Ending your Essay By Professor Allison Knox, Elgin Community College

Take Your Reader Back Home Bring back the imagery from the attention getter

We live in a society today where everyone plays an important role to keep a stable society. As citizens, we each live in a particular “class.” A majority of people make up the middle class, while fewer are considered to be lower or upper class. So... in my conclusion, I want to bring back the idea of human society compared to fish

Since I just hinted at the actual ads, maybe in the conclusion, I could actually describe part of one... Dude, use the one with girl in the swim suit, like, catching Doritos, like, in her mouth!

Don’t Leave Reader Stranded! Remind the reader what you have covered and where you have been.

Acceptance of the good and bad moments in my life has led me to some success and has helped me become the independent and determined person that I am today. Now, in my conclusion, I need to remind my readers that I have shown both independence and determination

Some go on to lead happy lives without further education. Some, like me, seek second chances... My conclusion needs to remind my readers that I am making up for my mistakes and that this schol- arship will help give me my “second chance.”

Conclusion should REFLECT the Introduction

Introduction Body Conclusion Start broad Narrow to thesis Body maintains focus on thesis Start conclusion with narrow focus Move back to broader focus

To Do in Small Groups: Re-read the intro and conclusion “Phonics First” in Sticks and Stones. Find the thesis statement in the intro Find the restatement of the thesis in the conclusion. Re-read the Intro and Conclusion for “Only She” Where does the Conclusion reflects ideas or imagery from the Intro? Where is the Thesis Statement restated or implied? To Do in as a class:

The American Heritage Dictionary defines “anxiety” as a “state or cause of uneasiness and apprehension; worry.” I define anxiety as teenagers; giving my teens the freedom to make decisions. Many of my nights are sleepless, yet my days are buoyed by the hope of being a “good enough” mom. Sometime I wonder if am am going to survive parenthood at all. I feel I am drowning in a sea of anxiety. After all, family life is not what is used to be. I find that our current American culture creates an alarming atmosphere in which to raise teens. Start conclusion with restatement of thesis Then review examples from BODY that show the anxiety Close conclusion with new definition or some reference to definitions used in intro

The American Heritage Dictionary defines “anxiety” as a “state or cause of uneasiness and apprehension; worry.” I define anxiety as teenagers; giving my teens the freedom to make decisions. Many of my nights are sleepless, yet my days are buoyed by the hope of being a “good enough” mom. Sometime I wonder if am am going to survive parenthood at all. I feel I am drowning in a sea of anxiety. After all, family life is not what is used to be. I find that our current American culture creates an alarming atmosphere in which to raise teens. How would you develop a conclusion for this essay, given this introduction?