TACHS: Paragraph conclusions: end with what the paragraph showed
Choose a closing sentence that sums up what the paragraph actually showed, without adding a new cause, a bigger claim or a new topic.
How do I pick the best last sentence for a paragraph?
Short answer
Note the problem, the steps and the result, plus any limits the writer states. The best conclusion ties the steps to the result and matches every detail, no more and no less.
Know first: Finding the main idea of a paragraph
Step 1 of 5
A conclusion sums up, it does not stretch
A concluding sentence wraps up a paragraph. It restates the main point in light of the details, often by naming what changed and why it mattered.
Wrong endings are often tempting because they sound confident. Some name a cause the paragraph never gave. Some stretch a small result into a big promise. Some quietly contradict a detail.
| Kind of choice | What goes wrong |
|---|---|
| Overclaims | Proves, always, every turn one case into a rule. |
| New cause | It gives a reason the paragraph never stated. |
| Contradicts | It clashes with a numbered sentence. |
| New topic | It opens a different subject. |
| Ignores a limit | The writer said the test was small, and the ending forgets it. |
Step 2 of 5
Match each part of the ending to the paragraph
Worked example: Reading buddies
Which sentence best concludes the paragraph?
(1) The fifth graders at Elm Street School wanted to help younger students enjoy reading.
(2) Each Friday, they paired up with first graders for twenty minutes of reading aloud.
(3) The first graders chose the books, and the older students helped with hard words.
(4) After two months, the first-grade teacher noticed her students asking to read more often.
- AThe program proves that every child will love reading.
- BThe weekly pairs seemed to give the younger readers new interest in books.
- CThe first graders improved because the books were shorter.
- DNext year, the fifth graders will take a trip to the zoo.
- 1
Note the result
After two months of Friday pairs, first graders asked to read more often.
- 2
Check each part
B links the weekly pairs to the new interest in books and uses the careful word seemed. Every part matches.
- 3
See why the other choices are there
A stretches one class into every child. C invents a cause, short books, that the paragraph never mentions. D jumps to a new topic.
Answer
B. The weekly pairs seemed to give the younger readers new interest in books.
Wrong: The new feeder proves that all birds prefer sunflower seeds.
Right: The new feeder seemed to draw more birds to the yard.
One feeder in one yard cannot prove anything about all birds. The careful version says only what was seen.
Step 3 of 5
Find the ending that matches every detail
Check yourself · Question 1
Which sentence best concludes the paragraph?
(1) The lost-and-found box at our school overflowed by the end of every month.
(2) The student council started posting a photo of each found item on the hallway bulletin board.
(3) Students checked the board between classes.
(4) In the first month, twice as many items were claimed as in the month before.
Answer: C
The paragraph shows photos going up and more items being claimed. C connects the step to the result.
Check yourself · Question 2
Which sentence best concludes the paragraph?
(1) Jamal wondered whether his cat preferred a covered bed or an open basket.
(2) He placed both in the same corner of the living room.
(3) For one week, he wrote down where the cat napped each afternoon.
(4) The cat chose the covered bed on five of the seven days.
(5) Jamal knew one week with one cat was a small test.
Answer: B
B matches the result, five of seven days, and respects the limit in sentence 5 with suggested and at least for now.
Trap answer: The cat chose the covered bed because the basket was too small.
A new cause
- Why it looks right
- It explains the result, and explanations feel like good conclusions.
- Why it's wrong
- The paragraph never says anything about size. A conclusion can only use reasons the paragraph gave.
- The right answer
- His notes suggested his cat favored the covered bed, at least for now.
Common mistake
Choosing the most confident-sounding ending.
- Why it's tempting
- Strong words like proves and always sound like a firm finish.
- Do this instead
- Match the strength of the ending to the evidence. If the writer says the test was small, the ending should be careful too.
Step 4 of 5
What to remember
Remember
- Note the problem, the steps, the result and any limits the writer states.
- Check every part of each ending against a numbered sentence.
- Cross out endings that overclaim, add a cause, contradict a detail or change the topic.
Step 5 of 5
Practice on a real question
Use what you just learned on this question, then check the explanation.
Try another one
In your own words
In the practice question, what two steps led to the result, and which wrong ending added a claim the paragraph never made?