Conclusion Paragraphs

The opening of your conclusion will rely heavily on your thesis statement.

• True

• False

Instructors like to see concession words (though, although, even though, while) at the beginning of the conclusion paragraph.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The 1st sentence of the conclusion is the "Thesis Restatement," which should be direct and give readers the outcome of your argument. To be direct and decisive in this sentence, you should not have concessions.

You can include concessions in the "Argument Summary" that follows the Thesis Restatement.

ALL conclusions must have a well-developed "significance" or "matter" moment.

• True

• False

Waffles are better than pancakes.

• True

• False

Which are essential elements of all conclusion paragraphs?

• Make your essay matter even more.

• Write a "big 'So what?'" / Write a "Big significance"

• Restate the main argument the essay sought to prove (basically, rephrase your thesis statement)

• Connect your argument to something else that readers care about / Show consequences of your argumentation on other things

What do students need to be mindful of when they write their conclusion?

• They need to go back and look at their original thesis statement in their introduction to make sure it's still accurate and fits the whole of the essay and the essay's evidence.

• Students need to make sure their thesis statement and the beginning of their conclusion paragraphs make the same argument.

• They need to remember to not merely summarize their argument, but also add a greater significance to it.

The best *opening* move in a best-of-three rock-paper-scissors *tournament* where the loser goes home crying is...

• Rock

• Paper

• Scissors

• This is a trick question.