Effective Conclusions

Purpose of Conclusions

• Summarize thesis and main points

• Leave a lasting thought for your paper

• Last attempt to reach out to your audience.

• Sample

Graphics

p. 21-23 in Grad Project Handbook (ON WEBSITE!)

Graphic Presentations

• According to the GP Handbook, “Skillfully integrates student-generated visual aids”

Options

• Must be student-

generated

Photos

Graphs and Charts

Bar Graphs- Good when comparing different quantities

Pie Chart

Pie Charts are Appropriate for Polls and Percentages out of 100

Line Graphs

Line Graphs will help when comparing change over time.

Advanced Degrees by Country

Graphic Organizers

Animals the Scarecrow Fears

Lions Tigers Bears

Flow Chart

Alarm Clock goes off in the morning,

I roll over to shut it off

My dog falls out of bed and runs to the door

Flow Charts work well to show how events progress over time.

Diagram

Diagrams might work to explain a complex system. They must be student generated.

To Integrate

• Use information you already have.

• Make reference to it in the text of your paper.

• Example: “As is shown in Figure 1 below,…”

• Make an in-text citation for the ‘visual’.

Rebuttal/Counter Arguments

• Identify a General or Specific Opposing Argument-what a skeptic might say

• Offer a claim that runs counter to this argument (Claim)

• Offer Proof that supports your Argument (Data)

• Explain how that proof proves your point and satisfies the opposing point (Warrant)

Example

Opp.

Arg.

#1

Media’s effects are only based on how much and what people consume.

C-

Claim

While patterns do determine effects, everyone is a consumer of media, and some effects exist regardless of content.

Data

#1

Children (8-18) consume 6 ½ hours a day, often multitasking (Kaiser).

Some effects are non-content specific (earlier)

Warr.

#1

Use is growing, not declining, so this represents a small number. Loud Music of any genre=hearing loss. Eating Cheetos to any T.V. show=weight gain.