Text Part: Summary, Conclusion and Outlook

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Info: Here you can find an overview of The Structure of a Thesis in Engineering and Natural Sciences.

The title of this section is “Summary and Outlook” or “Summary, Conclusion, and Outlook” – not “Ending”.

How it’s done

In the final part of your paper, you answer the questions posed in the introduction.
You do not address new content-related aspects in this closing chapter.
You do not present your personal opinion (in the sense of a gut feeling) here, but rather your reasoned assessment based on the previous sections, as well as your conclusions and if applicable recommendations for action.

Summary

Objective: Readers get a brief overview of the completed paper.

The summary must not be confused with the abstract:

Abstract:	Summary:
Before the main paper	In the closing chapter
Length: prescribed (usually 1,000 to 1,500 characters incl. spaces)	Length: not fixed. The summary in the closing chapter is usually significantly longer than the abstract
Concise summary of the paper, but not chronological; mentions the main theses and results	Can summarize the paper (the main part) chronologically. The order of ideas may differ from the order of presentation in the paper
Usually no reference to literature, therefore no direct or indirect citations	If literature is referenced or cited, sources are mandatory
No indication of open questions	Indication of open questions possible

Conclusion

In the conclusion, you have the (one-time) opportunity to describe your own work and its conditions in an evaluative way. A good conclusion is short and, despite being evaluative, is neutrally worded.

The conclusion is optional and is also rejected by some instructors.

Outlook

Finally, you give a reasoned outlook on whether and in what form research in the addressed field should be continued.

The summary and the outlook are mandatory parts of The Structure of a Thesis in Engineering and Natural Sciences.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a good summary?

The summary serves to describe the main results concisely and neutrally. Readers should get a brief overview of the completed paper.

What should I keep in mind for my summary?

The summary must not be confused with the abstract. The abstract comes before the main paper, while the significantly longer summary is in the closing chapter.

Do I absolutely need a conclusion?

No, the conclusion is optional and is rejected by some instructors. Clarify this with your supervisors in advance.

What should I address in my outlook?

In your outlook, describe whether and in what form research in the addressed field should be continued.

How long should my closing section be?

Depending on whether you also write an optional conclusion, the closing section of your paper will be longer or shorter. The summary and the outlook, however, are the two longest sections of your closing chapter, and the conclusion would be the shortest.

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