Writing Conclusions for Argumentative/Persuasive Papers

1. Writing Conclusions for Argumentative/Persuasive Papers http://www.essaycapital.com/blog/research-paper-writing-guide/argumentative-research-paper-9/ http://www.ehow.com/how_6449319_write-conclusion-argumentative-essay.html http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/pdf/draftconclusion.pdf

2. Four parts of a good conclusion: • 1. Use signal words to indicate the reader that he has reached the end and refer back to the “attention-getter” if possible. • 2. Restate your main points. • 3. Then restate the thesis statement with some variation in the language in the next to last line. • 4. End the conclusion with: A. “Call to action” B. “Note of finality,” or C. “Drawing an inference. “ (Based on your analysis, what can be inferred. In other words, make an analysis of your results) • NOTES: No new points are mentioned. The conclusion should be short --six lines maximum.

3. Signal Words for Conclusions • finally, for these reasons, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in drawing to a close, indeed, in general, in other words, in retrospect, in short, in summary, on the whole, or briefly, such being the case, to conclude, to recapitulate, to repeat, to summarize, to sum up • AVOID: “in summary,” “to summarize,” “in conclusion,” and “to conclude” • http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/pdf/draftconclusion.pdf

4. Example of Call to Action (last line) • As this report has shown, pollution is a cost of production, not a moral evil. When we understand that we cannot outlaw pollution and come to view pollution as merely a cost of human activity, we can begin to devise creative environmental policies. This essay charges that the public choice model can be used in environmental policy making. From here, we challenge the Environment Oversight Committee to use the choice model to reduce the negative effects of the externality of pollution. • http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/pdf/draftconclusion.pdf

5. Possible vocabulary for “Call to Action.” • we need to • our job is to • it is our responsibility to • we can • it is important to • in order to…, we must… • we are capable of • it would be to our advantage to • in so doing…

6. Example of “Note of Finality.” (last line) • No matter how you look at it, there’s really no valid reason not to spay or neuter your pet. Whether you consider the potential suffering of unborn animals, the health and comfort of your own pet, or your own convenience as a pet owner, you must agree that the facts all show that spaying or neutering is the way to go. It’s not only the convenient choice, but also the morally right choice, and one that all pet owners should make. • http://spot.pcc.edu/~dramirez/GreatEssays/argumentessay.html

7. Example of “Drawing an inference” (last line) • Vacation starvation is affecting a large percentage of American workers. The typical American worker allows little time for uninterrupted rest and relaxation. The one-day per month vacation day is often booked with family responsibilities instead of the leisure and rejuvenation that a 10 day or more family vacation would provide. The alarm clock is ringing loud and clear, but no one is paying attention. Today, most Americans are saving their relaxation time for retirement -- and then finding out it is too late in their lives to be of much use. • http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/pdf/draftconclusion.pdf