Writing a Conclusion

Presented by rErika WanczukBased on a presentation by Gina Drago

A conclusion should…1. stress the importance of the thesis

statement,

2. give the essay a sense of completeness, and

3. leave a final impression on the reader.

• Your conclusion should restate your argument and wrap things up!

Restate your thesis• Not verbatim (word for word), but restate your

argument.

• Here’s my thesis: Despite the negative connotation we associate with killing animals, Carlson’s actions show his concern for Candy, his mercy for Candy’s dog, and his ability to enact positive change.

• My conclusion could say: Although it is indeed a sad occurrence when Carlson shoots Candy’s old dog, Carlson’s actions demonstrate his concern for Candy, his mercy for Candy’s dog, and his ability to enact positive change.

Bring your essay full-circle

• Bring the reader back to your introduction to tie your essay together.

• Example:

• If your hook stated: “Sometimes death is better than life, but it takes someone merciful to help you get there.”

• Your conclusion could say something like: “In the case of Candy’s old dog, death was better than life. It took a merciful character like Carlson to help Candy’s dog achieve the peace that only death could bring.”

Be creative

• Don’t be too worried about your conclusion. You’ve already done the hard work convincing me in your body paragraphs.

• Your conclusion should just be the icing on the cake!

homework

Your final essay is due at the start of class on Monday November 7, 2011

For each calendar day it is late, it is 5% off. That includes weekend days.

Your Of Mice and Men packet is also due at the beginning of class. You may turn everything in stapled or in a folder.

Remember to bring your Of Mice and Men book to class on Monday because you will be returning it.

Keep it up!

You’ve been working hard and you’re almost done.

Keep up the good work this weekend and next week so you can turn in an essay of which you are proud!

Your questions