Concluding Paragraphs This is the last part of the essay, and it gives you a chance to reemphasize your thesis statement. This paragraph is about bringing all your points together in a reflective way.

Purpose of a concluding paragraph 1. Blending your main points. 2. Provide a sense of closure for the essay. 3. Reinforcing the main points.

Bad examples 1. These weekend vacations can provide many rewarding activities for family members, including family togetherness, knowledge, and exercise. (This is too short and a repeat of the thesis)

Bad Examples 2. These weekend vacations can provide many rewarding activities for family members , including family togetherness, knowledge, and exercise. First family togetherness is strengthen. Second family members learn a lot on these trips. And last of all, these same family members get a lot of exercise. (This shows no creativity. It repeats word for word the essay)

Bad Example 3. So guys, let’s put our heads together and chat about ways to spend the weekends. Well, you only live once, so why not forget the dishes and floors. The dirt won’t go away. Just party long and hard. The weekends will be so much fun that you may never want to go back to school or work. (The tone is too informal and light-hearted. It tries to be funny)

Last Bad Example 4. Time is a precious commodity, and certainly mom and dad can find other tasks to do instead of taking the family out for a weekend trip. However, these weekend trips are important for unifying the family, educating the family, and keeping the family physically active. If this is done, no family would divorce. (The last sentence introduces a new idea. Don’t introduce new information in the conclusion)

Don’t 1. Repeat the thesis sentence word for word. 2. Repeat the topic sentences word for word. 3. Change the tone of the essay. 4. Introduce a new idea in the conclusion.

Do 1. Summarize main points made in the essay. 2. Creatively, restate the ideas in the thesis statement. 3. End with a closing statement that leaves the reader with the sense that the essay is complete. 4. Refer to an example, fact, or statistic made in the introduction. 5. End with a statement that leaves the reader thinking about what was said. 6. Suggest an option for the future.

Great Concluding Paragraph The mind, the body, and the soul of a family unit can be invigorated simply by spending precious days together like taking weekend vacations that foster unity, sharing information about each other, and participating in physical fitness as a family. Teenagers, small children, and adults have quality time together as they share the many opportunities offered simply by being alive and enjoying each other’s company doing little things. While these family members are strengthening the bond they feel for one another, they are also gaining valuable knowledge and healthy exercise. Even though nothing can be done about the facts that so many children from ages five to thirteen are getting home from school before their parents, something can be done about the weekend that will leave lasting memories for these children. What kind of memories are these parents leaving for their children? Instead of checking out the TV schedule this weekend, maybe families should be checking out the adventurous opportunities out there.