Tips for Writing an Effective Conclusion Tip 1

Tips for Writing an Effective Conclusion

Tip #1: Acknowledge the Counter-Claim One of the most powerful ways to conclude is to mention the other side’s argument, then destroy it immediately! When you mention one of the other side’s points just for the sake of deconstructing it (breaking it down) this is called “the straw-man tactic. ” It’s a popular style to use in debates. Use a quotation from the other side’s argument, if you are looking to make yours as strong as possible. Also, it’s a way to get another document into your writing.

Tip #2: Show Consequences Do a little bit of “imaginary work” by showing the reader / convincing your audience that “bad things will happen” if they do not come to see things your way. Or, oppositely, you can say that good things will happen if they come to see things your way. Example 2: Imagine a world where the NSA monitors one’s every digital move – no privacy, constant arrests, and frequent blame. Example 2: The disaster of allowing the NSA to monitor US citizens’ personal data would not only be costly, but time-consuming and invasive.

Tip #3: Avoid Repetition Stale statements that are word-for-word what you have already said will only weaken your argument. Use synonyms and sophisticated language to re-phrase and condense your argument. Example 3: In conclusion, the NSA should not monitor cell phone activity. Example 3, fixed: NSA monitoring of cell phone activity has severe consequences for American citizens, not the least of which is a widespread limitation on freedom of speech in people’s private lives.

Tip #4: Give the reader an idea of broader implications for the future. • Project what it may be like to be dealing with this issue in 10 years. • Propose a solution or point to solutions that are already out there. • Acknowledge that this issue may be complicated, without saying directly, “this issue is complicated. ” • Use synonyms for complicated: complex, intricate, multi-layered, multifaceted This is a multi-faceted issue, and even if the NSA continues to monitor private cell phone records, it is possible that in 10 years, this type of invasion into people’s private lives will no longer be needed.