Conclusions are hard. It might seem that all you have to do is go back to your research question and simply provide an answer. But the reality is that much more is needed. Much more. And that much more comes at the end of your research project, and when you are likely to be at your most tired.

Hey Ho. You have to summon up enough energy to do the last bit. Whether you are working on a funded research project or a doctoral thesis, the very last part of the text you are writing still needs your time and some clever thinking. After all, it’s what readers are likely to most remember.

One way to kick off conclusion thinking is via some planning. Just like any other piece of your writing, your conclusion can benefit from some pre-composition work. I say work because the most important part of conclusion…