1. THE CONCLUSION 5 Paragraph Essay Body Introduction Conclusion

2. A good essay does not abruptly stop after the detailed discussion in the body, but it should come to a logical and impressive close in a concluding paragraph. The Conclusion

3. Purpose of the Conclusion  The conclusion is not an afterthought.  The conclusion has the following purposes:  Gives readers a sense of completeness. They will not expect to read more.  Restates the main ideas of the essay brought up in the thesis statement. If the introduction announces what will be discussed, the conclusion sums up what has been said.  Gives the last chance to emphasize the importance and validity of the writer’s ideas.  Makes a final and lasting impression on readers.

4. Steps to Write a Conclusion 1. Use a concluding signal to let the reader know that this is the end of your essay. 2. Then, restate in different words the thesis of the essay or summarize the main points that have been discussed in the body paragraphs. 3. Finally, put a finishing touch to your conclusion. The closing sentence(s) may be an opinion, a recommendation, a prediction, a question, or a call for action.

5. Concluding Phrases  In conclusion,…  In summary,…  In brief,…  In short,…  Indeed,…  To conclude,…  To summarize,…  Thus,…  Therefore,…  All in all,…

6. Concluding Methods  After you have summarized your easy and reinforced the main points brought up in the thesis statement you should close your essay with something readers can walk away with.  The following methods of concluding may be used alone or in combination, depending on your purpose and the kind of essay you write…

7. Close with a final comment, opinion, or thought  Give a comment, opinion or final thought about the topic.  Example: Life in urban areas and life in rural areas vary in terms of human interaction, pace of life, and daily activities. Other important differences exist, too, but none of these make one place better than the other. The places are simply different. Only people who have experienced living in both city and the country can truly appreciate the unique characteristics of each.

8. Close with a prediction  State what will or may happen in the future.  In the following example, the writer concludes his essay on the cause of cancer by saying that cancer risks would be reduced if the readers follow his advice.

9. Close with a prediction  Example: Cancer has been around since the earliest days of human existence, but only recently has the public been made aware of some of the risk factors involved. Anti- smoking campaigns can be seen everywhere: on billboards, television, radio, and newsprint. If the same amount of attention were given to proper diets, exercise, and sunscreens, perhaps the number of overall cancer cases would be reduced.

10. Close with a question  Ask a thought-provoking question that closely relates to your topic. You may ask what should be done about the problem or issue in your essay, what would happen in the future, or which choice should be made.  The two questions in the following conclusion, for example make the reader think about the energy problems that need to be solved…

11. Close with a question  Example: It is clear that for us to have sufficient energy resources for the twenty-first century, it will be necessary to pursue the development and encourage the use of alternative energy sources worldwide. If we ignore this problem, what will become of our children? What will life be like for them in the year 2050?

12. Close with a recommendation or a call for action  This type of conclusion is often used when the writer has discussed a problem and wants to suggest a solution or to tell the readers what he wants them to do.  In the following conclusion, the writer begins with a short summary about the problems faced by most foreign students and closes with a recommendation…

13. Close with a recommendation or a call for action  Example: Most students who study in a foreign country face some of these same difficulties, culture shock and loneliness being the most prevalent. Therefore, I suggest that before going to a foreign country to study, each student be required to study not only the new language but also some of the cultural difference between his own country and the new country. Most importantly, each student should be assigned a host family to help make the transition to the new lifestyle less difficult and lonely.