how to write conclusions for persuasive essays

Writing ProjectWriting Program Search NewsTutoringUndergraduatesSchedule an AppointmentDrop-in HoursSenior Thesis TutoringESL TutorDepartmental Writing FellowsGSAS StudentsExtension SchoolResourcesBlogStaff HOME / WRITING RESOURCES / STRATEGIES FOR ESSAY WRITING / So much is at stake in writing a conclusion. This is, after all, your last chance to persuade your readers to your point of view, to impress yourself upon them as a writer and thinker. And the impression you create in your conclusion will shape the impression that stays with your readers after they've finished the essay. The end of an essay should therefore convey a sense of completeness and closure as well as a sense of the lingering possibilities of the topic, its larger meaning, its implications: the final paragraph should close the discussion without closing it off. To establish a sense of closure, you might do one or more of the following: Conclude by linking the last paragraph to the first, perhaps by reiterating a word or phrase you used at the beginning. Conclude with a sentence composed mainly of one-syllable words. Simple language can help create an effect of understated drama. Conclude with a sentence that's compound or parallel in structure; such sentences can establish a sense of balance or order that may feel just right at the end of a complex discussion. To close the discussion without closing it off, you might do one or more of the following: Conclude with a quotation from or reference to a primary or secondary source, one that amplifies your main point or puts it in a different perspective. A quotation from, say, the novel or poem you're writing about can add texture and specificity to your discussion; a critic or scholar can help confirm or complicate your final point. For example, you might conclude an essay on the idea of home in James Joyce's short story collection, Dubliners, with.
© Damen, 2002 24. Introduction and Conclusion. These represent the most serious omission students regularly make. Every essay or paper designed to be persuasive needs a paragraph at the very outset introducing both the subject at hand and the thesis which is being advanced. It also needs a final paragraph summarizing what's been said and driving the author's argument home. These are not arbitrary requirements. Introductions and conclusions are crucial in persuasive writing. They put the facts to be cited into a coherent structure and give them meaning. Even more important, they make the argument readily accessible to readers and remind them of that purpose from start to end. Think of it this way. As the writer of an essay, you're essentially a lawyer arguing in behalf of a client (your thesis) before a judge (the reader) who will decide the case (agree or disagree with you). So, begin as a lawyer would, by laying out the facts to the judge in the way you think it will help your client best. Like lawyers in court, you should make an opening statement, in this case, an introduction. Then review the facts of the case in detail just as lawyers question witnesses and submit evidence during a trial. This process of presentation and cross-examination is equivalent to the body of your essay. Finally, end with a closing statement —that is, the conclusion of your essay—arguing as strongly as possible in favor of your client's case, namely, your theme. Likewise, there are several things your paper is not. It's not a murder mystery, for instance, full of surprising plot twists or unexpected revelations. Those really don't go over well in this arena. Instead, lay everything out ahead of time so the reader can follow your argument easily. Nor is a history paper an action movie with exciting chases down dark corridors where the reader has no idea how things are going to end. In.
Conclusions are just as important as introductions. The conclusion closes the essay and tries to close the issue. The aim is to convince the reader that your essay has covered all the most important arguments about the issue and that your main premise is the best position on the issue. You should not present any new arguments in your conclusion. Many students find it difficult to write a conclusion. By this time they may have done so much work on the body of the essay that they just want to finish the essay off as quickly as possible and so they write a rushed and badly written conclusion. But the conclusion is the last part of the essay that your reader will see. Spend some time on carefully writing the conclsuion so that you give your reader a good final impression of your essay. Lets look again at the conclusion from the model essay on Marine Parks: In conclusion, these parks should be closed, or at the very least, no new animals should be captured for marine parks in the future. Our society is no longer prepared to tolerate unnecessary cruelty to animals for science and entertainment. If we continue with our past crimes against these creatures we will be remembered as cruel and inhuman by the generations of the future. Task 1: The three parts of a conclusion A simple introduction to an argumentative assignment has three parts. Read the following description of the parts. Then circle the sentences in the conclusion above which cover each part and write the number for each part in the margin next to it, e.g. for the first part draw a circle around the sentence(s) that restate(s) the main premise and write 1 in the margin next to it. The three parts to a conclusion: 1. Restates the main premise 2. Presents one or two general sentences which accurately summarise your arguments which support the main premise 3. Provides a general warning of the consequences of not.
Let's look again at the concluding paragraph from the model essay on Marine Parks: In conclusion, these parks should be closed, or at the very least, no new animals should be captured for marine parks in the future. Our society is no longer prepared to tolerate unnecessary cruelty to animals for science and entertainment. If we continue with our past crimes against these creatures we will be remembered as cruel and inhuman by the generations of the future. A simple introduction to an argumentative assignment has three parts. Read the following description of the parts. Then circle the sentences in the concluding paragraph above which cover each part and write the number for each part in the margin next to it, e.g. for the first part draw a circle around the sentence(s) that restate(s) the main conclusion (thesis) and write 1 in the margin next to it. The three parts to a conclusion: Restates the main conclusion Presents one or two general sentences which accurately summarize your arguments which support the main conclusion Provides a general warning of the consequences of not following the conclusion that you put forward and/or a general statement of how the community will benefit from following that conclusion Now put the following sentences into the correct order. They make up the conclusion to another argumentative essay. The main conclusion of this essay is that the government should spend more money on childcare places for the children of parents who study or work. If we fail to meet our obligations in this area, we will be sacrificing our present and future well-being merely in order to appease outdated notions of family life and to achieve short-term financial savings. In conclusion, it is essential that we support the nation's parents and children by funding more childcare places. Only in this way can we provide the valuable learning environments that young.
Here are some examples of conclusions. A good conclusion will:rephrase the questionsummarize the main ideasgive your opinion, if you haven’t given it alreadylook to the future (say what will happen if the situation continues or changes)but will NEVER add new information.Should we test products on animals?I agree that we need to make sure that animals who are used for testing new products have the minimum of suffering. However, I am convinced that animal testing is necessary, and that it will continue to benefit humans in new and wonderful ways.Should we beat children?In conclusion, physical punishment can be a useful method of discipline. However it should be the last choice for parents. If we want to build a world with less violence we must begin at home, and we must teach our children to be responsible.Who are the better parents – men or women?I think this is not an either/or question. Both men and women have strengths and skills that are important for children’s psychological growth. We need to ensure that both parents play an important role in the family in order to give children a good start in life.Who learns quicker – adults or children?Finally, I feel that we cannot generalize about children or adults being better learners. It depends on the situation and the motivation of the person, and the level of enthusiasm he or she has for learning.Should dangerous sports be banned?In summary, our society would be healthier if more people took part in sports of all kinds. We should continue to try to prevent accidents and injuries. However, we should also ensure that sports are challenging, exciting, and, above all, fun. What do you want to do.