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A Six Traits Classroom Resource From WritingFix: Organization Revision Notes
Organization: Rank each skill from 1 (low) to 5 (high):
My introduction grabs the reader’s attention.
My conclusion links back to my introduction.
I used transition words to move from idea to idea.
My paragraphs show where my sub-topics begin & end.
My title stands for my entire draft, not just a part of it.
Free 6-Trait resources come from WritingFix! This document was downloaded from
http://writingfix.com/ ©2006 Northern Nevada Writing Project.
Conclusions
Concluding paragraphs and sentences are sometimes the hardest to write. By the end you are tired and
ready to be done, yet you aren’t sure how to tell the reader “That’s All, Folks.” However, your conclusion
can be one of the most powerful parts of your entire essay.
Your conclusion must
• Restate your opinion/topic.
• End your essay.
Your conclusion is very important. It gives you a chance to
• Remind your reader of your main idea or opinion.
• Give the essay a sense of completeness.
• Leave a lasting impression with the reader.
Some tips:
• Answer the question, “So what?” Why is your paper important? What do you want the reader to
do with the information you just gave them?
• Make your conclusion a complete paragraph. Make sure you write more than just one or two
sentences.
• DON’T just repeat your main idea and three reasons. The reader already read your paper. Show
them how your reasons fit together to prove your main point.
• DON’T write, “The End.” This isn’t a fairy tale and we aren’t in 3 rd grade anymore. We need a
more sophisticated way of telling the reader that we are concluding a well-thought-out essay.
• DON’T leave the reader hanging. Have you ever watched a movie or T.V. show that just suddenly
ended? You want the reader to have a sense of closure at the end so that they aren’t
wondering if they are missing the final page.
Real Life Examples:
• Essays from “This I Believe” website, included. There are thousands more on the website.
• Last movie lines also provide great ideas for how to end without leaving the audience hanging.
See the “Famous Last Movie Lines” handout for movie examples.
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