This document provides guidelines for writing an effective conclusion paragraph for a TIB (This I Believe) essay. An effective conclusion should share the lesson learned from the experience, explain how it has affected the author, and restate the central belief in a memorable closing statement. It should provide closure without using clichés or directly addressing the reader. Sample ineffective conclusions are provided along with a better example that meets the criteria.

1. THAT’S A WRAP!
Guidelines for your TIB
Conclusion

2. Why do we need a conclusion?
• To provide closure for the reader
• To leave the reader thinking about your lesson
or “theme”
• NOT wondering what it is, but reflecting upon it.
• To help distinguish a connection between
your reader and your experience
• Why should the reader care about your lesson?

3. Your conclusion SHOULD:
• Share what lesson you learned or epiphany
you had from this experience.
• Explain how/why that experience has affected
you as a person AND SHOWS YOUR BELIEF.
• How are you different today from this
experience?
• End with a strong statement that will stick in
your reader’s mind. MUST RESTATE BELIEF.
• Avoid cheesiness or clichés.

4. Your conclusion SHOULD NOT:
• Begin with the words
“In conclusion…”
• Address the reader
using “you”
• End with a cheesy
statement or cliché

5. Not So Good Conclusions
• In conclusion, I believe that quitting isn’t always a
bad thing and that sometimes you have to do what’s
right.
• Overall, I continue to live this belief out in my daily
life today.
• I guess you could say that falling off my bike really
taught me something.

6. A Better Conclusion
In the moment, I didn’t realize that the decision I made
simply by opening an envelope at 17 years-old would truly be
able to change the course of my life for the better. We may
never live in a society where being called a “quitter” is a
compliment, but I’ve realized that when it comes down to it,
doing what feels right at heart is better than sticking with
something for appearances. Volleyball will always be a part
of my life, but not having to eat sleep and breathe the sport
anymore was more than a relief, it was an opportunity to
rediscover myself and want I wanted to do with my life.
Quitting gave me a chance to enjoy college, which for me,
became the most invaluable experience of my life thus far.
This I Believe: Quitting isn’t always a bad thing; in fact,
sometimes, it’s the best thing.