Writing/Revising Conclusions

Conclusions

The last paragraph (or sometimes paragraphs, when writing much longer essays than we are writing this semester) should reflect upon the thesis statement and its subtopics that you have addressed in your essay. There are other ways to view your conclusions, and viewing a conclusion in these different ways will help guide you in what else you can say beyond being repetitive. You may not address each question below each time, but here are some general ideas you may explore in your conclusion:

• What is important to the general audience/larger world about what you have argued/analyzed/defined. etc.?

• What will be the impact of actions? Who is affected how? (In E3, what types of personal and societal success can be had by the steps taken and the advice given?)

• Where does your idea fit in the larger discussion of the subject addressed in the essay? (compare or contrast with socially common view, stereotypes, and/or subjects)

• What recommendations would you make and why, based on your thesis and other points made in the essay?

• If you were to continue discussing the topic yourself, what are some points that you did not make but that are worth exploring? What would you like others to consider that you did not have time to, or are not able to for one reason or another? Pose questions that you haven't addressed, but put them into context.

Let's consider these questions and talk about them as it relates to Essay 3:

• In a process analysis essay, such as what we are writing now, a good conclusion often includes laying out some results, some effects, of the actions--or at least the ultimate result wanted. 

• Since we are writing about people and specific cultures, each of our essays must consider the nuances of human behavior we are addressing in our essays. How will our advice change those insiders' mindsets towards newbies? 

• Free-write for 15 minutes: If a person takes my advice and follows my steps, then this will happen:

• Use a transitional phrase or introductory clause that asks reader to look back on the points you have made and their impact on . There are more ways than to start with just "In conclusion," so try out a new phrase…

• Example words and phrases to try:

• If a person follows these steps, ___________
• Considering __________,
• All of these actions will ___________
• Once a new person________