Writing A Conclusion

1. Writing A Conclusion How to leave your reader with a sense that you really know what you’re talking about!

2. What does it mean to draw a conclusion? • The job of a conclusion is NOT to conclude, or “end” your essay. It is to “draw conclusions” based on the content of the essay.

3. A conclusion has contents (or innards), just like an introduction • Four parts of an effective conclusion: • REVIEW • CONNECT • EXTEND • ECHO-hook

4. Review • Review your thesis by rewording your key point and the conclusions that have been drawn. • Highlight what you think is the most important, convincing evidence or point in your paper--what you want the reader to remember most. • If you are writing about literature, this is a good place to include the author and title.

5. Connect • Considering all of your evidence and examples, what common thread or theme do you notice about your evidence? • What is the greater significance of that common thread or theme? • What key conclusion or impression do you most want your reader to leave with?

6. Extend • How does this connection go beyond your topic and extend to the real world? • When writing about literature, consider discussing a connection to a universal theme--some larger truth about human experience which is revealed by the work. • In essence, what is the big picture you’re looking at as you write your paper?

7. Echo • This is the hook of the conclusion. • The compelling thought or question you leave your reader to ponder because the content of your essay drew them to think deeply!

8. A sample As I have grown I have begun to think for myself, like Equality did in Anthem. Much like Equality, I learned that thinking for myself and asserting my feelings does indeed give me new freedoms. I’ll look to the sky just before I die, because it’s the last time that I will. I’ll think to myself that I lived my life the way I wanted to, I didn’t let anyone else tell me how to live, and I stood up for my beliefs. I most certainly won’t die regretting my actions.