2.2.4 - Writing Effective Conclusions
Enroll to start learning
Youβve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Rephrasing the Thesis
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
One key component of an effective conclusion is to restate your thesis in different words. Why do you think this is important, class?
Maybe it reminds the reader what the main point was?
Exactly! It reinforces your argument. Let's remember: when we restate the thesis, we use different vocabulary and structure. Think about it as 'THESIS RECASTED'. Can anyone give me a synonym for 'restate'?
Perhaps 'rephrase'?
Good! Now, what should we avoid when restating the thesis?
We shouldn't copy it directly!
Absolutely correct! We communicate that we have proved our argument through the essay. Finally, why is this a great tool for the reader?
It helps them remember the main idea more clearly.
Great job, everyone! So, remember 'THESIS RECASTED' is essential for a strong conclusion.
Summarizing Main Points
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Now let's move on to summarizing the main points in our conclusion. Why do you think it's crucial to reiterate key arguments?
It's like reminding the reader of what they've just learned!
That's correct! Summarizing helps reinforce the message. We should provide a concise synthesis of the main points rather than just listing them. Remember our mnemonic: 'MAIN SYNTHESIS'. Can anyone give me an example of how to summarize effectively?
Instead of just saying 'I talked about A, B, and C,' we could connect how those ideas worked together to support the thesis.
Exactly! Connecting those dots shows the reader the journey together. What should we avoid in this summary?
We shouldnβt introduce any new ideas or arguments.
Precisely! Our goal is to reinforce, not introduce. Great discussion on 'MAIN SYNTHESIS'!
Final Thought/Impact
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
The last piece of our conclusion puzzle is the final thought or impactful statement. Why is this so important?
It makes the conclusion more powerful and memorable!
Exactly! Ideas like predictions or calls to action can engage readers significantly. Let's think of our acronym 'LAST IMPACT'. Can someone give examples of what we might use as a final thought?
We could ask a rhetorical question or highlight how the topic affects future trends.
Great suggestions! Ending with a reflection on broader significance creates a lasting impression. What's a common pitfall we should avoid here?
We shouldn't introduce new arguments or unrelated ideas at the end.
Right! Consistency is key. As we wrap up, remember that 'LAST IMPACT' focuses on meeting reader expectations.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, we explore the key elements of writing effective conclusions, including how to restate the thesis, summarize main points, and leave a lasting impression on the reader. Conclusions should serve to reinforce the significance of the essay while avoiding any introduction of new ideas.
Detailed
Writing Effective Conclusions
A strong conclusion is essential for wrapping up an essay effectively. It should synthesize the core concepts discussed throughout the piece and provide the reader with a sense of closure. This section elaborates on the crucial components of writing an effective conclusion:
Key Components of a Conclusion
- Restate Thesis (in new words): The conclusion should begin by rephrasing the thesis statement. Itβs important to avoid copying it verbatim; instead, use different vocabulary and structure to reinforce the essay's argument that has been developed.
- Summarize Main Points: This part involves a brief but clear reiteration of the key arguments or ideas presented in the body paragraphs. It is more than just a listβit should synthesize the information previously discussed, guiding the reader back through the journey of the essay.
- Final Thought/Impact: End with a memorable statement that leaves a lasting impression. Possible strategies for this include:
- A Prediction: Suggesting what could happen in the future based on the essay's discussion.
- A Call to Action: Encouraging the reader to consider or act on the discussion, especially in argumentative essays.
- Broader Significance: Reflecting on how the topic relates to bigger issues or universal truths.
- Thought-Provoking Question: Leaving the reader with a question to ponder.
- Full-Circle Ending: Connecting back to an idea introduced in the hook of the essay for a sense of completeness.
In conclusion, the success of a conclusion hinges on its ability to remind the audience of the essay's core arguments while providing closure, which fosters a better retention of the essay's main ideas.
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Restating Thesis in New Words
Chapter 1 of 4
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Begin by rephrasing your thesis statement. Do not simply copy-paste it. Use different vocabulary and sentence structure to remind the reader of your main argument, demonstrating that you have proven it throughout the essay.
Detailed Explanation
In the conclusion of your essay, the first step is to restate your thesis statement. This means expressing the main argument of your essay again, but in different words. It's important not to just repeat it exactly as you did earlier. Instead, try to convey the same idea using fresh vocabulary and a new sentence structure. This helps reinforce your main argument and reminds the reader of your key points without redundancy.
Examples & Analogies
Think of this like summarizing a movie for a friend. When your friend asks, 'What was that movie about?', you wouldn't just say the same line from the trailer. Instead, you'd share the story in your own words, highlighting its message. Similarly, when writing your conclusion, express your thesis in a new way to make it resonate with your reader.
Summarizing Main Points
Chapter 2 of 4
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Briefly reiterate the key arguments or ideas presented in your body paragraphs. This isn't a mere listing; rather, it's a concise synthesis that reminds the reader of the journey you've taken them on.
Detailed Explanation
After restating your thesis, the next part of a strong conclusion is to summarize the main points of your essay. This means taking the key arguments or ideas from your body paragraphs and reminding the reader of them. However, instead of just listing them, try to interconnect them in a way that shows how they support your overall thesis. This synthesis reinforces how collectively these points contribute to your argument, creating a coherent wrap-up.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you are reuniting with a friend after a long trip. Instead of just rattling off a list of places you visited, you might tell a story about how visiting each location contributed to your overall adventure. This storytelling approach gives context and makes the recap engaging, much like how your conclusion should resonate with the journey of your essay.
Final Thought or Impact
Chapter 3 of 4
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
End with a powerful and memorable concluding statement that leaves a lasting impression. This could be: a prediction: what might happen in the future based on your discussion? a call to action: what should the reader do or think about after reading your essay? (Especially for argumentative essays)
Detailed Explanation
The conclusion should not only summarize but also end on a strong note that leaves the reader thinking. This can involve presenting a prediction about future implications related to your topic, encouraging the reader to take action based on your discussion, reflecting on the broader significance of your arguments, posing a thought-provoking question, or tying back to your introductory hook to bring everything full circle. Each of these methods helps create a more impactful conclusion that resonates with the reader long after they've finished your essay.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a motivational speaker finishing their talk. They often donβt just thank the audience but might challenge them to take specific actions. For instance, 'Now that you've learned about the importance of goal-setting, I urge you to write down your top three goals tonight.' This call to action makes the speech memorable and prompts reflection, just like your conclusion should aim to do.
Avoiding New Information
Chapter 4 of 4
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Avoid introducing entirely new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.
Detailed Explanation
A common mistake in writing conclusions is bringing in new information or arguments that have not been previously discussed in the essay. This can confuse the reader and detracts from the clarity of your conclusion. The role of your conclusion is to synthesize what has been stated earlier, not to introduce new concepts. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that the conclusion only recaps existing points and reinforces the main argument.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine if, during a celebration speech, a friend suddenly brought up a controversial topic that had nothing to do with the occasion. It would feel out of place and distract from the event's celebration. Similarly, your conclusion should stay focused on the established discussion and provide closure without diverging into new territory.
Key Concepts
-
Restate Thesis: Rephrase the thesis statement using different words to remind the reader of the main argument.
-
Summarize Main Points: Concisely reiterate the key concepts discussed throughout the body of the essay.
-
Final Thought: Conclude with an impactful statement or call to action to leave a lasting impression.
Examples & Applications
An effective conclusion might restate the thesis such as: 'This essay demonstrates that urban pollution necessitates immediate government action to improve air quality.'
Summarizing the main points could be done like: 'Through discussions of causes, effects, and potential solutions, this essay underscores the urgency of addressing pollution.'
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
To restate the thesis and wrap it tight, summarize the points and say goodnight!
Stories
Imagine you're a storyteller concluding a grand tale. You remind your audience of the heroβs journey, tying every adventure together with a final thought that echoes, urging them to remember the lessons learned.
Memory Tools
Remember the 'R-S-F' for conclusions: Restate, Summarize, Finish Strong!
Acronyms
Use 'C-H-E-C-K' for effective conclusions
Connect thesis
Highlight points
End impactful
Close effectively
Keep concise.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Thesis Statement
A concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, typically stated at the end of the introduction.
- Synthesize
To combine different ideas, arguments, or concepts into a coherent and comprehensive conclusion.
- Final Thought
A memorable statement at the end of an essay aimed at leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.