Module 5

Module 5

Essentials for Academic Writing

In this module, you will learn

The relevance of a conclusion

Academic language: punctuation

The function of a conclusion

Examples of well-written conclusions

What is the relevance of a conclusion?

The conclusion of your essay, in the form of a closing paragraph, is just as important as your opening, the first paragraph. The opening paragraph makes a first impression on your reader. Your final paragraph will be the last impression you make. It is clear that you must leave your reader with a favourable impression.

What isthe function of a conclusion?

STOP AND THINK

What isthe function of a conclusion?

STOP AND THINK

What is the function of a conclusion?

The function of the closing paragraph is to round off the essay appropriately. The assignment may have asked you to make some kind of judgement and this is where you have to express that judgement and summarise the reasons for it. It is wise practice to refer back to the evidence or arguments you have been making in the body of the essay. Of course, you do not reiterate the same points, but you must find a way of summing up that brings the essay to an emphatic conclusion and creates the impression that the topic assignment has been relevantly and thoroughly dealt with.

VIDEO

Watch this video on the main characteristics of academic writing.

Look at some concluding paragraphs

Example

In conclusion, then, I would argue that, unless all the countries of the world, great and small, developed or developing, powerful and not-so-powerful, make some sacrifices for the sake of the future of the planet, the resources we have taken for granted up till now will run out. The most powerful nations of the world, the members of the G8, must lead the way, otherwise disaster on an unimaginable scale might ensue. The time for empty rhetoric is past, the time for action has arrived. Time has run out for the procrastinators and the selfish. It is the human race itself that faces extinction.

This paragraph uses a linking phrase ‘in conclusion’ to signpost the fact that the essay has reached its final paragraph. The use of ‘then’ is another signal to the reader that you are reaching a conclusion based on what you have written in the preceding paragraphs.

Other appropriate words or phrases that can be used to signal this include:

Finally, ... As I have argued, ... As I have shown, ... Therefore, ... The bulk of the evidence, then, points to ... However, as I have shown, ... Based on this evidence, ...

Piece of advice

The concluding paragraph must inevitably include an element of summarising what you have written before. Try to avoid, however, slavishly repeating exactly the arguments or content you have used earlier. Find a fresh and concise way of reemphasising the conclusion you have come to. Be specific and detailed, however.

Example

Thus, there does seem to be considerable evidence to support the proposition that a widespread ‘dumbing down’ process has been taking place in the mass media and entertainment. The television schedules, as has been shown, are awash with programmes that scarcely trouble the brain cells of the nation. Equally, the tabloid newspapers appeal more and more to the lowest common denominator, concentrating on sensationalism, celebrity culture and lurid gossip. Most Hollywood movies, which, after all, dominate the world film market, are ‘no- brainers’ and devoid of any artistic merit. This essay has demonstrated that this has not always been the case in these three spheres. How this downward trend towards mindlessness in mass culture can be reversed is difficult to say. However, unless something is done to raise cultural standards, it is certain that our society will be the poorer for it.

This closing paragraph uses several words and phrases that indicates its summarising and concluding function: ‘Thus’ at the start of the paragraph is a signpost to the reader that the essay is coming to a considered conclusion based on the points that have been raised in the body of the essay; ‘as has been shown’ refers back to a paragraph in the essay where television schedules have been discussed; ‘Equally’ emphasises a similar point that has been made about tabloid newspapers; ‘This essay has demonstrated’ recalls the evidence presented in the essay that matters used to be different.

SUMMARY

• Your essay should have a concluding paragraph that brings the essay back to the set topic and draws a conclusion or summarises the evidence. Your assessor must be left with the impression of a considered conclusion.

• The concluding paragraph should round off your essay, drawing a conclusion if you have been asked to do so, but certainly summarising the content of your essay and leaving your assessor with the impression that you have rounded it off succinctly and neatly.

LANGUAGE POINT: PUNCTUATION

Punctuation guide

Punctuation is the tool that allows us to organize our thoughts and make it easier to review and share our ideas. The standard English punctuation is as follows: period, comma, apostrophe, quotation, question, exclamation, brackets, braces, parenthesis, dash, hyphen, ellipsis, colon, semicolon. Open the link to check a useful punctuation guide, in which you will find the most important rules and how to avoid the most typical punctuation mistakes.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

REFERENCES

Shiach, D. (2009). How To Write Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide for All Levels, With Sample Essays. UK: Little, Brown Book Group. https://www.lynchburg.edu/academics/writing-center/wilmer-writing-center-online-writing-lab/grammar/a-quick-guide-to-punctuation/