Essay Conclusions

Study Skill 13.1 Part B: Essay Conclusions

 

Introductory Activity: Conclusion Paragraphs in Action

To begin our exploration of paragraph writing, let's read a sample paragraph: 

 Example Conclusion Paragraph 1

In conclusion, you should not eat fast food because it is bad for you.  Listen to your mom and not your friends. Peer pressure might make you want to eat fast food but it is not good.  That is why you should not eat fast food.

Now let's take a look at another version of this paragraph:

 Example Conclusion Paragraph 2

While Chicken Fluffy is still tasty and a great place to hang out with friends, it is easy to see that ordering fried wings and milkshakes isn’t the healthiest choice.  As I get older and participate in sports that are more competitive, I realize the value of eating right. Not only does getting good nutrition help me at sports, but I feel better about myself because of my healthy choices.  This confidence translates to my grades at school and my relationships with classmates and family. Researching the nutrition of various fast food restaurants has made me more aware of how I can make healthier choices and be a role model to my friends.  We will still meet at Chicken Fluffy after school, but we can eat grilled chicken instead of fried and reserve those calorie-laden milkshakes for special occasions.

Now that you have read these two conclusion paragraphs, think about your answers to these questions:

  1. Which example conclusion leaves you with the strongest image or feeling?
  2. Can you find the thesis in each conclusion?  Where is it located?
  3. Which conclusion connects to your life more strongly?  Why?
  4. Which of these example conclusions would you score higher if you were a teacher?  Why?
  5. Compare a conclusion you have written in the past to each of these examples.  Which example conclusion is more similar to the one you wrote?

 

Introduction to the Concept

If you think of an essay like a hamburger, the introduction and conclusion are the buns.  They are the bread that holds the contents together. They are the beginning and end of the essay.  These two pieces of the essay are important because they let the reader know your purpose for writing the essay and grab their attention.  They make sure your reader understands the message you want to send and leaves them with a final thought.  

In Part A of Skill 13.1, we used a hamburger analogy to help you think about the importance of introduction and conclusion paragraphs. Remember that the top bun of the hamburger is your introduction.  Your conclusion is the other piece of bread that creates the hamburger.  

Just like the introduction, a conclusion must be a complete paragraph. One sentence just won’t cut it. 

First, restate your thesis. Carefully choose your words so that the message remains clear and concise but do not repeat the thesis as it is stated in your introduction. 

Next, make a connection to your life. You can refer back to your personal anecdote here or write about why this message is so important to you and your life.

Finally, leave the reader with a final thought.  Give them something to savor after the hamburger has been eaten. You may spur them to action or motivate them to do some research of their own. Maybe they will be moved to change their perspective or actions toward others.  This is where you really exert the power of words and use them to make a lasting impression on your reader.

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Special Focus: Writing in a Second Language

How do you end a conversation?  If you are with close friends or family you might hug or kiss goodbye.  If you are with friends from school you may simply say “See you later.” and continue on your way.  When meeting with business colleagues or school administrators you might shake hands for a more formal goodbye.  All of these good-byes are conclusions. When we write an essay we also need a conclusion to say goodbye to the reader and let them know our writing is finished.   

Saying goodbye may be different in your culture than it is in the United States.  The language you speak at home may be different than the language you speak at school.  You may know how to say goodbye in many different situations using a variety of languages.  When we write a conclusion we have to communicate to our reader in a way they understand. Just like writing an introduction, there is a list of items to include when writing a conclusion.  

While the formula for writing a conclusion is less strict than writing an introduction, there are still expectations we must meet.  First, you should restate your thesis using different words than you used in your introduction. Second, give a brief overview or summary of the main ideas you want the reader to carry with them after they read.  Finally, connect the message to your life and the life of your reader. Remind them why this message is important.  

We compared an essay to a hamburger in our previous tutorial.  The conclusion is the final piece of the sandwich. Without the conclusion, you can’t pick up the hamburger and eat it.  You have a big mess. It can be tempting to hurry and conclude your essay. You just want to get it over with and submit your work before the deadline.  However, conclusion paragraphs are important and should be developed with as much care as the introduction.

Resources

Tips and Tools for ESL Students: How to Master the Art of Essay Writing https://tinyurl.com/wd6fwcg Links to an external site.