Have you finished writing your dissertation? Congratulations!
Now it’s time to write the dissertation conclusion—a crucial step to end your work with a strong, memorable impression.
In this article, discover all the essential tips and tricks to craft a polished and impactful dissertation conclusion that will leave a lasting mark on your reader!
Table of contents:
The conclusion is a crucial element in your dissertation; it must be polished and memorable. The dissertation conclusion plays an important role in leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
It is the last section that your professor or the jury will read in your dissertation.
Take this opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the subject and your ability to synthesize all your research.
Here are the main goals of a dissertation conclusion:
Two schools of thought stand out regarding the best time to write a dissertation conclusion:
First approach:
Write the dissertation conclusion at the very end of your dissertation writing process. This allows you to have a holistic view of the content of your dissertation. It makes synthesizing the main ideas easier and helps you provide a clear and precise answer to the research question.
Second approach:
Prepare the dissertation conclusion from the very beginning of the writing process. The idea here is to draft a conclusion early on by outlining the main points you want to express in the final section. This method helps keep you on track throughout the dissertation, ensuring that the conclusion aligns with the initial objectives. However, it will need to be refined at the end to incorporate all the ideas discussed.
The dissertation conclusion follows a structured plan that provides a coherent, concise, and impactful final impression.
Here are the essential steps to succeed in writing your conclusion:
Restate the main objective: Start by briefly reminding the reader of the main objective of your dissertation. This contextualization helps the reader refocus on the core issue of the work and understand what you set out to accomplish throughout your research.
Summarize the key ideas: To provide an effective summary, it is essential to reread your dissertation with a fresh perspective in order to identify the key points that should be emphasized in the conclusion. Step back to highlight the major ideas without getting lost in the details. The conclusion should briefly recap the main points discussed in the dissertation, linking the primary arguments and results.
Avoid introducing new information: The conclusion is not the place to introduce new elements. It should only summarize and conclude the points covered in the body of the text, without presenting new facts or ideas. Any new information risks confusing the reader and diluting the clarity of your message.
Answer the research question concisely: A strong dissertation conclusion revisits the research problem or hypothesis, showing clearly that it has been addressed with solid answers through the analysis developed.
Present the scope and limitations of the research: By positioning your work in a broader context, you acknowledge the extent of your contributions while identifying the limitations of your study.
Final opening: An effective conclusion often includes an opening, suggesting avenues for future research, new reflections, or potential applications. End with an opening that broadens the scope of the discussion, without introducing entirely new ideas.
By following our 6 steps to write a dissertation conclusion, you'll have the content you need to include in your conclusion.
To make this conclusion impactful and memorable, you will need to carefully think about how to present this information.
Here are 3 professional writing tips to help you craft a powerful conclusion:
Subtly remind the reader of the major elements of your dissertation to create a lasting emotional impact. The goal is to construct a conclusion akin to a “final scene in a movie.”
A clear and concise response to the initial problem, research question, or formulated hypotheses creates a sense of accomplishment for the reader. By showing that the initial question has found answers, you provide a feeling of zen and satisfaction, resulting in a logically structured and well-constructed conclusion.
A brief, well-placed thank you can add a touch of humanity and recognition to your conclusion, evoking a sense of gratitude. Remember that the emotion triggered during the reading is the key element that helps the reader recall your dissertation conclusion, and ultimately your entire dissertation.
Example of a conclusion for a dissertation on "The Impact of Generative AI on Digital Marketing: Process Automation and Productivity Gains":
In this dissertation, we explored the impact of generative AIs on productivity in digital marketing, focusing on the potential gains from automating tasks such as content writing and idea generation. Quantitative research and qualitative interviews show that AI already has a strong impact on productivity, freeing up time for strategic tasks and even making advanced automation, such as in email marketing, a feasible option.
However, my study also highlights the current limitations: this technology is recent (ChatGPT appeared in 2022), and its widespread adoption could lead to job losses. Additionally, the results are limited by a sample restricted to Europe, while practices differ significantly in regions such as Asia and the United States.
The question remains open about finding the balance between automation and keeping humans at the heart of marketing, with future developments in AI providing valuable answers to this challenge.
FAQ
Is it important to write a dissertation conclusion?
Yes, the conclusion is essential because it is the final impression you leave on the reader. A well-written conclusion enhances your entire dissertation and demonstrates your ability to synthesize and conclude.
How to build a dissertation conclusion?
To build an effective conclusion, start by briefly recalling the objective of your dissertation, then summarize the main ideas without going into details. Clearly answer the research question and end with an opening towards future perspectives, without introducing new elements.
Should the dissertation conclusion be written at the beginning or at the end?
It is generally advised to write the conclusion at the end of your dissertation, once all the sections are completed. This allows you to have an overview to summarize the ideas accurately. However, some prefer to draft a rough conclusion at the beginning to guide their work and then finalize it once the analysis is complete.
It's up to you to choose what works best for you!
To write a dissertation conclusion that leaves a lasting impression, several elements should be considered: briefly recall the objective of the work, synthesize the main ideas without introducing new information, and offer an opening towards future perspectives.
We advise you to carefully reread your conclusion to ensure it is well-phrased, impactful, and represents a real strength of your dissertation, just like the introduction or the cover page.
What to avoid: do not go into too much detail, make sure the problem is clearly answered, and do not forget to include a final opening.
Happy writing!
You may also be interested in these articles:
How do you write a good introduction to a thesis or dissertation?
Thesis Defense: Complete Guide and Tips for a Successful Presentation
Sources for further reading:
Note: This informational article was partly written with the help of ChatGPT. The AI-generated content has been revised to verify the accuracy of the information, check the relevance of the instructions, and add further details.
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