1. Informational Writing Lesson 7: Writing Effective Conclusions

2. Objectives for Today: Learning Targets:
I can write an effective conclusion for my feature article, using my Mentor Texts and the lesson from today.

3. Conclusions: Your task as a feature article writer is to:
Leave your readers with something to think about
Have your conclusion follow from the presented information

4. Examples of Conclusion: Topic = Fro-yo
Reflection:
The writer reflects on the information presented in the article. This is good for an article that is about an emotional topic.
Example:
Currently, no matter what day of the week, time of day, or month of the year, you will find a devoted line of people outside all three of these frozen yogurt stores. I see children no older than 2 and adults no younger than 70 enjoying their frozen treats. With these crowds buying fro-yo with this kind of frequency, I’m left with this thought: I don’t buy that the real reason for the craze is healthier eating. Frozen yogurt stores give people a choice of flavors, a choice of toppings, and the ability to “mix,” “design,” and “create” these delicious and delectable treats. For this reason, I see a long and profitable future for frozen yogurt companies across the country. But, for me, the creative aspects of personalizing your fro-yo – along with the sweet and yummy tastes – do it for me every time.”

5. Examples of Conclusion: Topic = Little Eco Friends
Final Piece of Information:
The writer uses the last piece of information, either in sequence or order of importance, as the conclusion.
Example:
In 2002, the Little Eco Friends won the Volvo Environment Prize. Harshit and the eight original members flew to Sweden to collect the $10,000 award. Do you think the Little Eco Friends blew the winnings on new bikes, MP3 placers, and video games? Actually, they donated all their winnings to a new campaign to clean up the polluted lakes of New Delhi.

6. Examples of Conclusion: Topic = Wayne Gretzksy
Circular Ending:
The writer directly refers to some piece of information presented at the very beginning of the piece.
Example:
If you went to a hockey game hoping to see Wayne score a goal or an assist, you were rarely disappointed. When all was said and done, on average, he had scored nearly two points, either by a goal or an assist, in every game he played. Think about that. He played in 1,487 regular season games and scored 2,857 points. Not bad for a skinny kid who liked to skate around in his backyard in the tiny town of Brantford, Ontario.

7. Examples of Conclusion: Topic = Mining
Relating the topic to the readers:
The writer comments on how this topic could possibly affect readers.
Example:
John’s dream project for the future is to help heal the Appalachian mountain region of West Virginia and Kentucky, an area that has been devastated by poverty and by mountaintop removal mining. He plans to treat toxic mining waste, rebuild the soil, develop renewable energies, such as solar and wind power – and make sure that this transformation also brings good, environmentally based jobs to the people who live there.

8. Examples of Conclusion: Topic = Malika Sanders
Giving readers advice (like a Call to Action):
This one brings the readers closer to the topic, but it also adds advice or warnings as to how this topic will impact the readers’ lives or how they could cope with the issues related to the topic. This ending works best with topics of general interest to everyone.
Example:
Malika Sanders had won her battle, but she wants people to know that Selma isn’t the only place where democracy needs help – there are many more places in the United States and around the world where inequality lives. And in these places, it takes someone like Malika Sanders – or someone like you – to make things right. Will you stand up to defend fairness?