General Writing Skills: Concluding Sentences in Paragraphs

Concluding Sentences: The Finishing Touch for Your Paragraphs

Concluding sentences are the final touch to your paragraphs, offering a satisfying sense of closure and ensuring your ideas land with impact. They signal the end of a paragraph, summarizing the main point and smoothly transitioning into the next idea.

Here's how to craft effective concluding sentences:

1. Recap the Main Idea:

• Think back to your topic sentence. What's the central message you've explored in this paragraph? Your concluding sentence should concisely restate this core idea.
• Example:
  • Topic Sentence: The use of social media has significantly changed the way we communicate.
  • Concluding Sentence: While social media offers new ways to connect, it's crucial to recognize its potential downsides and strive for healthy online interactions.

2. Avoid Introducing New Information:

• Your concluding sentence should wrap up the paragraph, not introduce new concepts. Save those for your next paragraph.
• Example:
  • Concluding Sentence (Good): The impact of social media on our relationships is undeniable, demanding a careful balance between online and offline interaction.
  • Concluding Sentence (Bad): The rise of social media has also led to concerns about data privacy, which warrants further investigation. (This introduces a new topic.)

3. Transition to the Next Paragraph:

• A good concluding sentence naturally sets up the next idea in your essay.
• Example:
  • Concluding Sentence: While social media presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for building communities and fostering global understanding. (This transition leads smoothly into a paragraph exploring the positive aspects of social media.)

4. Vary Your Style:

• Use a mix of sentence structures and vocabulary to keep your writing engaging.
• Examples:
  • Direct Recap: In conclusion, the impact of social media on our relationships is undeniable, demanding careful consideration.
  • Emphasizing Importance: It is vital to understand the complexities of social media to navigate its influence effectively.
  • Provocative Question: So, how can we harness the power of social media while mitigating its potential risks?

5. Practice Makes Perfect:

• The more you write, the better you'll become at crafting compelling concluding sentences.
• Tips:
  • Read your paragraphs aloud. Does the ending feel satisfying?
  • Ask a friend or classmate to review your writing. Can they easily identify the main idea and the transition to the next point?

By mastering the art of concluding sentences, you elevate your writing from good to great, leaving your readers with a clear understanding and a desire to read on.