Purposes for Conclusions

1. Purposes for Conclusions The ending/conclusion: • Clearly connects introduction and body of the paper with insightful comments or analysis • Wraps up the writing and gives the reader something to think about

2. Conclusions A writer may end with: • an echo from the introduction • a quotation/dialogue • an anecdote/scenario • an interesting fact • a prediction • a question • a call to action • a generalization from given information • a self-reflection • a response to a “so what?” question • a combination from this list

3. IneffectiveConclusions • I hope you enjoyed reading my… • In this essay/letter you have learned… • In conclusion,… • As you can see/tell… • I just told you about (exact thesis)…

4. Student A - first draft The first one I really enjoy is the chocolate chip cookie. I especially like them when they’re warm and soft. I like the way the chocolate just melts in your mouth. I also love the flavor of a warm chocolate chip cookie right when you bite into it. It’s like being in heaven. Conclusion Examples

5. Student B ~ revision A juicy chip, soft, creamy butter, a crunchy nut combine to make a delicious cookie. The soft, brown cookie melts in my mouth, then a chip melts in my mouth and it’s like being in heaven. I know it, my brother knows it – biting into one of mom’s freshly baked chocolate chip cookies is like your own paradise even on a cold day. Generalization

6. Expository Writing Prompt High School Time Capsule You have been asked to choose one or two objects that will show what life is like in your high school in 2005. These objects will then be placed in a time capsule. (A time capsule is a container which holds objects. The capsule is usually buried in the ground or placed in a building’s foundation and then opened some time in the future.) Write a multiple-paragraph letter to your school board identifying the one or two objects to be placed in your high school’s time capsule and explain why you have selected them.

7. Sample 1 Introduction: My name is A______ S______ and I represent the Students for L______ Club at T____ High School. I am submitting suggestions on behalf of the club for the time capsule that was proposed last fall. We would like to rescind our earlier suggestion of a piece of pizza. While it is doubtful that food from the school cafeteria will change much over the years, it does not give much insight into everyday life at THS. After lengthy deliberation, we have decided that the two things that would most accurately portray student life are: a video of last year’s pep assembly a statue of our school mascot, the G_____. Conclusion: I do not pretend to know what life will be like in the year 2204. The odds that we will all be dead are high, as are the chances of some kind of war. It is safe to assume that the world will have changed much. This is why we must preserve our legacy. The video will help future high school students to know what happened here and maybe broaden their own view of the world. Even when we are all dead and gone, the G____ [mascot] will stand in silent tribute to an age gone by.

8. Sample 2 Introduction: A sudden rush of reality rushed though my mind, and I found myself back into the classroom. I was upset to be awakened from my euphoric dream state. But my distress soared when the shadow of my teacher lurked into my vision. Immediately my eyes went wide to indicate I was attentive. As usual, the sixth sense all teachers hold knew otherwise, so she knew I was sleeping before I did. This was a typical experience for me at the grand building on the corner of ____ and ____. Dear Ol’ E____ High School. The first idea that floats into my head when thinking for items to fill a time capsule would be without a doubt a pillow. Something I hoped and prayed for throughout those tedious hours. There is no other single object that is a better representation of a school year here. This couldn’t be just any pillow. It would have to be a comfort better than the clouds of heaven… [A discussion of the pillow and then a second object, a school pom-pom follows.] Conclusion: Now as my capsule is full, I willlower it into the ground of the past hopefully to be recovered years later, and even as the dirt covers it, insects attack it, and time buries it deep. I have a sure belief that if it would arise decades from now, it would relate to each and every student.

9. Final words about Conclusions… • Different strategies work better with different topics • Use strategies that work to your strengths as a writer • Remember, “showing” is always better than “telling” • Finally, DO NOT introduce new information in your conclusion!!