This week, I’m continuing the occasional “How to Write” series with a look at the power of an essay’s conclusion. English teacher friends, here is the three-sentence formula that often turns a B+ essay into an A- in my classroom:
Click here to download the conclusion paragraph lecture slides and handout featured in the video (free, designed for middle school and high school students):
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-to-Write-a-Conclusion-Paragraph-FREE-Slides-Handout-Model-Conclusions-3462619
Click here to view the previous video on introductory paragraph writing (free):
https://laurarandazzo.com/2017/10/14/four-step-introductory-paragraph-format/
“The Scarlet Ibis” lesson materials (paid):
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Scarlet-Ibis-James-Hurst-3-day-lesson-lit-analysis-writing-tasks-CCSS-683570
Argument Essay writing unit (paid):
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Argumentative-Essay-Writing-Argument-Writing-How-to-Guide-Topics-Rubric-CCSS-1630110
Teach on, everyone!
Hi Laura! Do you have any materials for body paragraphs? Thanks!
Ack, Michelle! That set is one I haven’t yet found the time to build. Believe me, when/if I ever can find the time, I’ll build and announce those materials here on the blog and YouTube. Time is just not my friend these days…
Hi Laura, do you have an example of this for an SAT-style essay? Thanks! 🙂
Hi, Kelsi,
Sorry, I don’t, but I know the main pattern will still hold true for deconstructing an argument. You might also want to dig into the College Board’s sample scored essays. I found them super-helpful: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/essay
I see. For restating the thesis at the end of a paragraph, would a student say something like:
• “When one considers Bogard’s use of personal anecdotes, allusions, and rhetorical questions, it is clear that society should preserve natural darkness.”
When one considers [3 rhet. devices], it is clear that [author’s main argument]
Or should a student say something like:
“When one considers Bogard’s use of personal anecdotes, allusions, and rhetorical questions, it is clear that he effectively builds his argument.”
When one considers [3 rhet. devices], it is clear that [purpose]
Thanks! 🙂
Definitely the second one, Kelsi!
My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s trying none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content? Any help would be really appreciated!
Sorry to disappoint, Booking Romania, but this is a tech question beyond my well of knowledge. I’ll recommend you turn this back on your developer or that you did into the WordPress operator’s forum. Best of luck to you!
[…] Paragraph: used Laura Randazzo’s Concluding Paragraph graphic organizer (which will work great when I teach funnel […]
Where is your organizer for a four paragraph essay – I saw it on a video but I cannot find the organizer or the video where I saw it
Thanks, Kristen, for checking in with me! Maybe this one? https://youtu.be/9wLydkFgveE 🙂