EFFECTIVE ENDINGS!

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EFFECTIVE ENDINGS!

• How to Write a Stellar Concluding Paragraph

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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.

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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.

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

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Take a Look!

• Quickly read over the following three
• paragraph essay.

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• Do you feel proud when you see our countrys
  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.

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The following conclusion would be incorrect
for the previous essay.

• We cant 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?

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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.

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Rewrite this concluding paragraph correctly.

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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.

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END YOUR ESSAY WITH A BANG!!!