Mini-Lesson: Writing the Conclusion

Teaching Point: Literary essayists craft their conclusions with care.

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CA State Standard:

Connection: When we last met, we looked at adding transition sentences to our paragraphs and transition words or phrases to our essay; today we’re going to craft our conclusion.

Teaching:

SAY: Have you every watched a television show – an enthralling one that kept you on the edge of your seat? How would you feel if just as it was getting to the end of the movie, your cable or satellite went out or an “important message” supersedes your movie? Lousy right? Me too. I was all alone in a hotel in Colorado Springs watching “Outbreak” when just as the wife of one of the main characters was going to die or be saved, the satellite went out. I was left wanting and very dissatisfied. Did she live or die?

Construction of your essay is like constructing a building. All your hard work will be for naught if you have only a strong foundation and sturdy floors, but no roof!

SHOW OVERHEAD OF “Why bother writing a good conclusion?”

SHOW OVERHEAD OF“What should and should NOT be included when drafting a conclusion.”

SHOW OVERHEAD OF my conclusion. What do they think? Did I include what was necessary?

Active Engagement:

Students should go back to their desks and plan their conclusion and then start drafting a conclusion that provides the reader with closure and maybe something to think about. Students should also highlight or underline a “golden line” (their favorite sentence) in their conclusion. When students hear the bell (after 20 minutes of drafting), they should share “their golden line” with their partner and/or seek assistance with writing their conclusion.

Link:

Every time you write an essay, consider the fact that your conclusion is like the roof of your house, no matter how good the walls are, nobody wants to live in a home that is unprotected.

Share:

Have two to three students share their conclusions or “golden line” from their conclusion.

In conclusion, facing your problems may seem like climbing Mount Everest, but as so many explorers have stated, the end result is “worth it” because you have dominated what seemed unconquerable. Unresolved or un-faced problems grow and fester, damaging you and those around you. Willie could have remained a fish under the influence of his mother, or the “cave,” but he chose to find a way out. That way out was by thinking for himself prompted by the most unhappy person he had ever seen, but a person who saw Willie for who he was, an authentic young man who desired truth, and respected him for it. William as it is assumed that the character will now go by chose not to model his life after his mother who is clearly leading the life of a “blind fish.” It is hoped that the mother, as is quoted in the last line of Avi’s short story“What Do Fish Have to Do with Anything,” will “follow.”

Why Bother Writing a Good Conclusion?

  1. Provides closure to the paper and the reader.
  1. Leaves the reader feeling satisfied that the thesis is fully explained.
  1. It, perhaps, provides a solution to the problem or a call to action. Maybe it gives the reader something to “chew on” (think about).

What should and should not be included when drafting a conclusion…

Things to do:

  • Restate(written in a different way!)the thesis. If you repeat it word for word, it sounds lazy and it is not interesting.
  • Summarize/recap your key points. What were the most important points from your body paragraphs? Use different language when restating them.
  • If applicable, answer any unanswered questions. If you asked the reader a question, you better answer it.
  • Complete your journey of thought. Remember, you’re allowed to make broader connections or elaborate on the significance of your journey.

Things NOT to do:

  • Do not use clichés which sound good but mean nothing. Such as, “Therefore, don’t judge a book by its cover.” State what you mean!
  • Do not introduce new ideas, evidence, or details. For example, “Another reasonWillie is…”
  • Do not apologize for doing a poor job of presenting the material. For example, “While it may not seem like Willie learned to believe in himself…”
  • Do not restate all your points from your body paragraphs, just the most important ones. You have to decide what is most important.