What a conclusion really does
A conclusion is the final unit that answers the question, synthesises main reasons, and signals what follows. Synthesis means combining your best points into one clear claim. A scope limiter narrows a claim using phrases like in dense cities or in the short term. A call forward hints at next steps without adding new arguments.

Why concise wins
Markers need a decisive answer, not a recap of every paragraph. Brevity protects band scores by reducing new idea risk and freeing time for proofreading. Aim for 25 to 45 words in IELTS Task 2 and 15 to 25 words for GT letters. In Academic Task 1, you usually end with an overview close rather than a formal conclusion.

Six conclusion patterns you can deploy

1. One sentence verdict (OSV)
   Use when the task is agree or disagree.
   Formula: Verdict + two compact lenses.
   Template: I agree that X should be prioritised because [lens 1] and [lens 2].
   Strength: Fast and decisive.
2. Two move synthesis (TMS)
   Use for discuss both views and give your opinion.
   Move 1: Balance both views in a half line.
   Move 2: State your stance with a scope limiter.
   Template: While A helps [group], B delivers broader gains; therefore, I favour B in [scope].
   Strength: Shows balance then decision.
3. Conditional recommendation (CR)
   Use for problem and solution or evaluate.
   Template: If [condition], [option] is the most effective choice; otherwise, [fallback] limits risk.
   Strength: Honest policy tone without hedging everything.
4. Answer then implication (ATI)
   Use for two part questions.
   Template: To the first question, [answer 1]; regarding the second, [answer 2], which implies [light consequence].
   Strength: Mirrors the prompt parts and ends with a forward look.
5. Trade off close (TOC)
   Use for advantages and disadvantages.
   Template: Although [main disadvantage] persists, the benefits to [group] outweigh costs when [condition].
   Strength: Names the cost and crosses the finish line with a decision.
6. Overview close for Task 1
   Task 1 needs a panoramic overview, not causes or policy.
   Template: Overall, [direction] occurred in X, with [peak] and [lowest] defining the range.
   Strength: Zero explanation, pure description.

Two worked examples

Example 1: Discuss both views and give your opinion
Prompt: Some argue cities should fund public art, others say money should go to sports facilities.
Conclusion using TMS: While public art enriches education and identity, community sports deliver weekly health gains; therefore, funding should favour local sports in dense districts, with museums receiving smaller, stable outreach grants.
Why it works: balances, decides, adds a precise scope limiter.

Example 2: Problem and solution
Prompt: Many cities face rising congestion. What is the best solution
Conclusion using CR: If bus lanes and frequent service are funded, buses offer the fastest relief; otherwise, pricing alone risks unfairness without shifting enough trips.
Why it works: condition first, choice second, risk named without new arguments.

Mini case from Dhaka

Naveed wrote 80 word conclusions packed with new examples. He set a 35 word cap and chose one pattern per essay. Metrics logged per draft: words in conclusion, number of new nouns, and presence of a limiter. After 10 essays, average conclusion length dropped to 33 words, new noun count reached zero, and Task 2 coherence comments disappeared in mock feedback.

Measurable drills

• 35 word cap: Rewrite three old conclusions under 35 words each using different patterns. Score yourself for verdict clarity and limiter presence.
• Mirror the prompt: For two part questions, underline both parts and produce an ATI close that answers each once. Target 100 percent part coverage.
• Limiter swap: Add a scope limiter to two conclusions and check that the claim becomes testable.
• Verb upgrade: Replace be verbs with effect verbs in your last line, for example increases, reduces, enables. Aim for two upgrades per conclusion.

Common mistakes

• New idea drop: adding a statistic or case not used before.
• Vague verdict: ending with it depends without naming a condition.
• Hedge pile: may possibly might, which blurs your decision.
• Task 1 explanation: giving reasons for trends instead of describing them.
• Over-length: 60 plus words that repeat body sentences.

Edge cases and safe choices

• No firm opinion asked: if the prompt is explain or describe, use an overview close or a light implication, not a policy.
• Mixed evidence: choose CR and state the deciding condition.
• Strong counterexamples: use TOC and acknowledge the cost in four words before the verdict.
• GT letters: end with a clear next action, not a thesis, for example I would appreciate your confirmation by Friday.

Tips and tricks

• Echo one keyword from the question in your last line to show alignment.
• Use one scope limiter per conclusion to avoid overclaiming.
• Keep parallel structure when listing two lenses: cost and access, not cost and to access.
• For speed, draft the conclusion skeleton before writing bodies and fill it with the best two lenses at the end.

To avoid

• Cliches like in conclusion or in a nutshell when space is tight.
• Absolutes such as always or only without data.
• Rhetorical questions that open new threads.
• Copying topic sentences word for word.

Glossary

Conclusion: the final unit that answers the question and synthesises reasons.
Synthesis: combining main points into a single claim.
Scope limiter: phrase that narrows a claim by group, time, or place.
Call forward: brief hint at consequence without new argument.
Lens: the angle of analysis, for example cost or access.
Overview: Task 1 summary of patterns without causes.

Next steps
Pick three past prompts. For each, choose a different pattern and write a 30 to 40 word conclusion with one scope limiter and one effect verb. Paste each under its prompt and tick a two part coverage box where relevant. Do a final pass to remove any new nouns not introduced earlier.

1. Actionable closing — Cheatsheet

Pick a pattern

• OSV for agree or disagree
• TMS for discuss both views
• CR for problem and solution
• ATI for two part questions
• TOC for advantages vs disadvantages
• Overview close for Task 1

Word targets

• Task 2: 25 to 45 words
• GT letters: 15 to 25 words
• Task 1 overview close: 1 to 2 sentences

Essential pieces

• One decisive verb of effect
• One scope limiter
• Zero new nouns

Quick templates

• I agree that X should be prioritised because [lens 1] and [lens 2].
• While A helps [group], B delivers broader gains; therefore, I favour B in [scope].
• If [condition], [option] is most effective; otherwise, [fallback] limits risk.
• To Q1, [answer]; to Q2, [answer], which implies [light consequence].

Final checks

• Answer matches task type
• No new ideas
• Parallel lens wording
• Clear decision line

CTA: Take one recent essay and rewrite the conclusion using two different patterns from this sheet. Keep each under 40 words, add one scope limiter, and swap in an effect verb. Record which version reads cleaner and reuse that pattern in your next timed practice.