Conclusion Paragraphsfor Essays

** Take out your Process Essayif you have it **

What is a Conclusion?

• Just as every essay has a clear beginning, it should have a clear ending. The last paragraph, also know as the conclusion, should make your essay sound finished.

Parts to the Conclusion

• The concluding paragraph typically has two parts:

• 1. The summary statement is one or two sentences which restate the thesis in a fresh way to reinforce the essay's main idea.2. The concluding sentence is a final thought which should create a lasting impression on the reader.

The Summary Statement

• The summary statement is an effective way to start your concluding paragraph because it helps to drive home the ideas you've expressed in your essay.

How to Write a Summary Statement

• Look at your thesis statement again and rework it in a new way.

• Avoid repeating key words and phrases from the thesis statement because you don't want the summary statement to sound boring or repetitive.

• Using a thesaurus is a good way to find new, interesting words.

Examples of Thesis & SummaryStatements

• Thesis Statement: Many Americans are buying the Toyota Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel economy, and high resale value.

• Summary Statement: Reasonable pricing, low miles per gallon, and an attractive resale value have all contributed to the popularity of the Toyota Corolla in today's market.

Another Example• Thesis Statement: San Francisco is a

stimulating place to visit because of its magnificent location, its theaters and art galleries, and its many fine restaurants.Summary Statement: If you love beautiful surroundings, world class theater and art, and an exquisite meal, then San Francisco is the place for you.

The Conclusion Sentence

• The conclusion sentence is your last opportunity to connect with the reader.

• One way to make the most of this moment is to return to the technique you used for your grabber.

Complete the Anecdote*Refer back to the story in the intro.

• Introduction Paragraph: The young man with the hammer hoisted himself onto the top of the wall. All around him on the wall and on the ground, people chanted and cheered. The young man knelt down, with his hammer, and began to chip at the cold, gray concrete. Little by little, the wall began to crumble. As I watched in amazement, it was hard to comprehend the fact that I was watching the Berlin Wall coming down.

• Conclusion Paragraph: Nothing can compare to being an eyewitness to this moving moment in history. As I watched people hammering away at that concrete wall, I couldn’t help but think of the many people who had died trying to destroy thewall and the tyranny it once stood for.

Make a Prediction or Recommendation

• Introduction: Fully half the fatal automobile accidents in Maryland involve a drunk driver, according to the State Division of Motor Vehicles. We should support concerned citizens who are now demanding that three strict laws be passed to alleviate this problem.

• Conclusion: Lowering the blood alcohol limit, revoking the licenses of first-time offenders, and forcing convicted drunk drivers to compensate their victims will start making these irresponsible people more accountable for their actions. If we don’t get tough with drunk drivers soon, many more people will be killed on our state’s highways.

Ask a Final Rhetorical Question

• Introduction: Where does our drinking water come from? Some people get theirs from water systems maintained by cities and towns. Other people get theirs from their own wells. However, much of your drinking water, whether people get it from a city water system or from a home well, comes from the ground.

• Conclusion: It is amazing to consider how much we rely on underground aquifers to supply our drinking water. Knowing this, can we possibly justify the continued pollution of our main source of fresh water?

Use a New Quotation to Refer back to the Opening Statement

• Introduction: "Never do yourself what you can afford to pay someone else to do." That is a motto my brother lives by. Had I lived by it, too, I could have saved myself a large expense, much griminess, and a painful injury to my hand the last time I tried to fix a leaking toilet.

• Conclusion: There was one important lesson that I did learn as I tried unsuccessfully to repair our leaky toilet. As a wise homeowner once said, “Knowing your limitations is the first step to overcoming them.”

Continue the Original Description of a Character, Setting, or Object

• Introduction: Its left ear is partially detached. One of its black plastic eyes is gone. Parts of its fur is worn and matted from being hugged and tugged around the house. Some people might think this little stuffed bunny should be thrown into the junk heap. But this old bunny is one of my favorite childhood possessions, and we've been through a lot together.

• Conclusion: Even though people might think I’m crazy for being so attached to an old toy, I can’t imagine what I’d do without Mr. Softie. Every torn stitch, every missing piece, every worn spot brings back a childhood memory I will cherish forever.

Reminder

• As you write your conclusion, try to avoid the "so-as-you-can-see" ending and the "in conclusion my thesis statement proves that" or "states that" ending. All of these are overused and worn out. You've already made your thesis and reasoning clear. You don't need to tell us that you've just told us something.

Practice

Introduction Paragraph:• Attention grabber• Transition statement (connects the attention grabber to the

thesis statement)• Thesis statement

Conclusion Paragraph• Restate the thesis in a new way• Concluding sentence(s) – Refer back to the attention

grabber

Include an attention grabber, a transitionalstatement, and a thesis statement.

Conclusions

• Write a conclusion paragraph using one conclusion techniques that we’ve discussed.

• Make sure to include a summary statement and clincher.