All About Conclusions

So the essay is winding down. The introduction is clear, the thesis statement has been explained in detail point-by-point, and the word-count requirement is within reach. Time to stop writing, huh? Well, almost.

Now comes the conclusion, the most important part of the essay aside from the intro. "But I already explained it all," you say. "What's left to write?"

Well, you just finished explaining your last point in detail, which means it's probably been a while since you mentioned your other points. The conclusion is the place where you will summarize your complete argument, paraphrasing your most hard-hitting points and--this is the important part--putting them into perspective.

Perspective is what differentiates the conclusion from the introduction. In the introduction, you are focused on providing a backdrop for your argument. In the conclusion, you give the argument broad context--explaining what the argument contributes to the subject matter, why it is important, and/or how it fits into the world at large. (So you would not simply copy your introduction and paste it in the conclusion's spot like I've seen more than one student do.)

Time for an example. First, let me show you the introduction:

Mountain lions are creatures that naturally prefer to avoid confrontations with other non-prey animals. In recent decades, however, shrinking habitats have forced mountain lions into areas populated by humans. As a result, mountain lions are attacking humans at increasing rates every year in an attempt to protect their territory. Lawmakers can help solve this problem by setting aside more land for wildlife reservations, providing more funding to national parks to educate the public on wildlife safety, and enforcing hunting restrictions on reserved land.

Ok, now the conclusion:

As people continue to intrude into mountain lion habitats, attacks on humans will only increase (context/importance). Swift action is needed to protect the public from these beautiful, misunderstood creatures (persuasive call to action). Lawmakers can do much to reduce the threat of attack by setting aside additional land for wildlife, granting more funds to national parks, and enforcing hunting restrictions on reserved land (summary of thesis). By taking these actions, lawmakers will not only help protect the public from these wild attacks, but they will also promote understanding and respect for these endangered animals (additional importance/expansion of issue).

Notice how the conclusion differs widely from the introduction. The introduction provides background information that introduces the argument, while the conclusion features contextual information that highlights the necessity of the argument.

Once you master the art of writing conclusions, you'll be one big step closer to earning a stellar grade.

Building an Argument

Once while giving a presentation on academic writing, I stated that essays should be relatively free of opinion. Immediately, a student asked, "But isn't the thesis statement basically the writer's opinion on a subject?"

Well, yes. And no.

An opinion is simply a belief that a person holds. It can be rational or irrational, supported or unsupported by fact. An opinion can develop from any type of influence or no influence at all.

A thesis statement, however, is a logical, well-structured argument that is formed after a student has thoroughly analyzed a subject, problem, or text. It MUST be supported by a well-reasoned argument based on research and evidence. Therefore, a thesis statement is not simply an opinion.

Building and supporting an argument is perhaps the toughest challenge of writing any essay. Many students struggle to do it and fall short--mainly because they are never taught how to create an argument of college-level sophistication. However, building a solid argument has been boiled down to a practical formula:

Essay Body Paragraph

Sentence 1: Topic sentence--introduces the point, focus, or argument for that paragraph ONLY.

Sentence 2: Explanation or expansion of the topic.

Sentence 3-4: Crux of argument (may include quote from text or expert.)

Sentence 5: Explanation/interpretation of quote in the previous sentence, or example from text that demonstrates or supports argument.

Sentence 6: Explanation of example provided in previous sentence, or concluding thought on the quote explained in previous sentence.


...Or to break it down even more simply: statement, example, interpretation/explanation, conclusion (in that order).


I will provide an example of this formula at work in an excerpt from one of my own college essays:

The most notable aspect of Douglass’s Narrative is the way in which Douglass redefines Christianity. (Topic) This indeed involves psychological strategy, as Douglass constructs his perspective of Christianity through the “othering” of the southern slaveholders’ beliefs and behaviors. (Expansion of Topic + Crux) In the process of “othering”--as described by Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning author--one standard of behavior is described and, in Douglass’s case, shown to be undesirable. (Expert definition + Explanation) Its presence in the text then serves to define and highlight its more desirable opposite (16-17). (Further explanation) This process is most visibly seen in Douglass’s account of the Sabbath school, which he taught while working for Mr. Freeland. (Example from text) He says,

"It was necessary to keep our religious masters at St. Michael’s unacquainted with the fact, that, instead of spending the Sabbath in wrestling, boxing, and drinking whiskey, we were trying to learn to read the will of God; for they had much rather see us engaged in those degrading sports, than to see us behaving like intellectual, moral, and accountable beings. My blood boils as I think of the bloody manner in which Messrs. Wright Fairbanks and Garrison West...rushed in upon us with sticks and stones, and broke up our virtuous little Sabbath school...all calling themselves Christians!" (1924-25) (Quote illustrating example)

Here, Douglass draws attention to the discrepancy between the slaveholders’ profession of faith and their behavior. (Interpretation of quote) While many of his masters make long prayers and preach revivals, they ultimately use their beliefs as “a dark shelter under, which the darkest, foulest, grossest, and most infernal deeds of slaveholders find the strongest protection” (1923). (Logical conclusion based on interpretation + additional supporting quote)


Benefits of following this formula:

1. Thesis statement is always well-supported.

2. Argument is clearly defined and explained.

3. Writing flows well and STAYS ON TOPIC!

4. Meaningless repetition and empty statements are avoided.

5. You will have written a stellar essay.

Stellar Introductions

The introduction is the most important part of the essay. It is the first impression a professor receives of a student's ability to write. It introduces the essay's topic. And most importantly, it contains the thesis--the student's argument and the organizational framework for the entire essay.

Naturally, the introduction is the most difficult part of the essay to write. How does one begin a stellar introductory paragraph? And what should it look like when it is finished?

A good introduction is usually short and always concise. That said, it should always contain AT LEAST four (4) sentences, the amount required for a full-length academic paragraph. Students in the past have tried to argue this point, claiming that two sentences can do the job. Too bad they can't. One sentence is the thesis statement, which means the other sentence must fully introduce the topic and give the professor that oh-so-crucial first impression. No single sentence can effectively achieve both of those objectives. So, prepare to write four or more.

Also, it's called a thesis STATEMENT, not statements. Never split up a cohesive thesis statement into more than one sentence just to achieve the required number of sentences. It will not bode well for thee and thy grade.

The first sentence of any paragraph is called the topic sentence. The topic sentence introduces the topic, or focus, of that paragraph. In the case of the introduction, the topic sentence introduces the subject of your essay. The topic sentence should be more general in substance than the thesis statement, which introduces your argument.

Review:
topic sentence = essay topic (general)
thesis statement = argument about topic (specific)

Now that you have introduced the subject of your essay, what comes next? How about some background information? Let me demonstrate:

Mountain lions are creatures that naturally prefer to avoid confrontations with other non-prey animals (topic). In recent decades, however, shrinking habitats have forced mountain lions into areas populated by humans (history). As a result, mountain lions are attacking humans at increasing rates every year in an attempt to protect their territory (background). Lawmakers can help solve this problem by setting aside more land for wildlife reservations, providing more funding to national parks to educate the public on wildlife safety, and enforcing hunting restrictions on reserved land (thesis).

As you can see, each sentence flows into the next, providing relevant information that introduces the essay's argument. This is what a stellar introduction looks like.

Let's look at another example:

American novelist and nineteenth century writer Nathaniel Hawthorne was the first writer to apply artistic judgment to Puritan society. There were many transcendentalists during Hawthorne's time period, but his works showed little optimism and self-confidence. Most of his works were written from a Puritan preoccupation. With a series of short stories and novels that brought back the life of New England's Puritan past, Hawthorne achieved one of the most distinguished literary careers of the nineteenth century.

With words like "transcendentalist" and "preoccupation", you can't go wrong, can you? However, this paragraph is missing two very important elements. Can you guess what the are?

Answer:
1. flow
2. a thesis statement!

Sure, the vocabulary sounds great, but what will this essay address? How Hawthorne applied artistic judgment? How Hawthorne differed from his fellow transcendentalists? How he captured the Puritan lifestyle in his works? I can't tell! But with a little revision, this can become a stellar intro.

Nineteenth century American novelist Nathaniel Hawethorne produced many popular works based on Puritan themes. He was the first writer to apply artistic judgment to Puritan society by reconstructing the harsh images and bleak landscape associated with New England's Puritan past. Although considered a transcendentalist like many of his contemporaries, Hawthorne's work lacked optimism and, in some cases, seemed short on self-confidence by comparison. However, Hawthorne's preoccupation with Puritan themes earned him one of the most distinguished literary careers of the nineteenth century. The themes Hawthorne focused on most frequently in his works include religion, women in society, and retribution.

With a little extra information and some smooth transitions, this introduction now flows logically toward a clearly defined thesis.

Remember, at least four sentences:

1.Topic
2. Background/History
3. Background/History
4. Thesis statement