Writing: Building Strong Paragraphs - Lesson 4: How to Write a Simple Concluding Sentence

Writing: Building Strong Paragraphs

B1 Lesson 4: How to Write a Simple Concluding Sentence

Listen to the key concepts and examples.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify the purpose of a concluding sentence and write one to summarize your paragraph's main idea.

Before You Start 🧠

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

Let's learn these three important words for this lesson.

Concluding Sentence

| ល្បះសន្និដ្ឋាន

The last sentence in a paragraph. It finishes the idea.

To Summarize

| សង្ខេប

To state the main idea again in a short, clear way.

Signal Word

| ពាក្យសញ្ញា

A word that shows the end is coming (e.g., "In conclusion", "Therefore").

What is a Concluding Sentence?

A concluding sentence is the "wrap-up" of your paragraph. It's like saying "goodbye" at the end of a phone call—it lets the reader know you are finished with that main idea and are ready to move on.

A good concluding sentence has two jobs:

1. It signals the end of the paragraph.
2. It summarizes the main idea (the topic sentence) in new words.

Two Easy Ways to Write a Conclusion

Technique 1: Restate the Main Idea

This is the most common way. You say the same thing as your topic sentence, but use different words.

Topic Sentence:

Angkor Wat is a very important symbol for Cambodia.

Concluding Sentence:

In short, the temple is a key part of the nation's identity.

Technique 2: Give a Final Thought

After giving your supporting details, you can add a final opinion, prediction, or warning based on those details.

Topic Sentence:

Regular exercise is important for good health.

Concluding Sentence:

Therefore, finding time to be active is essential for a long life.

Putting It All Together: A Full Paragraph

Notice how the last sentence connects back to the first sentence.

Learning English has many benefits for Cambodian students. First, it opens up new job opportunities in tourism, NGOs, and international business. Second, it allows them to access millions of websites, books, and movies that are not available in Khmer. Therefore, studying English is a very valuable skill for their future.

Practice What You Learned 🎯

Quiz: Find the Best Concluding Sentence

Read the paragraph, then choose the best concluding sentence. Click "Check Answers" when you're done.

Paragraph: "I love living in Siem Reap. The city is beautiful, and there are many ancient temples to explore. The people are also very friendly. Finally, the food is delicious, especially the street food."

Which is the BEST concluding sentence?

• A) In conclusion, Siem Reap is a wonderful place to live for many reasons.
• B) For example, I like 'kuy teav' at the market.
• C) Phnom Penh is also a big city.

Paragraph: "You must be careful when driving a moto in Cambodia. First, you should always wear a helmet. Second, do not drive too fast, especially in busy traffic. Finally, you must always watch out for other cars and motos."

Which is the BEST concluding sentence?

• A) A helmet is very important.
• B) In short, following these rules is essential for staying safe on the road.
• C) I bought my moto last year.

Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)

• Concluding Sentence | ល្បះសន្និដ្ឋាន
  The last sentence in a paragraph that finishes the main idea.
• To Summarize | សង្ខេប
  To state the main idea again in a short, clear way.
• Signal Word | ពាក្យសញ្ញា
  A word that shows the end: In conclusion, In short, Therefore, As you can see,
• Therefore | ដូច្នេះ
  A formal word used to show a result or conclusion.
• In conclusion | សរុបសេចក្ដីមក
  A formal phrase used to signal the very last sentence.

Your Writing Mission ⭐

Finish Your Paragraph

1. Go back to a paragraph you wrote for a previous lesson (like your "Daily Routine" or "About Your Town" paragraph).
2. Read your topic sentence and supporting sentences.
3. Does it have a concluding sentence? If not, write one for it now.
4. Try to use one of the signal words, like "In short,..." or "Therefore,..."