What is a common mistake made during the conclusion of an essay?

A common mistake made during the conclusion of an essay is restating the thesis without offering new insights. The conclusion serves as the final opportunity for the writer to leave a lasting impression on the reader, and merely repeating the thesis does not enhance the argument or provide a sense of closure. Instead, an effective conclusion should synthesize the information presented throughout the essay, highlight the significance of the discussion, and perhaps offer broader implications or future considerations related to the topic. This helps to reinforce the thesis in a way that acknowledges the complexity and depth of the argument rather than simply reiterating it without any development or added context.

Summarizing the main points effectively is a crucial part of a good conclusion, and providing a call to action can engage the reader, encouraging them to apply what they've read. Introducing new evidence, however, can confuse the reader and detract from the overall argument, as the conclusion should focus on wrapping up the ideas rather than introducing new concepts. Hence, the reinforcement of the thesis needs to be meaningful and reflective, making simply restating it insufficient to fulfill the conclusion's purpose.