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how to write a conclusion for 3rd grade

How to Teach Paragraph Writing – Write a Conclusion Sentence

How to Write a Paragraph Conclusion Sentences

Teaching conclusions is one of the most difficult parts of teaching students to write well-written paragraphs.

Students may be able to write a topic sentence and three supporting ideas with details, but when it comes time to add a conclusion sentence, it’s almost like they’ve run out of steam.

To me, this makes it even more important that as a teacher, I spend a good amount of time specifically explaining how to write conclusions, while scaffolding practice before throwing the little birdies out of the nest.

In this third of a four-part series on Teaching Paragraph Writing, I’ll tell you what has worked for me in my classroom…not promising miracles but hoping you’ll be able to take away something here to make the process a bit easier in your classroom.

Missed the other posts? Here they are if you’d like to read them: Topic Sentences ,  Supporting Ideas and Details, and Transitions.

1. Explain the Purpose of a Conclusion Sentence

Here’s where we revisit the idea of a conclusion sentence and look at it more in-depth. We talk about why writers use conclusions…mainly to wrap it all up and to give a signal to the reader that the paragraph or essay is ending.

We also talk about what makes a good conclusion vs. what makes a weak or bad one. Strong conclusions are similar to the topic sentence but not TOO similar. Strong conclusions focus on the big idea of the paragraph and NOT on one of the more minor details. Strong conclusions also stay on topic. No new idea is introduced here.

how to write a conclusion for 3rd grade

One of the activities I really love doing with my students (and they love it too) is analyzing pre-made conclusion sentences. I put these up on the document projector (no copies for students this first time) and I have students give me a thumbs up or down for each conclusion sentence example. Then we discuss why the example was a good conclusion or not.

This kind of practice is great to help students learn to write conclusion sentences because not only is it non-threatening (way easier than coming up with your own conclusion sentence), it models positive examples while showing students examples to avoid.

On the second day, I hand out a similar worksheet and have students determine (independently or in pairs) if the conclusion is a good one or not. We correct these together and discuss them as we go.

You can sure make up your own conclusion examples if you’d like, but if you’re looking for a print-and-go complete resource for conclusion sentences, I do have one here:

Conclusions in Paragraph Writing

2. Focus on Re-wording the Topic Sentence

One of the ways to make a good conclusion sentence is to reword the topic sentence. We talk about how we can use synonyms and slightly different wording to make the conclusion somewhat similar to the topic sentence but unique enough that it works.

I show students a topic sentence and write it on the SmartBoard if needed. Then I ask them to reword it on whiteboards to make it into a conclusion . This activity helps everyone practice making conclusion sentences. It’s also great for those having trouble, as they’re able to hear other students come up with good examples they might use later.

Once we’ve practiced these, I use some worksheets that are similar to this idea from the conclusions packet and students do independent work with this concept.

3. Use a Different Type of Sentence from the Topic Sentence

When I teach students about topic sentences, I make sure to teach them five basic types of topic sentences including List Statements, Number Words, Occasion-Position, Two Nouns, and Two Commas, and Get Their Attention. See the Topic Sentences post for more information .

Since students already have a good understanding of the five types of topic sentences I teach, I explain to them that one way to make a good conclusion is to use a different type of sentence from the topic sentence to make it into a conclusion.

So, if you used one type of sentence for the topic sentence, choose a different type of sentence for the conclusion. For example, if I used Occasion Position for the topic sentence, I might try using a Number Words sentence for the conclusion. Careful though, generally, “List Statements” don’t work well as a conclusion sentence.

conclusion-sentences-anchor-chart

4. Make an Opinion Statement

One idea that has really helped my students write conclusions is to have them practice writing the conclusion as an opinion statement.

So, if the paragraph is about taking care of a dog, the conclusion could be an opinion statement like Dogs make great pets and are excellent companions. If the paragraph is about a Disneyland trip, the conclusion might be Disneyland is a great place to visit. For some reason, these types of conclusion sentences seem to come more naturally to students than other ones do.

5. Teach Optional Conclusion Transition Words

Teaching students a shortlist of transition words for the conclusion can also be helpful. This provides students with a way to start that last and sometimes difficult sentence.

Plus, it does provide a good signal to the reader that the paragraph is coming to a close. Some words/phrases we use include: As you can see…In conclusion…Finally…Obviously…Clearly…Certainly… I do make sure to tell students that these words are a matter of preference and NOT a must.

6. Conclusion Corrections

One last piece of advice for conclusions. Every year there is a conclusion habit that I work hard to correct. I’m not sure why so many students use these types of conclusions but to me, these conclusions make me cringe.

The weak conclusion students often fall back on starts with “That’s why…” or “Those are the reasons why…” and while I guess their teachers were just giving them a quick and easy way to end a paragraph, I just wish they had NOT given them ones that were this bad!

Sorry, but it’s a soapbox issue for me. If you teach a quick and easy way, please don’t teach a bad habit that needs to be corrected later on. So, my students know that they are not allowed to start conclusions this way and will be “dinged” if they do!

Whew…as I said, conclusions are definitely a concept that can be tough for so many students. The more we practice them though, the more they are able to rise to the occasion. I have seen a tremendous amount of growth in my students each year as writers.

Once again, you can make resources to use to help your students become better paragraph writers but if you’d like a low-prep print and a no-prep digital unit to save time, this might be the resource for you. Click here to take a look at the Complete Paragraph Writing Bundle .

Updated Complete Paragraph Bundle

If you’d like to get more teaching ideas for paragraph writing, here are a few posts you might like:

Topic Sentences

Supporting Ideas and Details

Transitions

5 Tips for More Effective Paragraph Writing

Thanks so much for hanging in there with this long post!

Hope it was useful to you in some way!

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Do your students need help finishing a paragraph? This post will not only show you how to teach CLOSING SENTENCES , it will also show you ways to help your students be creative with their closing sentences by writing CLINCHERS . It is part of a STEP-BY-STEP WRITING® series of mini-lessons for writer’s workshop designed to scaffold through the writing process. This lesson is for ending a paragraph, not a concluding sentence to an essay. That will come later in the writing mini-lesson series! If you haven’t covered topic sentences and relevant details, go back to TOPIC SENTENCES first!

MINI LESSON #7:  CLOSING SENTENCES is the third lesson for paragraph writing.

A closing sentence is the concluding sentence. Every paragraph needs an ending. It closes the door to the paragraph! It is the bottom bun of the burger!

  • It summarizes the main ideas or feeling of a paragraph.
  • It is not a relevant detail in the paragraph.
  • It restates the topic sentence.
  • Use a “clincher” to be creative with the closing sentence!  (question, humor, excitement, or a future thought)

how to write a conclusion for 3rd grade

Paragraph:   Fall is my favorite season. The weather is perfect for outside activities. I like going on hikes with my brother and fishing with my dad. I look forward to the smell of a fire and the taste of burnt marshmallows. I love fall weather!

2. TAKE NOTES

Students should take notes and write examples of closing sentences. Use interactive notes in a notebook form or digital form. It will help students establish ownership and have an effective resource to guide them when writing paragraphs in the future.

3. GO DEEPER

This is a great opportunity for teaching or differentiating with CLINCHERS . Clinchers are closing sentences that are more creative.

4. PRACTICE

Provide students with practice. Practice, Practice, Practice! Scaffold the practice. First, students identify closing sentences in paragraphs. Then students can write their own closing sentences or clinchers. This can be done by giving prompts and only writing the closing sentence or clincher for each prompt. It can also be used with the previous lessons, so students can build paragraphs from the topic sentence and relevant details that were already formed. When this lesson, they will have all the components of a paragraph for those prompts! Continue with the graphic organizers to keep the flow of the lessons. This is the bottom bun!

Task cards and self-check slides are a great way to give students extra practice in centers or at home.

5. APPLY AND SHARE

Provide a prompt or have students brainstorm ideas for a paragraph. Students now have all the skills necessary to write an effective paragraph. After students write a paragraph , focus on the closing sentence.  OR give students a paragraph without the closing sentence and have them add it.

After everyone is finished, students can present their paragraphs in groups or whole group and other students can  point out the closing sentence . Discuss how they close the door to the paragraph and restate the main idea.

6. ASSESS AND TRACK

how to write a conclusion for 3rd grade

I hope this helps you and your students (or child) understand how to write a paragraph!!!!

Next Lesson:  MINI LESSON #8 CREATING A TABLE OF CONTENTS

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LAST MINI LESSON: MINI LESSON #6- RELEVANT DETAILS

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Concluding Sentences

A step by step guide to teaching concluding sentences

Concluding Sentences 

Ah! It’s finally Friday night! You grab your favorite snack, pour yourself a glass of water (or wine!), sit back on your comfy couch and start looking through TV shows to watch! You pick the perfect one and are enjoying it thoroughly. Right at the climax of the show, it ends!

How do you feel? Do you feel as though you received no conclusion and it was incomplete? I’m usually left feeling confused, unsatisfied, and quite frankly, annoyed. 

The same can be said about writing. You can write an amazing, detailed-oriented paragraph; but,  if you forget your concluding sentence, your reader is left unsatisfied and wondering what it was all about.  

Conclusion sentences can be a challenge for students to learn.  As an educator, you may even feel as though you have to go over concluding sentences every writing unit.  That is why, in this blog, we will be looking at what a conclusion sentence is and the steps the students should take to find the concluding sentence.  By teaching this foundational skill, you won’t have to continue to be a broken record!  

What is a Concluding Sentence?

When we teach students about concluding sentences, we make sure they have a basic definition of the concept. 

We teach them that  a concluding sentence is usually the last sentence of the paragraph that summarizes the main idea of the paragraph . Concluding sentences are so important in writing. They provide an opportunity for the author to tie the topic sentence and the supporting details together.

In other words, it  allows the author to recap the main idea of the paragraph .  The conclusion sentence should not include any new information but rather summarize what the paragraph was about.

How to Find Concluding Sentences

Concluding sentences can be a challenge for students to grasp, but that does not mean it needs to be a challenge to teach! During our 12+ years of teaching, we’ve had many trials and tribulations when getting our students to grasp this concept.

But we finally figured it out!  Here are our tried and true steps to teach students how to find concluding sentences in a text. 

Steps to Finding the Concluding Sentence in Paragraphs

  • Read the paragraph .
  • This will help students more easily identify the concluding sentence.
  • Find the supporting details  that give new and on-topic information about the main idea.
  • All things considered
  • In conclusion
  • To summarize
  • To Conclude
  •   Determine the concluding sentence . Do this by reading the rest of the sentence connected to the transition word. If this sentence restates or summarizes the topic sentence, then you likely found it!

Concluding Sentences in Paragraphs Differentiated Activities

When you download our no-prep concluding sentences resource, you’ll have many pages of practice activities at your fingertips. Since these activities are differentiated, ALL OF YOUR STUDENTS can practice!  

Get your  Concluding Sentences  resource.

Types of Concluding Sentences 

Once we’ve taught what a concluding sentence is and how to find it, we take some time to explain the different types of concluding sentences. These are the four different types we teach first.

  • 📣 “Which sentence has the same meaning as the topic sentence but uses different words?”
  • 📣 “Which sentence in the paragraph asks a question about the topic?”   
  • 📣 “Which sentence has a strong emotion about the topic
  • 📣 “Which sentence gives you a suggestion about the topic?”   

Why focus on the foundations of Concluding Sentences?

Throughout our years of teaching, we have found that  taking the time to focus on   the   foundations of concluding sentences has led to greater success across all areas of literacy- reading comprehension and writing.  

how to write a conclusion for 3rd grade

We notice that  when our students can explain the definition, purpose and types of concluding sentences, they are better able to understand the paragraphs they have read.

Also, understanding the concept of concluding sentences  helps our students when they are writing.  They are more likely to add a concluding sentence into their own writing, leaving readers satisfied and informed.

There is More! 

GRASPhopper wants to make sure everyone understands concluding sentences so we’ve created a  video lesson!

Watch GRASPhopper’s step-by-step teaching video as a guide.  The video will not only increase your knowledge of how to effectively teach concluding sentences but was created to be used directly with your students too!

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Literacy Ideas

How to write a Conclusion

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What is a Conclusion?

Visual Writing

Before we learn how to write a conclusion, we need to determine what a conclusion is.

A conclusion is the final sentences or paragraph in a piece of writing that signifies the end of a text, event or process.

We can find conclusions everywhere, from narratives, letters and reports to persuasive essays and speeches.

Conclusions perform many functions, which we will examine throughout this article. Fundamentally, they wrap everything up and finish a piece of writing or a presentation.

Unfortunately, conclusions are often the most challenging section of a paper to write. They are the final words of the writer on the topic and, as a result, play a crucial part in the lasting impression the writing leaves on the reader.

For this reason, our students must take time to understand clearly the functions of a conclusion and how they work. Time spent mastering the art of conclusion writing will be time well spent.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON HOW TO WRITE A CONCLUSION

how to write a conclusion | conclusion writing unit 1 | How to write a Conclusion | literacyideas.com

Teach your students to write  POWERFUL   CONCLUSIONS  that put a bow on a great piece of writing. All too often, students struggle to conclude their writing. Stumbling, repeating themselves, or missing the opportunity to make a lasting impression.

This  COMPLETE UNIT OF WORK  will take your students from zero to hero over  FIVE STRATEGIC LESSONS  covered.

What is the Purpose of a Concluding Paragraph

how to write a conclusion | conclusion definition | How to write a Conclusion | literacyideas.com

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all formula we can teach our students that they can use to write any conclusion. Conclusions perform several functions, varying widely from paper to paper. Some of these functions include:

  • Restates a paper’s thesis and explains why it’s important
  • Synthesizes the essay’s arguments
  • It opens up new questions
  • Addresses limitations
  • Makes a call to action.

Not all conclusions will perform each of these functions. How our students approach writing their conclusions will depend on several factors, including:

  • The conventions of the writing genre
  • The intended audience and their motivations
  • The formality or informality of the paper
  • The tone of the writing.

 Now, let’s look at each of the functions of a conclusion one by one, along with a practice activity for each to give our students some hands-on practice.

1. A Concluding Paragraph Restates the Thesis and Explains Why

One of the most common errors in writing a conclusion is to use it to simply restate the thesis. Though this is widely taught, it isn’t enough.

The student should also explain why the argument made in their thesis is important. This involves considering the more widespread impact of the thesis and its supporting arguments.

  The conclusion should inform the reader why the thesis matters by answering questions similar to the following:

  • What are the wider societal implications of the thesis?
  • Does the thesis challenge a widely accepted idea or belief?
  • Does the thesis have significance for how things could be done in the future?

To write a conclusion in this vein, it is helpful for students to compose similar type questions relevant to their thesis, which they can then set out to answer.

These questions will vary widely according to the subject being written about and the genre being written in. Still, regardless, the conclusion should highlight the thesis’s significance to the wider world. This will bring context to the writing as a whole.

Example: In conclusion, this paper has argued that increasing access to education is essential for reducing poverty and promoting economic development. We have presented evidence from various studies showing the positive correlation between education and income and the role of education in fostering other developmental goals, such as improved health and reduced inequality. Restating the thesis, we can say that access to education is a fundamental human right and should be prioritized as a key development strategy to reduce poverty and promote sustainable economic growth. The evidence presented in this paper supports this argument, making a case for the importance of increasing access to education for the well-being of individuals and societies.

2. A CONCLUSION SYNTHESIZES THE PAPER’S ARGUMENTS

This is another very common function performed by the conclusion. While each body paragraph in the paper may correspond to a single specific argument in support of the central thesis, in the conclusion, the various strands of supporting arguments are woven into a coherent whole.

The conclusion is not the place to introduce new arguments or to simply list the arguments made in the body paragraphs. Instead, it provides a final opportunity for your students to drive home their main arguments one last time and make connections between them to reveal a coherent whole.

Often, a conclusion will combine functions of functions 1 and 2 by restating the thesis, synthesizing the arguments, and explaining the wider significance of the thesis.

When considering how to write a conclusion for an argumentative essay, remember to synthesize it.

Example: In conclusion, this paper has presented a thorough examination of the current state of renewable energy sources and their potential to combat climate change. Through an analysis of the economic and technical feasibility of various renewable energy options, we have shown that renewable energy is a viable and necessary solution to reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, we have highlighted the importance of government policies and investment in research and development to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. Overall, this paper argues that renewable energy is a crucial step in the fight against climate change and must be prioritized to secure a sustainable future.

3. A CONCLUSION CAN OPEN UP NEW QUESTIONS

We often think of conclusions as drawing things to a close. But there’s another way of looking at things. Often, through the process of making various arguments in a piece of writing, new questions will emerge naturally.

This method is commonly encountered when exploring how to write a conclusion for a thesis.

This often occurs when the central thesis is set in a broader context. We can think of the progression of an essay as moving from a thesis statement through evermore specific arguments that support that initial thesis statement.

To open up new questions in the conclusion, the student should move from the specific to the more general, generating further possible lines of inquiry on the topic as they go. The effect of this type of conclusion is to spark the reader’s curiosity and further interest in the subject.

Example: In conclusion, our research has provided an in-depth examination of the effects of climate change on biodiversity. Our findings indicate that climate change is having a significant impact on the distribution and abundance of species. However, our research has also revealed that there are still many unanswered questions about the mechanisms driving these changes. For example, more research is needed to understand the role of different species interactions and the effects of climate change on specific ecosystem functions. We hope our research will serve as a foundation for further studies and inspire other researchers to continue investigating the complex relationship between climate change and biodiversity.

4. A CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH ADDRESSES THE LIMITATIONS

This method is often used in academic or scientific writing when considering how to write a conclusion for a report. In it, the student writer directly explores the weaknesses of their arguments.

It’s perhaps the bravest type of conclusion there is! Students need to be careful not to destroy their own thesis in the process. A sentence mentioning the limitation, quickly followed by a sentence or two addressing the problem, should be enough.

When done well, this strategy strengthens the impact of a paper by dealing head-on with potential criticisms and making strong counter-arguments in the process.

Example: In conclusion, our research provides valuable insights into the relationship between environmental factors and academic performance. However, it is important to note that our study has limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, and our results may not be generalizable to a larger population. Additionally, our study only considered one specific type of environmental factor and did not take into account other factors that may impact academic performance. Despite these limitations, our research provides a starting point for future studies in this area.

5. A CONCLUSION CAN OFFER A CALL TO ACTION

how to write a conclusion | Calltoaction | How to write a Conclusion | literacyideas.com

In a call-to-action type conclusion, the writer compels the reader to take a desired action or perform a particular task. This type of conclusion aims to persuade the reader or listener to do something.

Call-to-action conclusions work in various genres, including presentations, speeches, advertisements, and persuasive essays .

There are various techniques students can use to inspire action in their conclusions, such as appeals to emotions, the use of strong imperatives, or appeals to the reader’s or the listener’s self-interest.

Example: In conclusion, our research highlights the importance of access to clean drinking water in developing countries. Our findings show that a lack of access to clean water can lead to serious health issues and negatively impact the economy. However, it is not enough to simply acknowledge this problem – action must be taken. We call on governments, non-profit organizations, and individuals to take action by investing in infrastructure and providing education on sanitation and hygiene. Together, we can work towards providing access to clean water for all, and, ultimately, improve the quality of life for people living in developing countries.

Tips for Writing a Strong Conclusion

As young writers, crafting a solid conclusion for your essay is essential to communicate your ideas effectively. A well-written conclusion can help to summarize your main points, provide closure to your argument, and leave a lasting impression on your reader. Here are ten tips for writing a strong conclusion to an essay for high school students:

  • Restate the main idea of your essay. A good conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and reiterate the main idea or thesis statement.
  • Provide closure to your argument. Your conclusion should provide a sense of closure to your argument and tie up any loose ends.
  • Emphasize the importance of your topic. Your conclusion should also emphasize the importance of the topic you have discussed and why it matters to your reader.
  • Offer a call to action. Encourage your reader to take action or think more deeply about the issues you have discussed in your essay.
  • Avoid introducing new information. Your conclusion should be a summary of your main points, not a place to introduce new information or ideas.
  • Keep it simple. Avoid using complex phrases or convoluted language in your conclusion.
  • Use a strong concluding sentence. Your last sentence should be a powerful statement that leaves a lasting impression on your reader.
  • Avoid summarizing every point. You don’t have to summarize every point you made in the essay; pick the main and most important ones.
  • Reflect on your essay’s meaning. Take a step back and reflect on the overall meaning of your essay and the message you want to convey to your reader.
  • Revise and proofread . Revise and proofread your conclusion carefully to ensure it is clear, concise, and error-free.

By following these tips, you can write a strong conclusion that effectively communicates your ideas and leaves a lasting impression on your reader.

What shouldn’t a conclusion do?

So far, we’ve discussed some conclusion writing strategies by discussing things a good conclusion should do. Now, it’s time to look at some things a conclusion shouldn’t do.

The following list contains some of the most common mistakes students must avoid making in their conclusions. This list can help students troubleshoot their conclusions when they get stuck or run into problems.

1. Uses a Vague Thesis Statement

If the student struggles to make a powerful impact in their conclusion, it may be because their thesis statement is too vague.

If this is the case, they messed up long ago.

The first time the reader sees the thesis statement should be in the introduction. Because all arguments stem from that statement, a comprehensive rewrite of the entire paper will most likely be needed.

2. Opens with a Clichéd Phrase

When students begin to learn to write conclusions, they often learn some stock phrases to help kickstart their writing. Phrases such as ‘in conclusion’ or ‘to conclude’ can be useful as prompts to get students quickly into the meat of their writing. However, overuse of such stock phrases can leave the writing feeling mechanical.

Ultimately, we want more for our students. If one of the purposes of a conclusion is to make a powerful impact on the reader, we must encourage our students to be creative and bold in their writing.

3. Doubts the Thesis

In the first part of this article, we briefly discussed the idea of addressing the limitations of the thesis and supporting arguments. This can be an effective strategy for students, but it can also be risky. The student needs to ensure they don’t undermine their stance.

When students use this strategy, ensure they understand that addressing limitations is not the same thing as apologizing for the position held. A good conclusion is impossible without the writer actually concluding something; conclusions should end with a strong statement.

4. Contains Irrelevancies

Students must ensure that every piece of information in their essay or article is relevant to the topic and thesis.

One of the most common mistakes students make is failing to ‘kill their babies’. That is, they go off on a tangent in their writing but are reluctant to remove the offending sentences in the editing process.

Often this happens because the student doesn’t want to throw out something they spent time writing, even if it’s utterly irrelevant to the topic they’re writing about.

At other times, students fail to be merciless in their editing because they’re waffling to reach an assigned word count.

In this case, it’s important to remind students that to the seasoned eye of a teacher or examiner, any puff and padding in their writing is obvious.

5. Fails to Address the Why?

As an article or a paper draws to a close, it’s essential that the reader feels the time they spent reading was time well invested. To achieve this, the student must answer the why? question satisfactorily. Students should make sure their readers leave their writing feeling like they have learned something of value, are inspired to take action or have new questions to research and answer.

Drawing the Curtains on Our Work on Conclusions

We’ve covered a lot of ground in our article on conclusions. We’ve looked at strategies and techniques our students can use to hone their conclusion-writing skills.

how to write a conclusion | how to write conclusion | How to write a Conclusion | literacyideas.com

Now, it’s up to us as teachers to create opportunities for our students to perfect their understanding and ability to use these strategies and techniques in their writing.

While the ideas above will go a long way to ensuring your students are capable of composing well-written conclusions, with time and practice, they’ll develop their own style and approach to the conclusion conundrum – and surely there can be no more fitting conclusion than that!

Conclusion Writing Teaching Strategies and Activities

how to write a conclusion | TEACHING IDEA | How to write a Conclusion | literacyideas.com

Practice Activity: Connect to the Wider World : To practice this, provide the students with a copy of a well-written essay suited to their level but with the concluding paragraph snipped out. Challenge the students to first identify the thesis statement, it should be in the essay’s introduction, and then to write a conclusion that connects that thesis to the wider world by explaining why it matters.

Practice Activity: Write the Conclusion First : Sometimes, it’s helpful for students to think of the conclusion as the destination their writing is headed for. The next time your students have completed an outline for an essay , instruct them to write the conclusion first. In it, they should explore the reasons for their thesis and its wider significance and synthesize their arguments. This gives the students a clear focus for the preceding introduction and body paragraphs and gives their writing a clear direction to work towards.

Practice Activity: Shift Perspective : For many students, writing this style of conclusion will require a shift in their understanding of the purpose of a conclusion. One good way to begin to shift that perspective is to encourage students to rewrite conclusions they’ve written previously in old essays. For example, they might shift the focus of a conclusion from a local significance to global significance or from historical significance to contemporary significance.

Practice Activity: Poke the Weak Points

Students take a conclusion they have written already, such as one written for a previous activity. Then, set the students the task of rewriting the conclusion to address any limitations of the supporting arguments. To do this, students need to ask themselves:

  • What aspects of my arguments are open to contradiction?
  • How can I address those contradictions?

Practice Activity: Blog It! : Blogs often use calls to action in the conclusions of their informational articles. Set your students the task of identifying several blogs on subjects that interest them. Students may benefit from doing this activity in groups.

Once they’ve identified some suitable websites, instruct the students to look at the conclusion of some of the articles.

  • Can they identify any calls to action there?
  • How do the writers introduce their calls to action?
  • What techniques does the writer use to motivate the reader?

Challenge students to identify as many different motivational techniques and strategies as possible and then make a list that they can then share with the class.

When students have become good at identifying calls to action and the various motivational techniques and strategies, they can then write a blog article on a subject that interests them, making sure to include a call to action in their conclusion.

A COMPLETE TEACHING UNIT ON PERSUASIVE WRITING SKILLS

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Teach your students to produce writing that  PERSUADES  and  INFLUENCES  thinking with this  HUGE  writing guide bundle covering: ⭐ Persuasive Texts / Essays ⭐ Expository Essays⭐ Argumentative Essays⭐ Discussions.

A complete 140 PAGE unit of work on persuasive texts for teachers and students. No preparation is required.

CONCLUSION WRITING VIDEO TUTORIAL

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Top 5 Essay Writing Tips

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How to write a perfect 5 Paragraph Essay

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The Writing Process

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Introductions And Conclusions

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Important Writing Parts: Introduction, Body and Conclusion

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There are usually three parts to opinion texts. The introduction tells the reader the opinion of the author. The body contains the reasons for the opinion. The conclusion ends the text. The conclusion is a very important part of the text. It is the last thing the reader will read. Use this free printable worksheet to help your students form strong paragraphs! This worksheet lesson is designed for 3rd grade but can be used where appropriate.

Important Writing Parts Activity - Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

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