Effective Conclusions
for the
Persuasive Essay
Martha Gelagay
DeRenne Middle School
2009
The Prompt
Writing Situation
Some teachers at DeRenne Middle
School do not accept late homework.
Your principal, Mr. Rossiter, is
thinking of making this a rule.
Directions for Writing
Take a position on this rule. Write a
letter to your principal to persuade
him to support your position.
Effective Conclusions…
connect the introduction and the body of the
paper with insightful comments.
use one or more of the following strategies
effectively:
• Call to Action
• Provide a Solution/Compromise
• Prediction.
give the reader something to think about.
Strategies
Add a Call to Action
Asks the reader to do something or to make
something happen
Provide a Solution/Compromise
Provides an answer to the problem; or when you
create a solution that is in between the two
points of view.
Make a Prediction
Explains what might be the consequences of the
action or the inaction
A Call to Action
Teachers should accept late work. We
are not perfect and make mistakes.
Sometimes, our personal lives
interfere. Only you, Mr. Rossiter, have
the authority to alter this insane
rule. Change the No Late Homework Rule!
A Solution
I think that revoking the No Late
Homework Rule is a good idea. If
students repeatedly turn work in late,
reduce the points or put a limit on how
late work can be turned in. Don’t
punish us all.
A Compromise
Even if you don’t agree with my
position, at least take this into
consideration: Allow teachers to
make a decision about accepting
late homework. Teachers can decide
the penalty.
A Prediction
Our No Late Homework Rule should be
illegal. It makes us stressful,
hopeless, depressed, and resentful.
If this rule continues, many
students will be unable to
participate in after school
activities, discipline behaviors
will increase, and grades will drop.
Is such a rule worth the problems
they inspire?
Today’s Task
Write a closing for
your current
persuasive essay.
Share it with your
teacher.
Good luck with your closing!