1. Argumentative Writing: Conclusions
Grade 8
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2. Review: Elements of Argumentative Writing
Claim (versus thesis)
Logic (versus emotion in persuasive writing) – based on evidence
Explanation of how evidence supports the claim
Counterclaims

3. A Strong Conclusion Should...
reinforce that your claim has been proven
give the essay a sense of completeness and closure
leave an impression on the reader
Your conclusion should reflect why the reader should care about your topic. What is the significance of your claim? Why is it important to you? What information should the reader take away from this?

4. Conclusion – WHAT NOT TO DO
DO NOT simply summarize what has already been said—especially in shorter essays. Synthesize YES, Summarize NO
DO NOT simply rephrase the thesis.
DO NOT introduce a new subtopic

5. Conclusion Techniques:
Note the different kinds of conclusions:
A Look to the Future
A Provocative Question or Statement
A Shocking Statistic or Fact
Evoke a Vivid Image
Call for Action

6. Let’s Review – A Pro-Uniform Paper
Middle school can be a really hard time in a kid’s life. Kids are learning to be more independent and to participate in more social events. Peer pressure to fit in with other kids is huge! School can be really rough; especially if you are someone who can’t afford to have all the things that everyone else has. Some people think it is important for kids to be able to have choice and express themselves through their clothing. Being safe, able to focus on your schoolwork, and developing friendships is more important than style. Uniforms help make schools safer for students, encourage students to focus more on their studies, and help to eliminate the “have and have nots”.

7. Let’s Review – A Pro-Uniform Paper
School uniforms can improve student safety. According to the article, “Uniforms in U.S. Schools” instances of crime have decreased by more than 46 percent in schools where students wear uniforms. Uniforms prevent students from hiding weapons under their clothing because they are designed to fit correctly. When the threat of weapons is eliminated, assaults in school decrease. Uniforms also help keep outsiders out. When everyone is dressed the same it is easy for school officials to identify and remove intruders on campus. Uniforms are an important resource in improving student safety in school.

8. Let’s Review – A Pro-Uniform Paper
School uniforms improve student performance by helping students focus on learning rather than fashion. According to Principal James Covey, a veteran of Chicago Public Schools, stated that when “students all wear the same outfit, they become less concerned about how they fit in. They can concentrate on their schoolwork, instead of how their outfit compares to what their friends are wearing.” It is easy to choose what to wear to school when you wear a uniform, so students aren’t tardy as often. Less time is wasted in class dealing with inappropriate clothing, too. Fewer tardies and distractions mean students who wear uniforms are able to devote more time to learning.

9. Look Closely at Conclusion Techniques:
The following examples are various possible conclusions for a Pro-School Uniform argument essay.

10. Look Closely at Conclusion Techniques: A Look to the Future
Imagine a school where there is no pressure to conform to fashion magazine standards, where students can focus on their learning and are safe. As more and more schools begin to require students to wear uniforms, we will no longer need to imagine. Instead, these schools will exist in reality.

11. Look Closely at Conclusion Techniques: Ask a Provocative Question
Is looking like a fashion model more important than keeping safe? Are your friends your friends because of what you wear? Will wearing the latest and greatest help you to achieve? Wearing trendy clothes to school won’t make you a better student or a better friend, and they won’t help keep you safe. But wearing a school uniform just might.

12. Look Closely at Conclusion Techniques: Shocking Statistic or Fact
There is an old saying, “Those who believe, achieve.” In 1994, a study found that students who wore uniforms to school were perceived by fellow students and teachers as having more academic potential than students who wore street clothes to school. School uniforms have the potential to make your potential even greater!

13. Look Closely at Conclusion Techniques: Evoke a Vivid Image
Every day, millions of kids are bullied because of how they look. They go through life with their heads down, praying that no one notices they aren’t wearing what everyone else is wearing. They sit in class, silent and distracted, wondering who will tease them next. They eye their peers cautiously, wondering what is hiding beneath the big bulky sweatshirt. Why wouldn’t you want to change their world? Why not just put on a uniform and change your world?!

14. Look Closely at Conclusion Techniques: Call for Action
Are you ready to have fewer distractions at school? Are you ready to stop worrying about the clothes you wear and what your friends think of them? Are you looking for a way to make your school safer? Then, it is time to think about school uniforms!

15. Try it out…Write a Conclusion with a Partner.
With a partner, write a conclusion that supports the argument that uniforms are not a good practice.
Refer to handout, “Strong Conclusions in Argumentative Writing” as you write.

16. Try it out…Write a Conclusion with a partner.
Read the introductory paragraph to understand the claims
You are walking through the mall when you see it. The perfect outfit for the first day of school. The outfit that will help you define who you are and set the tone for the new school year. You are lucky because you attend a school where students are allowed to wear what they want. Some people think that students should be required to wear uniforms to school because they cost less and help to keep kids focused on their school work. Uniforms don’t make someone a better student! Uniforms aren’t the answer! Students should be encouraged to develop their independence by choosing and wearing what they want. Students should be able to choose how much they spend on their clothes. They should be able to create a style that matches their personality!

17. On Your Own… Write a Conclusion.
If you’ve completed the body paragraphs in the mandatory art class paper, you’ll write your conclusion.
If you haven’t written the body paragraphs, write a conclusion that matches the introduction/claims you chose in the previous lesson.
If you haven’t started writing, assume you are writing a conclusion that supports mandatory art class and uses the following claims:
Art classes improve social skills.
Art classes develop creativity and creative thinking.
Art classes require concentration.

18. After You’ve Written… Double Check your Conclusion. Does it:
reinforce that your claim has been proven?
give the essay a sense of completeness and closure?
leave an impression on the reader?
Which technique or techniques did you use in your conclusion?