Concluding Paragraph

Restated Thesis, Ideas for Action, Clincher

Restated thesisFirst sentence of conclusion

Paraphrase your thesis (structure and word choice)

Because _______, _______, and ________, ____debatable claim_____

Example of Paraphrased Thesis

Original Thesis:

Restaurants do not provide a healthy dining experience for customers because the menu items are not nutritious, the portions sizes are too big, and there are few options for those with special dietary needs.

Paraphrased Thesis (order and words):

Because restaurants have unhealthy menu items, over-sized meal portions, and few options for diners with health problems, then they are not providing a sufficiently healthy dining experience for customers.

Ideas for Action/Call to ActionOpposite of “background” in the intro

Now that you’ve given us all of this evidence, what do you want us to do about it?

Can also include action steps for those closely tied to/connected with the issue.

Why should we care? If it’s historical, how does this influence us now?If it’s a modern topic, what should we do about it?

Example: steps for restaurants (comply with nutrition guidelines, post nutrition info), steps for diners & audience (research restaurants, don’t patronize places that hide nutrition info, “doggy-bag” portion of meals, make your own meals when possible, etc.)

ClinchersLast sentence of introduction

Remember, your purpose is to persuade them. Your last sentence should be last punch to convince them you are right and to do something about it.

EchoRevisit and connect to your hook

(Hook: anecdote about a diner with a food allergy)

Example:

Negative restaurant experiences like that of Adrienne Harms, victim of a restaurant’s false advertising, are becoming more common, and not just for people with food allergies. If restaurants don’t start following through on serving healthy meals, all diners will face negative consequences, in the form of added pounds, increased risk of diabetes, and even symptoms of heart disease.

Inspire a bigger changeWhat in the world needs to change?

Example:

It is time for those in the restaurant industry, from CEOs to managers, food scientists to chefs, to step up and initiate the change to healthier, more nutritious menus for the well-being of their customers.

PredictionWhat might happen next for those affected by

the problem/issue?

Example:

If restaurants continue unhealthy practices like hiding nutrition information and ignoring nutrition guidelines, this country has no hope of escaping the obesity epidemic that is plaguing adults and children everywhere.

WarningWhat do readers need to be afraid of?

More specific to readers than the prediction clincher

Example:

People should make informed decisions about restaurants they choose to patronize. Businesses that do not prioritize their diners’ health and well-being should not be a priority for the diner.

Pointed questionWhat needs to still be considered?

Word the question in a way that you lead the reader to a certain answer (that goes with your opinion)

Example:

With the country already in the midst of an obesity epidemic, what will happen if restaurants continue these unhealthy practices?

Which sentence is the paraphrased thesis?

Because restaurants have unhealthy menu items, over-sized meal portions, and few options for diners with health problems, they are not providing a sufficiently healthy dining experience for customers. Restaurants need to take the simple steps of following the FDA and USDA nutrition guidelines and also clearly post nutrition information for each meal served. Until this happens, diners should try to find out about available menu options, have an ordering plan ahead of time, substitute healthier options for sides and dressings, and take leftovers home (“Eating Out” 1). Above all, people should make informed decisions about the restaurants they choose to patronize. Businesses that do not prioritize their diners’ health and well-being should not be a priority for the diner.

Which sentence is the paraphrased thesis?

Because restaurants have unhealthy menu items, over-sized meal portions, and few options for diners with health problems, they are not providing a sufficiently healthy dining experience for customers. Restaurants need to take the simple steps of following the FDA and USDA nutrition guidelines and also clearly post nutrition information for each meal served. Until this happens, diners should try to find out about available menu options, have an ordering plan ahead of time, substitute healthier options for sides and dressings, and take leftovers home (“Eating Out” 1). Above all, people should make informed decisions about the restaurants they choose to patronize. Businesses that do not prioritize their diners’ health and well-being should not be a priority for the diner.

Which sentences are the ideas for action?Because restaurants have unhealthy menu items, over-sized meal portions, and few options for diners with health problems, they are not providing a sufficiently healthy dining experience for customers. Restaurants need to take the simple steps of following the FDA and USDA nutrition guidelines and also clearly post nutrition information for each meal served. Until this happens, diners should try to find out about available menu options, have an ordering plan ahead of time, substitute healthier options for sides and dressings, and take leftovers home (“Eating Out” 1). Above all, people should make informed decisions about the restaurants they choose to patronize. Businesses that do not prioritize their diners’ health and well-being should not be a priority for the diner.

Which sentences are the ideas for action?Because restaurants have unhealthy menu items, over-sized meal portions, and few options for diners with health problems, they are not providing a sufficiently healthy dining experience for customers. Restaurants need to take the simple steps of following the FDA and USDA nutrition guidelines and also clearly post nutrition information for each meal served. Until this happens, diners should try to find out about available menu options, have an ordering plan ahead of time, substitute healthier options for sides and dressings, and take leftovers home (“Eating Out” 1). Above all, people should make informed decisions about the restaurants they choose to patronize. Businesses that do not prioritize their diners’ health and well-being should not be a priority for the diner.

Which sentence is the clincher?Because restaurants have unhealthy menu items, over-sized meal portions, and few options for diners with health problems, they are not providing a sufficiently healthy dining experience for customers. Restaurants need to take the simple steps of following the FDA and USDA nutrition guidelines and also clearly post nutrition information for each meal served. Until this happens, diners should try to find out about available menu options, have an ordering plan ahead of time, substitute healthier options for sides and dressings, and take leftovers home (“Eating Out” 1). Above all, people should make informed decisions about the restaurants they choose to patronize. Businesses that do not prioritize their diners’ health and well-being should not be a priority for the diner.

Which sentence is the clincher?Because restaurants have unhealthy menu items, over-sized meal portions, and few options for diners with health problems, they are not providing a sufficiently healthy dining experience for customers. Restaurants need to take the simple steps of following the FDA and USDA nutrition guidelines and also clearly post nutrition information for each meal served. Until this happens, diners should try to find out about available menu options, have an ordering plan ahead of time, substitute healthier options for sides and dressings, and take leftovers home (“Eating Out” 1). Above all, people should make informed decisions about the restaurants they choose to patronize. Businesses that do not prioritize their diners’ health and well-being should not be a priority for the diner.