1. THE CONCLUSION

2. “Social Time”, page 81
What does the writer do in the
conclusion?
1. Look to the future
2. “Bookend”: connect back to the hook
3. Does the writer start the conclusion
with “In conclusion…” or “To sum
up…” or “To conclude…”?
NO!

3. “We Should Cherish Our Children’s
freedom to Think”, pages 113-114
What does the writer do in the
conclusion?
1. Implications to the larger world
Classroom Creativity=Freedom
1. Does the writer start the conclusion
with “In conclusion…” or “To sum
up…” or “To conclude…”?
NO!

4. “Grades and Self-Esteem”, page
120
What does the writer do in the
conclusion?
1. Look to the future
1. Does the writer start the conclusion
with “In conclusion…” or “To sum
up…” or “To conclude…”?
NO!

5. “The Commencement Speech You’ll Never
Hear”, page 126
What does the writer do in the
conclusion?
1. Give advice
1. Does the writer start the conclusion
with “In conclusion…” or “To sum
up…” or “To conclude…”?
NO!

6. 4 Types of Conclusions
1. Bookend
Connect back to the hook
1. Implications in the larger world
Describe how your thesis is important in the real
world
1. Look to the future
Describe how your thesis will be important in the
future
1. Give advice
Give advice to the reader based on your thesis

7. Conclusion Signal Words
1. Are conclusion signal words necessary?
(“In conclusion…” “To conclude…” “To
sum up…”)
Not always. In fact, more advanced writers
tend to avoid them. Using conclusion signal
words is a technique taught to and used by
beginning writers.
2. Are conclusion signal words bad?
Not always. If used judiciously, conclusion
signal words can be appropriate. However, as
advanced writers, you should try more