Making Your Last Paragraph Count The Conclusion Making Your Last Paragraph Count The End

Definition and Purpose A Conclusion Definition and Purpose The conclusion is the last paragraph in your essay. A conclusion completes the essay and connects back to your thesis statement. Look at the example below.

First Sentence of Conclusion A Conclusion Thesis Statement Whether a person is famous, wealthy, or a student in middle school, obstacles are necessary in everyone’s path in order to be successful. First sentence in conclusion connects back to ideas in thesis statement. In other words, it’s a restatement of the thesis statement. First Sentence of Conclusion When looking closely at famous people, the wealthy, and even myself, it is obvious that the path to success is always paved with many obstacles.

A Conclusion So What? How and why is this topic important? In addition to referring back to your main idea, your conclusion needs to show your reader the importance of your thesis. It should contain a summary statement as well. When discussing the importance of your thesis, try to address questions such as… How and why is this topic important? How might this topic affect me or other people? What can be learned from this topic? What is the lesson or message?

Sample Conclusion When looking closely at famous people, the wealthy, and even myself, it is obvious that the path to success is always paved with many obstacles. A path without obstacles probably does not lead somewhere because there is probably nowhere to lead to. Paths in life are made up of mistakes, and the destination is the culmination, the results, the golden lessons learned from mistakes. Just how these people failed, I also failed. I failed in my youth and I probably will fail many more times. And to tell you the truth, without failure, I would have absolutely no idea at all where I would have ended up but I can say this honestly: it would certainly be a bad place. Connects back to thesis statement The writer again points out that a path with no obstacles doesn’t lead anywhere (summary statement) The writer reminds us of the lessons he/she learned, tells the reader how the topic affects them, and ultimately answers the question “so what?”

Let’s look at them side by side… Introductory Paragraph Concluding Paragraph When looking closely at famous people, the wealthy, and even myself, it is obvious that the path to success is always paved with many obstacles. . A path without obstacles probably does not lead somewhere because there is probably nowhere to lead to. Paths in life are made up of mistakes, and the destination is the culmination, the results, the golden lessons learned from mistakes. Just how these people failed, I also failed. I failed in my youth and I probably will fail many more times. And to tell you the truth, without failure, I would have absolutely no idea at all where I would have ended up but I can say this honestly: it would certainly be a bad place.. A “path with no obstacles” would certainly be most people’s dream come true. Imagine living life without any problems. Imagine finding success without having to face failure. Imagine what such a life would be. To me, this quote holds the truth of life. Of course, not having to run into mistakes would be a dream come true for me. But at the same time, it would also be my own dreadful loss. Obstacles, failures, mistakes, every single challenge one encounters happens for a reason. A “path with no obstacles” is not natural. Whether a person is famous, wealthy, or a student in middle school, obstacles are necessary in everyone’s path in order to be successful.

Other Strategies for Concluding an Essay Use A Quotation A relevant quotation can bring good closure to your essay, especially if the quotation is from an expert on the topic in your composition.

Other Strategies for Concluding an Essay Make A Prediction A prediction talks about what might happen in the future. A prediction can be a good way to finish your essay. It can make your reader think about the possible results of your thesis statement.

Other Strategies for Concluding an Essay A Recommendation or Call to Action A recommendation is often used by a writer after he/she has discussed a problem in an essay. A recommendation can be used to suggest a solution or call the readers to take action about the problem in the essay.

Now it’s your turn… Directions: Now, write a conclusion paragraph for your essay. Share your conclusion paragraph with a partner. If the conclusion could be made stronger or more effective, discuss the questions below with your partner. Does the conclusion remind the reader of the thesis statement? Does the conclusion seem to be smoothly linked to the rest of the essay? What message or feeling is the reader left with, based on the conclusion? What techniques could help the conclusion be stronger?