An Introduction to: Conclusions

FUNCTIONS/CONTENT (1)• Give a perspective on the essay as a whole (ie:

‘So, where have we got to then’? ‘What have I argued about this issue?).

• Return to the title: state your position? Perhaps suggest a judgement: do you agree/ disagree with the assumptions within the title? Do you want to adopt a middle ground?

• But: avoid writing a mirror image of the essay! (IE summarising all the main points. Summaries are for lengthy essays).

• Avoid personal tracts/emotional outbursts/pub rants!

FUNCTIONS/CONTENT (2)

It might widen the lens:• Social/political/cultural significance of the issue? • Implications for the future? Avoid the easy ‘fade-

out’! E.G. ‘It remains to be seen whether this will be dealt with in the future’. ‘This is an issue which needs more debate in the future.’ Such comments are ‘obvious’ and say nothing! Be specific.

• Gives a satisfying sense of closure – don’t trail off• An intro. posits the question, a concl. answers it

• NO new information is given!

Possible Structure: The 3 Part Plan• Line 1:

WHAT (is your conclusion on the matter)?

• Lines 2-6:

HOW?/WHY? (did you come to this conclusion/ why do you think as you do?)

• Lines 7-10:

AND? (Broader implications of your discussion? EG what are the implications of not following your ideas? Future directions of debate?)

STRATEGIES AND STYLE (1)

• Circular closing (referring back to intro by using key words/phrases/images from it).

• Use a statement from the author you are discussing / a critic to hammer your argument home. Though do avoid ending with a quotation. You should state your argument, not somebody else).

• Evoke a vivid image? (= difficult)

STRATEGIES AND STYLE (2)

• Rhythmic variation of sentences.• Ask a thought provoking / provocative

question(s)?• End with a warning?• You might use signposts, but they can seem

rather dull and formulaic• Avoid summaries. (Longer essays might

contain a brief summary of the paper’s points but must beware reigniting the discussion…)

ANALYSE THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSION:Is Judith Butler's approach to gender politics an improvement on previous forms of feminism?

Butler's ideas seem particularly unhelpful when considering the problems which women face outside the developed West. Trying to challenge the sex-gender-desire link is unlikely to rank very highly in the priorities of the repressed woman of Afghanistan, for example, or the destitute woman with ten children in Peru. There is still much work to be done by political pressure and action aiming for legislation to help women in such areas. In developed countries, such as Britain, however, perhaps Butler's ideas do have a part to play. After all, in Britain today, most of the legislative obstacles to female participation in public life have been removed, yet inequalities still persist. Perhaps it is time for a new approach to change people's attitudes towards gender, to challenge the status quo, to tackle 'hearts and minds' rather than laws. Perhaps then the "new configuration of politics" which Butler envisages might indeed "emerge from the ruins of the old" (Butler, 1990, p.149). (From an essay by Sally Young, a first year Communications Studies student. Located at: http://www.theory.org.uk/ctr-b-e1.htm

Further Reading

For the 3 part plan for the conclusion:

http://www.eslplanet.com/teachertools/argueweb/conclude.htm

SEMINAR

‘Madonna and Gender Trouble’ By Reena Mistry http://www.theory.org.uk/madonna.htm

Although Madonna's work aligns itself with Butler's feminist/queer political strategy, to say Madonna embodies Gender Trouble is clearly Utopian. This does not mean we should overlook her attempts completely, for the messages that much of society appear to be oblivious to can still be used to illustrate subversion. Nevertheless, so far, the association between Madonna and Gender Trouble is more of an academic observation than a queer revolution.

Task: Identify the 3 components of the conclusion in the following:

In conclusion, these parks should be closed, or at the very least, no new animals should be captured for marine parks in the future. Our society is no longer prepared to tolerate unnecessary cruelty to animals for science and entertainment. If we continue with our past crimes against these creatures we will be remembered as cruel and inhuman by the generations of the future.

http://www.eslplanet.com/teachertools/argueweb/conclude.htm

Task 2: Ordering sentences in a conclusion

• a. If we fail to meet our obligations in this area, we will be sacrificing our present and future well-being merely in order to appease out-dated notions of family life and to achieve short-term financial savings.

• b. In conclusion, it is essential that we support the nation's parents and children by funding more childcare places.

• c. Only in this way can we provide the valuable learning environments that young Australians need while, at the same time, utilising the skills of all productive members of our society.

• d. The entire national community will then be enriched economically, socially and culturally.

Identify the 3 parts of the following conclusion.fohttp://www.eslplanet.com/teachertools/argueweb/c

onclud2.htm

In conclusion, it is essential that we support the nation's parents and children by funding more childcare places. Only in this way can we provide the valuable learning environments that young Australians need while, at the same time, utilising the skills of all productive members of our society. The entire national community will then be enriched economically, socially and culturally. If we fail to meet our obligations in this area, we will be sacrificing our present and future well-being merely in order to appease out-dated notions of family life and to achieve short-term financial savings.

ESSAY WRITING PROGRAMME TERM 1, 2003 THEORY INTO PRACTICE…

•  Week 11 (beginning 2/12/02) Theory Into Practice: Introductions/ Conclusions

• In this session we will examine a range of introductions and conclusions in terms of technique.  

• Please bring 1. Your work 2. A textbook to the session with you. •  Any students who would like their work to be looked at by the group

(go on! – the atmosphere is very informal and friendly) should email it to me by Thursday, 28th November (week 10).

• GE 244 Monday 02/12 from 2 - 3pm• Gym 030 Wednesday 04/12 from 1 - 2pm• GE 124 Friday 06/12 from 10 - 11am•  The lecture is suitable for those who want to practise basic

introduction writing.

Week 12 (beginning 9/12/02): Theory Into Practice: Paragraphing

• In this session, we will examine a range of paragraphs written by both published academics and students.

•  • Please bring 1. Your work 2. A textbook to the session with you. • Any students who would like their work to be looked at by the group

should email it to me by Thur, December 5th (week 11).•  • GE 244 Monday 09/12 from 2 - 3pm• Gym 030 Wednesday 11/12 from 1 - 2pm• GE 124 Friday 13/12 from 10 - 11am•  • This lecture is suitable for those who want to practise basic paragraph

structure.