College Composition / Unit 20 CMP 0485 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Best Concluding Sentence
The idea
Choosing the best concluding sentence means finding the one that completes the paragraph's or passage's point without adding a new one.
In practice
Work in order. First, state the point the paragraph or passage has built. Second, rule out options that introduce a new topic or new evidence. Third, rule out options that only repeat the topic sentence word for word. Fourth, among the rest, choose the one that ties the evidence back to the point and, for a final paragraph, shows its significance or recommends action. Fifth, check that its tone matches the passage.
Where people slip
Sweeping endings that generalize to all of society sound conclusive but claim more than the passage supports. Prefer the ending the evidence earns, even when a broader one sounds more impressive, because readers notice when a conclusion outruns its support.
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