How do I write a conclusion in a timed essay that will be time effective and achieve top marks?

A conclusion is a summary of the key arguments that have been presented throughout the essay. It is the last part of your essay that an examiner will read and so it's vital to conlude and answer the question either given to you, or the thesis you have presented. A useful method when under timed conditions is to go back and re-read your introduction to the essay. Refresh the thesis or question that you posed and attempted to answer or argue throughout the essay. Ask yourself: What was the argument or question you attempted to convince the examiner of? Have you been succesful in your argument? Begin your conclusion with that in mind. The conclusion does not need to note every point made in the essay but should highlight the key ideas. Pose the original thesis and present the key themes or ideas that the essay has argued under the thesis. There is no obligation to state "this is right" or "this is wrong" as ambiguity can be a point in itself; the aspects of the text that do not work with the thesis are just as important as those that do as they can highlight other ideas. Often, if the question is regarding a text, it's useful to include a quotation that benefits your thesis as this will provide evidence and is a clever way to summarise your argument. At the end of the conclusion, try to include a memorable, punchy sentence. What was the significance of your argument? How does it apply to the text or ideas that are being analysed as a whole and what are the implications?