CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

DEFINITION OF CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

            The conclusion is the final paragraph of the essay. A concluding paragraph is the last paragraph in an academic essay and generally summarizes the essay, presents the main idea of the essay, or gives an overall solution to a problem or argument given in the essay.

THREE PURPOSES OF MAKING A CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

1.      It signals the end of the essay. To do so, begin your conclusion with a transition signal.

2.      It reminds your reader of your main points, which you can do in one of two ways : you can

·         Summarize your subtopics.

·         Paraphrase your thesis

3.      It leaves your reader with your final thoughts on the topic. This is your opportunity to convey a strong, effective message that your reader will remember.

 

A GOOD CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

·         Summarises the main points of the essay.

·         Restates the thesis (using different words).

·         Makes a final comment about the essay’s main idea.

·         May emphasise an action that you would like the reader to take.

Don’t introduce new ideas in a conclusion. A conclusion only restates or gives further commentary on ideas discussed in the essay.

CONCLUSION WRITING TECHNIQUE

Make a Prediction

We have seen how the costs of attending college have been rising while, at thesame time, sources of financial aid for students have been disappearing. If this trend continues, fewer and fewer families will be able to send their children through four years of college.

 

 

 Suggest Results or Consequences

To sum up, the costs of attending college are up and financial aid for students is down. Fewer and fewer future members of the workforce are able to educate themselves beyond high school. As a result, the nation will waste the intelligence, imagination, and energy of a large segment of the present college-age generation.

 Suggest a Solution, Make a Recommendation, or Call for Action

 It is clear that the U.S. system of higher education is in trouble. For many students, four years of college is no longer possible because of increasing costs and decreasing financial aid. To reverse this trend, we must demand that government increase its financial support of colleges and universities and restore financial aid programs. Our future depends on it.

Quote an Authority on the Topic

 In conclusion, costs are rising and financial aid is declining, with the result that many can no longer afford to go to college. If our nation is to prosper, increased government funding for education is essential, even if it requires higher taxes. As Horace Manni argued in his Fifth Annual Report, a nation's economic wealth will increase through an educated public. It is therefore in the self-interest of business to pay the taxation for public education.