Essay Writing:Essay Writing:Concluding ParagraphsConcluding Paragraphs

What is a Conclusion?What is a Conclusion?

The last paragraph of an essayThe last paragraph of an essay Gives a finished feeling to the whole essayGives a finished feeling to the whole essay Is ALL commentary; NO concrete detailsIs ALL commentary; NO concrete details Does NOT repeat key words from anywhere in your Does NOT repeat key words from anywhere in your

essayessay May: sum up your ideas, reflect on what you said, give May: sum up your ideas, reflect on what you said, give

more commentary about the subject, give a personal more commentary about the subject, give a personal statement about the subject, make an appeal for statement about the subject, make an appeal for action, or relate to the readers’ interests.action, or relate to the readers’ interests.

Seek to answer the question: “So What?”Seek to answer the question: “So What?”

SamplesSamples

I’m going to show you so me examples of I’m going to show you so me examples of conclusions. They include:conclusions. They include: Chronological Wind-UpChronological Wind-Up IllustrationIllustration PredictionPrediction Recommendation of a Course of ActionRecommendation of a Course of Action Quotation or DialogueQuotation or Dialogue

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Follow along with these samples, Follow along with these samples, keeping these three guidelines in mind:keeping these three guidelines in mind:

1.1. It is ALL commentaryIt is ALL commentary

2.2. It does NOT repeat key words from It does NOT repeat key words from anywhere in your essayanywhere in your essay

3.3. It gives a finished feeling to your essayIt gives a finished feeling to your essay

SamplesSamples

Original Example #1Original Example #1

Thesis: My favorite season is summer.Thesis: My favorite season is summer. Conclusion: Conclusion: Even though summer has many Even though summer has many

advantages, it only comes around once a year; advantages, it only comes around once a year; like so many good things in this life, it is fleeting, like so many good things in this life, it is fleeting, temporary. I could spend 9 months waiting for temporary. I could spend 9 months waiting for summer, moping, complaining about all the summer, moping, complaining about all the things that I miss the rest of the year and how things that I miss the rest of the year and how unfair it is, but I don’t want to live my life like unfair it is, but I don’t want to live my life like that. Fall is great because I get to celebrate my that. Fall is great because I get to celebrate my birthday. Frolicking in the snow and visiting with birthday. Frolicking in the snow and visiting with family brings joy during winter. Spring brings family brings joy during winter. Spring brings new life to nature and prepares me for another new life to nature and prepares me for another relaxing summer. relaxing summer.

Original Example #2Original Example #2

Thesis: Ultimate Frisbee is my favorite sport.Thesis: Ultimate Frisbee is my favorite sport. Conclusion: Conclusion: No matter which sport you favor, be No matter which sport you favor, be

it a team sport or individual, it is important to be it a team sport or individual, it is important to be active. It’s okay to sit around and play video active. It’s okay to sit around and play video games from time to time, but exercising is an games from time to time, but exercising is an essential part of life. Healthy habits, like regular essential part of life. Healthy habits, like regular exercise, help you live longer, feel more exercise, help you live longer, feel more energized, and just feel better about yourself in energized, and just feel better about yourself in general, and who doesn’t need that? A healthy general, and who doesn’t need that? A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind and body contributes to a healthy mind and emotions, which are vital to facing and emotions, which are vital to facing and overcoming life’s stresses and living a happier, overcoming life’s stresses and living a happier, better life. better life.