Final answer:
A conclusion should provide closure by summarizing the main argument and potentially suggesting broader implications or directions for future research. It is important not to introduce new claims but rather to remind the reader of the essay's significance and leave them with something to think about.
Step-by-step explanation:
What a Conclusion Should Do
The conclusion of your essay serves as your last chance to emphasize the significance of your argument to the reader. It should provide a sense of closure and finality to your essay and is not meant to introduce new evidence or arguments. This section should certainly summarize the main points you've made, but it should do so in a way that shows why those points matter.
In crafting your conclusion, you can consider revisiting the thesis and the main evidence, but also leave your reader with some “food for thought”. This could be in the form of implications deriving from your argument, suggestions for future research or study, or contemplating the broader consequences or impact of your discussion. However, make sure that these insights and suggestions are connected to your original argument and do not stray into entirely new territories.
Your conclusion is also a strategic place to evoke vivid imagery or to issue a call to action, which can leave a lasting impression on the reader. Providing these insights helps to engage the reader's imagination and encourages them to consider your argument well after they have finished reading.