CONCLUSION …The end is near.

Purpose  Lets your reader know you have finished your argument.  Summarizes your thesis and argument.  Hopefully leaves your reader with something to ponder.

Structure 1) Re-Worded Thesis Statement: A reworded thesis is followed by your arguments, which are also stated differently than in the text 2) Summarized Arguments: A few sentences that summarize in your own words the main arguments to your thesis. 3) Re-Hook: A final sentence for the reader offering further food for thought. It must refer back to your hook (the quotation or provocative statement you started your introduction with)

Imagine this is your introduction… “I hate the Moor:/And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets/ He has done my office” (23). These words mark the beginning of Iago’s plot, partially born out of jealousy, to destroy Othello, whom he often refers to as “The Moor”, in Shakespeare’s play Othello. Iago, who is angry with Othello for not giving him a promotion, becomes even more enraged when he hears the rumors that Othello has had an affair with his wife. The jealousy he feels helps embolden him to carry out a plan to destroy the Moor, even though he has no proof that an affair actually occurred. Regardless of the fact that Iago’s jealousy is based on rumor and not fact, it is nonetheless a devastating force that destroys the lives of both Othello and his love, Desdemona.

1) Reworded Thesis The first sentence of your conclusion needs to be a reworded thesis: Original Thesis: Regardless of the fact that Iago’s jealousy is based on rumor and not fact, it is nonetheless a devastating force… First Sentence of Conclusion: Thus, an unproven jealousy felt by Iago led to a series of destructive events.

2) Summarized Arguments  Original SDs: 1) … that destroys the lives of both Othello …  2)…and his love, Desdemona.  Summarized Arguments: Othello, appalled by his actions which were the result of Iago’s horrible plan, feels he had no option left but to kill himself, bringing to an end the promised future that lay before him. Sadly, the sweet Desdemona, whose kind and innocent nature allowed her to be taken advantage of, is murdered by the man she loves because of Iago’s plot.

3) Re-Hook  Original hook: “I hate the Moor:/And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets/ He has done my office” (23).  Re-Hook: Those who had suggested to Iago that he had been replaced in his marriage bed by Othello who had no idea that their idle gossip would lead to murder and suicide.

ALL TOGETHER Thus, an unproven jealousy felt by Iago leads to a series of fatal events. Othello, appalled by his actions which were the result of Iago’s horrible, but baseless plan, feels he had no option left but to kill himself, bringing to an end the promised future that lay before him. Sadly, the sweet Desdemona, whose kind and innocent nature allowed her to be taken advantage of, is murdered by the man she loves due to Iago’s plot born out of an unfounded jealousy. Those who had suggested to Iago that he had been replaced in his marriage bed by Othello bed surely had no idea that their idle gossip would lead to murder and suicide.

YOUR TURN… “What are you doing in these overalls ? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady!”(101). These are the words spoken by Mrs. Dubose, a mean and vicious old lady, to young Scout Finch, the protagonist in Harper Lee`s To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel that focuses on the conservative town of Maycomb and a young girl`s coming of age. In this novel, gender stereotypes are prominent and help to construct the many characters present in the town of Maycomb. Girls are expected to be quite, to be polite, and to play with their dolls and tea sets in order to learn how to be a lady. Scout, however, defies society`s definition of what a lady should be through her aggressive personality and her eagerness to learn about things that are deemed as being inappropriate for her age.