What is the general purpose of a concluding paragraph in a comparative essay?

• A. To restate the poems' plots
• B. To present new unexamined points
• C. To summarize the comparison and reinforce the thesis
• D. To list every quote used

Answer: (C)

In a comparative essay, the concluding paragraph is where you bring the analysis together and show how the poems illuminate each other to support your overall argument. It should briefly recap the main similarities and differences you discussed and connect them directly to your thesis, making clear how the comparison confirms your overall claim. This is also a good place to offer a short reflection on the broader significance or what the two poems together reveal about the topic, rather than introducing new ideas or evidence. The goal is synthesis: leave the reader with a sense of closure and a clear understanding of the argument you’ve built.

Restating the poems’ plots would misfit the purpose here because the conclusion isn’t about retelling the stories. Introducing new unexamined points would break the logical flow of your argument, and listing every quote would be unwieldy and unnecessary.