I. Introduction to the Concluding Sentence
After you have finished the last supporting sentence the main point of a paragraph, you must end the paragraph with a concluding sentence. This sentence tells the reader that the paragraph is finished, and it completes the development of the subject of the paragraph.
The concluding sentence is like the topic sentence because both are general statements. However, the topic sentence is usually the first sentence, the general statement that introduces the topic to be discussed in the paragraph. The concluding sentence is also a general statement, but it is last sentence and the ends paragraph.
The concluding the sentence reminds the reader of the topic sentence. In fact, the concluding sentence can be written like the topic sentence but in different words.
When you write a concluding sentence, you can use one of the following methods.
State the topic sentence in different words. Do not just copy the topic sentence.
Summarize some (or all) of the points in the paragraph.
A concluding sentence serves three purposes:
1. It signals the end of the paragraph.
2. It summarizes the main points of the paragraph.
3. It gives a final comment on the topic and leaves the reader with the most important ideas to think about.
You may begin the concluding sentence with a phrase that tells the reader that the paragraph is completed:
These are followed by a comma. These are not followed by a comma.
Finally, … In conclusion, … In summary, … Therefore, … Thus, … As a result, … For these reasons, … Indeed, …
In brief, … In short, …
We can see that…
It is clear that…
These examples show that…
There can be no doubt that…
The evidence suggests that…
The examples that follow demonstrate two different types of concluding sentences. The first one paragraph the topic sentence; that is, concluding sentence repeats the main idea of the topic sentence in different words. The second example summarizes the two main points of the paragraph which were specially stated in the topic sentence. The topic sentence and the concluding sentence in the paragraphs below are underlined. Read each of the topic sentences and concluding sentences carefully.
Unit 5: THE CONCLUDING SENTENCE
Model Paragraph 1
Model Paragraph 2
II. The Concluding Comment
After the concluding sentence of a paragraph, you may add a concluding comment.
This sentence is the writer’s final comment or thought about the subject of the paragraph. The purpose of the final comment is to give the reader sometimes to think about and to remember about the paragraph. In the following example, the second last sentence that is italicized is the concluding sentence and the last sentence that is underlined is the writer’s final comment about river rafting.
PRACTICE
I. Write a concluding sentence for each of the following topic sentences.
SYNONYMS
Synonyms , words that have the same basic meaning, do not always have the same emotional meaning. For example, the words stingy and frugal both mean “careful with money”. However, to call a person stingy is an insult, while the word frugal has a much more positive connotation. Similarly, a person wants to be a slender but not skinny, and aggressive but not pushy. Therefore, you should be careful in choosing words because many so-called synonyms are not really synonymous at all.
Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics. First of all, gold has a lustrous beauty that is resistant to corrosion. Therefore, it is suitable for jewelry, coins, and ornamental purposes. Gold never needs to be polished and will remain beautiful forever. For example, a Macedonian remains as untarnished today as the day it was minted twenty-three countries ago.
Another important characteristic of gold is its usefulness to industry and science. For many years, it has been used in hundreds of industrial applications. The most recent use of gold is in astronaut’s suits. Astronauts wear gold-plated heat shields for protection outside the spaceship. In concluding, gold is treasured not only for its beauty but also for its utility.
RIVER RAFTING
River rafting is a challenging sport with importance to requirements. First of all, planning your trip carefully ensures your safety at all times. Therefore, the river rafting company you choose should have a good safety record. You can select a river rafting trip from level 1 (no experience) to level 6 (the most experience). At level 1, the river moves slowly and does not have many dangerous rocks and boulders, so you can actually enjoy the scenery. At each level up the scale, there is an increasing number of powerful waves and dangerous rocks. When the river is high from melting snow, the current is fast, and the ride is rough. Therefore, it is only for the most experienced river runner. In addition, river rafting requires special equipments. You ride an inflatable rubber boat with an expertly trained equipments guide and group of six to eight people. Everyone must wear a life jacket and a helmet and be able to use a paddle at the more difficult levels. Finally, you must be alter at all times. You must stay safety in the raft as it makes its way down the raging river. The guide will shout instructions, and the passenger must obey instantly and work as a team to avoid disaster. The chances of falling overboard are great. Because river conditions can be dangerous at the higher levels of difficulty, the wild, exciting adventure is only for the courageous and experienced. In short, if you are fearless and in good physical condition and can react quickly, river rafting is the ideal outdoor sport for you.
1. Valentine’s Day makes people feel bad if they are alone.
2. In my opinion, people should be at least eighteen years old before they are allowed to get a driver’s license.
3. The cafeteria is an expensive place to eat.
4. The old bookcase was very cluttered.
5. Everyone is the car should fasten his or her safety belt.
6. My first little kitten has turned into a mischievous and beautiful feline.
7. My eleventh birthday was my best of my childhood.
8. English is a difficult language for me to learn for three reasons.
9. It is difficult to quit smoking for these reasons.
10. Jogging is healthful for several reasons.
11. Snow skiing on the highest mountains requires great skills.
12. The legal age for drinking alcohol drinks should be twenty-one for several reasons.
13. Everyone set up their plan for their future.
14. Doing football pool is not a good way to make money.
15. Listening to music can sort out your stress.
II. Read the following topic sentences. Circle the letter of the most appropriate concluding sentence. Notice that most of the concluding sentence being with transition signals although it is not always necessary that they do.
1. My greatest problem in learning English is oral communication.
a. Indeed, learning to read and write English is difficult.
b. Indeed, because I do not speak English enough, my listening and speaking skills have not improved.
c. Indeed, everyone should practice speaking English more.
2. Smoking is unhealthy because it can cause heart and lung disease; moreover, it is expensive.
a. In brief, smoking cigarettes is a bad idea.
b. In brief, smoking is affects your health, and it is also a waste of money.
c. In brief, smoking if a bad habit.
3. In my opinion, college grads are necessary because they motivate students to do their homework and to attend class regularly.
a. Therefore, college grads are important.
b. Therefore, students should be graded for their own good.
c. Therefore, college grads are important because they cause students to be more serious and to try harder.
4. My major goals are getting a part-time job and mastering the use of the English language.
a. In short, my major goals are getting a part-time job and master the use of the English language.
b. In short, if I do not reach my goals, I will be unhappy.
c. In short, finding a job and using English well are important to me.
5. London has excellent bus and subway system.
a. It is clear that the publish transportation system in London provides reliable service at all times.
b. It is clear taking a bus in London in convenient.
c. It is clear taking a publish transportation in a good was to get around in London.
III. Choose the best ending for each paragraph. Choose your answer a, b, c, or d.
1. When Christopher Columbus sailed west from Spain in 1492, he wanted to reach Asia.
He did not know there was another continent in between Europe and Asia. In fact, when he died, he still believed that the land he had found was……
a. Spain. b. America. c. Another continent d. Asia.
2. The yew tree grows very slowly and can live for hundreds of years. In southern England one year, a terrible storm blew many tall, old yew trees. Some of these splendid trees were more than 300 years old. New yew trees have been planted, but they will……
a. grow more quickly. b. never be as splendid as the old trees.
c. only live for a few years. d. be tall and splendid only after many years.
3. Fog is a major cause of accidents on highways in some areas. Every year many thousands of people lose their lives because fog can dangerously reduce visibility. The driver cannot see very far ahead so they…….
a. do not have time to avoid accidents. b. go faster to avoid accidents.
c. have more time to read the signs d. do not have time to have accidents.
4. Scottish people like to think that golf is a Scottish sport. The game did not come from Scotland, however. It was first played in Holland in the 14th century. Only later did it become……
a. popular with the Dutch b. popular in Scotland.
c. a real sport. d. an Olympic sport.
IV. Read the following conclusions. Circle the letter of the most appropriate final thought for each one. Notice the transition signals that introduce the writer’s final thoughts.
1. In short, television provides many hours of good, free entertainment that the whole family van enjoy.
a. However, television can also take over our lives if we do not know when to turn it off. Therefore, we must not watch television at the expense of other activities.
b. However, violence on television can have a very negative effect on children because they cannot separate make believe firm the real world.
c. in fact, I like to watch about four hours of television every night.
2. Smokers on the job make it uncomfortable for their co-workers; furthermore, they are less productive on the job that nonsmokers.
a. Therefore, smoking is bad for everyone’s health.
b. Therefore, it smokers want to get along with their co-workers and improve their work performance; they should stop smoking on the job.
c. Therefore, if smoking should outside the workplace only.
3. These examples have shown that it is no longer unusual to see men working as nurses, secretaries, and elementary school teachers.
a. Indeed, there is less sexism in the working world as men have proven themselves to be as capable as women.
b. So, young boys should become airline pilots, bridge construction workers, and symphony conductors.
c. Therefore, women should become airline pilots, bridge construction workers, and symphony conductors.