Arguments & Conclusions
Learn to identify the main point an argument tries to establish and distinguish it from supporting statements.
Key Terms
What is a Conclusion?
A conclusion is the main point that an argument tries to establish. It is the statement the author wants you to accept as true. Conclusions are not always found at the end of a passage — they can appear anywhere. The key test is: "Is this what all the other statements are trying to prove?" If yes, it is the conclusion.
Conclusion indicator words help signal where conclusions appear: therefore, thus, hence, so, consequently, it follows that, we can conclude, this shows that, this means that.
Teenagers are constantly distracted by social media. Studies show screen time reduces academic performance. Therefore, schools should ban smartphones.
Analysis: The conclusion is "schools should ban smartphones" — it is what the argument is trying to prove. The other statements are reasons given to support it.
Renewable energy reduces carbon emissions. Climate change threatens human civilisation. We cannot afford to delay the transition to clean energy.
Analysis: The conclusion "we cannot afford to delay the transition to clean energy" is at the end but could appear anywhere. The previous statements are the reasons.
Intermediate Conclusions
An intermediate conclusion acts as both a conclusion (for some reasons) and a reason (for the main conclusion). They are sometimes called "sub-conclusions." When mapping an argument, intermediate conclusions sit between the reasons and the main conclusion.
To identify them: they will be supported by some reasons AND they support the main conclusion.
Smoking causes lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. [Therefore, smoking is a major cause of death.] For this reason, all cigarette advertising should be banned.
Analysis: "Smoking is a major cause of death" is an intermediate conclusion. It is supported by the first two statements and itself supports the main conclusion about banning advertising.
Distinguishing Conclusions from Reasons
Reasons provide support for the conclusion — they are the "because" part of the argument. Ask yourself: "Does this statement SUPPORT another statement, or is it what is being SUPPORTED?" A reason explains why we should accept the conclusion.
The reversal test: if you can put "because" before a statement and connect it to another statement, and it makes logical sense, that statement is probably a reason.
Electric cars are better for the environment. They produce fewer emissions than petrol cars. Battery technology is rapidly improving.
Analysis: "They produce fewer emissions" and "Battery technology is rapidly improving" are reasons. "Electric cars are better for the environment" is the conclusion they support.
Cambridge Exam Tips
- 💡Look for indicator words like "therefore," "thus," "hence," or "so" — these often (but not always) signal a conclusion.
- 💡The conclusion is the most important claim the author wants you to accept. Ask: "What is this passage trying to convince me of?"
- 💡Beware: conclusions can appear at the start, middle, or end of a passage.
- 💡In Cambridge questions asking you to "identify the conclusion," give the exact statement from the text — do not paraphrase.
Practice Questions
All practice →Identify the main conclusion and one intermediate conclusion in this argument. Explain how the intermediate conclusion functions.
Answer in Practice →