Concluding sentences are the last sentences in your paragraphs; their job is to wrap up the main idea(s) of your paragraph, restating their importance.

1. Concluding
sentences are
the last
sentences in
your
paragraphs;
their job is to
wrap up the
main idea(s) of
your paragraph,
restating their
importance.
CONCLUDING
SENTENCES

2. The purpose of concluding sentences
 Concluding sentences link one paragraph to the next,
helping you transition and maintain a unity within your text.
They fulfill three critical roles within the paragraph:
1. Connecting information that you’ve provided in your
concrete details and commentary.
2. Linking the current paragraph to the subsequent one by
anticipating the next topic sentence.
3. Reinforcing the validity of the information or
perspectives found in the concrete details and
commentary.

3. The purpose of concluding sentences, cont.
Connecting Information
 Summarizing the points that you have made.
 Repeating words and phrases, or using synonyms for
them from the topic sentence.
 Using linking words that indicate that the conclusions
are being made:
 For example
 Therefore
 Thus
 Resulting

4. The purpose of concluding sentences, cont.
Linking Paragraphs
 Introducing a word, phrase, or new concept that
will then be used in the topic sentence of the
subsequent paragraph.
 Using words or phrases that point ahead:
 For example
 The following
 Another
 Other

5. The purpose of concluding sentences, cont.
Reinforcing Information
 Making comparisons and contrasts between perspectives
 Using language that clearly indicates the writer’s preferred
perspective or bias
 Using conjunctions to provide foreground to the
importance of some perspectives and background to
others:
o Though
o Notwithstanding
o Although
o Whereas
o Despite
o While
o In spite of

6. What to do to make an effective CS
 End the paragraph with a CS that summarizes or
restates the main idea of the topic sentence:
Example:
 TS: A grandma is a truly amazing person who
has all of the best characteristics of a mom, but
none of the faults.
 CS: She will go to any length to plan family gettogethers at which a grandma truly shines in her
role.

7. What to do to make an effective CS, cont.
 Make sure that the concluding sentence doesn’t
introduce another subject not discussed in the
paragraph.
 Introducing another subject that isn’t covered by
the paragraph confuses the reader and weakens
the conclusion.

8. Adapt the CS to the type of paragraph
Compare/Contrast
 Include the two subjects being compared/
contrasted to reinforce the comparison/contrast
Example
CS: The fact that these contrasting figures—Jim
Calhoun and Bobby Knight—were two of the
most successful coaches in college basketball
history proves that there is more than one means
of inspiring a team’s success.

9. Adapt the CS to the type of paragraph, cont.
Description
 Connect details together into an overall impression
that restates the impression given in the topic
sentence.
Example
TS: Matthew McConaughey is the type of actor whose
very appearance radiates an easy-going sense of humor.
CS: McConaughey had the type of lackadaisical attitude
that could brighten even the toughest audience’s day.

10. Adapt the CS to the type of paragraph
Classification
 After the rest of the paragraph breaks the topic
into component parts, use the CS to sum up the
topic as a whole.
Example
TS: Vehicle safety is essential when driving in rain,
sleet, and snow.
CS: The precautions you take when operating a
vehicle will depend on the weather conditions.

11. Adapt the CS to the type of paragraph
Explanation
 After the rest of the paragraph explains through
the use of examples, use the CS to restate the
topic sentence.
Example
TS: The choices people make can form the
backbone of their character.
CS: Reputation is truly fragile; it takes years to
create, but a single moment to lose.