WRITING THE CONCLUSION

A good conclusion for a five-

paragraph essay includes;
THE STRUCTURE
• A paraphrased thesis statement
• Summary of main ideas
• A final statement related to the
topic (suggestion, hope, prediction
and others).

• NEW MAIN IDEA

A paraphrased thesis statement
Usually begins the concluding paragraph preceded by a transition that signals
conclusion. The thesis statement is taken from the introductory paragraph.

Example 1:
(i) Three ways to avoid spread of Covid-19 are washing your hands, keeping social distance
and isolating yourself. (original TS with main ideas)
(ii) In conclusion, you can easily help to flatten the curve of Covid-19. (paraphrased TS
without main ideas)

Example 2:
(iii) The inevitable effects of controlled movement order are suspension of education and
work and slowing down the growth of small and medium business. (original TS with
main ideas)
(iv) To summarize, education, work and business are affected by the controlled movement
order. (paraphrased TS with main ideas)
A paraphrased thesis statement

Example 3:
(i) Travelling by plane and by train have few differences namely the onboard
experience, the time travelled and the ringgit spent. (original TS with main ideas)
(ii) Briefly, travelling by plane differs from travelling by train in few ways.
(paraphrased TS without main ideas)

Example 4:
(iii) Readiness of instructors, readiness of students and viability of channels or platform
used are few factors to ensure the success of virtual learning. (original TS with main
ideas)
(iv) In essence, virtual learning can be meaningful when we consider the two ends;
instructors and students, as well as the channels chosen. (paraphrased TS with main
ideas)
Summary of main ideas
Brief statement(s) of main ideas of the essay.

Example 1: 3 statements of main ideas.

In conclusion, you can easily help to flatten the curve of Covid-19. This can be done
1
simply by washing your hands frequently or after touching any surfaces in public.
2
You also need to observe the distance between you and another person when you
3
are in public. Self-quarantine yourself too if you suspect that you have contact

with a covid-positive patients.

Summary of main ideas
Brief statement(s) of main ideas of the essay.

Example 2: 2 statements of main ideas.

In essence, virtual learning can be meaningful when we consider the two ends;
1 2
instructors and students, as well as the platform chosen. Instructors and students are

parties of paramount importance as without anyone of them, virtual learning

3
would not take place. The platforms chosen ascertain that no one is left out in the

learning process.
Summary of main ideas
Brief statement(s) of main ideas of the essay.

Example 3: a statement of main ideas.

Briefly, travelling by plane differs from travelling by train in few ways. Knowing the

differences between the two mode of transportation helps one to make his or her
1 2
choice based on the kind of experience they wish for, the time they have for the
3
journey and the amount of money they are willing to spend for the journey.
A final statement

The last statement made to leave an impact on the readers.

Example 1:

In conclusion, you can easily help to flatten the curve of Covid-19. This can be done
simply by washing your hands frequently or after touching any surfaces in public. You
also need to observe the distance between you and another person when you are in
public. Self-quarantine yourself too if you suspect that you have contact with a covid-
positive patients. Hence, a collective effort is called for from each Malaysian to win
this war against Covid-19.
A final statement

The last statement made to leave an impact on the readers.

Example 2:

In essence, virtual learning can be meaningful when we consider the two ends;
instructors and students, as well as the platform chosen. Instructors and students are
parties of paramount importance as without anyone of them, virtual learning would not
take place. The platforms chosen ascertain that no one is left out in the learning
process. Learning virtually is an alien approach to many but, resistance to change
is the only reason to failure of novelty.
A final statement

The last statement made to leave an impact on the readers.

Example 3:

Briefly, travelling by plane differs from travelling by train in few ways. Knowing the
differences between the two mode of transportation helps one to make his or her
choice based on the kind of experience they wish for, the time they have for the journey
and the amount of money they are willing to spend for the journey. Regardless of the
choice, “travel opens your heart, broadens your mind and fills your life with stories
to tell” – Paula Bendfeldt.
Questions - discuss
1. What do you think is the role of a concluding paragraph in an essay?

2. Why do you think there is a need to have a paraphrased thesis statement and summary of
main ideas in a concluding paragraph? What is the use of transition signal to begin the
sentence?

3. Why do you think a new main idea(s) cannot be added to a concluding paragraph?

4. What do you think are the strategies used to achieve cohesion in the thesis statement of
this introductory paragraph?

In conclusion, you can easily help to flatten the curve of Covid-19. This can be done
simply by washing your hands frequently or after touching any surfaces in public. You also
need to observe the distance between you and another person when you are in public. Self-
quarantine yourself too if you suspect that you have contact with a covid-positive patients.
Hence, a collective effort is called for from each Malaysian to win this war against Covid-19.
Exercise 1
Paraphrase the topic sentences below.

1. Students' engagement with the society assists students in their life after college by
developing their skills to communicate, analyse and solve problem.

2. Three possible reasons for children to disown their parents are financial constraint,
disagreement with spouse and expectation for freedom.

3. Higher learning institutions, undergraduates and internship providers are responsible to

enhance added values among university graduates.
Exercise 2
Write a concluding paragraph for any of the topics given;

1. The effects of free riding in the completion of a class assignment.

2. Ways to write a winning business proposal.

3. Similarities between celebrating Hari Raya and Chinese New Year in Malaysia.

4. The causes of plagiarism among students.

5. Solutions to resource wastage in UiTM Melaka.

The end

Any questions?

Thank you!