ESSAY WRITING Meeting 5

Summary

This lesson focuses on teaching students how to effectively write a closing paragraph for an essay. The instructor explains the importance of restating the thesis, summarizing key points, and providing a final thought or call to action. Students learn that the closing paragraph is essential for reinforcing the argument and leaving a lasting impression on the reader. They are encouraged to avoid introducing new information, being vague, or making unrealistic claims. The session concludes with a practical exercise for students to apply these techniques in their own writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of a closing paragraph is to provide a final opportunity to reinforce arguments and ideas presented earlier in the essay.
• 😀 A closing paragraph leaves a lasting impression on the reader, making it crucial to leave a strong, positive impact.
• 😀 The closing paragraph should summarize the key points of the essay without introducing new information.
• 😀 A strong closing paragraph must include a restatement of the thesis, summarization of main points, and a final call to action or conclusion.
• 😀 Restating the thesis involves using different wording while maintaining the original meaning to emphasize the key argument of the essay.
• 😀 The summary in the closing paragraph should highlight the most important points discussed throughout the essay, ensuring clarity.
• 😀 A call to action in the closing paragraph can encourage readers to reflect on the topic or consider future actions related to the essay's subject.
• 😀 Avoid introducing new information or arguments in the closing paragraph, as it should focus solely on reinforcing what has already been discussed.
• 😀 It is important to avoid over-explaining or overloading the closing paragraph with too much detail, as this can weaken the conclusion.
• 😀 The session encourages students to practice writing a closing paragraph that effectively combines a restatement of the thesis, a summary of main points, and a strong call to action.

Q & A

Why is the closing paragraph important in an essay?

The closing paragraph is important because it provides a final opportunity to reinforce your argument, leaves a lasting impression on the reader, and summarizes the key points without introducing new information.

What is the primary purpose of restating the thesis in the closing paragraph?

Restating the thesis helps to remind the reader of the core argument or main idea of the essay, but it should be done using different wording to avoid redundancy.

What should be included in the summary of the main points in the closing paragraph?

The summary should briefly recap the main points discussed in the body paragraphs, giving the reader a concise overview of the argument without adding new information.

What role does a final sentence or call to action play in the closing paragraph?

The final sentence or call to action provides a strong conclusion, encouraging the reader to reflect on the topic or consider taking action on the issue discussed, leaving a lasting impression.

What are some tips for effectively restating the thesis in the closing paragraph?

To effectively restate the thesis, use different wording from the introduction, ensuring it reflects the insights or perspectives gained through the body paragraphs of the essay.

What common mistakes should be avoided when writing a closing paragraph?

Common mistakes to avoid include introducing new information, overloading the conclusion with complex ideas, or making unrealistic claims that do not align with the essay’s content.

Why should you avoid introducing new information in the closing paragraph?

Introducing new information in the closing paragraph can confuse the reader, as the conclusion should focus on summarizing the main points, not introducing new concepts or arguments.

How can the closing paragraph leave a lasting impression on the reader?

A closing paragraph leaves a lasting impression by effectively summarizing the essay's arguments, offering a strong final thought or call to action, and reinforcing the thesis in a memorable way.

What is the purpose of a strong final sentence in a closing paragraph?

The purpose of a strong final sentence is to offer a memorable conclusion that reinforces the main argument or encourages the reader to think further about the topic.

What is the difference between summarizing the main points and restating the thesis?

Summarizing the main points involves giving a brief overview of the key arguments made in the body paragraphs, while restating the thesis involves reinforcing the central argument of the essay, albeit in different wording.