I need help ASAP because I've been staring at my screen for two hours and my cursor hasn't moved. 
I have my entire 12-page research paper on climate change policy written—introduction, literature review, methodology, analysis, the whole thing. It's all done. But guess what's missing? The conclusion. And I have absolutely no idea how to write a conclusion for a research paper. 
Like, what am I supposed to say? I already said everything in the paper! My roommate told me to just "summarize it," but that sounds so boring. If I just repeat my introduction, my professor is gonna notice and probably fail me. She's super strict about that stuff. I tried looking at examples online, but they all sound so fancy and philosophical, like "in conclusion, the universe is connected" or whatever. My paper is about carbon taxes.
I know I'm supposed to restate my thesis (but in different words, right?), talk about the limitations of my study, and maybe suggest ideas for future research. But how do I make it flow without sounding like I'm just checking boxes? It feels like the conclusion should be powerful, like the last scene of a movie that makes you cry. But mine is just... flat.
For those of you who've written long papers before, how do you approach the ending? Do you start with the thesis and then zoom out? Or do you save something new for the very last sentence? I'm desperate for any formula or template that actually works. Please share your wisdom!
Also, how long should it even be? My paper is 12 pages—does the conclusion need to be a whole page, or is a solid paragraph enough?
I have my entire 12-page research paper on climate change policy written—introduction, literature review, methodology, analysis, the whole thing. It's all done. But guess what's missing? The conclusion. And I have absolutely no idea how to write a conclusion for a research paper. Like, what am I supposed to say? I already said everything in the paper! My roommate told me to just "summarize it," but that sounds so boring. If I just repeat my introduction, my professor is gonna notice and probably fail me. She's super strict about that stuff. I tried looking at examples online, but they all sound so fancy and philosophical, like "in conclusion, the universe is connected" or whatever. My paper is about carbon taxes.
I know I'm supposed to restate my thesis (but in different words, right?), talk about the limitations of my study, and maybe suggest ideas for future research. But how do I make it flow without sounding like I'm just checking boxes? It feels like the conclusion should be powerful, like the last scene of a movie that makes you cry. But mine is just... flat.
For those of you who've written long papers before, how do you approach the ending? Do you start with the thesis and then zoom out? Or do you save something new for the very last sentence? I'm desperate for any formula or template that actually works. Please share your wisdom!
Also, how long should it even be? My paper is 12 pages—does the conclusion need to be a whole page, or is a solid paragraph enough?