ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

tells a story

usage of I

all actions in your story connect back to your central idea

Indicate changes in time, location, and characters clearly

Self-reflection and growth

Use figurative and vivid language and descriptions

What is the event or experience you want to share?

Where and when did it take place?

Who was involved in this event?

What is the relationship between you and these other individuals?

SIMILE METAPHOR simile says one thing “is like” or “is as” another

thing, but a metaphor says one thing “is” another thing

PERSONIFICATION

Onomatopoeia

tells a story

usage of I

all actions in your story connect back to your central idea

Indicate changes in time, location, and characters clearly

Self-reflection and growth

Use figurative and vivid language and descriptions

What is the event or experience you want to share?

Where and when did it take place?

Who was involved in this event?

What is the relationship between you and these other individuals?

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

SIMILE METAPHOR simile says one thing “is like” or “is as” another

thing, but a metaphor says one thing “is” another thing

PERSONIFICATION

Onomatopoeia

scorching sun

• The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to
synthesize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas and your arguments,
and to make a good final impression

• An effective conclusion paragraph should ultimately suggest to your reader that you’ve
accomplished what you set out to prove

• Avoid phrases like “in summary,” “in conclusion,” or “to sum up.”

• Don’t simply summarize what’s come before. Readers will know if you just copied and pasted
from elsewhere- avoid a complete restatement of all that you have said in your paper

• Rather, the conclusion should convey a sense of closure alongside the larger meaning
and lingering possibilities of the topic

• Avoid introducing brand new ideas or evidence. This will only confuse readers and weaken your
arguments

• Avoid making sentimental, emotional appeals that are out of character with the rest of
the paper

• Avoid including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in body paragraphs

• The “That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It” Conclusion. This conclusion just restates the thesis
and is usually very short. It does not push the ideas forward in a broader context or call to
action.

• The “Sherlock Holmes” Conclusion. Stating the thesis for the very first time in the conclusion as
to not give everything away too early in your paper. The reader, however, does not expect a
mystery, but an analytical discussion of your topic in an academic style, with the thesis stated up
front.

• The ”We Shall Overcome” Conclusion. This kind of conclusion draws on emotion and
sentimentality to make its appeal, but it is usually out of character with the rest of the paper. A
more sophisticated commentary, rather than emotional praise, is best for your conclusion.
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY