Standard: 7.W.1e – Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
Grade level: Grade 7
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Writing
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on teaching students how to effectively conclude an argumentative piece of writing. A well-crafted conclusion not only summarizes the main points but also reinforces the argument and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Mastering this skill is crucial for students as it enhances their ability to communicate persuasively and coherently. Before tackling this standard, students should be familiar with the structure of an argumentative essay, including how to formulate a thesis statement and support it with evidence.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to write more persuasive and cohesive arguments across various forms of writing. They will also develop critical thinking skills that allow them to evaluate and improve their own and others’ writing.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that a conclusion is merely a summary of the main points. This is incorrect because a conclusion should do more than just restate the information; it should synthesize the argument and emphasize its importance.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, provide examples of strong conclusions and engage students in activities where they practice rewriting weak conclusions to make them more impactful.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that it’s acceptable to introduce new information in the conclusion. This is incorrect because new information can confuse the reader and weaken the argument.
Intervention 2
To remediate this, instruct students to review their body paragraphs and ensure all key points are addressed before the conclusion. Practice exercises where students identify and remove new information from sample conclusions can also be helpful.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should understand the basic structure of an argumentative essay, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and the importance of supporting evidence.
Subsequent Knowledge
Students will develop the ability to write more cohesive and persuasive arguments in various forms of writing, and will learn to critically analyze and improve their own and others’ writing.
Instructional Activities
- Analyze examples of strong and weak conclusions
- Practice writing conclusions for given argumentative essays
- Peer review sessions focused on evaluating conclusions
- Rewrite weak conclusions to make them stronger
- Group discussions on the importance of a well-crafted conclusion
