***Have out: Expository Benchmark Essay
(MISTAKES = OPPORTUNITY FOR LEARNING)
and your PINK strategies sheet!***
– Which introduction strategies
did you try last week? How are
you feeling about your intro
now? Has it improved?
Ineffective Conclusions
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I hope you enjoyed reading my…
In this essay/letter you have learned…
In conclusion,…
As you can see/tell…
I just told you about (exact thesis)…
Paraphrasing or
restating your thesis statement or big ideas
to provide closure to your essay.
Using a famous or often heard
by you quote that thematically ties into
your topic. (Note: the FINAL sentence of your
essay needs to be in YOUR words.)
Some sort of
general statement or idea about your topic
or thesis to provide closure to your essay.
I carry my grandfather’s advice
with me everywhere. Whenever
I fail to make the right choice or
just find myself in difficult
situations, I try to pause and
remember his wise words…
Side by Side Comparison
Introduction:
Used a QUOTE
Conclusion:
ECHOES Quote
“Pick yourself up
and dust yourself
off.” That’s what my
grandpa always
used to tell me
whenever I screwed
up big time…
I carry my
grandfather’s advice
with me everywhere.
Whenever I fail to
make the right choice
or just find myself in
difficult situations…
“Goonies never say die!” My
favorite childhood movie
embodies that same idea my
grandfather tried to drill into
me…
Side by Side Comparison
Introduction:
Used a QUOTE
Conclusion: NEW
Quote (also echoes)
“Pick yourself up
“Goonies never say
and dust yourself
die!” My favorite
off.” That’s what my childhood movie
grandpa always
embodies that same
used to tell me
idea my grandfather
whenever I screwed tried to drill into
up big time…
me…
Growing up is hard. No matter
who you are, where you live,
how much money you have,
navigating the waters of life is
no easy task…
Side by Side Comparison
Introduction:
Used a QUOTE
Conclusion: Uses a
GENERALIZATION
“Pick yourself up
Growing up is hard.
and dust yourself
No matter who you
off.” That’s what my are, where you live,
grandpa always
how much money
used to tell me
you have, navigating
whenever I screwed the waters of life is
up big time…
no easy task…
Final words about Conclusions…
• Different strategies work better with
different topics.
• Use strategies that work to your
strengths as a writer.
• Remember, “showing” is always better
than “telling”!
• Do NOT introduce new
information in your conclusion.
REVISE YOUR CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH!
– In your CONCLUSION make sure you have:
Rephrasing of Thesis Statement (echo or quote)
Possible brief Summary of Body Paragraph details
(careful it doesn’t sound formulaic)
Final Reflective Commentary (generalization)
Revised Conclusion written below intro revision.
All conclusion strategies clearly LABELED.
Stapled to the TOP of ALL your pages.
Read your NOVEL. Do NOT distract others.