Sum it Up and Point the Way Forward Conclusions: Ending on a
Strong Note
Slide 2
The Conclusion... The conclusion can be the most difficult part
of a paper to write, but it is your chance to have the last word on
the subject. The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the
issues you have raised in your paper, to summarize your thoughts,
to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel the
reader to a new view on the subject. It also allows you to push
beyond the boundaries of your more focused argument and to consider
broader issues and make new connections. The conclusions overall
goal is to convince your readers to agree with you because they
believe and enjoy what you have written, or agree, with certainty,
that your point of view is a correct one. Again, think of the essay
as a first date. The introduction is important, but so is the
impression you leave the person with. Ideally, after reading your
essay, your readers will want to read your other work. Perhaps the
most common mistake is letting your paper wind down slowly, like a
clock losing battery power. The dribble-off ending is a sure sign
of a weak essay, and will disappoint your audience and reveal your
lack of skill as a writer.
Slide 3
Summary and Implications The two jobs of the conclusion are to
sum up the main claim and major moves of the argument and to
discuss one or more implications of the claim being true Length:
Typically 1 to 1 pages Summary: One paragraph; to page long at most
Implications: Assume that you have successfully demonstrated to the
reader that your Main Claim is true. What should the reader think
about next? If one thing (your claim) is true then another thing
will also be true or should be true
Slide 4
Possible Structure Step 1: Summary/Restate main claim
(rephrased). Step 2 (Implications): Shine new light on the subject.
A new understanding Step 3 (Call to action): Get readers
involved.
Slide 5
What to Avoid Do not simply repeat material from the opening of
the paper Do not continue to argue for your main claim Do not start
another fully-developed argument with reasons and evidence Do not
stray far from the argument in the paper Do not begin conclusion
with phrases like In conclusion, To summarize, I conclude by, or
And so we see that, etc.
Slide 6
Strategies for Focusing the Conclusion Decide whether to
address readers in general or to focus your conclusion on a
specific group of stakeholders Example: At the end of the paper on
childhood obesity, the writer might focus on parents or on
policymakers concerned about childhood obesity Who you target
determines which implications matter most If you have referenced a
real or hypothetical person or group in the introduction, returning
to that person or group in the conclusion can bring the paper full
circle Teachers Policymakers Doctors Parents Scientists General
Audience Judges Citizens Consumers Architects People suffering from
depression People who buy organic Educators College students
Dieticians Advocates for veterans Farmers Users of social media
National security experts Anti-nuclear advocates
Slide 7
What Will Change? Internal Change The reader or stakeholder has
to think or feel differently about something because of your
argument Direct Action The reader or stakeholder has to change or
should change his or her own behavior Indirect Action The reader
has to advocate for or should advocate for someone else to change
behavior Indirect Action: Policy The reader or stakeholder should
advocate for a policy to change. Laws and regulations Institutional
policies Corporate policies Policies of international organizations
Etc.
Slide 8
The Change Must Be Practical and Reasonable Avoid the pitfall
of suggesting an unrealistic or impractical change. Such
suggestions leave the reader thinking you are extreme or silly or
both. Uh-oh!
Slide 9
No Perfect Solutions! UNIV 200 topics are complex and,
therefore, not easy to understand or, in the case of a problem, to
solve Shoot for improvement rather than solution It is enough if
someone understands the issue a little bit better or if a proposed
change in behavior or policy improves a problem in some small way
It is okay if the problem remains problematic!
Slide 10
To Avoid Sounding Extreme or Silly You can use the strategy of
In an ideal world however, given the realities of ___________ This
strategy makes you sound very reasonable You might talk about why a
desirable change is unlikely to happen because of practical,
cultural, political, economic or other barriers to that change You
might talk about what else needs to be explored or researched in
order to adequately understand the topic
Slide 11
Sound Even More Reasonable Use Qualifying Language Examples
Some, many, a number of, a few May, might, could, probably will,
maybe Suggests, seems to show, seems to demonstrate Likely,
probable, unlikely, less likely, improbable, possible (as opposed
to certain)
Slide 12
Explain Why! Explain How! Although you are not making a new
fully-developed argument, you still need to write complete thoughts
Say why Say how
Slide 13
Exercise Who will your conclusion address? A specific group of
stakeholders or a more general audience? What do you want your
readers to change in their thinking after reading your paper?
(within reason) What do you want your readers to change about their
behavior after reading your paper? (again, be reasonablea
reasonable change) Complete this sentence: In an ideal world
however, given the realities of ___________ Is there a reason why a
desirable change is unlikely to happen because of practical,
cultural, political, economic or other barriers to that change? If
yes, explain. What else do you think needs to be explored or
researched in order to adequately understand the topic?
Slide 14
Dave wants to know Step 1: Write out your main claim. Do not
use the words you have used before. Rephrase them from intro. Step
2: Now, Dave wants to know: So what? (implications) Step 3: Okay,
Dave understand. Now what? (Call to action)
