Strategies to avoid in Concluding Paragraphs*

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Avoid apologizing
By pointing out weaknesses in your presentation, you undermine your essay’s effectiveness. Pointing out limitations or areas for further study can be a useful strategy, however.

Avoid simply rewording your thesis statement
If you restate your main point, do so in a fresh way.

Avoid introducing new ideas
You will not be able to discuss new ideas or issues adequately, and they are likely to draw attention from your main points.

Avoid overstatement
Keep your conclusions within the limits of the evidence and explanations you provided in the essay.

*From Simon and Schuster Quick Access Reference for Writers, Second Edition. Ed. Troyka, Lynn Quitman. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 1995.