How to Write a Conclusion for a VCE English Language Essay
Why Conclusions Matter in English Language Essays
In VCE English Language, a strong conclusion does more than summarise your ideas; it reinforces your stance, ties together your argument, and leaves the assessor with a clear sense of your control over the topic. Whether you're writing an essay on language in public discourse or how language reflects identity, your conclusion must demonstrate sustained, cohesive thinking.
In this guide, you'll learn:
What is an essay conclusion?
The different types of conclusions
How to structure an effective conclusion
Sentence starters and final-line strategies
Common mistakes to avoid
A full lesson walkthrough using a sample VCE prompt
Let’s begin with what an essay conclusion actually is.
What Is an Essay Conclusion?
An essay conclusion is the final paragraph that:
An essay conclusion is the final paragraph of your response, serving as a thoughtful wrap-up of your argument. It restates your contention or thesis using fresh wording, reinforces the key arguments made throughout your body paragraphs, and revisits the ideas raised in the introduction to create a sense of cohesion. A strong conclusion also ends with a final thought—either by broadening the discussion to a wider context or by tying the entire argument together with clarity and precision.
Its Purpose in the Essay Structure
The conclusion is your final opportunity to demonstrate that you have fully addressed the prompt and maintained a consistent, well-reasoned argument throughout your essay. It allows you to reinforce your command of the topic while avoiding unnecessary repetition, ensuring your ideas are synthesised clearly and persuasively in a way that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Types of Essay Conclusions
Different types of essays may require different styles of conclusions, each serving a distinct rhetorical purpose. A Summary Conclusion restates the main points and reaffirms the thesis, offering a clear and concise wrap-up. A Reflective Conclusion takes a more philosophical or introspective turn, which is especially effective in persuasive essays. The Circular Conclusion brings the response full circle by returning to an image, quote, or idea introduced at the beginning. An Evaluative Conclusion weighs the significance or broader implications of the discussion, making it particularly suitable for analytical essays. Lastly, a Contextual Conclusion expands the argument to a broader societal or political context, adding depth and relevance to the overall response.
Not all conclusions are created equal. Depending on the essay type, your writing style, and your goals, you may use different kinds of conclusions. Below are the most common types seen in VCE English Language essays.
1. Summary Conclusion
This is the most common and straightforward type of conclusion. It:
Restates the thesis
Summarises key points
Ends with a general closing sentence
Best for: Analytical essays, comparative responses, and language analysis tasks
Why it works: It ensures clarity and reinforces your argument without overcomplicating your ending.
2. Reflective Conclusion
A reflective conclusion goes beyond summarising. It allows the writer to step back and comment on the significance or broader implications of the essay's findings.
Offers personal or societal insigh
Considers consequences or broader effects
Leaves the reader with a deep, reflective idea
Best for: Argumentative and discursive essays
Why it works: It shows higher-order thinking and maturity of perspective — especially valuable in persuasive pieces.
3. Circular Conclusion
This type circles back to your introduction. If you began your essay with a question, quote, anecdote, or thematic statement, a circular conclusion echoes that beginning, bringing a satisfying sense of closure.
Revisits the hook or intro concept
Reinforces essay unity and theme
Creates a "full-circle" moment
Best for: Essays with strong thematic or symbolic elements
Why it works: It enhances cohesion and gives the essay a polished, deliberate feel.
4. Evaluative Conclusion
An evaluative conclusion weighs the strengths and limitations of the argument or perspective you've explored. It offers a measured judgment, often acknowledging complexity or ambiguity.
Highlights the strength of the argument while noting nuances
May suggest areas for further consideration or unresolved tensions
Shows critical thinking and balance
Best for: Essays requiring nuanced argumentation or balanced viewpoints
Why it works: It demonstrates intellectual maturity and an understanding that real-world issues are rarely black and white.
Example: “While media discourse can certainly promote inclusive values, its impact is often diluted by competing commercial interests — a contradiction that continues to shape public consciousness.”
5. Contextual Conclusion
A contextual conclusion places your analysis within a broader social, historical, or cultural framework. It zooms out to consider how the topic fits into wider discussions or real-world issues.
Links essay content to real-world context or contemporary relevance
Offers insight into broader implications
May reference current events, societal trends, or historical parallels
Best for: Language analysis or evaluative essays on social discourse
Why it works: It adds depth and shows that you can situate your argument within the larger world — something VCE assessors value.
Example: “In an age of digital misinformation and polarised media, understanding how language manipulates audiences has never been more critical.”
Structuring Your Conclusion
A well-structured conclusion typically follows this four-step format:
Restate the thesis (with variation)
Summarise your main points
Link back to the introduction (optional)
Final sentence: broaden, reflect, or reframe
The STG Formula for Conclusions
One effective way to remember how to structure your conclusion is the STG model:
S = Specific statement (restate your contention)
T = Thesis recap (summarise paragraph ideas, optionally contrast)
G = General statement (zoom out or reframe the discussion)
Template:
In conclusion, (restate your contention). This is clearly the case (summarise your key arguments). As such, (offer a general takeaway or insight).
Sample Conclusion (Prompt: “Formal language has an important place in contemporary Australian society. To what extent do you agree?”)
(S) In conclusion, formal language unequivocally has an important role to play in contemporary Australian society.
(T) This is clearly the case especially so in instances where a language user wishes to prioritise clarity of communication or maintaining social harmony. However, as discussed, informal language has an equally important role when it comes to building rapport and encouraging unity.
(G) As such, both formal and informal registers have their place and choosing the right one for any given context is the key to successful discourse.
Sustained Arguments and Conclusions
A sustained argument is one that remains consistent and coherent from introduction to conclusion, with every paragraph contributing meaningfully to the overall contention. In this context, a strong conclusion must tie off your thesis clearly, avoiding the introduction of any new arguments or ideas. Instead, it should reinforce the key points made throughout the essay, adding strength and clarity without simply repeating earlier content — one of the most vital essay writing tips.
Sustained vs Weak Example
Sustained:
Thus, linguistic choices in political speeches do more than persuade; they legitimise ideologies and shape public perception. Through euphemism, synthetic personalisation, and strategic modality, language in the public sphere wields power.
Weak:
In conclusion, political speeches are persuasive. I think language is important and can help politicians win votes. Social media also plays a role, but that’s another story.
Conclusion Sentence Starters
To begin your conclusion with clarity and authority, it helps to use purposeful sentence starters. Phrases such as “Ultimately, it becomes evident that…”, “Consequently, one can conclude that…”, “As the evidence suggests…”, and “This reinforces the idea that…” guide the reader into your final paragraph while signalling a shift into synthesis and closure.
How to End a Conclusion in an Essay
An effective conclusion often ends on a reflective or broader note that leaves a lasting impression. You might offer an insight, such as “Language is not just a tool but a reflection of social norms,” or consider the wider implications with a line like “As communication evolves, so too will our linguistic identity.” Alternatively, you could end with a cautionary note, warning that “Failing to question our linguistic choices risks perpetuating bias.” These strategies deepen your response and demonstrate critical engagement with the topic.
Final Tips for Writing Conclusions
When writing your conclusion, keep a few key strategies in mind. Always reword your thesis rather than repeating it verbatim, and steer clear of clichés that weaken the originality of your argument. Avoid introducing new arguments or evidence at this stage, and ensure that your tone remains consistent with the rest of your essay. Most importantly, finish with a strong impact line that leaves the reader with something to think about.
FAQs About How to Write a Conclusion
Q1 How long should a conclusion be in a VCE English Language essay?
A VCE English Language conclusion is typically 3 to 5 sentences. It should restate the contention, summarise key arguments, and end with a final generalisation or insight, ensuring cohesion and a sustained register across the response.
Q2. How is a conclusion different from a summary in a VCE English Language essay?
A summary only restates previous content. A conclusion in VCE English Language must reframe the thesis, synthesise arguments, and affirm the writer's stance. It also often includes an evaluative or predictive element that anchors the response in context.
Q3. What is a good concluding sentence for a VCE English Language essay?
A strong final sentence should generalise the discussion, reaffirm the contention, and offer insight. For example: “Ultimately, language remains both a mirror and a mechanism of social values, continually shaped by evolving cultural expectations.
SAMPLE LESSON WALKTHROUGH: Digital Communication Technologies and Language
Prompt:
Analyse how digital communication technologies, such as the internet, social media, and mobile texting, have influenced Australian English. How have these technologies affected vocabulary, syntax, and language conventions? Discuss both positive and negative consequences of these changes, providing examples from recent Australian digital communication trends.
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Walkthrough: Forming a Contention
Break the prompt down into key parts: topic, scope, subsystems, perspectives.
Ensure your contention addresses each coloured/key element of the prompt.
Reword the prompt into a contention using modal verbs/adverbs.
Example Contention:
Digital communication technologies, including social media, internet, and mobile texting, have undeniably transformed Australian English. This influence has significantly shaped our vocabulary, syntax, and conventions in both positive and negative ways, evident across various contemporary digital platforms.
Walkthrough: Forming Topic Sentences
Paragraph 1 (Vocabulary):
Social media and texting have revolutionised Australian vocabulary, introducing neologisms and global slang, though sometimes at the cost of semantic clarity.
Paragraph 2 (Syntax):
Emerging digital platforms have encouraged syntactic compression and creative structure, enabling rapid communication but undermining grammatical conventions in formal domains.
Paragraph 3 (Language Conventions):
Informal punctuation, emojis, and text formatting in digital spaces have challenged traditional writing norms, reflecting both cultural innovation and growing informality.
Walkthrough: Writing an Introduction
Step 1 – Contention:
Digital communication technologies, including the internet, social media, and texting, have certainly influenced Australian English.
Step 2 – Add Topic Sentences:
These technologies have introduced new vocabulary, reshaped syntactic structures, and redefined language conventions, with both benefits and drawbacks.
Step 3 – Add Insight on the Future:
As globalisation and digital fluency continue to expand, Australian English will likely adapt even more dynamically in coming years.
Sample Introduction:
Digital communication technologies, including the internet, social media, and mobile texting, have certainly influenced Australian English. These changes are evident in the creation of new vocabulary, the reshaping of syntactic structures, and the shift in conventional norms. As these technologies evolve, the language will continue to adapt, blending innovation with tradition.
Sample Conclusion
Restate Contention:
In conclusion, many perceive the digital age, encompassing social media, the internet, and mobile texting, as highly influential on Australian English.
Restate Paragraphs:
From neologisms to shifting syntax and altered conventions, the positive and negative impacts are both far-reaching and deeply embedded in modern communication.
Future Insight:
However, regardless of whether this influence is viewed as progress or degradation, language evolution is inevitable as technology continues to redefine how Australians express themselves.”
Here’s another sample VCE English Language conclusion that you can take inspiration from:
Language is one of the most powerful tools through which identity is expressed, shaped, and challenged in contemporary Australian society. From the assertive phonology of political slogans to the reduction of Italian identity through performative online mockery, language functions as both a mirror and a mechanism of power. These examples reveal how linguistic choices can manipulate public perception, exclude minority voices, or reinforce covert norms that elevate certain identities while marginalising others. At the same time, the deliberate use of code-switching and lexical borrowing within bilingual families highlights the role of language in preserving cultural identity and resisting homogenisation. Language variation in Australia is not static. It reflects the ongoing negotiation between mainstream expectations and personal or community expression. In this way, linguistic practices carry deep social meaning, functioning as tools of empowerment, resistance, and cultural continuity. Understanding how language operates in different contexts is crucial to understanding the evolving and contested nature of Australian identity.
And unrelated to the above, here’s a sample high-scoring English Language essay paragraph with contemporary media examples for inspiration:
Australia is progressing toward a more inclusive and egalitarian society, with growing expectations to respect and represent minority and disadvantaged groups. In line with these values, contemporary Australian media and government discourse increasingly adopts non-discriminatory language to reflect the inclusive attitudes of modern Australia. As societal acceptance of LGBTQIA+ communities rises, traditional gender norms are being re-evaluated. In 2023, the South Australian Parliament amended its procedural language by replacing gender-specific noun phrases such as “Her Majesty” and “His Excellency” with gender-neutral proper noun phrases such as “The Sovereign” and “The Governor.” This linguistic shift aims to acknowledge and include individuals who do not identify within the conventional gender binary. That both the Government and Opposition endorsed this change suggests a unified commitment to egalitarianism. Similarly, non-discriminatory language expectations extend to media. In May 2023, an episode of the popular children’s show Bluey was pulled from broadcast by ABC and BBC after public backlash over perceived fatphobia. In the episode, the character Bandit uses negatively connoted interjections such as “aw man” and the interrogative “this can't be good, can it?” in reference to his weight gain, implicitly presenting larger body types in a negative light. Given Bluey's young audience, the expectation is that the program promotes inclusivity and positivity towards diverse body types. Its removal from air reflects broader societal discomfort with language perceived as exclusionary. Thus, the use and expectation of politically correct language underscores Australia’s evolving social values, demonstrating a collective desire to respect, include, and represent all members of society.
