Concluding Sentences in Essays: Rules and Examples for ESL Students

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔑 Purpose: Concluding sentences signal the end of a paragraph or essay and summarize the main point.
• 🎯 Placement: Usually the last sentence of a paragraph or the final paragraph of an essay.
• ✍️ Techniques: Restate the topic sentence, summarize key points, or offer a final thought.
• 🚫 Avoid: Introducing new information, apologizing for your writing, or simply repeating the topic sentence verbatim.
• 🔗 Transition: A concluding sentence can sometimes transition to the next paragraph, especially in longer essays.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a concluding sentence in an essay?
   1. To introduce a new topic.
   2. To summarize the main points.
   3. To provide a detailed explanation.
   4. To ask a question.
2. Where is a concluding sentence typically found?
   1. At the beginning of a paragraph.
   2. In the middle of a paragraph.
   3. At the end of a paragraph.
   4. Anywhere in the paragraph.
3. Which technique is appropriate for writing a concluding sentence?
   1. Introducing a completely new idea.
   2. Restating the topic sentence in different words.
   3. Apologizing for any shortcomings in the essay.
   4. Providing a lengthy quotation.
4. What should you avoid doing in a concluding sentence?
   1. Summarizing the main points.
   2. Offering a final thought on the topic.
   3. Introducing new information.
   4. Restating the thesis.
5. A concluding sentence can sometimes do which of the following?
   1. Introduce the essay's thesis statement.
   2. Transition to the next paragraph.
   3. Replace the topic sentence.
   4. Provide the essay's title.
6. Which of these is the best example of a concluding sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of exercise?
   1. Exercise can be difficult for some people.
   2. Therefore, engaging in regular physical activity offers significant advantages for overall health.
   3. I think exercise is a good idea.
   4. This paragraph is about exercise.
7. What is the most effective way to write a strong concluding sentence?
   1. By repeating the topic sentence word for word.
   2. By providing a completely unrelated statement.
   3. By summarizing the main points and leaving the reader with a lasting impression.
   4. By asking a rhetorical question.