Sorry! conclusion optional!

Sorry, just realised I was mixing up the assignment with the last one you did, and the conclusion is not part of the assessment. So, if you need to bump up your word count write one, but if you're OK you don't have to. I still feel that an evaluative paragraph of the assignment would be a useful exercise !
For those writing the long essay, a good structure is essential.
Write an introduction, divide the main body of the essay into subheadings, and for this format a conclusion is essential.

The Introduction: 

 Set the scene

 Identify the issues that you are going to explore

 Give a brief outline of how you will deal with each issue, and in which order

The Conclusion:

 Draw everything together

 Summarise the main themes

 State your general conclusions

 Make it clear why those conclusions are important or significant

 Set the issues in a broader perspective/wider context

 Suggest further questions of your own