AVOID Common Conclusion MISTAKES (FIX THEM NOW)!

Summary

In this 'Garden of English' episode, Tim Freitas guides viewers on crafting compelling conclusions for rhetorical analysis essays. He advises against merely rewording theses or summarizing; instead, he introduces a three-step process focusing on knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Freitas suggests identifying universal ideas from the text, understanding their real-world applications, and imparting wisdom through a metaphor-rich final sentence. He exemplifies this with Cesar Chavez's piece, aiming to elevate the essay's conclusion beyond a simple restatement to a profound reflection of the text's impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 A good conclusion for a rhetorical analysis essay should go beyond rewording the thesis or summarizing the paper.
• 📝 Effective conclusions involve articulating the learning process, which consists of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
• 📚 The first step is identifying universal ideas or abstract concepts the speaker emphasizes in the text.
• 🧠 The second step involves demonstrating understanding by showing how these ideas apply universally, beyond the specific context of the essay.
• 🌍 The third step, wisdom, should provide a final universal insight, often incorporating a short quote from the text.
• 🔄 There are two ways to start your conclusion: either by connecting the universal ideas or by using a metaphor relevant to the rhetorical situation.
• ✍️ Writing with a relevant metaphor in the first sentence can add sophistication and depth to your conclusion.
• 👥 Moving from specific references to the author and audience to more universal terms like 'people' and 'leaders' enhances the timeless relevance of your conclusion.
• 📜 Including a short textual quote in the final sentence can reinforce the wisdom gained from the essay.
• 🎤 A strong conclusion acts like a mic drop, leaving a lasting impact on the reader and encapsulating the essay's core ideas effectively.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on how to write effective conclusions for rhetorical analysis essays.

What are the three steps mentioned for writing a conclusion?

The three steps for writing a conclusion are: knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

Why does the speaker advise against simply rewording the thesis or summarizing the essay?

The speaker advises against rewording the thesis or summarizing the essay because professional writers don't use these techniques, and doing so doesn't add sophistication to the conclusion.

What does the 'knowledge' component in the conclusion refer to?

The 'knowledge' component refers to identifying the universal ideas or abstract concepts that the speaker wants the audience to know about.

How does the speaker suggest expressing 'knowledge' in a conclusion?

The speaker suggests articulating the relationship between the universal ideas explored in the essay, or using a metaphor that is relevant to the rhetorical situation.

What is the purpose of the 'understanding' phase in the conclusion?

The 'understanding' phase is meant to universalize the ideas from the piece, separating them from the specific speaker and audience to make the conclusion more timeless.

How can you shift from specific examples in the essay to universal ideas in the conclusion?

You can shift from specific examples to universal ideas by replacing specific names with broader terms like 'individuals,' 'leaders,' or 'people,' and focusing on general principles that apply across time.

What is the role of 'wisdom' in the final step of writing a conclusion?

The 'wisdom' step involves imparting a lesson or broader insight that the reader should gain after understanding the piece, often by including a relevant quote from the text.

Why does the speaker recommend using a piece of text from the reading in the final sentence?

The speaker recommends using a piece of text from the reading in the final sentence to anchor the conclusion in the original material while providing a universal message.

What is the purpose of creating a metaphorical first sentence for the conclusion?

A metaphorical first sentence can add style and depth to the conclusion by connecting the ideas in a more sophisticated way that reflects the rhetorical situation.