RMES Writing Unit

Just as every essay has a clear beginning, it should have a clear ending. The last paragraph, also know as the conclusion, should make your essay sound finished. A conclusion should summarize your research and connect to your main idea(Thesis Statement).

The concluding paragraph typically has 2 points: 1. The summary statement 2. The clincher

The summary statement is an effective way to start your concluding paragraph because it helps to drive home the ideas you've expressed in your essay.

Look at your thesis statement again and rework it in a new way. Avoid repeating key words and phrases from the thesis statement because you don't want the summary statement to sound boring or repetitive. Using a thesaurus is a good way to find new, interesting words.

Thesis Statement Many Americans are buying the Toyota Corolla because of its competitive price, fuel economy, and high resale value. Summary Statement Reasonable pricing, low miles per gallon, and an attractive resale value have all contributed to the popularity of the Toyota Corolla in today's market.

Thesis Statement San Francisco is a stimulating place to visit because of its magnificent location, its theaters and art galleries, and its many fine restaurants. Summary Statement If you love beautiful surroundings, world class theater and art, and an exquisite meal, then San Francisco is the place for you.

Thesis Statement San Francisco is a stimulating place to visit because of its magnificent location, its theaters and art galleries, and its many fine restaurants. Summary Statement If you love beautiful surroundings, world class theater and art, and an exquisite meal, then San Francisco is the place for you.

The clincher, also referred to as the closer, is your last opportunity to connect with the reader. One way to make the most of this moment is to return to the technique you used for your grabber.

Introductory Paragraph In Lake Wobegone Days, humorist Garrison Keillor tells of a retired dentist in a little Minnesota town. He sits in a fishing boat much of the day. "Open wide," Dr. Nute says to the fish. "This may sting a little bit. Okay. Now bite down.”Unfortunately, not all retired persons are so easily able to continue their once interesting professions in some form, as Dr. Nute has. Retirees have a high death rate within the first six months after retirement, apparently because of boredom, and psychologists suggest three ways to prevent it. Concluding Paragraph It’s good to know that by doing regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet, and sustaining meaningful relationships, retired people can stay healthy and enjoy a pleasant, meaningful retirement. Seniors don’t have to spend all their days in a fishing pond the way Dr. Nute did, but there are plenty of other engaging activities available to retirees.

Introductory Paragraph Television is so popular that over 128 million sets are now being used in 98 percent of American households. According to the A.C. Nielsen Company, which takes television surveys, each week the small screen holds the attention of children under five for an average of 23.5 hours and adults for an average of 44 hours. Indeed, the typical viewer spends more time in front of the television set than he or she spends on any other activity except sleep. But far from being the "idiot box" that it is often called, television offers viewers many benefits. Television can be educational, as well as entertaining. Concluding Paragraph People of all ages can learn about nature, cooking, health, history, and science, to mention just a few subjects, from the comfort and safety of their own homes while watching television. Instead of automatically turning off the TV, it might be worth your while to occasionally sit down with your family and watch some of the fascinating and educational programming currently available on your television set.

Introductory Paragraph Television is so popular that over 128 million sets are now being used in 98 percent of American households. According to the A.C. Nielsen Company, which takes television surveys, each week the small screen holds the attention of children under five for an average of 23.5 hours and adults for an average of 44 hours. Indeed, the typical viewer spends more time in front of the television set than he or she spends on any other activity except sleep. But far from being the "idiot box" that it is often called, television offers viewers many benefits. Television can be educational, as well as entertaining. Concluding Paragraph People of all ages can learn about nature, cooking, health, history, and science, to mention just a few subjects, from the comfort and safety of their own homes while watching television. Instead of automatically turning off the TV, it might be worth your while to occasionally sit down with your family and watch some of the fascinating and educational programming currently available on your television set.

Introductory Paragraph What do smoke signals, wax tablets, and the telegraph all have in common? They were all tools used for communication. Some of these tools were more sophisticated than others, but all of them served the same purpose. They allowed people to communicate with each other. Maybe in a few thousand years, our way of communicating will become obsolete. But there's no denying the importance of the cell phone, the computer, and the postal service in our society today. Concluding Paragraph These three important tools of communication—the cell phone, the personal computer, and the U.S. mail—are an ever-present force in our lives. Many people cannot imagine life before they arrived. Even with their various drawbacks, can you imagine your life without them?

As you write your conclusion, try to avoid the "so-as- you-can-see" ending and the "in conclusion my thesis statement proves that" or "states that" ending. All of these are overused and worn out. You've already made your thesis and reasoning clear. You don't need to tell us that you've just told us something.

A conclusion should summarize your research and connect to your main idea(Thesis Statement). There are 2 parts in a summary: a summary statement and a clincher. A summary statement reworks the thesis statement in a new way. A clincher goes back to the “grabber” of your intro (your story, surprising fact, or question) and “wraps it up.” Please avoid overused statements such as “so as you can see…” That’s it!