where the Christian message has been corrupted and women have had no access to it. This is a broad topic that spans a vast time period. Therefore, for the purposes of this discussion, we will consider ‘simply having Judah and Israel as the kingdom of God’ as the worst and best situations for women.” This conclusion is effective because it restates the issue and further defines it without introducing new topics. It also provides strong transitional sentences to the body of the essay.

Summary of the entire essay, reflecting its key ideas and themes: Writing an effective conclusion requires skill in including important details to wrap up your ideas. You can reflect on points from the introduction, consider arguments in the main body, or summarize ideas from different angles. However, it is crucial to make a strong impression. A good technique is to start with a general statement and then narrow down to the specific essence of your essay. A well-written conclusion should not introduce new information or necessarily answer the question, but it should leave the reader with no doubt about your conclusion and its reasoning. Consider whether you have reached the final destination of your essay and stay relevant to the topic. This is your only opportunity to bring the reader back on track.