Many students feel that they have nothing left to say after having written the paper. But they should bear in mind that the conclusion is often what a reader remembers best. Therefore, your conclusion should be the best part of your essay.

Conclusions contain in summary form what has already been presented in the paper. Though components of a conclusion may vary, a conclusion generally contains a restatement of the thesis in the introduction, a summary of key points in the body, and a broad statement(evaluations, speculations on future trends, recommendations, etc).

Activity 2-1: Analyzing the components of a conclusion

Below is the conclusion to an essay. Read carefully and discuss with your partner what aspects of the paper are addressed by each sentence in the conclusion.

Sample Conclusion 1

Conceptions of Grammar Teaching : A Case Study of Teachers’Beliefs and Classroom Practices

(1) This exploratory case study investigated the stated beliefs and actual instructional practices of two experienced teachers of English language in a primary school in Singapore. (2) The findings suggest that teachers do indeed have a set of complex belief systems that are sometimes not reflected in their classroom practices for various complicated reasons, some directly related to context of teaching. (3) Even though generalizations of this case study may be problematic, language teachers may learn much about the importance of accessing teachers’ beliefs and comparing these beliefs with actual classroom practices. (4) We also hope that this case study can act as a catalyst in enabling other teachers to reflect on and examine their own beliefs about their grammar teaching practices.

Questions for discussion

The conclusion has included the following aspects:

(1) _________________________________________________________________

(2) _________________________________________________________________

(3) _________________________________________________________________

(4) _________________________________________________________________

Activity 2-2: Analyzing the conclusion of an essay in relation to its introduction

Below is the conclusion of the essay on intercultural communication. (For the introduction of the essay, see Sample Introduction 1 of Activity 2-1 in Unit 3) Analyze how the sentences are related to the introduction.

Sample Conclusion 2

(1) It is clear, therefore, that not only do employees have to be trained for working in the Australian multicultural workplace, but managers also need to be trained.(2) Managers must ensure that effective in-house training programs are provided for migrant workers, so that they become more familiar with the English language, Australian communication norms and the Australian work culture. (3) In addition, Australian native English speakers need to be made aware of the differing cultural values of their workmates; particularly the different forms of non-verbal communication used by other cultures. (4) Furthermore, all employees must be provided with clear and detailed guidelines about company expectations. (5) The interviews with managers and staff reveal that a majority of managers must also have training in cross cultural communication and in managing a culturally diverse workplace. (6) Above all, in order to minimize communication problems and to maintain an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and cooperation in the multicultural workplace, managers need to have an effective knowledge about their employees, to understand how their social conditioning affects their beliefs about work and to have the communication skills to develop confidence and self-esteem among diverse work groups. (7) The culturally diverse Australian workplace may never be completely free of communication problems, however, further studies to identify potential problems and solutions, as well as better training in cross cultural communication for managers and employees, should result in a much more understanding and cooperative environment. (230 words)

Activity 2-3: Identifying components of a conclusion

Read the following extracts from conclusions. Identify which components listed below have been addressed and match the sentences with the letters (A-E).

(1) In this review, attempts have been made to summarize and assess the current research trends of transgenic rice dealing exclusively with agronomically important genes.

(2) Another line of research worth pursuing further is to study the importance of language for expatriate assignments.

(3) As always, this investigation has a number of limitations to be considered in evaluating its findings.

(4) Obviously, business expatriates could benefit from being informed that problem focused coping strategies are more effective than symptom focused ones.

(5) Our review of thirteen studies of strikes in public transport demonstrates that the effect of a strike on public transport ridership varies and may either be temporary or permanent.

(6) These results of the Columbia study reported here are consistent with other similar studies conducted in other countries (Baron and Norman, 1992).

(7) To be more precise, there was a positive relation between tolerant and patient problem solving and all four measures of adjustment: general, interaction, work and subjective well-being.

(8) To empirically test this conjecture, we need more cross-national replication of this research.

(9) More research is needed to support these claims, but the results described above suggest that further inquiry into the role literary theory plays—and the way it is presented to learners—in advanced level EFL literature classes may produce more detailed and elucidating results.

(10) Until such time, instructors should consider the benefits of an integrated approach to literature studies and should not reject presenting material to students preparing for overseas studies in a teacher-centered manner.

A. Suggestions for further research

B. Summary of main body

C. Comparisons with other studies

D. Practical implications and proposals

E. Limitations of research