Writing Conclusions for
Argumentative/Persuasive
Papers
http://www.essaycapital.com/blog/research-paper-writingguide/argumentative-research-paper-9/
http://www.ehow.com/how_6449319_write-conclusion-argumentativeessay.html
http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/pdf/draftconclusion.pdf
Four parts of a good conclusion:
• 1. Use signal words to indicate the reader that he has
reached the end and refer back to the “attentiongetter” if possible.
• 2. Restate your main points.
• 3. Then restate the thesis statement with some
variation in the language in the next to last line.
• 4. End the conclusion with:
A. “Call to action”
B. “Note of finality,” or
C. “Drawing an inference. “ (Based on your analysis, what
can be inferred. In other words, make an analysis of your
results)
• NOTES: No new points are mentioned. The conclusion should
be short --six lines maximum.
Signal Words for Conclusions
• finally, for these reasons, in a word, in brief, in
conclusion, in drawing to a close, indeed, in
general, in other words, in retrospect, in short,
in summary, on the whole, or briefly, such
being the case, to conclude, to recapitulate, to
repeat, to summarize, to sum up
• AVOID: “in summary,” “to summarize,” “in
conclusion,” and “to conclude”
•
http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/pdf/draftconclusion.pdf
Example of Call to Action (last line)
• As this report has shown, pollution is a cost of
production, not a moral evil. When we understand
that we cannot outlaw pollution and come to view
pollution as merely a cost of human activity, we can
begin to devise creative environmental policies. This
essay charges that the public choice model can be
used in environmental policy making. From here, we
challenge the Environment Oversight Committee to
use the choice model to reduce the negative effects
of the externality of pollution.
•
http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/pdf/draftconclusion.pdf
Possible vocabulary for “Call to
Action.”
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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we need to
our job is to
it is our responsibility to
we can
it is important to
in order to…, we must…
we are capable of
it would be to our advantage to
in so doing…
Example of “Note of Finality.” (last line)
• No matter how you look at it, there’s really no
valid reason not to spay or neuter your pet.
Whether you consider the potential suffering
of unborn animals, the health and comfort of
your own pet, or your own convenience as a
pet owner, you must agree that the facts all
show that spaying or neutering is the way to
go. It’s not only the convenient choice, but
also the morally right choice, and one that all
pet owners should make.
• http://spot.pcc.edu/~dramirez/GreatEssays/argumentessay.html
Example of “Drawing an inference” (last line)
• Vacation starvation is affecting a large percentage of
American workers. The typical American worker allows
little time for uninterrupted rest and relaxation. The oneday per month vacation day is often booked with family
responsibilities instead of the leisure and rejuvenation
that a 10 day or more family vacation would provide.
The alarm clock is ringing loud and clear, but no one is
paying attention. Today, most Americans are saving their
relaxation time for retirement -- and then finding out it is
too late in their lives to be of much use.
•
http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/pdf/draftconclusion.pdf