What is the purpose of the "conclusion" in an argument?

In an argument, the conclusion serves as the primary statement that the argument is designed to support. It is the assertion that the premises are intended to help establish as true or valid. By analyzing the premises, which provide the reasoning or evidence, one can logically arrive at the conclusion. Thus, the role of the conclusion is pivotal because it encapsulates the outcome of the argument and reflects what the author is advocating or asserting based on the provided premises.

In contrast, choices that involve summarizing or presenting additional information do not capture the essential role of a conclusion, which is to deliver a decisive statement rather than merely present extra or concluding material. Moreover, while conclusions can be connected to evidence presented within an argument, they do not serve as evidence themselves; they rely on the premises for that support. This distinction underscores how the conclusion is fundamentally about what is being claimed as a result of the premises rather than just serving as a summary or source of evidence.