Concluding Paragraph Wraps up your essay neatly so your reader feels a sense of completion May restate the idea of your thesis in different words May review your supporting points May connect with a broader idea

Concluding Paragraph Should not introduce any new arguments Should not include any direct quotations from your stories

Thesis: These three stories all show how the will to survive can help a person overcome any obstacle. Conclusion: The characters in these three stories demonstrate that a strong-willed person can accomplish almost anything. “The Most Dangerous Game” proves that wit and cunning can lead a man to victory over a stronger opponent. In “High Diver,” Stan overcomes his internal struggle and triumphs. “Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” meanwhile, shows a young woman overcoming social conflict by fighting fire with fire. The determination of these stories’ characters sets an example that any courageous person might imitate.

Restatement of thesis; review of supporting points; connection to broader idea. The characters in these three stories demonstrate that a strong-willed person can accomplish almost anything. “The Most Dangerous Game” proves that wit and cunning can lead a man to victory over a stronger opponent. In “High Diver,” Stan overcomes his internal struggle and triumphs. “Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” meanwhile, shows a young woman overcoming social conflict by fighting fire with fire. The determination of these stories’ characters sets an example that any courageous person might imitate.

MLA Style Basics Use the formatting sheet!

Final editing notes Avoid using 1 st person (“I,” “me”) or 2 nd person (“you”) in your essay. Watch out for sentence fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences. Use the spellcheck function—but use it wisely!