1. The Conclusion Paragraph
ZHS English I Dept.
Freshman Academy
In Seventh Heaven

2. Learning Target I can identify the elements of a conclusion paragraph.
In Seventh Heaven

3. The conclusion paragraph in a literary analysis essay functions as follows:
It finishes off the essay and tells the reader where the writer has brought them.
It restates the thesis and contains echoes of the introduction and body paragraphs without listing the points covered in the essay.
It creates a broader implication of the ideas discussed and answers the questions: so what? Or, why do we care?
In Seventh Heaven

4. Anatomy of the Conclusion:
The conclusion begins with a restatement of the thesis, not a repetition, and gradually widens toward a final, broad statement of implication.
Borrows from the body paragraphs, without being flatly repetitive or listing points already covered.
Creates echoes of the introduction and body paragraphs to reinforce analysis/ideas.
Moves outward with a statement that relates the thesis to a broader implication so the reader can see the analytical focus in a larger perspective or application.
In Seventh Heaven

5. Strategies for Composing conclusions:
Strike a note of hope or despair.
Give a symbolic or powerful detail/fact.
Create an analogy that relates your topic to a larger implication.
Give an especially compelling example.
Use a meaningful quotation. (If you used a meaningful quotation in your introduction, refer back to this quote and tie it in with your overall analysis.
Recommend a course of action without being “preachy”.
Echo the language and approach of the introduction.
Reference and make meaning of the title of the work you are analyzing.

6. Consider the following checklist:
Avoid first-person point of view, abstract/vague language, poor diction, and slang.
Avoid simply repeating the thesis and/or listing the main points.
Don’t conclude more than you reasonably can from the evidence you have presented.
Echo the language and ideas from your introduction and body paragraphs.
In Seventh Heaven

7. Consider the following checklist:
Expand on the implications of your analysis: So what? Why do we care about these ideas? What’s so important about what you’ve developed in your paper? Are there any other applications for your ideas?
Avoid any attempts at humor, cuteness, or sarcasm.
The conclusion need not be longer than four to six sentences, as with the introduction, but must be adequately developed.
Include the title(s) and author(s) once more.
In Seventh Heaven

8. Due to copy machine issues, you will do the following on a sheet of paper. The thesis statement you came up with organizes your argument, the body paragraphs of the essay work to reinforce this argument throughout the entire paper, and your conclusion paragraph will readdress your thesis and leave the reader with a final thought to consider.
Each Body Paragraph Should Include:
Conclusion Paragraph – Outline
I. Restatement of the thesis – ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ii. Borrows from the body paragraphs – ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
iii. Final Thought - ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Original Thesis Example: ModIn Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha is the perfect example of a character who struggles against racism and sexism as she attempts to fulfill her ambitions. el 2:
Example Conclusion:
In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha’s ambitions were constantly challenged as she had to overcome the obstacles of racism and sexism. Beneatha’s struggle between her inner desires and her outward conformity is one in which her best solution was to satisfy no roles and expectations. Her character is so memorable because the reader can empathize with Beneatha’s internal conflict to both conform and defy expectations. She is unforgettable because she does what many people want to do in life; her character resonates with the universal human condition of defying and abandoning societal expectations and impositions.