Guide to spelling, punctuation and grammar

FINAL SENTENCE
A neat, rounding-off sentence that leaves your reader with something to
think about is sound practice in essay-writing.
In the above paragraph, ‘It is the human race itself that
faces extinction’ performs that function. It is relevant
to the topic, adds a note of finality to the conclusion
and underlines the seriousness of the situation. 
Always try to end your essays with some significant
sentence like this.
FURTHER EXAMPLES OF CLOSING PARAGRAPHS
E
XAMPLE
1
Here is a closing paragraph from an essay that is discussing whether or
not there has been a tendency to ‘dumbing down’ in the media and mass
culture as a whole:
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4 – T
HE CLOSING PARAGRAPH

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Thus, there does seem to be considerable evidence to
support the proposition that a widespread ‘dumbing
down’ process has been taking place in the mass
media and entertainment. The television schedules,
as has been shown, are awash with programmes that
scarcely trouble the brain cells of the nation.
Equally, the tabloid newspapers appeal more and
more to the lowest common denominator,
concentrating on sensationalism, celebrity culture
and lurid gossip. Most Hollywood movies, which,
after all, dominate the world film market, are ‘no-
brainers’ and devoid of any artistic merit. This essay
has demonstrated that this has not always been the
case in these three spheres. How this downward trend
towards mindlessness in mass culture can be
reversed is difficult to say. However, unless something
is done to raise cultural standards, it is certain that
our society will be the poorer for it. 
This closing paragraph uses several words and phrases that indicates its
summarising and concluding function: ‘Thus’ at the start of the
paragraph is a signpost to the reader that the essay is coming to a
considered conclusion based on the points that have been raised in the
body of the essay; ‘as has been shown’ refers back to a paragraph in the
essay where television schedules have been discussed; ‘Equally’
emphasises a similar point that has been made about tabloid newspapers;
‘This essay has demonstrated’ recalls the evidence presented in the essay
that matters used to be different.
In this paragraph, the last two sentences round off the essay neatly by
considering how this trend can be reversed and making a judgement
about how important it is to do so. These sentences leave the reader
with something to think about and bring the essay to a meaningful
conclusion.
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H
OW TO WRITE ESSAYS

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