Good Concluding Paragraph Examples for Middle School Writing

🧠 Quick Study Guide

• 🎯 Purpose of a Conclusion: To summarize the main points, restate the thesis in new words, and leave a lasting impression on the reader. It provides a sense of closure.
• 📝 Key Elements:
  • 🔄 Restate Thesis: Rephrase your main argument or thesis statement in fresh language, without simply copying it.
  • 💡 Summarize Main Points: Briefly remind the reader of the key arguments or evidence you presented in your body paragraphs. Don't introduce new information.
  • 🔮 Final Thought: Offer a concluding statement that broadens the topic, suggests an implication, makes a prediction, or calls the reader to action.
• 🚫 What to Avoid:
  • 🆕 Introducing new information or evidence.
  • 🗣️ Apologizing for your writing or essay.
  • 📋 Simply copying sentences directly from your introduction or body paragraphs.
  • clichés like "In conclusion" or "To summarize" (try for a more natural transition).
• ✨ Effective Techniques:
  • 🔗 Connect your ideas to a broader context or the real world.
  • ❓ End with a thought-provoking question related to your topic.
  • 🖼️ Paint a final picture or scenario for the reader.
  • ⚖️ Emphasize the significance or importance of your topic.

✍️ Practice Quiz

1. What is the primary goal of a concluding paragraph in middle school writing?

1. To introduce a brand new idea or argument.
2. To provide a brief summary of the main points and leave a lasting impression.
3. To apologize for any weaknesses in the essay.
4. To ask the reader to do more research on the topic.

2. Which of the following is NOT a recommended element for a strong concluding paragraph?

1. Restating the thesis in new words.
2. Briefly summarizing the essay's main points.
3. Offering a final thought or implication.
4. Introducing a completely new argument or piece of evidence.

3. When you "restate your thesis" in a conclusion, what does that mean?

1. Rewriting your original thesis statement using different words and phrasing.
2. Copying and pasting your introduction's thesis statement exactly.
3. Writing a completely new thesis statement for the conclusion.
4. Ignoring the thesis and focusing only on the main points.

4. Why should you generally avoid starting a conclusion with phrases like "In conclusion" or "To conclude"?

1. They are too formal for middle school writing.
2. They make the paragraph too long.
3. They are overused and can make your writing sound unoriginal.
4. Teachers prefer you to use a different language.

5. Which technique best helps a concluding paragraph leave a lasting impression on the reader?

1. Repeating the exact words from the introduction.
2. Connecting the essay's ideas to a broader, real-world context or future implication.
3. Asking a simple yes/no question.
4. Listing more facts that weren't discussed in the body paragraphs.

6. How does a strong concluding paragraph relate to the introduction?

1. It should completely contradict the introduction.
2. It should ignore the introduction and focus only on the body.
3. It should repeat the introduction word-for-word.
4. It should echo the introduction's main idea, providing a sense of closure and completeness.

7. Which of these options best represents a strong final thought for a persuasive essay about recycling?

1. "Ultimately, the future of our planet rests on the small, conscious choices we make every day, like choosing to recycle."
2. "So, that's why recycling is good."
3. "I guess recycling is important, but it's also a lot of work."
4. "More research needs to be done on the benefits of recycling."