1. Conclusions in Essays (Also: self-edit)

2. Bring me your essay to stamp

3. First…
Never say: “In Conclusion”
WHY?

4. It’s the conclusion (Duh)
(It’s like saying, “I’m going to talk now.”
If you are already talking then why announce that you are going to begin talking?)

5. So much is at stake in 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.
-Pat Bellanca, for the Writing Center at Harvard University

6. The end of an essay should convey…
a sense of completeness and closure
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.

7. Review main points (summary should be brief- a sentence for each point)
Explain what has been learned or proven.
Conclude by setting your discussion into a different, perhaps larger, context.

8. Ways to conclude Place essay in a larger context:
- Conclude with a quotation from primary or secondary source that amplifies your main point or puts it in a different perspective.
- A quotation from the novel or poem you're writing about can add texture and specificity to your discussion
-An expert or the author’s own words
can also add depth to your thesis.

9. What not to do:
Don’t introduce new ideas that haven’t already been discussed in essay.
Don’t end with a quotation. (Remember: writer should have the last word)

10. In conclusion
Con: with
Clude: to shut

11. Self Edit

12. Format 1. double spaced? 2. 12 pt font? 3 paragraphs indented
4. Title? (think of one that works for essay)
5. Name and hour

13. Introduction ____Author and title mentioned?
____ does intro start off with general statements and narrow down?
EX: if talking about the effect of colonialism, say something about imperialism or the assumptions the west had concerning “primitive Africa.”
Make sure general comments are related to topic.

14. Don’t make value statements such as:
Great story
Interesting characters
Well written book

15. supporting ideas previewed?
Example: Transformation of character is often set against the landscape of loss: a loss of culture, a loss of identity and a loss of family.These losses can be viewed through the lens of landscape as metaphor, revealing how loss leads first to alienation, followed by restoration. (thesis)

16. Does thesis express opinion on topic?
How to deepen: does it explain the how or why of topic?
Why things fall apart?
Why Okonkwo’s life is ruled by fear of failure and weakness?
How women are valued or not?

17. Is third person used? No “I think”s No “you”s
Use academic voice: we and us, or the reader

18. punctuation
Do you have commas inserted on both sides of a parenthetical comment?
Example: Nwoye, however, is more like his grandfather.
Do you have commas inserted after introductory comment:
Example: After leaving Mabanta, Okonkwo returns to an unfamiliar Umofia.

19. . Read The topic sentence to yourself.
Does it introduce the main idea of the paragraph:
Does it correspond with the first supporting idea mentioned in the intro?
Make sure the sentence doesn’t start with “when.” This will avoid falling into the summary trap.
Weak: When Ikemefuna was killed, Okonkwo ignores his feelings in order to appear strong. Stronger:Okonkwo represses his feeling in order to appear strong. (Ikemefuna is detail)

20. Read Paragraph #1 Underline your supporting details as you read.
Do they directly relate back to topic sentence? If not…find another

21. Are supporting examples in in effective order?
Save the strongest for last ex. In paragraph, or go in chronolgical order

22. Coherence
Do the ideas and sentences flow together smoothly? Use transitional phrases between examples to smooth way.
Okonkwo also shows his repression….
Although Mr. Brown made attempts to understand the Ibo culture, Mr. Smith, his successor, is far too zealous to care about the native traditions.

23. Is present tense used?

24. Quotes Are quotes smoothly incorporated, or introduced?
Are quotes connected? (No ghost quotes allowed.)
Is context provided?
Avoid this construction: Another quote that proves this is… ( rephrase)

25. Quotes continued After quote is page # included in parenthesis? (2)
Is period after page? (2).
Is quote set off if longer than 4 lines? If not make it so. (Refer to handout)
Have you identified speaker?
Most important! Is commentary included? Do you explain quote and how it relates to your point? Use more than one sentence to comment on quote.
Can you deepen thoughts?

26. Ending commentary of paragraph
Remember: don’t end with quote!
End paragraph by linking back to topic sentence to make your point.

27. Check list ____ more specific details?
____too much summary? Add analysis (commentary)
____develop ideas more?
____go deeper in commentary?

28. Writing Circle passive sentences and put in active voice
Sentences with “is when” “is how”
Put subject at the beginning and rewrite
The reason is because..
Another time is when..
Rewrite the above in active voice

29. Read aloud
Circle any run on or awkward sounding sentences.

30. Transition to 2nd paragraph in body of paper
Have you used a linking expression or linking idea to transition previous paragraph to the new one?
This, that, those, these, such, other, another, etc.

31. Repeat for next two paragraphs

32. Conslusion Cut the phrase: “In Conclusion”
Are main points reviewed with new language?
Do you explain what has been learned to reader from reading essay?
Have you placed discussion into a larger context?
Please don’t end with a quote.
Writer should always have the last word.
Have you accidently placed thesis in conclusion? (this happens because it all becomes clearer by the end.) Move it to intro.

33. Read essay aloud at home
Have you finally found what you wanted to say?
Then go back to intro and change thesis.
Add Add Add.
Revise, revise, revise
Be clear, be passionate about your work. It should represent your best thinking
Read the book again if you think you’re missing the point, or can go deeper.