What Your Professors Are Looking For
Sample Papers: Conclusions
A good conclusion sums up what you have said in the paper, and ties up loose ends. It may point to further implications that go beyond the scope of the paper. Or it may show the relationship between specific events or facts and a general condition or idea, thus showing the larger context of the topic questions and their answers. The conclusion should reflect or return to the thesis statement in some way - it should not repeat the thesis statement word-for-word, but should sum up how what has been developed in the paper supports the thesis statement.
(The conclusion statements are in bold type.)
In the end Socrates loses his life in the service to the gods. Although he was brought up on charges of impiety he actually was serving the gods. His service to the gods was to find the meaning of the Oracle's riddle. His questioning of the citizenry in the attempts to improve their self knowledge was a result of the Oracle's statement. His service will help the Athenians become wiser than they were before. If the Athenians follow the principles of Socrates then they will be able to understand their world more, and make better decisions to the future of Athens.
(Comment: The overall idea is excellent; the conclusion shows parallels between Socrates' actions and the cause-and-effect theme discussed.)
Through all the struggles that have come about by Socrates taking a stand in his search for wisdom, he will not change his ways or stop questioning the men of Athens even if this means death. He says that this is his service to the god that told him he was the wisest in Athens and he would rather serve the god than men. Perhaps this is part of the wisdom he is said to have above others. Socrates explains to the court that "the unexamined life is not worth living." Through questioning people, he is causing them to reflect on what knowledge and wisdom they do have, and its relevance to life. Socrates explains that although they may be annoyed with him, it is as if they are being woken from a nap, and even thou they are angry at first, it is better than sleeping on for the rest of their lives and remaining blinded to the issues he is raising in their minds (31a). Socrates believes that his questioning can help the Athenians realize that their ignorance is believing they are wiser above others. Once they surpass this obstacle, they can take time to realize what separates knowledge from wisdom and begin to understand what is truthfully best for all citizens of Athens.
(Comment: Excellent use of citation; excellent return to theme of thesis statement, while taking ideas a step further.)
Socrates' "service to the god" was to question people and expand their understanding of what knowledge really is. Socrates makes a statement, "So even not I continue this investigation as the god bade me-and I go around seeking out anyone, citizen or stranger, whom I think wise. Then if I do not think he is, I come to the assistance of the god and show him that he is not wise" (Apology, 22b). This statement shows Socrates' dedication to sift through the wisdom of the people and sort out what is wise and what from what may be perceived as merely ignorance. By questioning peoples' wisdom, Socrates found that the good can be used to expand the people's knowledge and the bad can be thrown out.
(Comment: Excellent use and explanation of quotation; nice reiteration of thesis in different words.)
In order to help Athenian society understand better the gap between how life should be lived and how it actually is, and in order to foster real searches for truth and wisdom, Socrates takes courses of action that eventually lead to his prosecution, conviction, and death. Although his actions end his life, Socrates' instruction and the knowledge he gathers not only provided Athenians with a model of how to live uprightly, but also gives us today a basis for moral discourse and a way to see that one acquires wisdom through seeking to better his or herself. His defense to the assembly of Athens resonates even now as an example that wisdom must be sought and is not easily attained, and that passing this fact to others is a noble and very perilous pursuit.
(Comment: Fine example of movement from the specific to the general; very well-worded; good restatement of thesis.)