1. EFFECTIVE ENDINGS! How to Write a Stellar Concluding Paragraph

2. Conclusion: the final paragraph of an essay The concluding paragraph should → 1. Restate the thesis statement in the introductory paragraph. → 2. Summarize the points in the body of the essay. → 3. Bring the essay to an end.

3. Example: Our school has a good cafeteria, but it could be even better. Sturdier chairs, a friendlier serving staff, and food that is more appealing to teens would make a big difference. Every student in the school would be happy to see this happen.

4. The concluding paragraph should NOT 1.Include new information that has not been mentioned earlier. 2.Mention something that has nothing to do with the topic. 3.Leave the reader unsure whether or not the essay is concluded.

5. Take a Look! Quickly read over the following three paragraph essay.

6. Do you feel proud when you see our country’s flag? Francis Scott Key was so moved by the sight of Old Glory still flying after a terrible battle that he wrote “The Star Spangled Banner.” The Stars and Stripes is important to me too. The flag is a symbol of our country. It expresses the hopes and ideals of the people who founded the United States of America in 1776. When we salute the flag, we are saluting our democracy and those who fought and even died to preserve it. It represents the liberty and freedom that we are guaranteed by the Constitution.

7. The following conclusion would be incorrect for the previous essay. We can’t all be composers and write national anthems. Other songs such as “America the Beautiful,” have also been written about the United States. Everyone knows the words to “America.” Most of us take pride in the flag and in the ideals it represents, such as liberty, freedom, and our democratic Constitution. We also honor the Declaration of Independence. WHY IS THIS INCORRECT?

8. Analysis of Concluding Paragraph 1.The first sentence is fine, since the writing of the national anthem is mentioned in the introductory paragraph. 2.The next two sentences (Other songs such as “America the Beautiful” have also been written about the United States and Everyone knows the words to “America”) have nothing to do with the topic mentioned within the thesis statement. The topic is the American flag, not patriotic songs. These sentences do not belong in this essay! 3.The Declaration of Independence is not mentioned anywhere in the essay. Therefore, it does not belong in the concluding paragraph. 4.There is nothing in this paragraph that indicates that this essay has ended.

9. Rewrite this concluding paragraph correctly. ___________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________

10. Additional Practice: Write a concluding paragraph for a three-paragraph essay about sports. There is a sport for everyone! There are people who keep away from sports because they think they are not athletic. This is a big mistake because everyone benefits from participating in some sport. The benefits are physical, mental, and social. Getting involved in sports activities will make your body stronger and healthier. The concentration that a sport requires helps sharpen the mind. Best of all, you will discover wonderful friends that share an interest in the same sport.

11. END YOUR ESSAY WITH A BANG!!!