A conclusion is not merely a summary of the main topics covered or a re-statement of your research question, but a synthesis of key points and, if applicable, where you recommend new areas for future research. For most essays, one well-developed paragraph is sufficient for a conclusion, although in some cases, a two or three paragraph conclusion may be required.
_____Have you stated the conclusion clearly and concisely? (Even though it may seem obvious to you, be sure that you have made it obvious to the reader: “This paper/essay demonstrated it can be said that...” or “The evidence presented in this paper illustrates it is possible to deduce that...”)
_____Does your conclusion directly and fully answer the research question? Does it stay on topic and does it satisfy the reader's curiosity by giving a full answer?
_____Is your conclusion based solely on the arguments presented in the essay?
_____Have you explained how the arguments that were developed in your essay prove that your conclusion is a reasonable one? Have you judged your own essay?
_____Have you described aspects of the Extended Essay which made you stop and think? Have you included some of the new questions which arose as you were doing your research? (If you had the time and energy to continue researching and writing, what aspects would you want to know more about? In other words, in what ways has your essay writing sparked your interest and given you the inspiration to explore new issues related to your topic?)
_____Have you included details about places you got stuck and could not find answers? (Be careful here – keep it brief. The problems should not be the main Page 10 focus of the conclusion).
_____Have you avoided introducing any new arguments in the conclusion?
_____Have you presented a synthesis of your arguments which takes into account varying viewpoints rather than simply restating everything you already said in the body?
_____Have you avoided reintroducing ideas presented in your introduction?
_____Look at the section in the EE guide for your subject - there are specific guidelines about what to put in this section.
Source: Mr. Damon's EE Checklist
New Insight, Not New Information!
Don't surprise the reader with new information in your conclusion that was never referenced anywhere else in the paper. If you have new information to present, add it to the discussion or other appropriate section of the paper. Note that, although no actual new information is introduced, the conclusion is where you offer your most "original" contributions in the paper; it's where you describe the value of your research, demonstrate that you understand the material that you’ve presented, and locate your findings within the larger context of scholarship on the topic, including describing how your research contributes new insights or value to that scholarship.