A strong closing sentence starts by signaling to the reader that you’re wrapping up, whether through a transition word, a forward-looking phrase, or a direct call to action. The right opener depends on what you’re writing. An academic essay, a professional email, and a marketing message each call for a different approach. Here’s how to handle each one.
Closing Sentences in Academic Writing
In essays and research papers, your closing sentence needs to leave the reader with a sense of resolution. The most common way to start one is with a transition word or phrase that signals you’re delivering a final thought. Familiar options include “in conclusion,” “ultimately,” “overall,” and “as a result.” These work, but they can feel mechanical if you lean on them too heavily. The Harvard College Writing Center recommends building a transition that shows the relationship between your ideas rather than simply flagging the paragraph as a conclusion.
What does that look like in practice? Instead of writing “In conclusion, renewable energy is important,” you might write “Because the economic and environmental costs of fossil fuels continue to climb, renewable energy is no longer optional.” The second version still functions as a closing sentence, but it earns its place by connecting the argument’s evidence to its final point. You’re concluding through logic, not through a label.
When you do use a transition word at the start of a closing sentence, follow it with a comma. “Ultimately, the data supports a shift in policy” is punctuated correctly. If your closing sentence connects to the previous one with a semicolon instead of a period, the transition word still takes a comma after it: “The evidence is consistent across all three studies; therefore, the hypothesis holds.”
Transition Phrases That Work
- “Ultimately” works well when your closing sentence is the logical endpoint of a chain of reasoning.
- “Taken together” signals that you’re synthesizing multiple points into one final observation.
- “What this suggests is” pivots from evidence to interpretation, which is exactly what a closing sentence should do.
- “In light of this evidence” ties the conclusion back to the body of your argument.
- “Overall” is a clean, neutral option when you’re summarizing a broad pattern.
The phrase “in conclusion” is not wrong, but it’s overused enough that many instructors and editors view it as a crutch. If you find yourself reaching for it, try rewriting the sentence so the conclusion is built into the content rather than announced by a label.
Closing Sentences in Professional Emails
Email closing sentences serve a different purpose than essay conclusions. They typically do one of three things: express gratitude, propose a next step, or set a warm tone before the sign-off. The best opening word or phrase depends on which of those jobs you need the sentence to do.
Expressing Gratitude
Starting with “Thank you” is the simplest and most reliable option. You can sharpen it by being specific about what you’re thanking the person for: “Thank you for taking the time to review the proposal” carries more weight than “Thank you for your time.” Other starters in this category include “I appreciate,” “Many thanks for,” and “I’m grateful for.” These work for both formal proposals and everyday project updates.
Pointing Toward Next Steps
When you want to keep the conversation moving, start your closing sentence with a forward-looking phrase. “Looking forward to your reply” is a standard choice. “Please let me know if you have any questions” invites a response without pressure. “I’ll follow up on Thursday” sets a concrete expectation. These closers are especially useful in client follow-ups and project updates, where the goal is momentum rather than farewell.
Keeping It Warm
For colleagues you work with regularly, a lighter closing sentence works fine. “Hope the rest of your week goes well” or “Talk soon” signals friendliness without formality. For Friday emails, “Have a great weekend” is a natural fit. These are best reserved for people you already have a relationship with. When writing to someone new, especially a client or hiring manager, stick with gratitude or next-step closers paired with a sign-off like “Best regards” or “Kind regards.”
One thing to avoid: stacking a closing sentence and a formal sign-off that say the same thing. Writing “Thank you so much for everything” followed by “With gratitude” is redundant. Pick one or the other.
Closing Sentences in Persuasive Writing
In marketing copy, sales emails, and persuasive blog posts, the closing sentence is usually a call to action. The most effective ones start with a strong verb that tells the reader exactly what to do. “Subscribe,” “explore,” “join,” “sign up,” and “discover” are all common openers. “Get started now” and “claim your discount” create urgency. “Learn more” and “find out how it works” are softer options for readers who aren’t ready to buy but might click through to learn.
The key is specificity. “Click here” gives the reader no reason to act. “Explore our full product catalog” tells them what they’ll get. The verb at the start of the sentence does the heavy lifting, so choose one that matches the action you actually want. If you want someone to make a purchase, “Shop now” is more direct than “Learn more.” If you want feedback, start with “Tell us your thoughts” or “Share your experience.”
Phrases That Feel Dated
Some closing starters that were standard in business letters now read as stiff or old-fashioned in modern communication. “Yours truly” is the most obvious example. It was once a default sign-off in formal correspondence, but most professionals have dropped it entirely. “Sincerely” still works in formal contexts like proposals or executive outreach, but even that has given way to “Best regards” and “Kind regards” in everyday business emails. If you’re writing a closing sentence (not just a sign-off), avoid openers like “Please do not hesitate to contact me,” which sounds bureaucratic. “Feel free to reach out” communicates the same idea in a more natural way.
Punctuation to Get Right
When your closing sentence starts with a transitional word or phrase, place a comma after it. “Overall, the project exceeded expectations” and “Looking forward to hearing from you, I’ll keep the draft open for revisions” both follow this rule. If you’re joining two independent clauses with a transition, use a semicolon before the transition and a comma after it: “The results were promising; consequently, we’re expanding the pilot program.”
In emails, the closing sentence is typically followed by a line break and then your sign-off. No punctuation is needed between the closing sentence and the sign-off line. The sign-off itself (“Best regards,” “Thanks,”) takes a comma after it, followed by your name on the next line.
Matching Your Closer to Your Context
The right way to start a closing sentence comes down to what you’re writing and what you want the reader to feel or do when they finish reading it. In an academic paper, you want resolution, so start with a transition that synthesizes your argument. In a professional email, you want connection or momentum, so start with gratitude or a next step. In persuasive copy, you want action, so start with a verb.
Whatever the context, a closing sentence should feel intentional. If you can delete it and the piece reads the same, the sentence isn’t doing its job. Rewrite it so the reader knows, without any doubt, that you’ve said what you came to say.