Thesis introduction and conclusion: method and examples

The introduction and the conclusion are the two parts the jury reads most carefully, often before the rest of the thesis. A clear introduction makes people want to read on; a solid conclusion leaves a good final impression. Here is the method for writing each one, with examples.

In short: the general introduction follows a funnel: context, relevance of the topic, research problem and question, objectives (and hypotheses), brief methodology, outline. The conclusion goes the other way: reminder of the question, summary of results, answer to the question, limitations, recommendations and perspectives. Plan 2 to 4 pages for each and write them last.

Why write them at the end?

As long as your results are unknown, you cannot announce precisely what the thesis contains or answer your question. Write a provisional introduction at the beginning to guide you, then rewrite it completely once the work is finished.

The general introduction: 6 elements

1. Context

Start from a general observation related to your topic, then narrow it down. Avoid empty sentences ("Since the dawn of time…"): a figure, a recent fact or a documented trend works better.

2. Relevance of the topic

Explain why the topic deserves to be studied: scientific relevance (a gap in the studies), practical relevance (a concrete problem for a company, a health service, an administration) and, briefly, personal interest.

3. Research problem and research question

Summarize the research problem in a few sentences and end with the research question. Detailed method: how to write a research problem statement.

4. Objectives and hypotheses

The general objective, then 2 to 4 specific objectives. If your study is explanatory, your hypotheses.

5. Brief methodology

One or two sentences: study type, population, data collection tool, analysis method. The details come in the methodology chapter.

6. Outline

"This work is organized in three chapters. The first presents… The second… Finally, the third…"

Example introduction (condensed)

Online shopping is growing quickly in Morocco, driven by young people's heavy use of social media. Many brands now invest in Instagram advertising. While several studies have shown the effect of this kind of advertising on purchase intentions, few have focused on Moroccan students. We therefore ask to what extent Instagram ads influence the purchase intention of students in Kenitra. To answer this question, we surveyed 384 students by questionnaire and analyzed the data in SPSS. This work has three chapters: the theoretical framework, the methodology, then the presentation and discussion of the results.

The general conclusion: 5 elements

1. Reminder of the research question

One or two sentences to recall the starting point.

2. Summary of the results

The essential results, without repeating the figures of every table.

3. Answer to the question

This is the most important element and the one most often forgotten: clearly answer the question asked in the introduction. If you had hypotheses, say which are confirmed or rejected.

4. Limitations

Size or selection of the sample, possible biases, study period, measurement tool. Acknowledging limitations shows rigor.

5. Recommendations and perspectives

Concrete recommendations for the people concerned, then avenues for future research.

Example conclusion (condensed)

This work aimed to measure the influence of Instagram ads on the purchase intention of students in Kenitra. The results show that the perceived credibility and attractiveness of the ads have a positive and significant effect on purchase intention, while exposure frequency has no significant effect. Hypotheses H1 and H2 are therefore confirmed and H3 is rejected. These results should however be qualified: the convenience sample limits their generalization. We recommend that brands favor credible content rather than multiplying posts. Future research could extend the study to other cities and other social networks.

Mistakes to avoid

• An introduction that announces a different question from the one addressed.

• A conclusion that introduces new results or ideas.

• A conclusion that does not answer the research question.

• Long quotations in the conclusion (it should reflect your own synthesis).

• Unbalanced length: a ten-page introduction and a ten-line conclusion.

Recommended length

For a 60 to 80-page thesis, plan 2 to 4 pages of introduction and 2 to 3 pages of conclusion. For a shorter final-year project, one to two pages each are enough. For the full structure, see our dissertation guide and our final-year project report example.

Frequently asked questions

Should the introduction include references?

Yes, a few references to support the context and the gap in the studies. The details belong in the literature review.

Can I use "we" or "I"?

The academic "we" is the most common in French academic writing. Some programs accept "I". Follow your institution's guidelines and stay consistent.

Does the introduction have a chapter number?

No, the general introduction and general conclusion are not numbered like chapters, but they appear in the table of contents.

What is the difference between the conclusion and the abstract?

The abstract (150 to 300 words, at the beginning of the thesis) presents the whole work neutrally. The longer conclusion answers the question, discusses limitations and opens perspectives.

Going further

Once the introduction and conclusion are written, prepare the defense: they will form the basis of your first and last slides. See defense PowerPoint presentation. For a full proofread of your thesis, discover our thesis and final-year project support.